Hawx Ultra 130 S vs 130 RS vs Redster CS 130

[Chunderface]

Does anyone know the difference between the Ultra 130 S versus Ultra 130 RS?

Also, if anyone has moved from Ultra 130's to Redster 130 CS's - please tell me your thoughts and impressions regarding differences.

 

[onenerdykid]

130 RS --> classic flex pattern & feel that the boot has historically had. Comes with a cam strap.

130 S --> same lower shell as 130 RS, but with a softer cuff for a more forgiving feel and a bit easier step in. Comes with a velcro strap.

Redster CS 130 --> more stable, more damp, more planted, more powerful, more precise.

**This post was edited on Feb 2nd 2024 at 2:43:08pm

 

[Chunderface]

Damn. Perfect. Thanks.

 

[colerichardmyers]

Damn. Perfect. Thanks.

I have the Atomic Hawx Ultra S (selling it btw if you are a 28/28.5). It’s really low volume. More so than other brands. I have the Ultra XTD (their touring model) in the same exact size so I bought the S resort model thinking it would fit just as well. Nope. It is way too narrow for me. The XTD fits me like a glove, whereas the S in the same size hurt my feet a lot just sitting around with them. Just an FYI. Definitely try them on if you can.

 

[Oetk]

I went from a Ultra 120S to a CS130. I also have a first gen XTD for touring so was looking for a pure resort boot. I needed more boot than the 120 so tried on a few options and liked the CS the best, it's so much more substantial than the ultra. It's doesn't feel much stiffer but it's so much more boot as Matt described above. They're damn heavy though and needed grinding in the whole toebox area to fit. I have the pro liner as well so lots of boot fitter trips to get them right but I'm super pumped on them.

 

[Chunderface]

Awesome. did you keep the same size from the ultra to the Redster? How was the fit different?

I went from an Ultra 120S to a CS130. I also have a first gen XTD for touring so was looking for a pure resort boot. I needed more boot than the 120 so tried on a few options and liked the CS the best, it's so much more substantial than the ultra. It's doesn't feel much stiffer but it's so much more boot as Matt described above. They're damn heavy though and needed grinding in the whole toebox area to fit. I have the pro liner as well so lots of boot fitter trips to get them right but I'm super pumped on them.

D

 

[Chunderface]

I have the Atomic Hawx Ultra S (selling it btw if you are a 28/28.5). It’s really low volume. More so than other brands. I have the Ultra XTD (their touring model) in the same exact size so I bought the S resort model thinking it would fit just as well. Nope. It is way too narrow for me. The XTD fits me like a glove, whereas the S in the same size hurt my feet a lot just sitting around with them. Just an FYI. Definitely try them on if you can.

Word yeah I'm on my second set of Ultra 130 S boots, and am interested in something more burly. Trying to determine if the Redster in the same size might be the way to go, but there's nowhere near me to try them on. The Ultra 130 S fits my foot perfectly out of the box. Only boot to ever do that so I'm weary of changing.

[tag=134699]@onenerdykid[/tag] Can you comment on differences in the last (aside from the 2mm) between the Ultra 130 and the Redster CS 130? I did notice the BSL was 5mm longer in the CS for the same size.

 

[onenerdykid]

Word yeah I'm on my second set of Ultra 130 S boots, and am interested in something more burly. Trying to determine if the Redster in the same size might be the way to go, but there's nowhere near me to try them on. The Ultra 130 S fits my foot perfectly out of the box. Only boot to ever do that so I'm weary of changing.

[tag=134699]@onenerdykid[/tag] Can you comment on differences in the last (aside from the 2mm) between the Ultra 130 and the Redster CS 130? I did notice the BSL was 5mm longer in the CS for the same size.

Whatever size you are in an Ultra, you are in a Redster CS.

If a Ultra fits you, it is quite easy to make a Redster CS fit you. But bear in mind, a Redster is a boot that is intended to be fit out of the box, rather than fit out of the box. It's important to know that and be aware that this boot is intended to have work done to it and not judge it by its immediate, first fit.

BSL is the external length of the boot. It has no direct relation to the inside length. The Redster has a longer BSL because the plastic is thicker.

From a last perspective, aside from the narrower forefoot, the Redster CS is lower over the toe box, lower vertical instep height, narrower in rear foot/heel, but have a slightly bigger/longer heel-to-instep perimeter (makes stepping into the shell with a liner on easier).

Worth reminding: the plastic of the Redster CS is crazy thick, which is partly there for your footshape to be ground into it for an exact fit. Fitting this boot can be a slower process, more piecemeal process. But worth it.

 

[Oetk]

What Matt said. I fit an ultra with a heat mold on the liner and a slight punch for width on one foot. The CS needed much more work on both boots to get them fit, plus the more involved fitting process. If you don't have somewhere to try them on you might not have someone able to do all the bootwork needed to make them work.

 

[BallClapper]

No

 

[ToddV]

130 RS --> classic flex pattern & feel that the boot has historically had. Comes with a cam strap.

130 S --> same lower shell as 130 RS, but with a softer cuff for a more forgiving feel and a bit easier step in. Comes with a velcro strap.

The RS designation was introduced for 2024, correct? If so, is it that the 2023 S became the 2024 RS, with the same cuff stiffness, with the 2024 S being the new addition; or is the 2024 RS actually a step up in stiffness from the 2023 S with the 2023/2024 S being the same?

 

[onenerdykid]

The RS designation was introduced for 2024, correct? If so, is it that the 2023 S became the 2024 RS, with the same cuff stiffness, with the 2024 S being the new addition; or is the 2024 RS actually a step up in stiffness from the 2023 S with the 2023/2024 S being the same?

I think how I wrote it is the easiest way to understand it.

If you want the 130-flex we've always had, get the 130 RS.

 

[ToddV]

I think how I wrote it is the easiest way to understand it.

If you want the 130-flex we've always had, get the 130 RS.

Thanks for the instant reply! It's not that I'm comparing current-year models, or have experience in the boot that I'm trying to replicate, rather that my shop has both a 2024 RS and a 2023 S. If the cuffs are the same I would take the 2023 simply for price / color, but not if it means compromising on performance. Staff didn't seem to know if there was a difference. From what you are saying though it sounds like the 2023 S and 2024 RS are the same (other than the cam mechanism)?

 

[rudolph]

Does anyone on the atomic team run a redster lower shell with an ultra cuff? Also is the redster available a shock absorber base board?

 

[onenerdykid]

Thanks for the instant reply! It's not that I'm comparing current-year models, or have experience in the boot that I'm trying to replicate, rather that my shop has both a 2024 RS and a 2023 S. If the cuffs are the same I would take the 2023 simply for price / color, but not if it means compromising on performance. Staff didn't seem to know if there was a difference. From what you are saying though it sounds like the 2023 S and 2024 RS are the same (other than the cam mechanism)?

2022/23 130 S cuff & shell = 23/24 130 RS cuff & shell

Does anyone on the atomic team run a redster lower shell with an ultra cuff? Also is the redster available a shock absorber base board?

Ultra cuff does not fit onto Redster.

Yes, Redster CS has a ShockStopper boot board but as an aftermarket part only, not in a complete boot.

 

[ToddV]

2022/23 130 S cuff & shell = 23/24 130 RS cuff & shell

Perfect, thanks again.