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Best Ski Boots
Just like our skiing styles, each pair of boots is different. What works well for your buddy might be uncomfortable for you. To narrow down the thousands of options that currently flood the market, we have rounded up the overall top ten here, keeping all levels and styles in mind.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
Ski boots aren’t made to be difficult to understand and are manufactured so you can use your body along with the boots to improve your skiing performance. While materials and features can vary depending on the type of ski boot you buy, all have the following parts, which you’ll want to take a close look at when you decide on what you want to purchase.
Ski Boot Shell
The shell of a ski boot means the hard, plastic outer area of the boot. Shells are going to determine the weight and stiffness of a ski boot, although many of them can be adjusted by professional boot fitters to help you make them fit better. Some boots, like the Salomon X-Pro 130, come with a heat-moldable shape so that you can personalize your fit better.
Ski Boot Liner
The liner of a ski boot is made up the removable soft inner part of the boot that’s found inside the boot’s shell. You do want to take a close look at the boot’s liner when making your selection because the liner determines a lot about fit, warmth, and comfort. Some boots are made with heat moldable liners, although they tend to cost more, they will help create a perfect fit and boost performance.
Typically, you’d bake the moldable liner in your oven ahead of time, then place it in the shell, put your foot inside, buckle the boots, and wait for the liner to fit your feet perfectly. These types of liners also fit you better the more often you ski in them, and give you a custom fit.
Ski Boot Sole
The sole of alpine ski boots are made to be DIN compatible, so they can work well with regular alpine ski bindings. Boot soles can be made to be a continuation of the shell or may be made up of parts that can be removed and replaced as the boot gets worn out.
Buying a boot with interchangeable soles is a great idea if you want to save money in the long run, because you can simply replace that part of the boot rather than having to purchase a full new set of boots. Plus, the more your boot sole wears out, the worse its connection to the binding will be, and the less safe you’ll feel overall on the slopes. However, if you need to save money immediately and not in the long run and opt for a boot that doesn’t have removable soles, avoid walking on pavement, dirt, and other hard surfaces in your boots so you increase the life of your boots.
Ski Boot Footbed
The footbed of a ski boot helps to increase the support you get and can vary based on the brand. Footbeds tend to be thin pieces of foam won’t give your feet much support, and it’s almost always a good idea to get an aftermarket footbed so that the boot will fit your feet better and keep your feet healthy.
Ski Boot Power Strap
The power strap on ski boots let you tighten or loosen the top cuff area of the boot so you get the boot to fit comfortably to your shin. Many power straps come with Velcro to help with some closure, while others have a buckle. Wide power straps tend to be better than skinnier straps since you’ll get more Velcro to hold the boots in place, and this will prevent the boots from slipping.
Flexibility
Flex can vary depending on what your skill level is, and your weight and height. The more experienced you are, the taller you are, and the more you weigh, the greater the flex you’ll need. Most expert and advanced skiers go for skis with higher flex ratings, while beginners will seek out boots with lower flex ratings. If you are a newbie, then you’ll want a boot with a flex below 100 as you learn. If the flex range is 120 and up, then the boots are made for more advanced skiers.
Features
The features of a ski boot are what make them unique and stand out from the crowd. You might not notice these features just by looking at them, but you'll appreciate them when you're wearing them. The two main features that we are seeing in ski boots these days include Walk Mode and Ski Boot Rocco Reflectors.
Many ski boots now come with a walk mode and a ski mode, and you usually find this in all mountain ski boots. The walk mode in a ski boot lets you more easily disengage the cuff from the bottom of the boot, so you can move your ankle and walk uphill more easily. If you know you’ll be walking uphill often, this is a nice feature to have in your ski boot since it will make the entire process much easier for you.
Recco reflectors are found in some ski boot brands, and they are a reflective system that’s used by rescue teams worldwide to find people buried in an avalanche. The reflector works as a chip that can be picked up by a unit, and it works much like an avalanche beacon. Obviously, this enhances the safety and quality of your boot, and if you ski where there might be an avalanche, it’s a great benefit to have.
Overall Fit
The overall fit of your ski boot should be snug but without uncomfortable pressure points. Simply sliding your foot into a boot won’t give you an accurate representation of how the boot fits. To get a true feeling, you’ll need to try them on with socks, buckle them up correctly, and then get into position.
First things first, socks. While it may seem counter-intuitive to choose a normal/thin pair, a thicker pair (or doubling up) can create pressure points in the boot. A synthetic or wool sock is your best choice for overall comfort and warmth.
After you have the socks chosen, it’s time to try on the boot. Bring your socks with you and try them on with the boot. Start by unlocking and opening all of the straps and buckles and then open the tongue of the shoe, making a wide opening for your foot. After stepping into the boot, you may want to tap your heel on the ground a couple of times to wiggle your foot into place, at the back of the boot. Next, fasten the power straps and the top two buckles. After fastening the top two buckles, your foot may shift slightly and this would be a good time to re-tighten the power straps.
Now you should stand up and flex the boot. Your foot will also slightly shift to the back of the boot here, and now is the time to fasten the bottom buckles. As we know, ski boots are typically locked into your skis and not ideal for walking. To determine a true fit, either lock into your skis for a true feel, or you can stand up and flex boots and rotate side to side to get a feeling. The fit of the boots should be snug, but not uncomfortable and should not create points of pressure.
Top Ten Ski Boots
1. Atomic Waymaker Carbon
The Atomic Waymaker Carbon Ski Boot gives you an affordable option for an intermediate ski boot that fits well into the alpine touring concept. If you enjoy skiing a few days out of the year during the ski season and want boots that fit your budget, you’ll get the features and benefits you need out of these boots to still ski well and enjoy all of your outings.
Read moreMaterials
The liner of the boots is made from Thinsulate Platinum material to provide warmth and comfort. The triad 7,000 buckles are paired with an oversized 50mm power strap. Perhaps most notable is the multi-norm chassis sole with DIN grip pads.
Features
Atomic’s Waymaker Carbon Ski Boots were made with weight in mind since you don’t want boots that are too heavy or weigh you down. Lightweight and made with a walk and ski mode which includes 35 degrees for your range of motion, you can use this boot easily whether you need to walk, hike, or ski.
Flexibility
Made with carbon fiber rods build-into each boot, you’ll get a lot of power transfer in these light boots, which are still very responsive to your movements. Made to be stiff enough to help you handle those tough turns, you’ll get a lot of forward flex resistance and great rebound out of these boots.
Overall Fit
Atomic’s Waymaker Carbon Ski Boots are also made with a Live Fit Panel, which is on the outside of the foot and can flex and stretch when you put your foot inside the boot, making the boots fit well, and creating warmth and support. You’ll feel comfortable every time you hit the slopes in these and won’t have to worry about your feet feeling tired.
2. Salomon X Pro 130
The Salomon X Pro 130 Ski Boots bring skiers an excellent boot with great performance and comfort, allowing you to ski as long as you want to without your feet feeling any adverse effects. If you’re an expert-level skier, then the Salomon X Pro 130 offers you a serious option with high stiffness and excellent performance features and benefits.
Read moreMaterials
The shell and cuff are both made from PU, providing great rebound. The liner is made from anti-packing foam. The heel and toe adjustments feature removable DIN pads that are easily replaced once worn out.
Features
These boots work well for high speeds and fast turns and come with a replaceable toe and heel plate so you can keep your boots going for a while even if certain parts of them wear out. Plus, Salomon’s X Pro 130 Boots are made to give you great energy transfer and deliver a great fit, two things that will make you perform better as you ski.
Flexibility
With a flex of 130, these Salomon boots are made to give you a maximum level of stiffness from the shell to boost your performance each time you hit the slopes. Your skis will respond well with these rigid boots, and you’ll be able to quickly adjust the power of your boots through four easy-to-adjust buckles on the boots so you can set the boots to be at the level you need them.
Overall Fit
With great support, an excellent fit, and a lot of stiffness, you’ll get a lot of performance benefits out of these boots. Plus, the 360 Custom Shell in the boot can be heat molded for an even better fit and more personalized comfort.
3. SCARPA Maestrale RS
The Scarpa Maestrale RS ski boots make our list not only due to there comfort but also because the Scarpa company has been making boots for over 40 years and their quality speaks for itself. The Scarpa Maestrale RS Ski Boots are built for a skier that appreciates the sport and understands that a lightweight boot while maintaining their quality, allows for a fast and precise ride down the slopes.
Read moreMaterials
The Scarpa Maestrale RS Ski Boot is not as lightweight as some other boots on this list, but the boot is durable and is made for the hardcore skier who wants a quality boot. These boots are made with a grilamid shell that is infused with carbon fibers to ensure they are durable but also carry no extra weight.
Features
These boots also have a decent range of motion when you walk thanks to the friction-free walk mechanism, allowing you to get where you need to go fast and in comfort. The other important part of the boot is the liner which is a profile G liner from Intuition which provides comfort and downhill security.
Flexibility
They have a stiff flex rating of 125. These are ideal for high-level skiers who are ready to drive their backcountry skis into the ground.
Overall Fit
The Scarpa Maestrale RS Ski Boot offers a snug fit and a very comfortable feeling, but also is a lightweight boot to ensure precision while cruising downhill. Also, these boots give skiers an excellent uphill stance and fit well, with good stiffness for extra performance.
4. Tecnica Cochise 120
Back in 2015, Tecnica updated its Cochise 12 Ski Boots to be more modern in design, and it comes with a good fit scheme and several colors to pick from. Tecnica’s Cochise 120 boots come with a stable platform, buckles that are easy-to-adjust, and a traditional design that will help you perform better every time you hit the slopes.
Read moreMaterials
The material on the Tecnica Cochise 120 is made with a plastic material blend for the line of the boots, which is both lightweight and stiff and can help you keep going all day long. These boots are designed to fit comfortably and provide a lot of warmth, made with a moldable liner that flexes to fit your foot perfectly.
Features
Tecnica’s Cochise 120 Ski Boots perform well in resort territory, but they are also made to be so lightweight and flexible you can easily move outside the resort area and still ski in them.
Flexibility
These boots come in four different flex categories: 90, 110, 120, and 130, giving you a lot of options to pick from depending on where you plan to ski.
Overall Fit
Designed for the advanced to expert skier, you get a lot of mobility and comfort with these boots, which feature a 45mm power lock strap that can be loosened easily when you go uphill by simply flipping a switch. These boots also feature Tecnica’s Ultra Fit Pro C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) technology, meaning they will adjust to fit your feet and provide you with plenty of warmth.
5. Dalbello Panterra ID 120
If you want a good performing adventure and freeride type of boot, then the Dalbello Panterra ID 120 offers a lot of features you’ll enjoy, like their easy-to-adjust benefits made to fit your foot just right. Also, the boots are easy to adjust from skiing to walking, making everything easier for you as you adventure into the outdoors.
Read moreMaterials
These boots are also made with a Contour 4 shell fit, which helps to adjust to fit your foot with perfection, allowing your feet to feel great and warm throughout the day. With a heat-moldable ID Now liner, you can achieve the perfect fit, and your feet will stay warm no matter how cold the weather gets outside. Made with Dalbello’s three-piece Cabrio design, you get a polyurethane shell and cuff that flexes well, and a polyamide tongue that adds extra stiffness while still providing flex.
Features
The fit of the Dalbello Panterra ID 120 is made with medium volume and is focused on boosting the performance level of any skier, but these boots are really for advanced and expert skiers.
Flexibility
The flexibility rating of 120 makes these skis stiff, yet flexible. They are a great choice for all-mountain skis, as well as big mountains.
Overall Fit
The Dalbello Panterra ID 120 Ski Boot is also designed for excellent energy transfer, so you can ski with a lot of power and efficiency without feeling your legs get stiff and sore. Plus, Dalbello’s Variable Volume Fit system allows you to adjust the last in your boots by simply tightening the toe buckle.
6. Salomon X Pro 120
For advanced and expert skiers who need a versatile boot, the Salomon X Pro 120 gives you several customizable options and also are made to fit snugly. Plus, the appearance of the boot is stylish, and you’ll get a lot of great performance out of this design.
Read moreMaterials
Also, the Salomon X Pro 120 Ski Boots are designed with multiple densities of PU and PA to improve their flex and rebound capabilities. You’ll love the performance these boots give you combined with the excellent comfort level, which will keep your feet happy all day long.
Features
Designed with an oversized pivot, the Salomon X Pro 120 Ski Boots will boost your energy level and make your energy transfer more easily to control. Also, these boots use twin frame 2 design in the shell, which is a combination of materials that help make the interior shell of the boot flex, rebound, and support your feet better.
Flexibility
The Salomon X Pro 120 is both responsive and sensitive when you ski, and comes with just the right level of stiffness so that you can easily make those difficult turns.
Overall Fit
Also, it comes with a heat-moldable shell which provides a lot of comfort and support, and also allows the boot to adapt to fit your feet perfectly.
7. Lange RX 120
Lange is a well-known company that’s made ski boots for over forty years, and their quality ski boots make them a leader in the industry. The Lange RX 120 Ski Boots are no exception to this rule, and are designed with a traditional look and feel that includes a four-buckle design.
Read moreMaterials
Lange’s RX 120 boot design includes a pro liner that keeps your feet warm and in an upright natural stance which will help you perform better. These boots also come with a one-year warranty and are made to last, so they can endure several seasons and still perform well.
Features
Their performance for downhill skiers is top of the charts, and these boots do well handling groomed terrain with a lot of speed and versatility.
Flexibility
The simplicity of the Lange RX 120 is great, but there are still plenty of useful features that these ski boots offer, including a consistent flex and a fit that’s close and responsive.
Overall Fit
Designed to be durable and tough, the Lange RX 120 fits skiers with medium to narrow foot and leg shapes and comes with a new and improved thicker shell to reinforce your foot and ankle while also making the boot perform better. With the Lange RX 120, you get a defined ankle pocket, wide toe box, and tall step insert that will help you perform well on all of your adventures.
8. Rossignol Alias Sensor
The Rossignol Alias Sensor Ski Boots bring skiers a comfortable footbed and great flex, making sure your toes never feel frozen or packed into your boot. Made for intermediate to expert skiers, these boots have a stiff flex and offer plenty of features and benefits that will help boost your performance each time you ski.
Read moreMaterials
The cuff of the boot is made from polyolefine and the shell is made from new polyolefine with sensor concept. The one-piece toe box provides great shape and eliminates pressure points. Additionally, the four mico buckles are made from aluminum.
Features
Made as a full-featured ski boot, the Rossignol Alias Sensor Ski Boots come with a four-buckle design to help create a snug fit, and also offer a contemporary appearance. The boot runs at 104mm, but the heel cup and toe box of the boots are designed to keep your feet in place and securely supported throughout hours of fun on the slopes.
Flexibility
Also made to boost power and energy transfer as you move, you’ll be able to hit those sharp turns easily and feel great for several hours while wearing these boots. You’ll feel the way the design of these boots focus on great fit each time you put them on. They have a flex index of 80.
Overall Fit
Plus, these boots are made with Sensor Fit technology to make sure the boots fit well, allowing the boots to accommodate your feet and fit the way they need to for a more personalized feel. These boots also have great comfort in the ankle area and are made to help boost your body’s blood circulation while increasing warmth.
9. Rossignol Alltrack 120
If you’re shopping for ski boots on a budget and still want a high-quality boot, then the Rossignol Alltrack 120 Ski Boots, made for upper-intermediate skiers who want a boot to enhance their performance, just might be the choice for you. If you’re a person that skis every now and then and you don’t want to drop too much cash on a pair of good ski boots, then these boots might have what you need.
Read moreMaterials
The shell is made from Grilamid and the cuff from polyolefine. The four mico buckles are made from aluminum.
Features
The Rossignol Alltrack 120 is designed to be a comfortable hiking ad walking boot, with a releasable-cuff freeride boot that will allow you to walk free when you need to. Also made with strong grip soles and arches, you’ll get all the traction and support you need whether you are walking or skiing in these boots.
Flexibility
The Rossignol Alltrack 120 also comes in different last widths, from 90-130 flex options, giving you several choices to pick from depending on what you need. These boots are made with OptiSensor 3D Thinsulate liners, meaning they wrap your foot comfortably, fit well, and provide a lot of comforts, support, and warmth so that you’ll feel great and continue skiing for as long as you want.
Overall Fit
The Rossignol Alltrack Ski Boots give you a comfortable fit since it has a relaxed 102 mm last width, and the inner part of the boot also gives your feet the warmth they need. While they aren’t as durable or versatile as a backcountry ski touring boot is, these boots do well when you walk and are made to be lightweight.
10. Rossignol Evo 70
If you’re looking for some great boots that also provide you with a very low flex rating, then the Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boots just might be in the picture for you. The Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boots are designed with a low flex rating of 70, and also include a very large, roomy footbed.
Read moreMaterials
Made with simple buckles and strapping that offers many adjustments, these boots will help beginners learn how to use their equipment, and figure out what they need to become better skiers after they learn the basics.
Features
If you’re new to skiing, the Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boot is designed to be a plus for newbies, with its comfort levels, effective warmth, and focus on individuals who are just getting started with their ski adventures.
Flexibility
The idea the Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boots were developed with was simplicity, making things streamlined and easy for people that are new to skiing and dealing with ski boots. For more experienced skiers, these boots probably flex too much and don’t offer enough support, but for the newbie skier, the boot works perfectly.
Overall Fit
With its simple design, roominess, and affordable price, these boots are a great option for the beginner skier or the more casual skier. They are made to fit well and keep your feet warm and will help you learn what you need to know to become a better skier on the slopes.
Sources
- , The Best Alpine Ski Boots of 2019, Buying Guide
- , The 10 best ski boots of 2018-2019, Skiing Site