Ski boots are arguably the most important piece of ski gear you’ll own. Selecting the right pair of ski boots is essential for comfort, control, and performance on the slopes. Find the right downhill ski boot for your foot shape and skiing style, and you’ll enjoy all-day comfort and performance you can feel.
On the flip side, wearing ill-fitting ski boots-or picking a pair that’s too stiff or too soft for your skill level or body type-can be a day-ender on the slopes. In this guide, we’ll help you sort out what to look for when choosing the best downhill ski boots for you.
Dive into our ski boot buying guide to get some guidance on how to choose ski boots (or at least, narrow them down). Knowing how to choose ski boots will set you up for success on the hill.
Big disclaimer: We always recommend working with a local bootfitter. Nothing beats having someone experienced evaluate your foot shape, instability, and ankle range of motion. But, if a local bootfitter is unavailable to you, or you’re looking to do some research ahead of your bootfitting appointment, we’ve got you covered.
A ski boot should fit snugly and hold your foot securely in place, without causing pain or pressure points. It should feel like a firm handshake-not too tight, not too loose. Avoid buying boots that are too roomy just because they feel more comfortable when you first try them on; a snug and secure fit is critical to the boot’s performance.
Read also: Choosing Size 24 Ski Boots
Here's our guide to help you understand the key features and how to find the perfect fit.
- How to get the right fit in-store
- How to size ski boots and sizing chart
- Match your ski boots to your ski style and skill level
- Understanding types of ski boots
- Ski boot flex ratings: What they mean
- Key ski boot features to consider
- Customizing your boots for fit and performance
How to Size Ski Boots
Downhill ski boots use an international sizing standard called Mondopoint, which corresponds roughly to the length of your foot in centimeters. Ski boots are often labeled in mondopoint (mondo), which is an international sizing standard. It refers to the length in the ski boot in centimeters. For example, a boot (including the liner and foot bed) that has an internal length 26.5 centimeters will be a 26.5 mondo.
Ski boots are available in whole and half sizes, so you’ll see sizing options like 24.5, 25.5, 26 or 26.5. (Note: REI only carries half sizes. If you typically wear Mondopoint size 25, you’ll want to size up to 25.5). Keep in mind that sizing isn’t always universal across brands or even between models from the same brand. Be sure to consult the brand’s ski boot sizing chart for the best fit.
Our ski boot size chart gives you a rough idea of what your street shoe size roughly translates to in mondo sizing. That said, many boot models and brands fit a little differently. Some brands run short, others long.
Read also: Why Choose Custom Ski Boots?
Ski boots are sized in mondo point sizing. This number is the length of your foot in centimeters. Modern boots are sold in whole sizes, but in half sizes. So you’ll see numbers like 24.5, 25.5, etc., but there is very rarely a 25.0.
As you’re skiing, if your foot is bouncing around in a hard cylinder, that can cause lots of hot spots and pain points. The less aggressive riding you’re doing, the more comfortable the fit of the boot can be.
There is no difference between men’s and women’s sizing when it comes to mondo point sizing. But, there are some other differences that we’ll discuss below.
Mondopoint conversion chart
In-Store Boot Fitting: Your best chance of finding the right boot starts with an in-store fitting. Boot fitting experts at REI will look at the shape of your foot in person, measure your foot size, and help you try on a range of boots to find out what works best for you. So, consider this guide a useful tool for information before you visit an REI store.
Read also: Choosing Hybrid Snowboard Boots
Our Ski Boot Sizing and Fit Guide can also help you determine the right size for you and what a properly fitting ski boot should feel like.
THIS IS HOW SKI BOOTS SHOULD FIT
Generally, regardless of ability level, we recommend sizing a ski boot so when you’re standing up straight, the tips of your toes gently touch the end of the boot. When you flex into the boot, your toes and foot should pull back. Often, folks are concerned about a ski boot fitting too snugly. Conversely, our fitters find that most skiers run into trouble when there’s too much space.
But beware: beginners are often oversized in their rentals. As you start to progress, you might find more foot movement and more issues with your fit. So keep an eye out for sensations like cramping and hot spots. It might be time to go down a size.
Understanding Ski Boot Fit: Ski boots come in various designs to accommodate different foot shapes and skiing styles.
All ski boots are comprised of the following components:
- Shell: The hard outer casing which provides support and protection.
- Liner: The soft inner boot which offers cushioning, warmth, and stability where it matters.
- Closure System: Buckles and/or BOA cable systems used to secure and fit the boot to your foot.
- Heel: the base of the boot, which may include features such as GripWalk or Touring binding compatibility.
Match Your Boots to Your Style and Skill Level
Knowing your ski boot size and volume is just the beginning of finding the right fit. Next, you’ll want to figure out what style of ski boot matches your skiing ability and terrain preferences.
First, consider your ability: Are you a beginner just learning to ski, an intermediate skier tackling more challenging terrain or an expert hitting steeps? Your level of skiing will impact what type of boot you’ll want, what features to look for and what flex you need.
Next, think about what kind of skiing you normally do. Do you ski entirely inbounds at resorts? If so, do you prefer racing down groomed slopes or venturing into steeper, all-mountain terrain? Or are you a backcountry skier who needs a lightweight alpine touring boot built for long uphill climbs.
Measured in millimeters, “last” refers to the width of the boot at its widest point, which is generally across the forefoot. A narrow last is generally around 97-99mm, an average last is from 99mm-101mm, and a wide last being wider than 102mm.
Skiers might choose a narrow or wide last for two reasons. Either their foot shape is particularly wide or narrow, or personal preference. A wider boot is more comfortable and gives you more room around your forefoot, but provides less control when you roll your skis on edge. A narrower boot is often a little less comfortable, but gives you better control.
If you deviate too far from your natural foot shape, you might start to run into fit issues. For example, a narrow foot in a wide last might give you far too much room to keep your foot stable and control your skis effectively. A wide foot in a narrow last might cause some serious pinching or hot spots.
Foot Shape, Last Width and Volume:
| Foot Shape | Last Width | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow | Under 100 millimeters | Low volume (LV) |
| Average | 100-102 mm | Mid-volume or medium volume (MV) |
| Wide | Over 102 mm | High volume (HV) |
Some boot manufacturers designate boot widths using terms like high volume, medium volume or low volume. Some brands may include those abbreviations-LV, MV or HV-in the model’s name. If you have narrow feet, look for a low-volume boot.
If you have wider feet, consider a high-volume boot.
Types of Ski Boots
Different downhill skiers need different boots. If you’re spending most of your time inbounds at a ski resort, you’ll want a downhill ski boot that’s compatible with downhill ski bindings. On-piste skiers or ski racers may prefer a stiffer, race-style boot, while all-mountain resort skiers may want something with more freeride features, like shock absorption or a GripWalk sole.
If you’re skiing in the backcountry, you’ll want lightweight backcountry boots (also called alpine touring boots) that are built for mobility, with a walk mode for going uphill and a grippy sole. Some downhill ski boots are geared toward hybrid skiers who spend time inbounds and out of bounds, with both downhill performance and uphill capability.
Telemark skiers will need a telemark boot that’s compatible with telemark ski bindings. Several brands make downhill ski boots that are designed for women. These women-specific ski boots are generally shorter in the cuff to accommodate women’s leg shapes and have a softer flex. These models can suit anyone as long as they fit and feel good. (Not all unisex boots come in the smallest sizes, so a women-specific boot might be a good option for those with smaller feet.)
Young children should opt for kids’ downhill ski boots, designed specifically in kid sizes.
Generally, there are three different types of ski boots.
- Alpine, or downhill, boots are designed just for downhill skiing at a resort.
- Alpine touring, or backcountry, ski boots are lighter and better equipped for uphill/backcountry travel.
- Lastly, freeride, or hybrid touring ski boots.
These boots fit in the middle of the two, and are designed to do both styles of skiing. We’ll dive a little deeper into each one below.
In general: If you only plan to ride the resort, these are the boots for you. If you plan to spend a lot of time touring but also want a powerful boot for the resort, consider a boot quiver of an AT boot and downhill boot.
On the flip side, if you plan to do some touring, or there isn’t room in the budget for two boots, check out the hybrid style boots on the market.
Alpine ski boots are also called downhill ski boots, because they go downhill! These boots are engineered to provide stable and smooth support as you ride at the resort. They won’t offer tech fittings, walk modes, or other features for uphill travel. These boots tend to be a little heavier and stiffer.
Alpine Touring ski boots (AT) make it easier to go backcountry skiing. The lighter the gear, the easier it is to haul up hill. The trade-off, though, is typically less performance on the descent. By shaving weight, going with lighter buckles, and an unfixed spine with the walk mode, these boots don’t power through crud or provide the same lateral power transfer as alpine boots.
Hybrid, or often called freeride boots these days, attempt to make the best of both worlds by being heavier and more stable than lighter AT-specific boots, but feature tech fittings for alpine touring bindings and walk modes. They won’t feel as feather-y on the uphill, but do give you better stability on the descent. Some aggressive riders will prefer this style of boots for backcountry skiing, while more backcountry-specific riders will find them cumbersome.
Ski Boot Flex: What the Ratings Mean
Ski boot manufacturers rate boots on a flex index: The higher the number, the stiffer the boot. The more rigid your boot, the more power you can transfer to your skis. When shopping for ski boots, the amount of flex the boots offer can roughly correlate to your ability level: beginner, intermediate or expert.
The flex refers to how stiff the boot is. You’ll often find it listed at the end of a model name. The higher the number, the stiffer the boot. Stiffer boots deliver more support for more aggressive riding and more challenging terrain. Softer boots tend to be more forgiving and comfortable.
As a skier, you need the perfect balance of soft enough to flex into, but stiff enough to provide stability. It’s important to be able to flex into the ski boot in order to control your skis. A boot that’s too stiff will prevent you from engaging the skis properly.
Beginners will find softer boots more accessible to flex into. As you progress, you might find that you need a stiffer boot to give you more support for exploring more challenging terrain or skiing at higher speeds. For context, most rental boots clock in anywhere from 50-80, depending on whether it is a men’s or women’s boot.
Skier size also matters with flex. Heavier skiers need the support afforded by stiffer boots, while lighter skiers often get sufficient support out of softer boots. That’s why women’s ski boots are often a softer flex, since their bodies are typically smaller than men’s.
Your size and build can also determine what flex you need: Lighter or smaller skiers may prefer a lower flex rating to make it easier to drive the boot, while bigger or stronger skiers may want a higher flex, regardless of their ability.
Note: Flex ratings are also not universal across brands, so a 100-flex boot in one brand may feel different than a 100-flex boot from another manufacturer. Your best option is to try the boot on in store, press your shin toward the front of the boot by getting into an athletic stance and see how it feels.