Buying a pair of ski boots can be an overwhelming process. There are many reputable brands on the market, each selling several different models that suit different needs. Some boots have more features than others, and sorting out the most useful for you can make choosing difficult. To make matters worse, each model may have variations in flex and width. How do you choose which boot will suit your needs the best?
We wrote a full comparative review of ski boots, so to see which models our professional test team liked the best, reference our Best Ski Boot Review.
Ski boots are a highly personal piece of equipment. Their performance, comfort, and warmth depend mostly on fit, your skiing style and needs, and your taste. To ensure the best fit, we recommend seeking the advice and services of a professional boot fitter. A boot fitter can measure your foot, ask you questions, and make initial recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of particular products.
If you are purchasing ski boots from an online retailer, consider the ease of returning the product to the seller if you need to exchange them for another size or model. If possible, try on a couple of different sizes from different brands so that you can compare them and decide which shape and size are most suitable for your foot and skiing ability.
This article will introduce some basics in choosing a ski boot that fits your foot and some of the features to look for on modern all-mountain ski boots.
Types of All-Mountain Ski Boots
Traditional Alpine Boots
These boots come in two traditional designs: A four-buckle, “overlap” design with a two-piece shell and cuff, or a three-buckle, three-piece “cabrio” design where the shell, cuff, and tongue are separate. On overlap boots, the lower shell of the boot and the cuff overlap to increase stiffness in the front of the boot, while on cabrio boots, the cuff wraps around to hold the tongue to provide that same stiffness.
The designs are similar in that the cuff rotates around a pivot point on the shell, but there are pros and cons to each design. Overlap boots can be stiffer and deliver precise power for expert skiers, and are produced en masse as entry-level boots, which generally makes this design more available and more affordable for beginners.
Cabrio boots generally have a better progressive flex than overlap boots, which makes them appealing to freeride and park skiers, but they're not quite as stiff and powerful. Though you don't often see true beginner boots in a cabrio design, intermediates will love their easy entry and overall comfort.
Hybrid Alpine Boots
These boots are not quite traditional alpine boots, nor are they fully touring boots – they're a “hybrid” alpine boot. Best suited for freeride skiers skiing lift-accessed out-of-bounds terrain or in-bounds hike-to terrain, these boots feature a walk mode that makes for more comfortable travel while walking, traversing, or ascending. Some models also include tech binding inserts in the toes and heels, which makes them compatible with traditional alpine bindings and touring bindings. Because they are heavier and offer less articulation than alpine-touring boots, we don't recommend them as a dedicated backcountry ski boot.
Related: Best Backcountry Ski Boots of 2025
The Anatomy of a Ski Boot
Ski boots are relatively simple contraptions. They are meant to provide a positive connection between your body and your skis. Materials and features of boots may vary across manufacturers and models, but there are universal components that make up a modern alpine ski boot.
Shell
The shell of the ski boot is the hard plastic outer boot.
- Shell materials contribute to the weight and stiffness of a ski boot. Polyurethane is common in race and alpine boots, while Grilamid, a lighter material, is common in hybrid and beginner boots.
- Certain boots have shells that are heat-moldable to shape to the general contours of your feet and provide a more precise fit.
- Professional boot fitters can adjust shells for specific places where the boot may be too tight on your foot, despite an otherwise good fit.
Liner
The boot's liner is a removable soft inner boot contained within the shell of the ski boot. It is an important consideration in purchasing a ski boot.
- Heat-moldable liners add value to your investment because they are an easy way to achieve a more customized fit.
- Heat-moldable liners are cooked in a boot fitter's oven, reinserted into the shell of the boot, and when you put your foot inside and buckle the boots, the now malleable liner will shape to the contours of your foot, giving you a custom fit.
- With time, heat-moldable liners will shape to the skier's foot just by skiing in them.
Sole
Alpine boots follow the same DIN certification process as alpine bindings – the two are designed to function safely together. The boot sole can be a continuation of the shell or may consist of pieces that can be removed and replaced, like a GripWalk pad. We recommend boots with interchangeable soles because the boot's life can be prolonged by changing toe pieces and heel pieces when they show signs of wear.
- Excessive wear on the sole can affect the boot's connection with the binding and, therefore, the skier's safety.
- Boots that do not have removable soles can be preserved by avoiding walking on pavement, dirt, and other hard surfaces. Aftermarket products such as YakTrax can be used while walking to protect the boot sole.
Footbed
The footbed inside the liner gives your foot support.
- Footbeds that come in boots from the manufacturer tend to be thin pieces of foam that offer little support.
- We recommend purchasing an aftermarket footbed such as Superfeet to improve the fit of your boot and preserve the health of your feet.
- A high-end bootfitter can also build a custom insole specifically for your foot.
Buckles and BOA
Ski boots have between two and four buckles to tighten the shell of the boot. More recently, some manufacturers are replacing traditional buckles with BOA technology. BOA is a system of wire laces around the shell that are tightened and loosened by turning a small dial.
- Having micro-adjustable buckles allows for a more precise fit. Micro-adjustable buckles will twist to lengthen or shorten their shaft, which serves as an intermediate adjustment between the regular ladder steps on the buckles.
- Compared to buckles, BOA more evenly distributes pressure across a greater surface area. This helps eliminate the crushing pressure commonly associated with ski boots, and is a boon for folks with high arches and insteps. The stainless steel cables are plenty strong, but many argue that the tension isn't sufficient to lock in stiff boots for peak performance.
Power Strap
The power strap allows you to tighten the top of the cuff on the boot for a close fit to your shin.
- Power straps can utilize velcro for closure or some sort of camming buckle.
- Wide power straps are more effective than skinny straps because they apply pressure over a greater surface area.
Walk Mode
It is becoming more common to see a walk/ski mode on all-mountain models. This is a technology adopted from alpine-touring boots for backcountry skiing.
- A walk-mode enables the skier to disengage the boot's cuff from the bottom of the boot, enabling some freedom of movement in the ankle. This makes walking in the boots or traveling uphill using climbing skins much easier.
- This is a nice feature for skiers who walk or hike in their boots often, or if you are starting to venture outside the resort boundary using alpine touring equipment.
Trying On and Sizing Boots for Skiing
Before trying boots on, you should have an idea of the general shape of your foot, the length and width of your foot, your skiing ability, and the application of the boot. With this information, you can look for a boot in the correct size and last width and with an appropriate flex rating for your ability or preference.
Mondo Point Sizing
Ski boot manufacturers use the Mondo Point sizing system. It is a measurement of the length of your foot in centimeters. There are conversion charts that can show you what your street shoe size equates to in Mondo Point, or you can have your feet measured.
- As an example, a Mondo Point 27.5 roughly equates to a US size 9.5 M and 11 W.
- Shell sizes tend to be measured on the whole size (27.0, 28.0, etc.). Half sizes are created by adding more padding to the liner or putting a thicker footbed in the liner.
To measure your feet at home:
- Put a piece of paper, larger than your foot, on the floor against a wall.
- Stand on the paper with your back and heels glued to the wall.
- Draw a line marking the longest part of your foot.
- Measure the distance in cm from the edge of the paper to the line you've just made.
Last Width
The last of a boot refers to its general shape and width inside the shell (outer boot).
- Narrow lasts tend to be in the 97 to 99-millimeter range, and generally lower volume. (Low-volume boots are often indicated with an LV designation in the name.) They are suited for skiers with small feet or those seeking a very snug, performance fit.
- Medium lasts tend to be in the 100 to 102-millimeter range. (Medium-volume boots are often indicated by an MV in the name.) These will be comfortable out of the box for most people and those with an “average” sized foot.
- Wide lasts tend to be larger than 102 millimeters, and generally have a high-volume shell. (High-volume boots are often indicated by an HV in the name.) These are made for people with wide feet who need extra space or want more comfort.
Some brands design a boot with three shell sizes or volumes under the same name. For example, Tecnica offers many of their boots in a high volume (103-millimeter last), medium volume (100-millimeter last), and low volume (98-millimeter last).
Other brands offer different last widths under different names. For example, Nordica's high-volume boot is called the Sportmachine (103 millimeters), the medium volume is called the Speedmachine (100 millimeters), and the low volume is called the Promachine (98 millimeters).
Generally, manufacturers offer higher flex ratings and better performance in their low and medium volume boots, while larger boots are usually for intermediate skiers. The idea behind this is that to achieve optimal performance out of a boot, it should be snug, even if you have large feet.
Flex Rating
The flex rating is a way to rate the stiffness of the boot when flexed forward. Skier ability, height, weight, skiing style, and personal preference may determine what flex rating is appropriate.
- The flex rating is expressed using a number. You will find men's models rated from about 50 to 130. The higher the number, the harder the boot is to flex forward, and in turn, the stiffer it feels.
- In general, beginner skiers will get more out of a softer flexing boot, while advanced and more aggressive skiers will appreciate a boot that is harder to flex.
- The flex rating can usually be found marked somewhere on the cuff of the boot, probably in conjunction with the model name. Many models will be available in different flex ratings, and some can be adjusted easily to be slightly stiffer or softer.
- Some models offer an adjustable flex that can be turned up or down in a range of usually ten units.
- Unfortunately, the flex rating metric is not standardized between manufacturers, and it can be difficult to compare the stiffness of boots from different brands without trying them on.
Boot Sole Length
The length of the boot sole is measured in millimeters. The actual length of the boot from the toe to the heel will vary, even if they are the same size.
- Check the sole length of your current boots before stepping into your bindings with new boots. They may not fit.
- You should have your bindings checked every season with the boots that you will use. As we noted above, the soles can wear over time and affect binding release.
Sizing Tips
We suggest trying on ski boots later in the day. Feet tend to swell a bit throughout the day and at higher elevations. By trying on boots in the afternoon or evening, you are helping to mitigate the risk of buying boots that are too small. Try boots on (and ski) while wearing very thin wool or synthetic socks. They help wick moisture away from your skin, are resistant to bunching up, and provide a more precise fit. Thick socks can restrict circulation and will actually make your feet feel colder.
- The most important tip is to size the shell to your foot first.
- Remove the liner from the shell and carefully insert your socked foot into the shell. Stand up and slide your toes to the front of the boot so that they are just touching the end.
- You should have no more than two finger widths between your heel and the back of the boot.
Then, try on the boot fully assembled.
- Reinsert the liner carefully into the shell.
- While seated, insert your socked foot into the boot. Buckle the top buckles loosely.
- Kick your heel into the ground to seat your heel and ankle into the heel pocket of the boot. Tighten the power strap of the boot, which, in combination with the top two buckles, will more firmly seat your heel and ankle in the heel pocket of the boot.
- Now tighten the buckles at the forefoot of the boot.
Stand up to see how the boots feel. Keep in mind:
- Ski boots are meant to be snug.
- As you stand up straight in the boot, your toes should barely touch the end of the liner. Flex into the tongue of the boot as if you were skiing, and feel your toes pull back slightly from the end of the liner.
- You should not be able to lift your heel easily, and there should be little to no lateral play in your forefoot.
- Wiggling your toes is a good thing, but too much dead airspace may indicate that the boot is too large for you.
- Adjust and micro-adjust the buckles as needed.
- Tighten the power strap to maintain positive contact with your shin.
The Bottom Line
Buy boots that fit your feet well. Seek professional boot fitting advice if you are having trouble finding a good fit, and try on several different boots in different sizes before buying. Ski boots should be snug without being painful, and you should be able to wiggle your toes but not be able to lift your heel. There should be little to no lateral movement in your forefoot.
Choose boots that suit your needs. They need not be overly stiff if you are a beginner or intermediate skier, or even an expert skier who doesn't ski aggressively. If you are crossing over to skiing outside the resort boundaries or want to access hike-to terrain in-bounds on occasion, consider a boot with a walk-mode feature. Consider your budget and how much you ski – there is no need to get an expensive boot if you only ski a handful of days a year. There are affordable boots with excellent features that could fit your feet well and provide good ski performance at your level.
