Women's Ski Boots

Buying Womens Ski Boots

Before you purchase a pair of ski boots it is imperative to know the difference between a men and a womens ski boot. The major differences between mens and womens boots is the height of the cuff, the fit of the heel and ankle, and the liners. Womens boots are designed specifically to fit the unique shape of a womens foot and leg. Women with larger calves tend to think they will fit better in a mens boot, this couldn’t be more false. Some brands also make womens ski boots that designed for women with wider feet. These boots are available in widths up to 106mm, thus making them the same width as a mens boot. However, women often have a narrower heel and ankle so their boots are constructed to taper in closer to the heel. SKIS.com carries a wide array of womens ski boots to accommodate a wider calf and feet.

Sizing Womens Ski Boots

Ski boots are constructed to create a transfer of energy from your knees to your skis, it is key that there is no slippage or movement in this energy transfer. Choosing the correct size boot is incredibly important, especially once you’re on the slopes. Boots that are too big can cause pain due to your foot moving around in your boots, thus making it hard to control your skis. If your boots are too big your feet will start to blister and cramp from trying to keep your skis controlled. Check out our Womens Ski Boot Size Chart to ensure you get the correct size boot on your feet.

It is also important that the width of your womens ski boots is the correct width for your foot. Each of the brands SKIS.com carries designs boots in various widths – such as narrow, medium and wide. A general rule of thumb is that the more advanced of a womens ski boot, the narrower it will be due to advanced skiers preferring a tighter fit for more precise control. Womens ski boot widths range from 102mm-106mm to accommodate all skill levels.

Skill Level

Choosing a pair of womens ski boots can be overwhelming, by refining your selection to suit your skill level it can really help you dial it in and make the buying process easy. The most important factors to consider when purchasing ski boots are the fit, the flex and features that work best with your skill level.

Beginner and intermediate boots tend to have a soft to medium flex and a medium to wide fit. The softer the flex of the boot the more forgiving the boot is, making a soft to medium flex perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers. As your skill level advances you will need more responsiveness from your womens ski boots, allowing for better control and maneuverability. A womens ski boot with a stiffer flex and more narrow fit allows your boots to respond to the movement your foot makes inside of the boot.

Types of Womens Ski Boots

There are several different styles of skiing and most brands make ski boots designed for each discipline.

Downhill Boots: Downhill ski boots are designed for downhill skiing. Downhill ski boots cover all skill levels from beginner to expert.

Side Country Boots: Side Country ski boots are designed for light touring and offer good downhill ability. Most side country boots have a ski/hike feature and rubber soles to make hiking easy.

Freestyle: Freestyle ski boots are often more relaxed, adding a playful feel to downhill womens ski boots. They often feature shock absorption and an upright stance. Freestyle ski boots are designed for skiers who like to spend most of their time in the park.

Race: Race boots are considered a specialty ski boot in the downhill category. Race boots are made for performance and feature an aggressive stance, thick liners, quick response and a narrow fit.

Alpine Touring: Alpine Touring ski boots are designed to hike. Typically alpine touring boots are lightweight and feature a ski/hike function for skinning and climbing. Alpine touring boots are only compatible with AT bindings.

Womens Ski Boot Flex

The flex of womens ski boots is how much forward pressure it takes to bend your boot. Typically more advanced skiers will use a stiffer womens ski boot, because it will react quicker. Typically beginners wouldn’t be using a stiff boot because they need more power and technique to flex, if you can’t flex your boot you can’t control your skis. Too soft of a flex can result in your muscles getting tired and you may feel like your skis are slow to turn. It’s imperative to know your skill level when choosing the flex of your new boots.

SKIS.com breaks down the flex into Soft, Medium, Stiff and Very Stiff making it easy for you to narrow down the selection when searching for the best boots for you. Typically ski boots have a flex from 50-100. Beginner skiers should look for a boot with a flex that ranges from 50-60, intermediate skiers should look for a boot with a flex that ranges from 60-80, and advanced and expert skiers look for a stiffer flexing boot ranging from 80 to 100.