2025 Phaenom FR 01 130 Ski Boots Review

Ride Impressions

Asa:  The Phaenom FR 01 130 Ski Boots are perhaps some of the dampest, most powerful boots I've ever skied — which, for context, my primary resort boots are now the K2 Recon Team boots ("140" flex) and then previously the Dalbello Lupo SP ID ("130" flex) each of which are quite powerful and damp in their own right. With that said, as resort boots I absolutely loved them, as a touring boot though, their substantial weight made me wonder why Phaenom opted to offer these with tech inserts... At the end of the day, however, their impressive inbounds performance outweighed the couple quirks I ran into.

Dowhill Performance

Asa:  Starting with the positives, the Phaenom FR 01 130 Ski Boots boast a super powerful flex and dampness that outperforms a lot of other "130+ flex" ski boots I've tried in the past. (Remember, there is no standard when it comes to flex ratings, so there can be huge variance from brand to brand or even model to model.) Their stiffness combined with a heavy denseness gave me the utmost confidence to charge into steep, cliffy terrain, heavy tracked out snow, and take big landing impacts. The unique oversized rubber power strap also gives the boots a very progressive flex pattern that you can dial up or dial back depending how tight you set 'em.

Cassidy:  After getting my fit dialed with a heat mold, the Phaenom FR 01 130 Ski Boots felt great after a couple of runs on groomers that had a nice inch or two of overnight dusting. I consider myself an aggressive skier, and loved how stiff and powerful these boots felt through every second of the turn. The energy transfer from edge to edge felt seamless and amplified by the combination of my skis and boots. When that all flows together I can find the confidence I am consistently seeking to charge through steeper and deeper terrain. I was in these boots for a day of varying spring conditions where it’s difficult to tell exactly what the snow ahead is like, and these boots gave me total control and power to cut right through crud and mixed conditions.

Features/Adjustability

Asa:  Another thing I really appreciated on the FR 01 is the adjustable forward lean, which allows you to find a stance that's most comfortable/familiar for you and the types of skis you ride (e.g. more center mounted twin tips vs more traditional directional skis). Moreover, the inclusion of tech inserts and walk-mode capabilities — while a bit odd for a 2100g+ boot — add versatility for those who may want to occasionally venture into backcountry terrain. I only took them on one short tour to the top of Mt. Spokane (which reminded me of my burly frame binding days despite using 'em with lightweight G3 Ions), but I guess having the option never hurts, right?

Cassidy:  The adjustable power strap is the most unique piece of these boots in my opinion and plays a dynamic role in giving you the ability to adjust the flex of the boot depending on the kind of feeling you are looking for through different kinds of terrain or riding styles as well as it’s ability to give you some extra rebound and shock absorption. I was a little weary as to if the strap would stay in place and be easy to use, and it proved to be a great design - quick, seamless, and easy to adjust with gloves on.

Fit

Asa:  The Phaenom FR 01 130 Ski Boots also had a few drawbacks for me. First, the initial out-of-the-box fit will be a point of contention for some, as the wide 102mm last combined with a shallower instep and super narrow calf will likely require at least moderate bootfitter massaging to get 'em fitting properly. I went in for three separate bootfitting sessions before I felt like they fit decently. I think for some, Phaenom's wider forefoot width will be a welcomed deviance that provides more comfort, but for those who are accustomed to a more traditional 98mm width or just have low-volume feet, these might feel a little sloppy without modifications.

Cassidy:  I can't emphasize enough how much I recommend getting these heat molded before you take them out on the hill. Why not start with a fit that will set you up for success? My most recent pairs of boots that I have absolutely loved are the Salomon S​/Pro Supra BOA 105 Ski Boots and the Dalbello Lupo AX 105 W both rated with a softer flex, but since there is no true standard for boot flex across brands, it really is all about trying on boots and getting a feel for what you like. Since I love my  Salomon S​/Pro Supras so much,  I feared the 130 flex rating might be a bit much for me, but they were great at providing a dampened, locked-in feel that I am always seeking, and again, the ability to tweak the flex with the power strap is a huge bonus. All in all, I had about 4 solid days through varying terrain in these, and I felt like I got the most secure fit I could possibly get by utilizing a heat mold and my custom footbeds. Still, I found myself leaning toward grabbing my Salomon S​/Pro Supras before heading out for a day on the mountain toward the end of the season. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is that puts these in 2nd place behind my Salomons, but the liner, fit, and boa feature with the Supras work for me, and the fit is just more naturally dialed.

Overlap Annoyance

Asa:  Another small but recurring annoyance I have with the FR 01 130 is the short-tongued "hybrid cabrio" design, which seemed to awkwardly interlace with the overlapping cuff and forefoot flaps every time I went to put them on or take them off. Again, not the end of the world, but a bit something I'd never encountered with my old cabrio-style Dalbello Lupos.

Cassidy:  I have to second Asa’s callout on this little downside to the cuff design. You just have to take a couple of extra seconds of adjustment when you take them on and off. It’s not annoying enough to not want to use the boots, but I would consider it a flaw. 

TLDR;

Cassidy:  Overall, I’m impressed with this innovative design. You’ve got a super still and sturdy boot that has unique yet simple technical details that provide a level of adjustability and circularity that I havnt seen before which is super enticing.

Asa:  After using these happily throughout the season, my ultimate take is this: the Phaenom FR 01 130 is not only an aesthetic masterpiece, they're an incredible, powerful and damp boot for an advanced-expert freeride skier looking for gravity-fueled performance. That said, despite their tech inserts and walk-mode, they wouldn't be my first choice for any significant uphill travel as they are notably burlier (at 2130 grams) than most dedicated downhill boots. Sure they are certainly functional for use with pin bindings — and in my opinion, the inclusion of tech inserts don't have any drawbacks — but don't be mislead into thinking these are in the same ballpark heft-wise to a lot of today's 50/50 boots (a la the Lange XT3 Free, Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD, K2 Mindbender, etc). The Phaenom FR 01 130 is a hefty powerhouse of a freeride boot with a stout flex, high build quality, and one-of-a-kind aesthetic.
 
 

Cassidy's Rating: ★★★★☆
Asa's Rating: ★★★★★

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