Gear Preview 2012: Fischer

fischer display wall — Skis, boots and poles on display at the Fischer booth at SIA.

Every winter, snow-specific outdoor brands congregate at the Snowsports Industries of America (SIA) Snow Show in Denver, Colorado to exhibit their new gear for the following year to retailers from all over the country. For nordic companies, the four-day show at the Colorado Convention Center is followed by two days of on-snow demos at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, where retailers try out the new equipment and begin the process of deciding what to carry in their shops the next season.

FasterSkier caught up with industry reps in Denver for previews of their new gear in 2012-2013. Our first stop was Fischer Sports USA, where Nordic Division Vice President Peter Ashley ran us through features of Fischer’s major new piece of equipment: the top-end women’s specific Carbonlite boots.

fischer womens boot — The new women's-specific Carbonlite boots from Fischer.

Like the men’s version, the women’s boot features a carbon last and cuff for optimal stiffness and stability and a cross-link that provides volume adjustment and torsion control.

The differences between the women’s and men’s boot, apart from the white graphics, are the narrower heel and unique last that are designed to better fit a woman’s foot.

As with other companies, professional skiers have had the chance to race on next year’s models already. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) debuted the white boot at the Tour de Ski this winter, and Ashley said it has met with positive reviews from other Fischer athletes so far.