Best Ski Boots for Beginners: The Top 6 Beginner Ski Boots for Men and Women


If you’ve just started skiing, then know this- you absolutely need a high-quality ski boot. After all, you’d never seen a cheap, crappy boot in a Warren Miller movie, right? Even though it is the skis themselves that help you glide down slopes, the boots are responsible for holding you fast to the skis and giving you the superior control you need to maneuver over bumps and around obstacles.

We’ve checked out all the most popular ski boots to find the best ski boots for beginners. Grab a pair and hit the slopes!

Ski BootFitBest Feature
Whitewoods Adult 301 3 Pin 75mm Nordic Cross Country XC Insulated Ski BootsAbout one size too smallAnatomic footbed conforms to your foot for a better fit
Rossignol Evo 70 Ski BootRoomy fitPolyurethane padding around ankle to add softness and support
Salomon Quest Access 80 Ski BootsMedium-to-wide fitRide & Hike technology that lets you climb slopes and ski down them without switching shoes
Nordica Cruise 60 Ski BootsMedium-to-wide fitDesigned with a natural foot stance for better support
Rossignol Kelia Boots Women’sRoomy fitContoured footbed and anatomical toe boxes for a better fit
Salomon Quest Access 70 Ski BootsRoomy, but narrow in the toe areaSoft plastic over instep makes sliding the boot on easy

Best Ski Boots for Beginners

These ski boots will provide the safety and support that you need while heading down the slopes, letting you focus on having a great time.

Whitewoods Adult 301 3 Pin 75mm Nordic Cross Country XC Insulated Ski Boots

Best Ski Boots for Men and Women (Unisex)

Whitewoods Unisex Adult 301 75mm XC Touring Cross Country Adventure Insulated Ski Boots, Black/Blue, 45
Popularity

The upper of these ski boots are designed for maximum comfort on the slopes with King Tex fabric. They are breathable, but still maintain waterproofness and windproofness so you don’t have to worry about your feet getting wet. The material also makes them lightweight and durable.

Inside the Whitewoods Adult 301 3 Pin 75mm Nordic Cross Country XC Insulated Ski Boots is 100 grams of Thinsulate lining to make the boots warm. This is paired with a quick-dry lining that ensures your feet do not get sweaty and the cold on long excursions. A steel shank runs through the middle of the shoe to add support and an anatomic footbed gives you the comfort and support that you need in the toe box and heel counter.

These boots use a 75mm 3-pin setup to secure them to skis. Additionally, they come with a D-ring for gaiters, in case you are worried about snow sneaking into the top of the boots. The lacing system holds the boot fast to your foot, while padding around the ankle makes the boot flexible but still provides support.

Disadvantages

Compared to other 3-pin ski boots, this model is a little bulky. Additionally, they run about a size small even with the sizing chart and the ability of the boot to stretch to fit your foot better after use.

Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boot 2016

Best Ski Boots for Men and Women (Unisex)

This boot fastens to your foot using three secure buckles, which have the advantage of staying in place once you buckle them. The buckles also let this boot conform to a wide variety of foot shapes, including people with wide feet. The outer of the shoe is made of a hard polyurethane material, designed to maximize durability and support.

Inside the Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boot, there is a comfort fit liner that is designed to conform to your foot using heat molding. The upper has polyurethane padding around the cuff, to add to the softness and support without constricting your foot too much. Another great feature is the roomy toe box, that lets you spread your toes for increased balance while cruising down the slope.

Unlike boots that are fitted to sit flat against the ski, this ski boot has a definitive arch for better support. Additionally, the traction lets you move around in the snow with them even when you are not standing on your skis. It is designed for use by men and women.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest disadvantages of this ski boot is that it is not as flexible as some other models. However, they may be ideal for a beginner for this reason, because you are not likely to lean forward for aggressive skiing. The fit may also not be as conforming for people with narrower feet.

Salomon Quest Access 80 Ski Boots

Best Ski Boots for Men

These ski boots are perfect for the beginner, with an oversized pivot that connects the lower shell and upper cuff for the perfect amount of flexibility. This boot is also accommodating to wider feet, though you can use the liner to help secure the ski boot to your foot.

The Salomon Quest Access 80 Ski Boots also feature Ride & Hike Technology, which lets you tackle the slopes on the skis and on your feet. The traction lets you climb up and down, while still giving you the lockdown you need while on the skis. Additionally, the design of the boot lets you evenly exert pressure on the skis and control each of your movements, which is important when you are just learning.

Inside the boot, there is a My Custom Fit comfort liner, which can be heat sealed to give you the perfect fit. At the top, a Ratchet Cuff Buckle is designed to accommodate large calves and ankles, while still providing the support you need when moving down the slopes. Additionally, the boot is designed to keep you warm. It features Woolmetal insulation made of a metallic polyester and wool combination for extra warmth, as well as a Thermoformable Layer in the tongue of the boot.

Disadvantages

The Velcro strap across the strap could be a little sturdier, especially for people who need to adjust the top to get the boot to fit right. The boot is also a little too rigid for some beginners, depending on your ankle strength and natural balance on the slopes.

Nordica Cruise 60 Ski Boots Men’s

Best Ski Boots for Men

When you hold these boots for the first time, you will notice that they feel sturdy. They are constructed of high-quality materials, including metal brackets and an upper that will help keep snow out. It is ideal for beginner to intermediate skiers that require a medium to wide fit in a boot, in the ankle/leg area as well as the forefoot.

The ankle area of the Nordica Cruise 60 Ski Boots is flexible but supportive. The boot supports a natural foot stance, which lets you splay your toes and put weight on the ball of your foot, which is common in beginning skiers. This also will help you learn how to better control the skis as you move down the slope.

In addition to keeping your foot dry, this boot will keep your foot warm. A Nordica PFP comfort liner adds insulation, warmth, and softness to the boot. It also conforms to your feet, letting you learn how to manipulate the terrain beneath your feet without worrying about your foot sliding around in the boot.

Disadvantages

This is not a good boot choice for people with narrow feet since the medium-to-wide fit can cause their feet to slide around and lose stability. Additionally, while it is water resistant and has layers to keep the snow out, these ski boots are not waterproof.

Rossignol Kelia 50 Ski Boots Women’s

Best Ski Boots for Women

The outer shell is made of polyolefine with a 3-buckle design that has an XL-power strap you can adjust even with gloved hands. The additional 3 buckles have wide cuffs to help you lock your foot into place. They are also incredibly warm.

Inside the Rossignol Kelia Boots Women’s, a Woman comfort fit liner helps the boot conform to your foot despite the roomy fit. The roomy fit is good for beginners, who may not be used to the rigidity in an intermediate or advanced skiing boot. They will fit a little tight at first if they are heat sealed, but they will break in as you wear them and develop a looser fit.

There are several elements inside the boot that help keep your foot in place. This includes asymmetric toe boxes, defined heel cups, and a contoured forefoot. The inside is also designed with Sensor Fit technology, which is intended to increase circulation and promote comfort while accommodating most insteps.

Disadvantages

Even though you can get around in these ski boots off the slope, they can be a little slick on icy surfaces. Additionally, these boots loosen a lot once broken in, so they can be too big if you do not account for that when sizing.

Salomon Quest Access 70 Ski Boots Women’s

Best Ski Boots for Women

These boots are designed for a wider fit around the foot that is perfect for beginners. It is soft to medium-soft in the ankle area, giving it some give without being too rigid. This will help you learn to control the skis. Another great feature of this boot is the buckles, which are easy to adjust while skiing and help the boot conform to the typical woman’s foot.

If you want to be warm while you are on the slopes, the Salomon Quest Access 70 Ski Boots wrap your foot in woolmetal insulation and a My Custom Fit comfort liner. Additionally, there is a softer plastic over the instep than the plastic that is traditionally used in boots, which lets your foot slide into the ski boot more easily. It also features an oversized pivot, which connects the lower shell and upper cuff and moves with you as you cruise down the slopes.

Even though this ski boot is designed for the woman’s foot, it can also accommodate wider sizes. Another benefit is that it is very easy to walk in because of the Ride and Hike technology. This means you don’t have to struggle with changing out of your boots as you climb on and off your skis to navigate the mountains.

Disadvantages

These boots will need to be broken in out of the box, but you can wear them around the house a bit before hitting the slopes with them for the first time. Another disadvantage is that the toe area is a little narrow for some people.

General Criteria

There are several things that should be considered as you think about which ski boots are the perfect fit. To keep things easy, the best ski boots for beginners found on this list were evaluated according to:

  • Balance of flexibility and rigidity in the ankle
  • Fit and ability to conform to your foot
  • Foot profile, including instep height, width, and length
  • Fit around the ankle
  • Comfort
  • Ability to lock onto the skis

Closing Recommendations

Even if you have never hit the slopes before, you deserve high-quality ski boots that will help you enjoy the experience. Something that you should note is that even if you choose a boot that is the right size, most are sealed using heat molding, so the inner liner of the boot conforms to your foot for a secure fit. This is usually offered as a courtesy by shops selling ski boots. Should you decide to buy your boots online, you can find a local shop offering this service to make sure you have the perfect fit.

Sources

  1. Ski Boots…, www.mechanicsofsport.com