Top ranking of the best ski boots in 2020

The best winter holiday is, of course, the ski resort. But for skiing, you need to carefully prepare: buy thermal underwear, a special jacket, gloves, a hat, skis and, of course, ski boots for them. Initially, such boots were made only of leather; strong lacing went to them, with the help of which the leg was tightly fixed.

Over time, new materials and manufacturing technologies appeared, and the production of ski boots has stepped forward. Now they have two components: internal and external. Instead of lacing, nowadays, plastic or metal clips are often used. The appearance has also improved a lot - now the boots are not only comfortable for skiing, but also look attractive.

In sports equipment stores you can find a lot of different ski boots, among which the choice is suitable in size, shape, color, rigidity. The most important criterion is rigidity. The harder ones are usually acquired by athletes or skating professionals. Beginners in this business choose softer. In general, these types of ski boots are distinguished:

• sports;
• freeride;
• ski tour;
• new school;
• station wagon.

You can learn more about modern designs, characteristics and types of boots from the video clip:

Rating of quality sports ski boots

As you can tell by the name of this type of boots, they are designed for professional alpine skiing. This includes slalom, giant slalom, downhill and others. These boots have the highest rigidity. The shoe is narrow - about 95 mm. The boots fit as much as possible under the athlete's foot for complete ski control while riding.

SALOMON X LAB 110+

This model of ski boots belongs to the unisex category. The boot has high rigidity. Thanks to the latest technology, the boots fit the foot perfectly. Powerful, precise and stable for professional skiers.

Specifications:

• Stiffness index: 110;
• Shoe width: 95;
• Inner boot with My Custom Fit World Cup technology for an excellent fit of the foot to the boot;
• Price: from 45 thousand rubles.

• Ideal pad width;
• Professional foot-to-boot system.

• Not identified.

FISCHER RC4 CURV 130 VACUUM FULL FIT

Specifications:

• Hardness: 130;
• Shoe width: 97;
• 4 aluminum clips;
• Composite Flex Control technology that provides good stiffness characteristics.
• 3D canting system for precise customization;
• Average price: 39 thousand rubles.

• Composite stiffness control;
• Precision adhesion;
• Optimum comfort.

• Not identified.

ATOMIC REDSTER PRO 120

Track skiing boots.

Specifications:

• Stiffness index: 120;
• Shoe width: 98;
• Memory Fit technology to make the boot fit perfectly in minutes;
• Ultra-stiff Carbon Spine insert for high boot responsiveness
• Price: from 37 thousand rubles.

• Carbon fiber reinforcement for better power transmission;
• Heat-formed liner for a perfect fit;
• Anatomical insole for added comfort.

• Not identified.

Rating of ski boots for freeride and new school

Freeride ski boots are used for freeride skiing. Freeride skis are designed for riding both on the trail and in deep snow. That is, they are wider and stiffer. At first they used sports boots for these purposes, but over time they developed special, freeride boots. What is their difference from the usual ones?

For jumping and extreme riding, additional elements have been created: a gel tongue and thin soft plastic between the inner and outer layers to avoid breaking the shin, an absorbent element under the heel to avoid damaging the heels. Also, freeride boots should be lighter, which is what manufacturers are striving for, reducing the number of clips and using lighter plastic in production.

More video tips for choosing freeride and freestyle boots:

New School Boots - Designed for New School skiing. This is a new, extreme riding style, which includes performing various tricks and jumps on special rails, boxes, railings, and the like. That is why it became necessary to create such ski boots. They differ in a wide and comfortable shoe, low rigidity.

Special skis and, of course, special ski boots should be used for difficult routes on rough terrain with extreme ups and downs. Good ski touring boots have longer shaft travel for comfortable movement, low weight, curved rubber outsole for easier movement on rocky areas, lacing on the inner boot.

We decided to combine all three types of ski boots into one group, since most manufacturers produce models for two or all three categories due to the similarity of their characteristics.

Waymaker Tour 110 Light

Model for ski tour and freeride. Refers to a series of high-end boots. They proved to be excellent on difficult ascents and descents, which is necessary for a ski tour.

Specifications:

• An outer boot made of a material that provides lightness and at the same time good support;
• Carbon reinforcement at the bottom and on the shaft for better support on steep slopes;
• Free / Lock system, with which you can unlock the boot shaft and lower part of the boot, which is necessary for comfortable walking and putting on the boot. If you block the system, then you can control the movements on the slopes as accurately as possible;
• Touring clips for comfortable leg movement;
• Inner boot with Intuition technology with Flex Zone;
• Belt 35 mm wide;
• Stiffness index: 110;
• Live Fit Zone.

• The ability to lock / unlock the boot;
• Special clips for more convenience when lifting;
• A light weight;
• Carbon fiber reinforcement.

• Not identified.

Full tilt seth morrison

Designed for comfortable and safe freeride and new school.

Specifications:

• Original Shell 3-Piece Design;
• Block 99 mm;
• Rubber Toe & Heel Sole technology provided by a natural rubber outsole;
• Aluminum clips for quick adjustment;
• The Intuition Pro Quick-Fit Liner is a high-quality lining with 7mm foam padding to keep the warmth inside, fit the foot tightly and accurately transmit forces;
• High stiffness index;
• Price: from 22 thousand rubles.

• A light weight;
• Progressive stiffness;
• Thermal fit of the inner boot;
• Convenient adjustment;
• Maximum flexibility when bending the leg forward.

• Insufficiently high bootleg;
• Clips break frequently.

Free Power Wrap 4 by Movement

Freeride and ski touring boots from a Swiss company that manufactures alpine skis for freeride, ski tour and new school. Combines all modern technologies of freeride boots and ski tour boots.

Specifications:

• Free Power Wrap Intuition liner with high density foam and extra wrap around the ankle for high stiffness and good heel fit;
• Stiffness index: 120;
• Power Strap 40mm for extra hold;
• Aluminum clips;
• Good adjustment from walking to rolling within the range from -20 to + 25 radii;
• Price: from 28 thousand rubles.

• Convenient shoe;
• Convenient clip system, ankle and foot are well fixed;
• Reliable walk / ride switch;
• Good slope and boot height.

• An inconvenient second clip from the bottom, which fits very tightly and is almost impossible to undo.

Rating of universal ski boots

Versatile boots are designed just for the widest range of users. In this line of ski boots you can see a huge variety of models with different designs, last widths, stiffness, etc. Outwardly, they are very similar to sports ones, but they have less rigidity (130-150 units versus 60-130 units), a larger pad width (95-98 mm versus 98-106 mm), as well as universal boots made of cheaper materials and simple technologies, and therefore cost less.

Atomic Hawx 2 130

Specifications:

• Memory Fit technology for quick warm-up of the bottom of the outer boot and a perfect fit to the boot;
• Tilt and stiffness adjustment within 10 units;
• Insulation Platinum with 3M Thinsulate, which allows you to perfectly retain heat with a relatively low weight of the boot;
• Dynashape Foam, a versatile lining foam that adapts the boot perfectly to the shape of the foot;
• Resilient outsole for better balance and movement control;
• Belt 45 mm wide;
• Stiffness index: 130;
• Price: from 18 thousand rubles.

• Ideal rigidity for different riding methods;
• Good insulation;
• Leg shape memory technology;
• The ability to slightly adjust the slope of the boot and its stiffness.

• Suitable for professionals only.

Atomic Waymaker Carbon 100

Specifications:

• Free / Lock technology to free the lower leg when putting on, walking and lifting;
• Block 101 mm;
• Dynashape foam, adapting to the shape of the foot;
• Comfortable leg position thanks to automatically adapting Live Fit Performance zones;
• Embossed non-slip sole;
• Stiffness index: 100;
• Price: from 12 thousand rubles.

• The boot adapts to the shape of the foot;
• The ability to release the boot leg when needed;
• Good response of the boot to the effort of the skier thanks to the Carbon Spine technology;
• Easy to dress up;
• The inner boot is thick and warm.

• Not identified.

Salomon X Pro 120

Specifications:

• Twinframe technology for low boot weight combined with a comfortable shape;
• 360 Custom Shell technology for a perfect fit of the boot to the foot;
• Hardness: 120;
• Block width 100;
• The ability to slightly adjust the rigidity;
• Inner boot with My custom fit 3D Race system for easy dressing;
• Price: from 36 thousand rubles.

• Perfect fit and lasting comfort;
• Perfect foot coverage;
• Improved adjustment.

• For professionals;
• No adjustment of walking and riding modes.

How to choose the right ski boots and common mistakes when choosing

Some people choose ski boots for the price. But this is fundamentally wrong. Shoes should be chosen according to such selection criteria as riding style, stiffness, weight, shoe width, additional technologies. And whether they will be inexpensive or not - that's the second thing. Convenience should be put in the foreground.

To better navigate the huge selection of models, we have compiled this rating, which is divided into several categories according to the type of ski boots. To know which type of boots to buy, you need to understand what you are going to do. It is also important to try on boots just before buying in order to fully feel the boot and understand if it is right for you.

When trying on, pay attention to whether there is pain. If they arise, then the model is definitely not suitable for you. Determine how easily you can bend your leg in the boot. If this is very difficult for you, then you need to look for a model with a lower stiffness. And if at the moment of bending the leg the plastic in the lifting area is strongly deformed, then on the contrary, you need to pay attention to the more rigid models.

How to avoid mistakes when choosing? Remember, that:

• The boot should fit snugly on the foot, the heel should not come off. It is a mistake to choose ski shoes with a tight toe in mind. On the contrary, the shoes should completely encircle the foot. If she is tight, then it is not scary, then with the help of thermal adjustment she adapts to the size of her feet;
• Each model must be measured. Ordering ski boots online is a big risk;
• The clip or lacing system should be comfortable for you. And the main thing to remember is that they are easily torn and broken and will need to be changed often.