How To Choose Alpine Ski Boots

You start browsing and spot a shiny silver boot that perfectly complements your new jacket and skis. Before you ask for your size, wait! Boots are the main link between your body and your skis, and you need to shelve vanity in favor of performance.

The unique size and shape of your feet is the one and only starting place for buying new boots. To get started:

When to Buy

Skiing can be as hard on your boots as your skis. The suggested life of a boot is seven years. If you ski 50+ times per year and you're hard on your boots, you should replace them sooner. Don't wait any longer; you'll miss out on technological improvements and your boots will have packed out and suffered performance-compromising wear and tear.

Your Skier Profile

Be honest, don't overplay or underplay your ability. If you're not sure, think about the other sports or activities you do. How challenging are they? How far do you usually progress? What is the slope of your learning curve?

Recreational

You're new to the sport and looking to improve, or you've been at it for a while but enjoy skiing leisurely on groomed green and blue runs. You need boots that are cozy and forgiving.

• Recreational boots are typically soft flexing, comfortable and warm. They're made for skiers with basic skills who want to improve their technique.
• Even beginners should take care not to buy a boot that is so soft that it doesn't allow them to control the ski. Go a step up if you plan to progress quickly.

Intermediate

You've spent a few seasons taking lessons and honing your ski skills, you have good control over your speed and you can comfortably ski blues and easier black runs. You're ready to beef up your skills and tackle steeper terrain, moguls and ungroomed snow. You need boots that are more responsive.

• Intermediate boots deliver increased responsiveness to improve carving skills and handle higher speeds.
• Some boots in this category offer softer flexes, less forward lean and other features that are useful for those who like to ski moguls, backcountry, park/pipe and more.

Advanced

You're at the top of your ski game. You shred with confidence, speed and aggressiveness on the steepest and most challenging terrain. You fly from high-speed groomers to steep powder fields to the backcountry. You'll ski double-blacks or unmarked trails at the resort and might be planning a heli- or cat-skiing trip.

• Advanced boots are the most responsive boots you can buy. They offer precision control for the most aggressive skiers.
• They are the stiffest boots around and some models can be too stiff for all-mountain skiing. Boots in this category offer targeted features like shock absorption (via absorbent rubber in the sole) for landing air or slamming bumps.

Ski Boot Styles and Features

Ski boots consist of a hard outer shell for support and soft liner for cushioning and warmth. Most adult boots today are "front-entry overlap" designs, meaning that they open in the front like hiking boots and are secured by three or four buckles. Some entry-level and kids' boots are "rear-entry." These models open in the back, which makes them more comfortable and user-friendly for beginners.

Outer Shell

The hard plastic outer shell varies in stiffness from boot to boot. Softer plastics flex easily and are more forgiving. Stiff plastics are more rigid but offer greater response and precision. The more rigid your boot, the more power transfers to your ski's inside edge. Most advanced-level boots combine multi-density materials to make boots stiff in critical areas of energy transfer, but softer in other areas.

• Soft and moderate shells are designed for comfort. They are forgiving and great for beginners and intermediates.
• Stiff shells are firm, but not tree-trunk quad, World Cup-racer firm. They're ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers.
• Very stiff boots are built for racers and other professional-level skiers for maximum edge hold and turning precision. They can be uncomfortably rigid for general use.

Manufacturers rate boots on a Flex Index. On REI.com product pages, you can find this listed under the Specs tab of each boot. Flex Index indicates how resistant the boot is to flexing. The higher the number, the stiffer the boot. The ratings are only comparable within a manufacturer's line, so the best way to compare is to put a boot on each foot, lean forward and flex it. Remember, boots will have a softer flex at a warmer, indoor temperature than out on the hill.

Liners

The majority of boots come with some amount of heat-moldable material in the liners. Typically, the more expensive the boot, the more heat-moldable material it has. There are several types to consider. Custom thermal-formable liners - which need to be custom fit in the store before you hit the slopes - are beginning to dominate the market.

• Thermal-formable foam uses the foot's heat to achieve a custom fit. They break in after a day or two of skiing.
• Custom thermal-formable foam uses an artificial heat source to achieve a custom fit. While best done at REI or other ski shops with boot-fitting experts, it is possible to do this at home with a hot-air blower or oven.
• Molded foam liners are made by molding liner tongues and foot sections individually, then sewing them together for a precise fit. Some molded foam liners have down toe boxes for added warmth. These are not heat-moldable.

Flex Adjustment

Many boots have an adjustment so you can adjust the boots' stiffness to match a particular type of skiing, like powder, groomers or bumps. It is usually located on the back of the boot, around ankle height.

Ski/Walk Position

To make the walk to the hill easier, some boots feature a ski/walk adjustment which releases your boots into a more natural walking position without excessive forward lean. Backcountry boots offer this feature for touring as well.

Boot Sizing and Fitting

Mondo Sizing

Alpine ski boots use mondo sizing, which refers to the boot's inner sole length in centimeters. This system can sometimes be a less-than-exact science. Sizes may vary from one brand to the other. Sample a couple of boots to gauge what feels best to you.

Mondo Ski Boot Sizes to US Sizes

Sizes Vary by Manufacturer

It used to be that ski makers crafted all the boots in their line from one mold or "last". Because of this, boot brands tended to fit a single type of foot (narrow, wide, low- or high-volume, etc.).

Recently, manufacturers have started to make different lasts for different models in their line, so the stereotypes aren't as accurate anymore. Here, however, are some rough generalizations:

• Salomon has a reputation for breadth, fitting B+ to D- widths. Its high-end boots are low-volume (smaller feet and legs), mid-range are mid-volume and the low-end boots are high-volume (larger feet and legs) in order to fit a whole range of feet.
• Nordica lower-end boots are high-volume and the higher-end boots are low-volume.
• Tecnica lower-end boots are high-volume and the higher-end boots are low-volume.
• Lange tends to fit narrow feet.
• Dalbello tends to fit high-volume feet or people with larger calves.

Fitting a Boot

As you ski, your feet compress the liners of your boots, gradually loosening the fit. Unless you start out with snug boots, they may loosen enough to compromise control. Don't buy your boots too big! Here are some try-on tips:

• Wear thin, synthetic ski socks when trying on boots. No thick hiking socks, no cotton.
• Feet tend to swell slightly over the course of the day. Try on in the afternoon or evening when your feet are at their largest.
• When standing straight up, your toes should brush the end of the boots, but they shouldn't be crammed or turned under.
• When in a ski-tuck position, your toes should just barely pull away from brushing the front of the boot. 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.

After selecting your boots, they will likely need some modification. In particular, custom insoles (footbeds) can help you get the best possible fit. Also, your two feet may not be the same size, so your boots may need to be adjusted to fit them. In this case, buy for the smaller foot and expand the boot to fit the larger one.

Boots can be adapted in several ways:

• Use a heat gun to soften and mold the shell for more toe space.
• Use a board or heel wedge to lift the heel.
• Add foam pads under the heel.
• Stretch or grind the liners.
• Add custom footbeds to fit your feet.

Special Fit Features

Women's Boots: Women's calves are usually shaped differently from men's — our calf muscles are shorter, larger and lower on the leg — and women's heels tend to be narrower. Women's boots accommodate these differences.

Custom Insoles: Adding custom footbeds improves fit and support. A well-fitting boot offers a firm, even stance that helps control the ski.

• For a little extra support, chose a cut-to-fit footbed from the store.
• For the best fit, get a custom-molded cork footbed. The footbed is heated, vacuum molded and massaged to fit your foot - a 25-minute process. Many REI stores make custom-molded Superfeet insoles. Contact your local store to check. If you have known foot issues, choose a physician-made orthotic.

Canted Cuffs: A good calf fit means no painful pressure. Boot cuffs should fit snugly when the buckles are latched to the middle rungs. Buckles that are too tight can bend the plastic shell and alter the flex of the boot. Your shoulders should be centered over your hips and heels and your knees centered over your arches. Otherwise, your boot cuffs need to be adjusted.

To adjust, loosen the knob or lever on the back or side of the boot, above the ankle. Step into the boots and stand so that you have equal room on both sides, then tighten it up.

You may be one of the more than 75% of skiers who are knock-kneed or bowlegged. A cuff cant can balance your stance. To check, stand with your feet aligned under your shoulders and look in a mirror. Bring your feet toward one another slowly.

• Bowlegged: Your feet touch first.
• Knock kneed: You ankles touch first.

Bowlegged skiers should adjust their cuffs to the outside so skis do not grab or turn too quickly. Knock-kneed skiers should adjust to the inside to will help release inside edges at the end of turns.

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, instead of the trunk, so they're warm when you put them on.
• Dry out your boots after use. 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 like a fire or baseboard heater.
• Wipe down the shells if you've walked through mud or dirty slush.
• Store your boots with the buckles and straps closed so that the hard plastic shell retains its shape.

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