Nordica Speed Machine 110 (2023) Review: A Mid-Volume All-Mountain Boot With a Lighter Chassis

Introduction

The Nordica Speed Machine 110 is a 110-flex all-mountain ski boot built on a 100mm last, and the 2023 version picks up the chassis that the 120 and 130 models in the same family carried previously. That is the headline change for this season, and it matters more than it might sound: the new chassis moves the 110 closer to the polished fit and performance of its stiffer siblings while keeping the softer, more forgiving flex that makes it easy to ski.

For mid-volume feet, that combination is a genuinely appealing one. The boot is built to be stable in every condition and simple to use, which is exactly what most skiers want from an all-mountain boot they intend to keep for several seasons.

The rest of the package is familiar and well considered, from the heat-moldable liner to the aluminium buckle hardware. What follows is a closer look at where the Speed Machine 110 shines, and where a different flex might suit you better.

Who This Boot Is For

The Speed Machine 110 sits in the middle of the range, which gives it a broad audience. It is aimed at mid-volume feet, and it suits intermediate skiers who are advancing, as well as skiers on the edge of the expert category who want a boot that is precise without being punishing.

It is also a strong choice for anyone with flexible ankles, or for skiers who simply prefer a softer flexing boot that they can move around in. If you want a boot that supports a relaxed, mobile stance rather than locking you into a rigid forward lean, the 110 flex is a comfortable place to land.

Shell Construction and the Updated Chassis

The chassis is the section of the shell highlighted in grey, and it is where the 2023 update lives. By milling out small pockets in the chassis, Nordica is able to reduce weight without jeopardizing structural integrity. The result is a boot that is lighter and easier to ski, while staying just as reactive and precise as before.

That balance is the real point of the upgrade. A lighter boot usually means less material somewhere, and less material often means a softer or vaguer feel underfoot. Here the material is removed from places that do not carry the load, so the shell keeps its backbone while shedding grams.

For skiers stepping up from a recreational boot, the difference shows up as a shell that responds quickly when you pressure the front of the boot, without the heaviness that can make longer days tiring.

Liner, Buckles, and Flex Adjustment

The liner is fully heat moldable, and a boot fitter can shape it to your foot. If you would rather not visit a shop, body heat will gradually do the same job over time, and you will still end up with a much more customized fit than a liner that cannot be molded at all. A plastic insert in the tongue helps drive the boot forward and contributes to a smooth, progressive flex.

Hardware is generous for the category. There are four micro-adjustable aluminium buckles, two macro-adjustable buckles up top, and a power strap to finish the closure. That gives you plenty of control over how evenly the boot closes across the foot and the cuff.

At the rear, a flex adjustment uses two rivets, and this is what sets the 110 flex rating. Adding a rivet firms the boot up a little if you want more support as your skiing progresses.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The 110 flex is the key decision point. It is a mid-range flex rather than a race-stiff one, and skiers who want maximum edge hold at high speed will likely be happier in a stiffer model from the same family. Choosing a flex that matches your ankle mobility and skiing style matters more than choosing the stiffest boot you can find.

Heat molding is best done by a boot fitter rather than left to chance. The liner will adapt on its own, but a professional fitting gets you a more accurate result in a single visit and shortens the break-in period.

It is also worth deciding in advance whether you want the flex adjustment rivet installed. It is a small change, but it alters how the boot feels, and it is easier to plan for before the shell is set up around your foot.

Sizing and Fit Guidance

The 100mm last is built for mid-volume feet, so it is a good starting point if most boots in your size feel either slightly too tight or slightly too roomy. Because the liner is heat moldable, a fitter has room to fine-tune the fit around the instep, heel, and ankle without altering the shell.

If you have a very narrow or very wide foot, try the boot on with a fitter before committing. The same 110 flex can feel quite different depending on shell volume, so the fit check is what turns a good boot into the right boot.

Buying Advice

Buy the Speed Machine 110 if you are a mid-volume skier in the intermediate to advanced range who wants an all-mountain boot that is stable, light for its class, and easy to ski in all conditions. The updated chassis is the strongest argument for the 2023 version, since it brings the fit and performance closer to the stiffer boots in the line without giving up the forgiving flex.

If your priority is a softer, more mobile boot, or if you are progressing and want something you can grow into, this flex makes a lot of sense. If your priority is maximum stiffness and race-level response, look further up the range instead.

Conclusion

The Nordica Speed Machine 110 takes a proven all-mountain platform and gives it a lighter, more polished shell for 2023. For mid-volume feet, that combination of a heat-moldable liner, four micro-adjustable aluminium buckles, and a chassis shared with the stiffer models adds up to a boot that is stable, responsive, and genuinely easy to use across the whole mountain.

Check the flex and the fit first, then let a boot fitter finish the job. Do that, and the 110 is a boot that can carry an advancing skier for years.