Fischer Ranger 12

A hike-enabled, medium-width model that’s fully rigged for all-mountain exploration. Vibram soles and a grippy mid arch make it a sure-footed hiker even on glazed snow. The shock-absorbing bootboard provides a damp, bump-flattening ride. The Hike Ride Lock cuff release can be fully disengaged for smooth rearward rotation during hiking and skinning, fully locked for pinned-cuff performance or operated in a free position for a slightly softer forward-flex feel. Testers said the rearward cuff movement was exceptionally smooth-gliding and comfortable when released. That’s partly due to the unique liner construction that allows the upper plastic liner cuff reinforcement to pivot at axle-like attachment points. The plastic cuff isn't bonded to the liner itself but floats along its exterior surface. We think that's pretty cool. Testers found the bootboard ramp flat and the cuff fairly upright so a few of them employed the functional On/Off Piste Mode spoiler. The oddly named gizmo snaps into a higher, more forward position with a firm tug on a pull loop.