Salomon SPK 90 (2012)

First off, I have to explain something. I have a personal belief that if you're a good enough skier, you can take any ski, with any binding, with any boot, on any snow, and have a great time. NOW, I'm not saying I'm the world's greatest skier, because I'm certainly not. But I am saying that I'm perfectly capable of taking a park boot and skiing GS in it and having a blast, because you know what? Like I would if I shopped at Men's Wearhouse, I like the way I look. I look good. And when I look good, I feel good. And when I feel good, I ski good. So before you go criticizing my boot choice, just remember that I'm in it for the good times, not the fastest times.

Anyway, that being said, let's get on with it. The Salomon SPK 90 (one of a few in the SPK series) has a 90 flex rating and a 104 last. (Admittedly a little bit of a soft flex for the type of skiing I enjoy, but I've always struggled with staying out of the back seat, so a little bit of extra flex allows me to not constantly check and re-check my stance. Less thinking, more skiing.) 

PROS:

• Brace yourselves... they're colorful. Just look at those GIANT YELLOW BUCKLES! Squee. I also really dig the overall sort of 'chunky' vibe of the boot. Gosh, was I raised in the 90s or what.
• In relation to the buckles yellow-ness, more important is their giant-ness. I'm a mitten wearer when I ski, so having super easy buckles is basically my favorite thing ever.
• The lace system in the inner boot. I love to jam my heel back into my boot as far as it will go and then cinch those babies up. It keeps my feet in place laterally while still allowing me to unbuckle the foot buckle on the lift to let my toesies breathe.
• The slippery thing on the inside/calf area. Makes sliding your heel into the boots a BREEZE.
• The strap around the shin also has a nice little space in the back for me to hook my boot heater packs. Go ahead. Call me a wimp. DO IT.
• Shock absorption in the heel. It's probably silly but I'm so much less afraid to throw bigger tricks because I'm not as worried about hurting myself.

CONS:

• A little on the flexy side for "all-mountain" weekend warriors. Park lovers and weirdos like me are definitely the best crowd for this boot.
• Only having two buckles doesn't allow for as specific of a 'dialed in' fit.
• This is a little silly, but I think the lacing system needs some sort of keeper or pocket to fit in, like Salomon has done with their running shoes. I try and tuck them in the strap, but often find the ends dangling out of my pants. Classy.
• The SCS toe cushioning system is great, but having little white dalmatian spots on my toes is a little dorky. I personally would have preferred an all-black look.

Overall, I love these boots. I got them two seasons ago, but I found them recently on the Evo outlet here. I give them a solid A.