How to Choose Ski Boots

Want to know the best piece of advice to follow when choosing ski boots? Get a pair that fits! Sounds like a no-brainer, but fit is essential, and it's not just limited to buying the right size. You want boots that fit your feet and your skiing style. Ski boots are more than just warm, comfortable places to park your feet. They actually transmit energy from your body to your skis and affect your skiing performance. The better your boot fits the better your performance.

 
Skiing Level

Factor in your skiing ability when selecting boots. When talking to a salesperson, be accurate. Don't over- or underplay your ability. You want to find the best boot for you, and your skiing level counts. There are different boots for beginning, intermediate and expert/race levels.
  • Comfort boots are comfortable, flexible and forgiving. They are designed for newcomers who want high-quality, affordable equipment that will shorten the learning curve.

     
  • Recreational boots are made for skiers with competent basic skills, especially skiers wanting to improve their carving technique and tackle more difficult terrain. These responsive boots are built to handle quick turns, high speeds and bumpy slopes.

     
  • Performance boots deliver high-tech responsiveness to experienced skiers. Some boots in this category offer targeted features for a specific skill set, such as mogul skiing, freeriding or backcountry. Performance boots are one step above recreational boots in terms of design and performance, but they aren't as unforgiving as expert boots.

     
  • Expert boots are the most responsive boots you can buy. They offer precision control for extreme and aggressive skiers, plus competitive and recreational racers. They can be uncomfortably stiff for general all-mountain skiing.

 

Boot Styles


There are three main styles of boots to choose from.

 
  • Front-entry boots are the most common. They open in the front like traditional boots and shoes, but feature buckle closures. These are made in a variety of styles to accommodate all levels of skiers

     
  • Mid-entry boots open in both the front and the back for easy entry, exit and walking.

     
  • Rear-entry boots open in the back and are designed for comfort and ease of use. As the ski industry has improved the fit and comfort of front-entry-style boots, rear-entry boots are not as common as they once were.

 

Boot Components


Ski boots consist of both an outer shell and a liner. They work together to offer support and cushion on the slopes.

Shell
The hard plastic outer shell offers varying degrees of support, depending on the intended use. Softer plastics flex easily and are more forgiving, whereas stiff plastics are more rigid but give boots greater response and precision. The more rigid a boot is, the more power you have on the inside edge of your ski.

 
  • Soft shells are easily flexed but are sturdy enough to keep the skier in the proper skiing stance. They are primarily designed for comfort and a forgiving ride.

     
  • Moderate shells are designed for all types of terrain. Comfortable and forgiving, but stiffer than soft boots, they are popular with beginners and mogul skiers.

     
  • Stiff boots have the performance advantage of a racing shell, but with a little extra give. Aggressive and intermediate skiers prefer this style.

     
  • Very stiff boots are built for racers and other hard-core skiers to optimize edge hold and turning precision.

Liner
The liner is soft foam that can be removed from the plastic shell. It helps regulate foot temperature and aids in moisture management. After a brief break-in period, the liner conforms to the shape of your foot.

 

Boot Sizing


Most boots come in European mondo point sizes. This is the length, in centimeters, of the inside of the inner boot.


Mondo Ski Boot Sizes to US Sizes
Mondo 21.5 22 22.5 23 23.5 24 24.5 25 25.5 26
Women's US 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5
Men's US NA NA NA 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8

Mondo 26.5 27 27.5 28 28.5 29 29.5 30 30.5
Women's US 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 NA NA NA NA
Men's US 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 13


Fitting a Boot
 

Wear Proper Socks
When trying on boots, wear the same socks you wear when skiing. Cotton will absorb moisture, and this dampness can make your feet cold. Wear thin, synthetic or wool blend, over-the-calf socks for maximum warmth. Socks that are too thick will take up too much space in your boots and interfere with a proper fit.

Try Them On
Feet tend to swell slightly over the course of the day, so try boots on in the afternoon or evening when your feet are at their largest.

Initially the boots should seem snug, because the liner will compress a quarter- to a half-size over time. Your toes should brush the end of the boots — but they shouldn't be crammed or turned under, and the fit should not be painful. When flexing your knees, your heels should stay down.

Walk around and stand in the boots for at least 20 minutes to see how they feel. A person's feet can be two different sizes, making it even more difficult to get the right fit, and it may take several times to get the correct adjustment. If they are not quite right, the boots can be adapted in several ways:

 

  • A heat gun may be used to soften and mold the shell for more toe space.

     
  • The foam can be flattened.

     
  • A board or heel wedge can be used to lift the heel.

     
  • Foam pads can be used in the heel, or the liners can be stretched or ground to get the correct fit.

     
  • Custom insoles can be molded to fit your feet.

 

Special Fit Features


Women's Boots
If you are female, try boots designed especially for women. Women's calves are shaped differently from men's — they are shorter, larger and lower on the leg. Women's boots are designed with cuffs that accommodate these differences. Women also tend to have narrower heels than men and manufacturers generally take this into account as well.

Custom Insoles
Many skiers like to add insoles to improve fit and support, whether it is a physician-made orthotic or a commercial-brand footbed. A well-fitting boot offers a firm and even stance that helps control the ski. The prime insert for ski boots is the Kork Custom Footbed by Superfeet. The footbed is heated, vacuum molded and massaged to fit your foot — a 25-minute process that's done right in the store.

Many REI stores currently make custom-molded Superfeet insoles. Contact your local store to see if they perform this service. Cut-to-fit Superfeet insoles are also available in all REI stores that sell ski gear.

Canted Cuffs
It is also important to have a good calf fit. Boot cuffs should fit snugly without having the buckles cinched too tightly. Buckles that are too tight can bend the plastic shell and alter the flex of the boot. Ideally, you will feel very little pressure on either the front or rear cuffs. Shoulders should be centered over your hips and heels. Knees should be centered over your arches. If these do not align, your boot cuffs need to be adjusted.

According to Ski Magazine, a good cuff adjustment is important. More than 75% of skiers may have knock-kneed or bowlegged tendencies and a cuff cant can balance their stance. Bowlegged skiers should adjust their cuffs to the outside so skis do not grab or turn too quickly. For knock-kneed skiers, cuffs should be adjusted to the inside. This will help release inside edges at the end of turns.

Fit and comfort the are most important factors of skiing. A bad fit can ruin the enjoyment of your skiing. It may take time to get the proper fitting, but it is time well spent.

 

Maintaining Your Boots


With minimal care, ski boots will last for years before they need to be replaced. A few tips will help extend their lives and enhance their comfort.
  • On the way to the slopes, keep your boots inside the car rather than in the trunk. This will insure they are warm when you put them on.
  • Make sure to dry out your boots after use, especially if you're going to store them. Remove the liners and let them dry at room temperature or use a boot dryer. Do not dry the boot shells or liners near a heat source such as a fire or baseboard heater.
  • Wipe down the shells if you've walked through mud or dirty slush.
  • Store boots with buckles and straps closed so that the hard plastic shell retains its shape.

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