REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Comfortable last width
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Powerstrap is hard to operate with gloves
Can be cold
K2 Recon 120 Review
A great intermediate ski boot that is light on the feet and on the wallet
Credit: K2
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Our Verdict
The K2 Recon 120 is a great ski boot for an intermediate skier, and comes at a bargain price. We are impressed by the medium volume shape, which fit many testers' feet well right out of the box. When you pull it on, it is immediately apparent that the Powerlight shell is much lighter than any other boot we tested. That weight savings translated well into on-hill performance and enjoyment. Skiers looking for a stiffer boot that will help them drive big skis, or seeking more power and control will likely be more interested in something with a 130 flex. But if you're an intermediate skier who doesn't want the stiffest boot around, this is a great option.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on October 20, 2023, to showcase the current colorway for the Recon 120, pictured above.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
K2 Recon 120 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Men's Ski Boot |  Most Versatile Resort and Sidecountry Performance | Best for All-Day Comfort |  Best Bang for the Buck | |
| Price | $419.97 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $799.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $799.95 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers | $524.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $700 List $449.96 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This model is the perfect choice for a skier looking for a lightweight and inexpensive boot | An aggressive stiff boot that is high performing for the confident skier | This boot is for the experienced skier or those looking to step up their game for all conditions in the front country and backcountry, boasting stiff flex and sturdy construction | Dependable and comfortable, this boot is perfect for instructors, ski patrollers, or anyone who loves their feet | This a great boot to step up your skills and an easy one to step into |
| Rating Categories | K2 Recon 120 | Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 | Tecnica Cochise 130... | Nordica Speedmachin... | Dalbello Panterra 1... |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Performance (30%) | |||||
| Materials & Durability (20%) | |||||
| Warmth (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Specs | K2 Recon 120 | Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 | Tecnica Cochise 130... | Nordica Speedmachin... | Dalbello Panterra 1... |
| Available Widths | LV (98mm) MV (100mm) |
LV (98mm) MV (100mm) HV (103mm) |
99mm only | Promachine (98mm) Speedmachine (100mm) Sportmachine (102mm) |
100-102mm (variable) |
| Available Flexes | 90, 100, 120, 130, 140 | 110, 120, 130 | 110, 120, 130 | 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 | 90, 100, 120, 130 |
| What We Tested | MV (100mm) 120 Flex |
MV (100mm) 130 Flex |
99mm 130 Flex |
Speedmachine (100 mm) 130 Flex |
100-102mm (variable) 130 Flex |
| Walk Mode? | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Number of Buckles | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Buckles Microadjustable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (per boot, size 27.5) | 3 lb 12 oz | 4 lb 3 oz | 4 lb 2 oz | 4 lb 2 oz | 3 lb 12 oz |
| Boot Sole Length (size 27.5) | 314 mm | 315 mm | 315 mm | 315 mm | 318 mm |
| Liner Thermo-Moldable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Binding Compatibility | DIN | Gripwalk/Alpine | DYN/Gripwalk | Gripwalk/Alpine | Gripwalk/Alpine |
| Shell Material | POWERLITE TPU | PU | PU/PP | PU | DB Hyperlite |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
The Recon 120 was not outmatched by these big mountain Black Diamond Boundary 115 skis, whether in soft or chopped up conditions.
Credit: Chris Orozco
Comfort
The Recon 120 is a slightly softer boot than the expert-advanced oriented Recon 130. Our initial impressions putting the boots on out of the box were that they are quite comfortable, even verging on roomy. The Recon MV is a medium volume last, which, at 100 millimeters, felt wider than even some 102-millimeter boots in our review. This was especially apparent in the toe box area, where our lead tester, who typically wears a 100 to 101-millimeter last width boot, felt the excessive space the most.
The buckles can all be micro-adjusted. They stay close to the boot, keeping a low profile.
Credit: Chris Orozco
This size 27.5 pair also felt slightly long for their size, leading to a roomier fit that we seek out in an alpine boot. An experienced boot fitter can add padding or shims to take up the volume if you're between sizes, like our lead tester. Once properly fitted, this boot is easy to pull on and remove. Its shell overlap is less stiff than other models, making it easier to take off in cold temperatures. The included insole offered enough support for testers without pronounced arches, but our lead tester found the need for aftermarket insoles to make the boot supportive.
One of only a few complaints we have about the Recon 120 is that its power strap is difficult to use. We wish it was easier to tighten when you're wearing big gloves.
Credit: Chris Orozco
Performance
One of the most noticeable attributes of the Recon 120 is its light weight. With a single boot weight of only 3.8 pounds, it is nearly a pound lighter per foot than many other options on the market. While weight is certainly an issue when ski touring, it is not as much of a concern when riding lifts at the resort. That said, shaving a pound off each foot left us with noticeably more energy at the end of a long ski day. The lighter-weight boot also allows for a more playful style of skiing. It allowed us to swing the skis around much more fluidly, especially in short-radius turns. This works because they weigh less, but do not suffer a dramatic loss of stiffness that can be associated with lighter boots.
The Recon's 120 flex allows for powerful turns, making this a boot that both intermediate and expert skiers alike will appreciate.
Credit: Chris Orozco
The Recon 120 is stiff enough to compete with most of the other 120 flex boots in our review, but, in our tests, it was not as consistent as others. In heavy, off-piste crud, it did not have the predictable, steady flex that some other boots in the 120 flex range offer.
We think this boot is more appropriate for an intermediate skier because we can overpower them while driving a big ski in challenging conditions. This boot would not do well if competing against a proven big mountain charger like the Tecnica Mach1. But it doesn't need to. The Recon offers dependable performance in most on-piste conditions and can handle some off-piste conditions, making it suitable for many resort skiers.
Whether you choose the 12 or the 14 degree forward lean, the Recon 120 promotes an upright skiing stance.
Credit: Chris Orozco
Materials & Durability
It will take long-term testing to see whether or not the lighter weight Powerlite shell material will lose any stiffness over time. However, during our testing, we did not experience any noteworthy issues indicating that the Recon 120 will have significant durability issues. The Ultralon liners feel hearty and resistant to packing out quickly, and the materials used are high quality.
Warmth
The Ultralon liner used in the Recon 120 is high quality, resistant to packing out, and warm in most cold conditions. We did notice our feet getting colder than in other boots on really chilly days riding the lifts, even though we had plenty of circulation. The thinner material in the shell and liner may have something to do with this, but it only happened a few times. It helped that our feet were not as crammed in as in other, more performance-fitted boots, and our toes had some wiggle room. The liners are ready to receive an aftermarket boot warmer such as Hotronics.
On the coldest storm skiing days, our feet did get cold while riding the lifts, perhaps due to the thinner shell material and liner that helps these boots shed weight on the scales.
Credit: Chris Orozco
Features
The Recon 120 has well-conceived features that allow for a customizable fit. The shell offers a canting adjustment to optimize lateral alignment, and a simple plastic wedge gives skiers the option to choose between a 12-degree and 14-degree forward lean. Four buckles with micro-adjustments secure the shell, and a 45-millimeter wide Power Cinch power strap provides additional stability around the cuff.
While the power strap is adequate, the buckle closure is difficult to operate with gloved hands. It's not nearly as user-friendly as straps that close with velcro. The included alpine soles are replaceable and can also be interchanged with alpine rockered soles that are compatible with Marker Grip Walk type bindings.
Value
This boot is a good bargain, especially considering its lightweight and reasonable features. Because the Recon 120 has an accommodating last width that can fit lots of foot types, and offers enough downhill performance that many resort skiers will find it appealing, we think it provides an excellent value.
The K2 Recon handles choppy snow conditions well and its progressive flex is predictable.
Credit: Chris Orozco
Conclusion
It is not very often that an alpine ski boot, especially one in a moderate price range, makes a big leap forward. Cutting weight by nearly 25% when compared with other contenders in this flex category, the Recon is light on the feet as well as on the wallet. It is capable in many conditions but is outmatched by the most challenging inbounds conditions. This combination of factors makes it a perfect choice for the solid intermediate skier looking for a medium-volume boot at a value price.
—
Ryan Huetter
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