The Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) concept that is the key to the Mach 1 LV’s popularity with both bootfitters and their customers is a many splendored thing. Inspired by feedback from a cluster of America’s top bootfitters (including a few Realskiers’ test shops), C.A.S. prepares the shell for customization in problematic zones by perforating the rigid polyether shell so it will heat and cool faster if the area needs to be stretched.
The C.A.S. liner is every bit as impressive. A semi-rigid exoskeleton adds greater structural integrity to the inner boot and gives the boot technician a preformed, 2mm shell they can cut, grind, punch, glue and/or heat mold. The C.A.S. tongue has a soft pocket over the instep, so it’s pre-adapted for a bony mid-foot. Once modifications are made, they’re stable, which is awesome. Even the boot board (aka zeppa) gets the C.A.S. treatment, with precisely spaced dimples that lend precision to what can be a trial and error process.
In the hands of an adept bootfitter, C.A.S. covers all the fit bases, and the classic, race-clone structure of the Mach 1 shell assures excellent performance properties. All in, the boot gurus appear to have given Tecnica some very good advice, and better yet, Tecnica seems to have listened.
BTW, if you aspire to racing greatness, check out the returning R9.3 130 or 150. The latter is a real race shoe, right down to its non-DIN sole.