Staff, Courtesy of Nordica
A lot of people put a ton of thought into finding the best ski, but much less effort into finding the right ski boot. It’s understandable. Made of hard and unforgiving plastic, these sometimes-imperfect protectors of delicate toes had a reputation for discomfort that’s been hard to shake. But that’s what we’re about to do. Because there is a warm, comfortable, almost cozy boot out there that delivers exactly the performance you need. We put in the work on sub-zero mountain mornings (and some gorgeously mild spring days) to find the best boots for every type of skier.
The Expert: Louis Mazzante is the test director at Popular Mechanics and oversees the brand’s ski and boot testing. He’s a former ski instructor and collegiate ski racer. He lived in Rocky Mountain towns for years (including during a very cold winter and spring sleeping in a pop-up camper in Summit County, Colorado) and now spends several nights a week testing gear on the East Coast hardpack near the Pop Mech Test Zone in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Styles of Ski Boots
There are two main types of alpine (downhill) ski boots: front entry and rear entry. Front-entry boots, which are the most common, use a series of buckles across the top of your foot and shin to close. The multiple buckles create a tight and secure fit for excellent power transfer and control. Rear-entry models were popular decades ago and have made a small resurgence. Most open like a clamshell, making them much easier to put on and pull off, but they don’t transfer power as efficiently. That makes them less ideal for aggressive skiing. They’re best for newer skiers, those who primarily ride softer snow, or anyone with a relaxed style. There’s a third type we’ll cover, called AT, which are made for ski touring. Using specialized bindings, ski tourers “skin” up a mountain as if on Nordic skis, then descend as if on downhill equipment. Those boots need to be light, flexible enough to walk in, yet capable of big-mountain descents.
More Gear for the Slopes: Best Women’s Ski Jackets • Best Women’s Ski Pants • Best Ski Gloves • Best Men’s Ski Jackets • Best Women’s Snow Pants
What to Look for in a Great Ski Boot
To help you decide which boot best meets your need, it’s helpful to understand a boot’s purpose and how it works. Think of ski boots like a bike or car tire; they’re the critical connection between you and your skis, helping to transfer power to your edges for precise control. Because of that important role, boots need to be stiff. Too soft and it will feel like you’re skiing with a flat tire–mushy and out of control. The best boots balance the level of stiffness you need with comfort. It’s tricky. Too much padding or insulation and the boot will feel like a tire low on air. Not enough and your feet will be screaming at you to get the boots off after your first run. Luckily, advances in materials and construction techniques mean it’s possible to find comfortable boots at nearly every performance level. Here’s what to look for.
Stiffness and Flex Experienced and aggressive skiers need a stiff boot to transfer power to the edges of their skis. Newer, lighter, and more casual skiers typically want a more comfortable boot that flexes easier. Boot makers use a numeric flex rating index to note each boot’s stiffness, typically between 50 and 130. Here’s a simple guide to zero in on the right one for you. (We included some overlap to account for different skier weights and strengths; lighter but experienced skiers, for example, may want a boot with a stiffness level of 70, while a heavier first timer may be better with a boot rated at 80.)
- Beginner / less aggressive: 50 to 80
- Intermediate: 70 to 100
- Advanced: 90 to 130
Comfort and Fit Of course, you want the boot to be comfortable enough to ski in all day. An important consideration is the boot’s width. Many models come in two or three last sizes—98mm, 100mm, and 102mm, for example. Larger lasts typically better fit wider feet. But last has performance implications, too. More advanced skiers should look for a smaller last to secure a tighter fit and better power transfer.
To further improve fit, many boots come with heat-moldable liners that will conform to your feet as they warm up. Some need to be taken to a shop to be baked in a specialized oven, while other liners will do this over time just by the user wearing the boot.
Other Features to Consider Newer boots, especially more expensive models, come with Gripwalk soles. These rubber inserts near the toe offer extra grip while walking and have a convex shape to improve your gait, which makes walking across the parking lot to the lodge much easier than in the past. Just make sure that your bindings are compatible. Some boots come with heating elements that you can control with a dial or through a Bluetooth connection.
