by Getting a boot to fit right isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s important to start with the right shell. If you’ve got narrow, skinny feet, you’ll want to get into a low-volume boot. Tecnica’s Mach 1 LV has been a longtime favorite of skiers (and many Powder testers) for its unbelievably precise fit. The 98mm-lasted boot finally got an update with the release of the new Mach1 LV 130 and women’s Mach1 LV 115 W.
What’s New With the Tecnica Mach1 LV
After gathering feedback from athletes, bootfitters, and recreational skiers, Tecnica took on the monumental task of refining what many people already thought was their favorite high-performance ski boot. The most notable update is the addition of a new boot spine cuff-to-shell interface called T-Drive 2.0.
Taking lessons learned from the performance of the double-blocking walk mode mechanism in the Zero G Tour Pro boot, Tecnica engineered a really cool way to lock the two halves of the boot together. The new T-Drive 2.0 mechanism increases precision, flex consistency across temperatures, and power transfer from your leg to your skis.
The 2025 Tecnica Mach1 LV In Detail
Tecnica says: “The new T-Drive 2.0 utilizes the same principle as the current one of opening up the connection point in the spine of the boot and creating a longer lever arm to allow the boot to get energy into the ski more efficiently and be more precise laterally, but we’ve further refined the concept and execution; we once again have learned quite a lot from the Double Blocking Mechanism used in the touring boots to not only use less material to get energy into a ski but how to also refine the flex feeling we want in the boots. The new system is now a two-piece one where there is a spine on the outside of the boot to support you as you drive into the flex profile, it is then reinforced and better supported by an additional piece on the inside as well. This piece helps actuate the boot back up out of the flex profile and make the feeling more consistent and progressive all the way through. In short the new system aims to make the boot even more efficient than the current one and with a better feeling as you flex through the entire profile.”
Fit and Liner: Inside the Boots
Inside the boot, there’s a brand-new CAS liner. The new liner consists of 46 individual parts (36 of which require hand-stitching), and as always, is heat moldable to customize fit. The tongue has a hard plastic outer layer to increase stiffness, and a large adjustable spoiler attaches to the back. Up top, there’s an elastic power strap.
Marcus Caston putting the new boot through its paces.
Photo: Tecnica
Fit remains largely the same, with some tweaks to improve comfort without sacrificing the precise fit. Tecnica says: “On Fit, our goal was to still be one of if not the most precise Low Volume boots on the market but to update and refine the fit in order to fix some fit issues with the current one as well as move it more inline with where the category has evolved to. The specific changes were: +3mm in the instep and moving the throat slightly forward. This both fixes the fit issue we had of the instep in the old boot being excessively low and aggressive as well as makes the boot easier to get in and out of. We opened up the Medial ankle pocket by 2mm as well as opened the top of the heel pocket, both still with the goal to have a very precise hold in the heel and ankle of the boot but in a less polarizing way. We also rounded out the sixth toe to let the forefoot sit flatter while still being 98mm through the mid foot. The liner is the same refined set ups we introduced this year with slightly softer materials and slippery zones to help you get in and out, just re-lasted for the new shell.”
The boots are available in 130 ($799.99), 120 ($699.99), and 110 ($599.99) for men, and 115 ($799.99), 105 ($699.99), and 95 ($599.99) for women, the new Mach1 LV can be found in a select number of retailers now, with full launch in September 2025.
We have a pair in for testing, and will report back soon!
