Buying the right ski boots can make or break your holiday.
Everyone has heard horror stories of poor-fitting rental boots causing a great deal of pain. That’s why it’s important to find a pair that is comfortable and right for your ability, so you can spend more time skiing and less time nursing blistered toes.
There are a few key things to consider when buying a pair of ski boots. Firstly, and perhaps most obvious of all, they need to fit properly. Unlike regular shoes, ski boots need to wrap snugly around your foot for you to be able to control your skis properly. Length is measured in centimetres, whilst width - called the ‘last’ - is calculated in millimetres. Ski boots also range from low volume for narrow soles, right up to high volume for wide feet.
Secondly, consider the flex rating. This number tells you how stiff the boot is. Beginners or occasional skiers should aim for a softer flex rating of 60 to 90. Intermediate to advanced skiers will look at 90 to 120 flex boots, whilst 120+ is aimed at performance-focused experts. Note: flex rating isn’t an official standard and rigidity will vary from brand to brand.
Next, you’ll need to work out how regularly you’ll be wearing these ski boots. If you’re fairly new to skiing, you’ll want an affordable, comfortable pair. Intermediate to advanced skiers will know a little more about the style of boot they want. All-mountain boots are great for on- and off-piste. Freestyle is aimed at riders looking to hit jumps in the snow park, while freeride is for more challenging backcountry terrain.
Finally, when buying a pair of ski boots, you must go to a proper bootfitter. Brands vary wildly in terms of size, fit and performance. A professional bootfitter will fit a design that’s right for your foot. Often this includes custom-moulding the liner to hug your foot correctly.
Read on to discover our pick of the best ski boots for 2023/4.
Best ski boots at a glance:
- Best overall: Salomon S/PRO Supra Boa 120 GW - £520, Ellis Brigham
- Best for beginners: Head Edge 100 - £328.99, Amazon
- Best for intermediates: Tecnica Men’s Mach 1 MV 110 TD GW - £400, Snow + Rock
- Best for experts: Lange Shadow 130 LV - £560, The Skiers Lounge
- Best for narrow feet: Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 95 BOA GW - £540, Ellis Brigham
- Best for wide feet: Nordica Sportmachine 3 95 GW - £340, Ellis Brigham
- Best for on-piste performance: Rossignol Pure Elite 120 GW - £370, Rossignol
- Best for female-specific fit: Dalbello Veloce 85 GW - £350, Snow & Rock
- Best for freestyle: K2 Method Pro - £241.45, Ellis Brigham
- Best for ski touring: Scarpa Maestrale - £600, Snow Leader
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Salomon S/PRO Supra Boa 120 GW
Best for: overall
If you’re looking for an all-mountain boot, you can’t go far wrong with the S/Pro Supra Boa. New for this 23/24 season, its BOA technology ensures an even better fit.
Instead of traditional buckles that press down, the Supra Boa features a tweakable dial that wraps the liner around the foot, allowing you to make micro-adjustments to the fit. Not only does this make the boot more comfortable, but it’ll help your foot stay firmly rooted inside the boot when you’re carving down the piste.
This particular pair are aimed at advanced skiers. However, there are intermediate-friendly versions through Ellis Brigham at 95 and 105 flex.
Buy now £520.00, Ellis Brigham
Head Edge 100 HV
Best for: beginners
The Edge has long been one of Head’s bestselling boots. New this year, the outer shell has three key features: EZ-Ski, EZ-On and EZ-Walk. Not only are these all-mountain boots easy to pull on and off, they are super comfortable on the mountain. You’ll be able to schuss down the slopes all day and enjoy a long Jäger-fuelled après session afterwards.
In terms of flex, the Edge 100 HV sits somewhere in the middle, ideal for stronger or heavier beginners with plenty of room for progression. It has a 102mm last, which will suit those with wider feet.
Looking for the female version? There’s an 85, 95 and 105 available.
Buy now £328.99, Amazon
Tecnica Men’s Mach 1 MV 110 TD GW
Best for: intermediates
In the words of Coldplay, are you ready to go flying at the speed of sound? The Mach 1s are built for skiers that like to ride fast, especially through variable conditions - whether that’s bulletproof pistes, bumpy moguls, deep powder or spring slush. Notice how the boot is dotted with dimples? That’s so the shell can be heat-moulded to your foot without warping the overall design. Plus this season, they’ve added more space in the toe box for extra wiggle room. They come in a variety of flex ratings too - from 95 right up to 130 - so there’s a version to suit everyone here.
Buy now £400.00, Snow + Rock
Lange Shadow 130 LV GW
Best for: experts
Advanced skiers: head’s up. You won’t be hiding in the shadows wearing these bad boys. Expect a stiff pair of high-performance, all-mountain boots, packed with innovative features.
Take the Dual Pivot and Suspension Blade technology, for example, which provides excellent shock absorption and greater leverage when driving through aggressive turns. Whether you’re smashing through a mogul field or carving on-piste, these boots will support you from first to last lift.
They’re also available in 110 flex, as well as 85 and 95 for women.
Buy now £560.00, The Skiers Lounge
Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 95 BOA GW
Best for: narrow feet
If you’ve got skinny feet and struggle to find a boot that cradles your foot properly, check out the latest Hawx Ultra XTD from Atomic.
With a 98mm last, it’s designed specifically for women with slender soles. They’ve also updated this year’s model to a BOA lacing system which, like the Salomon boots, provides an even more tailored fit. The Hawx Ultra XTD is also one of the easiest boots for walking around the resort, courtesy of the built-in walk mode and GripWalk sole (even after a vin chaud or two).
They’re also compatible with pin bindings, handy if you’re thinking of exploring the world of ski touring.
Buy now £540.00, Ellis Brigham
Nordica Sportmachine 3 95 GW
Best for: wide feet
Got wide feet? Nordica have you covered with the latest Sportmachine 3 95.
Not only does this boot have a higher volume inside to accommodate larger feet, but the customisable shell can be heat-moulded to provide the best possible fit. There’s also an adjustable cuff for those with chunkier calf muscles. The lightweight Tri-Force frame has a comfortable feel without compromising on performance.
They're perfect for intermediates looking to push their skiing to the next level but don’t want a boot that’s too stiff.
Buy now £340.00, Ellis Brigham
Rossignol Pure Elite 70 women’s ski boots
Best for: on-piste performance
Skinny feet? Permanently chilly toes? You’ll love this pair of Rossignols, aimed at beginner and intermediate female skiers with narrow soles. They are super comfortable, courtesy of the women’s specific shell, which features a shorter, tulip-shaped cuff that reduces pressure around the shin and calf muscle. On top of that, they’re lined with merino wool, ensuring your feet stay toasty on the coldest days. Comfy reputation aside, you’ll be surprised at how responsive they are on the piste. They carefully tread the line between happy feet and decent performance; expect effective energy transfer and great high-speed control in these lightweight boots.
Buy now £370.00, Rossignol
Dalbello Veloce 85 GW
Best for: female-specific fit
Italian brand Dalbello has a strong reputation for innovation. It’s no surprise therefore that they’ve excelled when it comes to female-focused ski boots.
The newly-improved Veloce 85W is one of their most comfortable boots. The footbed has been specifically tapered at the back to suit women’s feet and prevent heel lift, whilst the polyurethane shell is softer at the top, making it easier to get your foot in and out. On top of this, the added insulation will keep your feet toasty warm.
This particular model is intermediate-friendly, but you can get a slightly stiffer 105 version if needed.
Buy now £350.00, Snow + Rock
K2 Method Pro 100 men’s ski boots
Best for: freestyle
You’re never too old to hit the snow park. Whether you’re honing your 360s or just searching for a comfortable boot for lapping the pistes, these K2 freestyle boots will do the trick.
The three-piece shell design provides a higher-volume fit for wider feet, but also reduces shin bang, something no-one wants plaguing them on day two of their ski trip. A softer flex and shock-absorbing bootboard will appeal to advanced riders looking for more cushioning when landing tricks.
The cherry on top is the flexible tongue that pulls all the way forward, making it super easy to tug off these boots.
Buy now £241.45, Ellis Brigham
Scarpa 4-Quattro SL men’s ski boot
Best for: ski touring
Ski touring (the act of hiking up and skiing down) has increased in popularity since the pandemic, and the sale of ski touring boots has followed a similar trend.
These Scarpa lightweight, hybrid boots for expert skiers are a winner in our book. They balance a decent range of movement for hiking up with enough stiffness for a stable descent. Plus they also feature a GripWalk sole that is compatible with touring bindings, a first in the industry.
So, you’ll be just as happy skinning uphill as you will be dancing on the tables of La Folie Douce. Eco-conscious skiers will also appreciate the Grilamid Bio shell and cuff, made from renewable plant-based sources. It also comes in a women’s model.
Buy now £600.00, .Snow + Rock
Verdict
Salomon’s Supra Boa 120 has impressed us with its swanky new BOA system, as well as their emphasis on performance.
However, the Head Edge 100 are a close second for versatility, catering for everyone from beginners to expert skiers.
