Tecnica Bushwacker

At first glance, this boot had my attention: tech fittings, three stout buckles, overlap cuff, and walk mode. It’s not the lightest boot in the world, but not the heaviest either. The stock liner, however heavy, is very posh. I shoved in my footbeds and buckled up without having to heat the liners whatsoever. The single upper cuff buckle was wide, and it did the work of two, which I liked because it did what it should with less effort and less material. What’s not to like?

The powerstrap, however, was the piste de résistance. Not only was it beefy, but it could be engaged and disengaged like a regular buckle, and it gave me a solid, snug upper cuff security that I wasn't used to getting from other top straps. With the buckles left open, the boot in walk mode was ergonomic, and, though I didn’t skin in this boot, the fore/aft dexterity while hiking and milling about was more than I was expecting.

I paired this boot with three skis in the 96-115mm waist range, and I always felt I had enough boot to steer whatever ski was below my feet. Especially in the powder, I thought I’d found the boot of my dreams. The slightest lean to the left and right drove my skis where I wanted them to go, all the while my shins comfortably cradled in the upper cuff.

My main criticism deals with the forward lean, or lack thereof. Once going back on the groomers, I didn’t feel I could fully get in front and drive the boot to explore a specific skis’ limits. Maybe that was just my style, and it’s possible I could get use to them, but I had reservations about my inability to fully embrace the front seat. The Bushwacker’s big brother, the Cochise, which I didn’t get to ski, might be more toward my style.

Nevertheless, I want to give that boot a shot, and I’ll definitely give the Bushwacker a rematch.