What To Look For
Salomon makes two versions of the Falcon ski boot: the Falcon CS and the Falcon CS Pro. Both models feature Salomon's Advanced Shell Technology with its patented Custom Shell Technology to instantly and easily shape the shell to the foot. They also feature a liner boot that has two layers of thermo-moldable foam to mold the boot liner to each skier's foot. The flex of the CS Pro is stiffer, at 120, vs. the 100 flex of the CS. The CS Pro also has a Flex Rivet to lock the cuff of the boot, making it stiffer.
Common Pitfalls
While the CS and CS Pro offer a lot of performance benefits to advanced skiers, they both have a lot of options as far as dialing in the best settings for fit of the boot, canting of the leg inside the boot and positioning of the buckles for tightening them. Don't over-tighten the buckles, and make sure you get a properly sized shell and liner, or you will feel the need to tighten the buckles too much.
A performance-oriented boot like this is sometimes sized too loosely. The foam liner will pack down, so the boot should feel somewhat snug at first to get the most out of it. Again, a good boot fitter can help you select the right size boot.
Where To Buy
While online discounts are tempting, get the boots in a local specialty ski shop that has an experienced boot fitter. Especially with the the thermo-moldable liners and the Custom Shell Technology, it is important to get the boot fitted properly, and buying your pair online will deprive you of that expertise.
Cost
The list price of the CS Pro is $925 and the list of the CS is $790. However, you can often find deals on the boots during early- and late-season sales and get them for around $500.
