TECNICA COCHISE

Arguably the inventor of the category when it released the first Cochise in the early 2010s, Tecnica has tinkered again to make it better. On the sliding side, it has an improved walk-ski lever, with a small button that locks it into the downhill mode for confidence and precision. Additional PU in the shell cranks up power transfer. The Cochise comes in three men’s and three women’s models and includes, for the first time, a women’s 120 flex, making it one of the stiffest women’s touring boots. For the up, a new hinge point improves striding, and the boot weighs about 10 per cent less than last year’s. With a powerstrap, a GripWalk sole and four buckles, it weighs 1.8 kg. Testers who used the old Cochise say it skis better and walks better, too.

From $550; blizzard-tecnica.com

Choose it: If you mostly ski the resort, but want the option to walk farther afield.