I find the XWave fit quite a bit different (more confining across the instep, wider in the heel) so that it isn't even comparable (for me!)
The Nordica Beasts were nice but had the same wide heel, the Dalbello Kryptons were OK but only with the ultra-stiff tongue, the Lange FRs were very nice but needed a lot of punchout work at the toes to fit, the Dolomite Rage shell fit great but the liner wasn't exactly right at the heel.
Right now it's between the three (Atomic, Dolomite with liner work, Lange), decision to be made, oh sometime I guess. I'm weaker willed than you.
Changing the stance: the old Tecnicas had a LOT of forward lean and he was just used to skiing with his weight hanging off the front of the boot all the time. Quite a bit of bend at the waist. Couldn't convince him at first that all that was completely unnecessary.
Then about a week later he met Crush. . .
