Salomon Ghost Max 130

[.MASSHOLE.]

Have my eye on a pair of the 2016 models, just a few questions before I pull the trigger.

1. How similar is the fit to the MTN Lab? I heard they modeled the fit from the MTN Lab off the Ghost.

2. Is the shell heat moldable? I know the MTN Lab technically isn't, but a skilled bootfitter can mold it (they have for me).

Anyone have any experience on them and want to add anything?

And yes, I know go to a boot fitter to see if they fit my feet. If they're similar to the MTN Lab last I'll be fine.

 

[OldNJaded]

I used various versions of the Ghost 130 over the years. Loved them but either my feet shrank or I'd been improperly sizing my boots based on comfort not fit. This caused me to switch over to the Full Tilt Seths, which I couldn't be happier with. I break A LOT of things, being able to replace everything on the boots was a deal breaker and a game changer.

I remember the 2014 model having a heat manipulative liner but not sure about the shell. "CS" was Salomon's designation code for the moldable shell. I can't recall the Ghost having that.

I can't speak for the fit comparison of the MTN series vs. the Ghost. Comparing last width on the Salomon site may be a good starting point. Ultimately the bootfitter will be your best source for hands on or should I say feet...

 

[BirtDike]

Ghost 130s are significantly tighter in the instep and forefoot. Much more "uncomfortable".

 

[onenerdykid]

Ghost and MTN are quite different from a last perspective. It would be more beneficial to draw a comparison between the Ghost and X-Max, which share the same last. Ghost has a different liner and some other things on the outside to essentially turn the 4-buckle X-Max into a 2-buckle Ghost. If X-Max works for you, then Ghost pretty much will and if it doesn't work for you, Ghost probably won't either.

 

[.MASSHOLE.]

Ghost and MTN are quite different from a last perspective. It would be more beneficial to draw a comparison between the Ghost and X-Max, which share the same last. Ghost has a different liner and some other things on the outside to essentially turn the 4-buckle X-Max into a 2-buckle Ghost. If X-Max works for you, then Ghost pretty much will and if it doesn't work for you, Ghost probably won't either.

Interesting. I had seen a few places mention the MTN was based off the Ghost last, which I guess by the transitive property would have indicated the X-MAX as well.

Guess they were wrong.

I did a shell fit with the X-MAX 130 Race to get sizing on the MTN lab since the fitter didn't carry MTN Labs and couldn't get any from the rep until he knew a size and had no issues there (aside from unmolded liners causing some pressure spots which we expected).

I'm guessing the Redster Club Sport 130 is the Atomic competitor for the XMAX Race 130, right?

Just trying to get a bead on what boots to be looking at for next season to go along side some MTN Labs for inbounds.

 

[onenerdykid]

Interesting. I had seen a few places mention the MTN was based off the Ghost last, which I guess by the transitive property would have indicated the X-MAX as well.

Guess they were wrong.

I did a shell fit with the X-MAX 130 Race to get sizing on the MTN lab since the fitter didn't carry MTN Labs and couldn't get any from the rep until he knew a size and had no issues there (aside from unmolded liners causing some pressure spots which we expected).

I'm guessing the Redster Club Sport 130 is the Atomic competitor for the XMAX Race 130, right?

Just trying to get a bead on what boots to be looking at for next season to go along side some MTN Labs for inbounds.

An easy way to demonstrate it (if you have both boots available to check): look at the external heel design and how the cuff attaches to the shell on the back. Identical between X-Max and Ghost. The MTN last might use certain aspects of the X-Max last, but there are a lot of changes to it in order to arrive at MTN. Close but not exact.

Redster Club Sport is a legit "wider" race boot- everything about it is built for racing. Plastics, plastic thickness, liner construction, geometry, non-replaceable sole, etc. X-Max Race is the X-Max with a thicker liner- it has no relation to their actual race boot, the X-Lab. If Salomon made a "wider" X-Lab, that would be more equivalent to our CS 130. X-Max Race is in this weird middle ground, imho.

While you can check out the Club Sport 130, I would more steer you to the Ultra 130. It will be 98% as powerful (but still more powerful than the MTN lab), 30% lighter, warmer, have replaceable grip pads, easier to boot-fit, easier to adjust geometry, etc. As an all day boot, the Ultra 130 has more going for it than the CS 130. The new Redster series is now more of a purist race boot than its predecessor.