To test how both power and flex could be attained, design, and engineering tore up old boots and, with hot gluing and riveting, created their first engineering prototypes.
Further prototypes were created with extruded foam tubing; a variety of cut patterns and support braces were tested with the foam tubing to see how they affected function.
The designers; whenever part of the boot wasn't flexing right or was creating a "hot spot" for the rider, the designers would take a dremel or knife to the boot-sometimes right on the mountain-and reshape the prototype, later integrating the change into the design of the boot.
The team went back and forth a number of times until they were satisfied with the boot's function.
The final version of the design featured a liner that uses radio frequency welding rather than layered fabric to create stiffness and structure.