Powder Review: Fischer RC4 Pro MV

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In a nutshell

The Fischer RC4 Pro MV is the fully-loaded SUV of ski boots. It’s got all the features and all the tech, and it has the price tag and performance to match.

• Size Skied: 26.5

• Weight:

• Stated Flex: 140

• Binding Compatibility: GripWalk

• Forward Lean: 16°

• Stated last width (26.5): 100 mm

Intro

Spring 2023 has been the season of the snake: BOA alpine boots have absolutely dominated the conversation. We’ve been working to get time in boots from each of the first four brands (Salomon, Atomic, K2 and Fischer), and it’s been interesting to see how each brand has tailored their entry into this new category.

Of those first four BOA boots, Fischer’s has the most bells and whistles, as evidenced by the party of acronyms following its name. So, before we dive into how this boot performs (spoiler alert, it’s excellent) let’s talk about what all those letters mean.

RC4 - Fischer’s “Alpine Race” boot model

Pro - It’s the top of the line version of the RC4

MV - Medium Volume, 100 mm last

GW - GripWalk soles, and Fischer even made them replaceable!

BOA - There’s a snake in this boot!

ZF - This one’s exciting–it means they have ZipFit liners, stock, the first brand to spec these liners as a standard option.

CFC - CarbonFused Cuff, combined with a PU clog.

Fischer touts the RC4 Pro MV GW BOA ZF CFC as the “best of the best,” and given its list of features, I had high hopes for this boot.

Features

For once, the BOA system on the Fischer RC4 is not the most interesting thing about the boot. Yes, it’s the same excellent BOA H+i1 system we’re seeing on other alpine boots this year, and if you want more info about it, we’ve torn apart the system here.

Related: Breaking down the new Alpine Boa H+i1 System

The short version is, yes, it feels different, in a really good way. It allows skiers to adjust the volume and pressure of the last of their ski boots more effectively than ever before, and I think it’s going to change how we approach boot fitting in a really cool way.

But the real story with this boot is the ZipFit liner. ZipFits are nothing new–they’ve developed a cult following amongst skiers looking for better heel lock, a more customizable fit, and most importantly, highly improved durability. But historically they’ve always been a $500ish upgrade to an existing boot. The RC4 is the first boot to include a ZipFit liner as part of the stock package.

I had, so far, avoided the cult of ZipFit, so the RC4 was my introduction. I feel a little sheepish admitting this, but the hype is real. These liners are really cool. I’m hoping to do a stand-alone ZipFit review where I dive deeper into what makes them different, but with the RC4, they were a perfect companion to the BOA system.

Basically, instead of the foam or plastic-like materials most liners use, ZipFits fill key areas of the liner with a cork gel, similar to the footbed of Birkenstock sandals. Users can add and subtract gel at will to adjust their fit.

The ZipFits used on the RC4s are built specially for Fischer, and include Fischer’s excellent quick lace system. They do require the user to take the liner out of the shell, slip it onto their foot, cinch it down, and then slip the whole thing back into the shell. I found that even with the BOA closure on the RC4, this entry was easy to accomplish, and it didn’t seem to put any undue stress on the BOA. In fact, I prefer it to the standard method for most overlap boots.

Carrying on that theme of durability, the RC4’s GripWalk sole blocks are replaceable, a boon for ski patrollers and other folks who spend a lot of time working in their boots.

Unlike some of the other BOA boots released this year, the RC4 does not have a walk mode or tech fittings. It’s purely an inbounds boot. That makes sense for several reasons, including weight. This is one of the heaviest boots we’ve reviewed, mostly thanks to that ZipFit liner.

Fit

Ski boot fit is a deeply personal conversation that should take place between a skier and their bootfitter. That said, in some ways it feels like the advent of BOA is akin to the tearing of the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. I think that BOA boots allow brands to make higher base-volume shells that can still cinch down to fit the needs of more average feet.

I have high arch, high volume, wide feet with several bunions. Most brands’ “MV” or Medium Volume boots make me cry, literally. But, the few MV BOA boots I’ve been in have felt, well, higher volume than any other MV boot I’ve tried, especially when it comes to crushing my insteps. Anecdotally, folks who fall onto the lower volume end of things haven’t had any issues cinching them down to their feet either.

All that to say, the RC4 plays very nicely with my high volume feet. The ZipFit liner definitely helps with that. The forefoot of the liner is a very low volume, soft material that leaves my bunions plenty of space, while the cork sections around my shin and ankle keep me locked down with zero heel lift. Straight out of the box, this is the most secure but comfortable ski boot fit I’ve ever had, even without bootwork.

My boot fitter did heat up the liners on a boot dryer and I used my fingers to massage the cork around to better conform to my ankles, which helped dial in the fit even more. And if you need to take up some space in the boot, these ZipFits are your best option to reduce volume and play, permanently. So I think that this boot/shell combination is going to be one of the most versatile fitting options on the market next year.

Downhill Performance

The RC4 is rated at a 140 flex, which is a good reminder that most flex numbers are arbitrary and a one-dimensional articulation of how a boot actually performs. Right off the top, these boots feel quite soft in the first part of their flex. Some of this is because I think they’re more temperature sensitive than some other options. They’re stiffer when it’s cold and softer when it’s warm, so trying them on inside, they feel soft. Initially I scoffed, thinking they felt more like a 120 or even 110 flex boot.

But, I’d compare that initial softness to the sag of a long-travel mountain bike fork. It’s easy to get into their flex, but it ramps up progressively and smoothly once you’re in it. Actually, I couldn’t stop coming back to that comparison throughout my time in the RC4. Light but stiff touring boots feel like an XC fork, a SID or 34, pumped up with a lot of air. Sure, they’re stiff, but they also don’t provide great bump absorption, and their support is spikey and uncontrolled.

On the other hand, the RC4 feels like the Fox 40 of ski boots. It’s plush off the top, supportive in the mid-stroke, and ramps up nicely at the end. And man, it’s laterally stiff and powerful. No twisting or vagueness, just power, delivered smoothly to the ski. It also, surprisingly, feels very different from the new Lange Shadow, and I’ll dive deeper into that comparison at some point. For now I’ll just say that the RC4 feels more like how most mortals would run their suspension: plush, with controlled rebound and damping, whereas the Shadow feels more like a World Cup downhiller’s suspension: very stiff and more demanding with faster rebound.

Don’t be scared of that 140 flex number. I think any competent skier who’s currently in a 130 flex alpine boot will have no trouble driving the RC4.

All that to say, most folks are going to be very, very happy with this new RC4’s performance. The combination of fit, power, and suspension is hard to beat.

For comparisons to the rest of the new BOA boots that have come out this year, check out our roundup.

What compromises does the Fischer RC4 Pro MV GW BOA ZF CFC make?

ZipFits aren’t known for their warmth. I generally ski in heated socks, and I definitely needed them with the RC4. I felt like my toes got colder, faster in these boots. That's a small price to pay for the great fit and performance of the liners.

We don’t usually talk too much about price in these reviews since it varies so much, and since sales and deals are so common in the ski industry. That said, the RC4 is not a cheap boot. It’s slated to cost $1049. Salomon’s BOA boot will cost $749. MSRP for the non-BOA Atomic Hawx XTD is somewhere in the $850 range. K2’s Recon BOA costs $700.

But this version of the RC4 is not for the price pinchers. It’s for the folks looking for the best of the best. And, it’s important to remember that that number includes the $500ish ZipFit liner. The non-ZipFit version is slated to cost a much more reasonable $850.

So it’s really up to you to decide how much you care about that liner. For me, I’m convinced. I’m fully sold on this liner, and ideally will just be transferring it between boots for the next half-decade.

What does the RC4’s ideal skier look like?

The RC4 is an interesting boot. It’s unapologetic in its pursuit of performance. That means that it’s overkill for a lot of skiers. Plenty of folks, myself included, will be just fine in cheaper, less exciting boots. But, if you’re looking for the pinnacle of alpine performance and features, look no further than the new Fischer RC4 Pro.