Great boots, the 3 buckle is the real deal. Middle buckle locks your heel in so you can let these things rip and feel comfortable doing it. These are advertised as park/pipe boots, but their all-mountain and off-piste abilities are what really shine. I'm 6'0" 225 expert skier (stay away from park/pipe), and these handle like a dream in pow, trees, bumps, and steeps. Stiff enough to provide great support, but forgiving enough to make for a smooth ride. On groomers and at high speeds, the variable flex works as advertised...the more you lean forward and the faster you're skiing, the stiffer and more responsive they are. Real snappy and project tons of energy to the skis in the right places. Broke in really easy too by themselves, so I wouldn't recommend heat-molding them. Make sure you don't buy them too big...mine were pretty tight when I first put them on, but they are perfect now. Ski them 5 or 6 times, then put an insert in if needed, and you'll be good. Really easy on and off your feet too...and you'll have the most colorful boots on the mountain. Get after these!