Best Ski Boot Reviews 2018

Ski boots are quite the investment; when you find the right ones, you'll probably be using them for a full season - that's if you're like a skiing prodigy who'll be moving up the skill ladder in a season or less - or more. This means that it's best to steer clear of cheap ski boots as they may not last as long or have what it takes to handle the aggression that goes with passionate skiing. That said, the price range for ski boots isn't a wide one; you'll find ski boots for as low as $180 and as high as $640. Some reasons for the price difference may include size. Most brands cost more based on size, but this is not always the case. The price is also based on the technology integrated in the boots.

Asking the right questions is a sure way to ensure you find skiing boots that will make the sport worth your while. We've listed out the important features that will guide your questioning below:

• Buckles
• Flex
• Style
• Gender
• Warranty
• Last
• Mondo Size
• Ski Level

Let’s take a look at each of these factors in greater detail.

Ski boots are generally made of plastic that is either Polyurethane, Pebax, or Polyether. The outer part of a ski boot is called the shell. It's made of two parts: the cuff and the lower shell. The cuff is that part of the boot that goes around your lower leg and shin while the lower shell is the area that contains your foot. The shell is like the ski boots exoskeleton; it holds everything together. It also connects the boot to the ski via the ski binding. Other parts of the ski boot include: the liner (the soft layer that separates your foot from the shell), the insole (the footbed which is where your foot rests), the buckles, and straps.

The ski boot type or style is an important consideration factor if you're going to end up with boots that'll enhance your skiing experience. For one, it determines which ski boot is best suited for a particular terrain and consequently how much fun you're going to get out of the experience. So, it's best you take the time to find what type of terrain you'll be skiing on and look for a boot that's designed for it. Remember, ski boots are designed to be attached to skis, and the type of boots you choose will determine the type of bindings you'll be using.

The flex of a ski boot refers to how stiff or forgiving a pair of ski boots is. The flex rating is from 50 to 130; where 50 designates "very soft" while 130 designates "very stiff". One thing to note is that there isn't an industry standard with these ratings which means that company A's flex rate of 70 might be company B's flex rate of 90. This makes it kind of pointless to try and compare flex rates between brands but great for comparing flex rates within a brand. What you should bear in mind with this feature is that beginner and recreational skiers should choose boots with lower flex rates, say between 50 and 80. This range will be comfortable, less demanding and more forgiving. Intermediate skiers can choose between 80 and 100 as they've already developed some skill to pass up the lower flex rates but not enough to go for the big guns: the 100-130 flex rates. The high flex rates are for advanced and expert skiers as such boots are stiffer and do a better job at aggressively carving.

Last refers to the measurement of your foot at its widest part which is usually just before your toes. For all intents and purposes, the tighter the fit, the better the performance. Expert-level skiers with larger than average lasts usually had problems finding ski boots that fit because proper sizes just weren’t offered for them. Well, thanks to forward thinking ski boot makers, that's a problem of the past as ski boots are now available in wide, narrow, and average lasts.

Let's take a look at the buckles on a ski boot. Buckles are the fasteners for your ski boots; they're also used to tighten or loosen the boots. Ski boots are traditionally designed with four buckles: two to go across the cuff and two to go across the shin. Today, however, you'll find ski boots with two or three buckles. A lower buckle count doesn't necessarily equal bad ski boots. If you're going for serious, competitive skiing, then by all means get yourself a four-buckle ski boot. But if you're looking for comfort for recreational skiing, then those with two or three buckles will do just fine. Besides, less buckles equals less weight and a smoother profile.

There is a difference in the way ski boots for both sexes are made. The average woman weighs less than the average man, and her features are generally more rounded and fuller than his. A woman's calf is lower and shorter than a man's, and her ankles are generally thinner. Differences like these are taken into consideration in the designing of ski boots. Flex ratings for women are lower than for men due to the weight difference.

If you're going to end up with the best ski boots for you, you should really consider your skill level. Choose a boot based on the skiing skills you have and not what you wish you had. This way, you can make the progress required to take you from novice to expert in record time.

Ski boot sizes are measured using a system known as Mondopoint. In this system, both the length and width of the foot are taken into consideration. Mondopoint is basically your foot's length in cm (centimeters), and it's measured in half sizes: 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, and so on. However, if your foot measurement is 25.8, you don't round up to the nearest whole number; rather, you round down which will give you 25. The .5 in the measurement refers to foot width and isn't part of the length.

As for warranties, make sure to look for them. This is especially important if you are shopping online. You don't want to end up shelling out greenbacks for a pair of poorly-fitting ski boots you cannot return.