 APEX SKI BOOTS
Back in the 70’s and 80’s Denny Hanson was president and co-founder of Hanson Industries Inc. They invented the Hanson ski boot, a revolutionary rear-entry design for its time. Now, 40 years on, Denny Hanson is back in the ski business with another unique concept called the Apex ski boot. Inspired by snowboard boots and discouraged by traditional boots, Hanson says there hasn’t been any significant progress in ski boot design for 15 years and he plans to change that with his new product.
It’s a two-part boot that marries a warm comfortable inner boot with a rigid outer structure for the demands of skiing. Think of a snowboard boot supported by a carbon fiber shell. Apex is the first carbon fiber ski boot but has other unique features as well. The carbon fiber outer frame incorporates canting and flex adjustments. The heat-moldable, exposed inner boot is warm and comfortable. The inner boot also features a tread for walking and a lacing system for consistent tension that doesn’t loosen during skiing.
It’s easy to sense that Hanson is wisely not aiming at masters racers or the hard-core carving crowd. These boots are made for people that want to ski but are fed up with cold feet, boots that hurt, boots that are hard to walk in and all the hassles associated with modern ski boots. Soft-snow cruisers and powder skiers that want their feet to feel good at the end of the day are Apex customers.
Because Apex boots are made of carbon fiber and they are not in mass production expect to pay more for them. If it’s any consolation, the display pairs that we inspected were beautifully constructed with excellent workmanship and quality in every detail. It will be like wearing Formula 1 parts on your feet. |
