Nordica Fire Arrow F1

Lateral Stability / Response

Optimizing lateral precision is the main design focus of the Fire Arrow line, and in this respect, I think Nordica has accomplished just what they set out to do. The F1 does provide a superb, very strong and immediate lateral transmission of energy (even with replaceable rubber soles), enabling me to initiate carves very precisely and maintain a very solid, balanced edge hold directly underfoot. The F1 also has a more upright cuff angle than a typical 4-buckle boot, so this was especially apparent while on skis that favored a more upright stance, like the Salomon Rocker2 108 and Nordica Soul Rider. In many ways, the F1 makes skiing skis from a more centered stance easier and more fun than a boot with more forward, aggressive lean.

Will Brown, Las Leñas Ski Resort
Will Brown in the Nordica Fire Arrow F1, Las Leñas

While I can’t say the EDT boot board feels totally different than any other boot board I’ve used, it does provide great snow feel and feedback, though it provides no real shock abortion. The F1’s lateral rigidity also makes high-angle carves very easy to lean into, but the more upright cuff angle also make tail presses and butters more comfortable and balanced.

Forward Flex

Nordica uses its own numeric scale, 4–16, to denote the flex of its boots. With a stiffness of 16, the F1 is the stiffest Fire Arrow model. This is typically written as 130 or 135 when translated to the more conventional flex rating. Even so, this more ordinary number might be a little misleading as to the actual performance of the boot, because the F1’s flex is “progressive.” Nordica describes the Fire Arrow’s initial flex as being “relatively stiff,” but still “easy and reactive in the neutral position” while the boot’s “stiffness increases as you flex deeper increasing transmission of power into the ski.” In other words, the 130 or 135 flex number really speaks to the stiffness of the boot when it’s nearly fully flexed, not what you feel initially. This is largely consistent with my experience with the F1.

When driving very hard into the shovel of skis during a carve, I felt the most power from the boot once I was flexed into it heavily, at which point the transmission through the cuff and into the shovel felt strongest. The flex of my old Konflicts felt similarly progressive (as do the KR2s), but I will say that the F1’s flex does not feel as gradual or consistent. The heel hold in both boots felt the same—wearing each on one foot while skiing was a clear test of this—but my Full Tilts’ flex feels slightly more smooth and round, where the F1 strikes me as a little more asymmetrical or segmented (softer and more forgiving at first, but stiffening more dramatically at the end of the tongue’s flex). I skied the boot predominantly with the adjustable flex block in the stiffest setting, as the lower setting made the boot feel far too soft as a whole (as though I was moving the cuff through the whole flex plane rather than into the stiffer, final section).

Really this wasn’t a huge issue in consistent conditions (like groomers and fresh powder) where I could get used to that bit of lag in full power from the boot and the way it responded to cuff pressure (the boots do have a fair amount of rebound out of that deep, stiff flexed position that helps give them a more dependable feel). You’ll have to decide whether this different feel sounds attractive.

Most importantly, I feel this is what makes the F1 different from the more freeride focused Krypton of KR2. Those boots are definitely better at maintaining a consistent, sometimes very forward position with a lot of edge pressure in chop and crud, though my Konflicts do not have the lateral stability that the F1 does).

I don’t necessarily fault Nordica for this. Part of me hoped that the Fire Arrow could serve as a freeride boot, but, to be fair, the F1 is placed in their all-mountain line. All in all, my hope that the boot could serve as a high-energy, freeride alternative to my Konflicts wasn’t satisfied, but Nordica’s claims about lateral precision are definitely well founded.

Bottom Line

The biggest issue I see with the Fire Arrow F1 is really the way it fits. For anyone with a fairly high instep, the Fire Arrow is likely going to be incompatible. It seems more likely that even an advanced skier is going to find a boot in Dalbello’s Krypton line a better fit out of the box—Dalbello’s new Krypton mold has relief contours in the ankle, heel, navicular, and 6th toe (5th metatarsal) areas.

The Fire Arrow F1 is also rather specific in what it offers to the skier. If the boot does fit your foot well, and you’re looking primarily to carve up groomers, especially on a more centered playful ski, and take smoother lines in the steeps that don’t require very immediate power into the shovel of a ski, the Fire Arrow F1 could be a great boot. It seems suitable for an advanced or advanced/expert skier who prefers a slower, more deliberate style of skiing over all-out charging, yet still demands good edge hold and responsiveness while making fast turns on hard snow. At the same time, the F1 could be good as an all-mountain park boot if butters, nose and tail presses, and switch riding are really your thing.

The deciding factor is, again, if your skiing style and your feet meet those criteria.

3 comments on “Nordica Fire Arrow F1”

  1. What a precise review! I started the season on the Fire Arrow F1….very nice boot. But as I read more reviews I had to try the RX 130…hadn’t been on Langes since early 1990s when my shins/feet paid dearly every time out. The response of the RX 130 (vs the F1) is almost like the difference between my Fischer FIS SL skis versus my all mountain skis. Your review steered me to the RX 130s and I am ecstatic…..the pop is back as I release to the other side…amazing, reassuring and fun. Both awesome boots, but the Langes better suit my aggression. Thanks for your great work from guys like me who don’t have time to try everything before we buy.

  2. Great review, thanks!

    I am an intermediate-advanced skier (6′, 160 lbs ) and I couldn’t resist the to buy the F1’s because they were on sale in a local shop for the same price as a entry-intermediate boot. But I’m afraid that the flex might be a lot too high for me because of my weight, and I don’t ski very aggressively. Do you know how much the back screw influenced the flex while skiing (or is it just a gimmick?) and do you think these can be fine for an intermediate skier while on the soft-flex setting? (98% on-piste, but conditions can be tough)

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