Gear Score Card
Date: September 2026
Overall Rating
8.8
out of 10.0
Weight
1,936g (per boot, size 26/26.5)
Available Sizes
Men's: Multiple sizes available
At 1,936g per boot at size 26/26.5, the HAWX Prime 120 S Dual BOA sits in the same weight class as the Nordica Promachine 3 120 at 1,920g — a difference of 16g, or 0.8%, which is within measurement variance and not a meaningful performance distinction. Both boots achieve this weight through lightweight shell and cuff construction: Atomic's Prolite technology reinforces key structural zones while reducing material in areas that contribute to bulk without adding power transmission. The result is a 120-flex performance boot that is meaningfully lighter than the conventional PU-shell field, which typically runs 1,950–2,100g at this flex index.
The HAWX Prime 120 S Dual BOA delivers strong Arrow Efficiency through the combination of Prolite construction, Dual BOA H+i1 closure, and the Energy Backbone reinforcement system. Prolite keeps the shell and cuff lightweight while reinforcing the structural zones that matter for edge grip and power transfer. The Energy Backbone adds targeted stiffness in key areas, ensuring that the boot's 120 flex index translates directly to the ski rather than being absorbed by shell flex. The Dual BOA H+i1 system — one dial at the cuff, one at the shell — maintains consistent closure pressure through repeated flexion cycles, holding the foot in a stable, locked position across variable conditions.
The Dual BOA H+i1 Fit System uses two independent dials — a cuff pull and a shell pull — to wrap the leg and foot from cuff to shell for a dialed-in fit. Each dial provides micro-adjustable tension independently, allowing the skier to tune cuff pressure and foot pressure separately without removing gloves. The Mimic Platinum liner adds a heat-moldable layer at the heel, ankle, and tongue: after oven softening, the liner material conforms to the precise shape of the skier's foot and hardens in that shape, creating a custom interface that reduces internal movement. Memory Fit extends this customization to the shell and cuff itself, allowing full heat-reshaping to the skier's leg and foot geometry. The AFS Cuff spoiler adds volume adjustment for different calf shapes.
The HAWX Prime 120 S Dual BOA is built for strong all-mountain skiers on piste and variable terrain. The 120 flex provides the stiffness that aggressive skiing demands, and the Prolite construction with Energy Backbone reinforcement delivers the torsional rigidity needed for confident edge-to-edge response. Power Shift 2.0 allows independent forward lean adjustment at 13°, 15°, or 17°, and a flex shim system for fine-tuning — a level of on-snow adjustability that most performance boots at this price point do not offer. The Gripwalk sole adds off-snow mobility without compromising binding compatibility.
The 100mm last is medium volume — wider than the Nordica Promachine 3 120's 98mm narrow last — and designed to fit most skiers right out of the box without bootfitter intervention. The Mimic Platinum liner provides a firm, supportive fit with cushioning and a high level of customization through the Mimic heat-molding process. Memory Fit shell and cuff customization, the AFS Cuff spoiler for calf volume adjustment, and Power Shift 2.0 forward lean adjustment give the HAWX Prime 120 S a broader fit accommodation range than most fixed-geometry performance boots. Skiers with medium-volume feet will find the 100mm last an immediate, comfortable match.
The Atomic HAWX Prime 120 S Dual BOA earns an 8.8 overall through a combination of genuine weight competitiveness, a well-executed dual-dial BOA closure system, and an unusually broad fit customization platform. At 1,936g per boot, it sits within 16g of the Nordica Promachine 3 120 — effectively the same weight class, both achieved through lightweight shell construction with targeted structural reinforcement rather than conventional full-PU geometry. The Dual BOA H+i1 system provides independent cuff and shell tension control with micro-adjustability at any point during the day. The Mimic Platinum liner, Memory Fit shell customization, AFS Cuff spoiler, and Power Shift 2.0 forward lean adjustment give the HAWX Prime 120 S a fit accommodation range that is broader than most performance boots at this flex index. The 100mm medium-volume last makes it accessible to a wider range of foot shapes than the Nordica's 98mm narrow last. For skiers who want 120-flex performance with BOA closure and the flexibility to dial in fit across multiple dimensions, the HAWX Prime 120 S Dual BOA is a complete and well-resolved boot.
The Feather & Arrow Collective | Independent Evaluation. Intelligent Analysis.
Data Sources: All specifications, weights, and performance data are sourced exclusively from manufacturer published specifications, technical documentation, and peer-reviewed materials science research. No independent physical testing was conducted. Scores reflect comparative analysis of manufacturer data relative to category averages.