In the last two years, Lange has announced the most significant improvements in its 50-year history. New shells, new shapes and new liner technology highlight the Lange collection.
Lange is one of the most iconic ski boots brands. The pioneering efforts of Bob Lange making boots out of Adiprene (a 2-part plastic that was poured into molds and then took hours to harden) marked a revolution in skiing. Not only did plastic provide unheard of power and control, it also made binding operation safer and opened the door to DIN standards for bindings and boot soles. Plastic brought one more thing to skiing — pain. The new Lange collection attacks comfort and performance with renewed attention to anatomical foot shapes and pre-molded padding. Boots are available in half-sizes only.
Several significant features are worth noting:
- Control Fit Technology – the feet of 20,000 skiers from around the world were scanned using a 3D imaging system. Not surprising to most skiers, Lange discovered that most people need a wider, asymmetrical forefoot area and a narrower, more shapely ankle area. Liners with pre-molded padding in true anatomical shapes as well as other features such as continuous material from toes to shins and saddle stitching to reduce uncomfortable seams have greatly improved out-of-the-box fit. In addition, the liners are “true lasted” meaning they perfectly match the inside shape of the shell so there are no gaps or short lasting of the toe box. Lange says the result is a fit that is more accurate and comfortable than any other on the market.
- There is a less obvious but equally dramatic change to Lange performance shells called Natural Stance. A neutral upright stance with a ramp angle (forward slope of footbed) of only 4° derived from World Cup boots is now standard on most performance models.
- An interesting option is available on some models — a choice of two widths for the lower shell which acknowledges that good skiers sometimes have wide feet. In addition, some models feature a short cuff (SC) option too.
- Despite the recent trend to multi-injection shells, Lange has returned to mono-injected shells for performance boots. Mono-injected shells are also easier to work on and customize.
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