Ski boots test & comparison »top 6 in january 2020

The 6 best ski boots (women and men) at a glance.

Good ski boots are the be-all and end-all for a relaxed ski vacation, because uncomfortable or unsuitable ski boots lead to blisters and tension. Beginners are advised to use soft boots because they are not used to their posture (mostly a flex index around 80). Experts should choose ski boots that are as firm as possible.

Good thermal insulation is not only important against possible colds, but also it also protects you from unnecessary tension. We particularly recommend beginners to ski boots with an interior that adapts to the shape of their feet.

The quality management for our test and comparison procedure is TÜV-certified according to ISO 9001

Ski boots comparison
Illustration *	Compare winner	Price-performance winner
Model *	Atomic Hawx Magna 110s	Atomic Hawx 2.0 90x	Nordica Speedmachine 85 W.	HEAD Vector 125	Fischer RC Pro 100	Fischer Cruzar X 8.5 Thermoshape
valuation at Amazon *	8 reviews
Suitable for	advanced ♀	advanced ♂	advanced ♀	Experts \| ♂	Beginners, advanced ♂	Beginners, advanced ♂
Lining	plastic	fleece	microfiber	polyester	fleece	fleece
thermal insulation	very good insulation	very good insulation	very good insulation	good insulation	very good insulation	very good insulation
Flex Index Indicates the degree of hardness of the shaft on the ski boot.	80 medium	90 hard	85 medium	125 very hard	100 hard	85 medium
Adapts to foot shape	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Shoe size The shoe size indicates whether the shoe was produced for slim or wide feet.	far	normal	narrow	far	normal	normal
strap	4 aluminum buckles micro adjustable	4 aluminum buckles micro adjustable	4 aluminum buckles micro adjustable	4 aluminum buckles micro adjustable	4 aluminum buckles micro adjustable	4 plastic buckles micro adjustable
sealing tape	35 mm Velcro	35 mm Velcro	velcro	40 mm Velcro	40 mm Velcro	velcro
benefits	particularly easy entry very good fit	adjustable degree of hardness high thermal insulation removable heel and toe pads	very good fit good workmanship for precise driving	for off-piste and powder snow slopes good hold at high speed	very good fit very good ease of entry	easy entry and exit Freedom of movement in the toe area
Questions and answers about the product	Questions and answers about Atomic Hawx Magna 110s	Questions and answers about Atomic Hawx 2.0 90x	Questions and answers about Nordica Speedmachine 85 W	Questions and answers about HEAD Vector 125	Questions and answers about Fischer RC Pro 100	Questions and answers about Fischer Cruzar X 8.5 Thermoshape
To offer *	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "	To offer "
Available at *

approx. 329 € To the offer »
approx. 324 € to offer »
approx. 360 € To the offer »

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Boots Buyer’s Guide:
How to choose the right product from the above ski boot test or comparison

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When buying ski boots, pay attention to whether they are ski boots for beginners, advanced or professionals. Shoes for beginners have a low flex index. The shaft is soft here and ensures freedom of movement in the shoe. Professionals need a high flex index. Here the shaft is very hard, which means that a direct power transmission can be exerted on the ski and even tight corners can be driven quickly.
If you have slim feet, we recommend a ski shoe with a small shoe width. People with wide feet should buy ski shoes with a large shoe width.
The buckles of the best ski boots should be micro-adjustable. So you can adjust exactly how tight or loose the shoe is on your feet and legs sits and change the size of the ski boots in case of pressure.

Ski boots from our ski boot comparison, such as Salomon ski boots, are also called ski boots or ski boots and are bought for outdoor sports on skis. They were specially produced for skiers to replace the heavy mountain boots that were attached to the ski boards with a so-called cable tie. Today a distinction is made between ski boots for Nordic skiing and ski boots for alpine skiing. Cross-country skiing is one of the Nordic skiing sports, for example, in our 2019/2020 ski boot comparison we limited ourselves to ski boots for alpine skiing, which include boots for all slopes.

1. What are ski boots and how do they work?

We compared ski boots for alpine skiing.

In our 2019/2020 ski boot comparison for women and men, we compared ski boots for alpine skiing that are firmly connected to the binding of the Salomon ski or other skis via the tip and heel. Most of them are micro-adjustable. So you can change the ski boots if pressure points arise. The individual brands were produced by manufacturers such as Salomon, Atomic, Hawx, Fischer and Strolz ski boots and boots from other brands in such a way that the ski boot gives the foot enough grip and a safe and direct power transmission can be exerted on the Salomon ski or other skis , The classic ski boots are so-called hard boots or shell shoes. The outer shoe is, depending on the Flex ski boots, made of a hard or somewhat softer shell and is securely tied with buckles around the soft and well-insulated inner shoe. In a good ski boot, you can only bend your ankle when closed. It is only possible to turn the foot inwards or outwards slightly. This is the only way you can optimally shift your weight while skiing, which significantly reduces the risk of accidents.

2. What types of ski boots are there??

With ski boots from our ski boot comparison, as with snowboard boots, a distinction is made between hard boots and soft boots. As already mentioned, in contrast to shoes for snowboarding, hard boots are the classic variant of ski boots and consist of a hard outer shell. They are firmly attached to the Salomon skis or other skis by means of a binding. Softboots came onto the market in 2002 and were mainly bought by recreational skiers because they found the hard shell shoes too uncomfortable. As with snowboard boots, the soft boots for skiers are made of a soft outer material, which means that there are no pressure points on the foot. In contrast to hard boots, which are closed with a micro-adjustable buckle so that you can change the ski boots in the event of pressure points, a classic lacing with laces is used in soft boots to firmly bind the shoe to the calf. In our ski boot comparison for women and men, we focused on hard boots because they were made for different types of slopes and ensure optimal power transfer to the ski. We have listed the most important advantages and disadvantages of hard boots:

suitable for all ski slopes
particularly good hold
precise power transmission to the skis

restricted freedom of movement

3. Buying advice for ski boots: you have to pay attention to that

Ski equipment: You might also be interested in this

The right clothing and the optimal jacket should not be missing when skiing, just like the best backpacks. So that you really don’t miss anything when skiing with Salomon skis or other skis in the winter season, we have compared the following ski equipment for you:

Not sure what is important for Salomon ski boots, Atomic ski boots, Fischer ski boots or Dalbello ski boots? Are you a ski boot beginner and need professional advice? Above all, pay attention to a micro-adjustable buckle so that you can change ski boots if there are pressure points. In our ski boot comparison, we reveal the most important purchase criteria for the brands of ski boots Salomon, Atomic, Fischer and other shoes from well-known manufacturers such as Dalbelo ski boots, which you should consider before buying to find the best ski boots for yourself in the end. You can also test your current ski boots, compare them with other models based on our criteria, and consider whether buying new brands is worthwhile.

3.1. target group

In a first step, it is important to assess yourself whether you are an advanced skier or a beginner. There is also a suitable ski boot for professionals. Furthermore, women’s ski boots for narrower feet were produced and ski boots for men with slightly wider lengths. Ski boots men are usually also given in much larger sizes than women’s ski boots. You should definitely buy cheap ski shoes or used ski shoes for children’s shoes. Ski boots children’s sizes change every year because the child grows very quickly, especially in the first years of life. You should buy the ski boots cheap or used ski shoes, as a new pair has to be bought almost every year.

Sale: A ski boot sale also helps you save money. A ski boot sale usually takes place in department stores at the end of the season, i.e. usually from the end of February.

Ski boots children’s sizes can be found here, among other things.

3.2. Shoe width

The shoe size for women and men is the value that indicates the length of the shoe. On some websites you will find a size guide for ski boots. But not only the ski boot size chart is important when choosing the best ski boot. The width and height also play an important role in a ski boot test. Just like for the production of custom-made shoes, the foot shape of ski shoes is divided into six different size classes. The categories of size classes describe, among other things, whether the foot is an elongated or square foot. The "foot width" category describes the circumference of the foot from the big toe to the small toe. With a thermoformable inner material, the ski boots are adjusted so that nothing presses while skiing.

3.3. Flex index

We recommend deep snow riders ski boots with a high flex value.

The flex value indicates how hard the front shaft of the Nordica ski boots, Atomic ski boots or ski boots from other brands is. With a high flex number from 120 to 130, the shin resistance is very high, which gives you better control over your skis. However, please note that the freedom of movement in the ankle is very limited with a high flex value from 120 to 130. We recommend a low flex value for beginners because they are more flexible in their movements and do not lose their balance on a more shaky descent.

3.4. Lining

The inner material of the Salomon ski boots, Atomic ski boots, Nordica ski boots or other ski boots from our ski boots comparison 2019/2020 is mainly made of fleece, elastic neoprene and polyester. Atomic ski boots also advertise that their fleece is special Thinsulate. If the manufacturer specifies that your liner is thermoformable, the liner adapts perfectly to your foot. Nordica ski boots are thermoformable just like ski boots from Atomic or ski boots Salomon. With this procedure, the material of the inner shoe is heated, you put your foot in it, the material adapts to the shape and becomes hard again. The comfort with thermoformable ski boots is enormous. In the table below you can read about the properties of the different substances:

material	description
Thinsulate	Thinsulate is a trademark developed by 3M Corporation. It stands for a heat-insulating fleece that is also used as an insert for gloves or winter jackets. When buying Salomon ski boots or Atomic ski boots, make sure that the shoe is made of heat-insulating material.
Elastic neoprene	Elastic neoprene adapts to your foot shape without permanently losing its original shape. Finding wide-footed ski boots is not difficult. The neoprene also adapts to wide shapes. Elasticity means that the material can return to its original form after the action of an external force. So the ski boots are suitable for wide feet. This guarantees good comfort and a long life of the shoe. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber and is considered a heat-insulating material in sports.
polyester	Polyesters are synthetic plastics and are not as high quality as fleece or elastic neoprene because the thermal insulation is not particularly high.

3.5. strap & sealing tape

If you want to buy your best ski boots Salomon, Atomic, Fischer, Nordica or other brands for the winter season, you should also pay attention to the buckles and the fastening tape on your ski boots. It should be as easy as possible to put on Salomon ski boots, Atomic ski boots or ski boots from other brands to ensure that the shoes can be put on and taken off quickly. Four buckles are necessary to have a secure hold in the ski boots and to master difficult, black slopes. The buckles on the shoes from our ski boot comparison are mostly micro-adjustable, which means that you can individually adjust your shoes to the different foot sizes and widths. Changing the ski boots at pressure points is no longer a problem. This promotes safety in the shoes and on the skis even more.

Tip: A fastening tape at the entry point is made of Velcro and guarantees a secure hold on the shin. So you have an even firmer grip in your ski boots and do not easily lose control of your skis on the descent.

Ski boots with a high flex value are particularly suitable for deep snow.

4. Questions and answers about ski boots

4.1. How long do ski boots last??

The best ski boots can withstand high loads.

How long ski boots last depends on whether the material is of high quality or not. If you buy cheap ski shoes, the lifespan of the shoes is usually short due to poor workmanship. The ski boots Salomon, Fischer, Atomic, Nordica and Head ski boots as well as boots from other well-known brands are very durable. Children have to replace their ski boots more often because they are still growing and their old ski boots quickly become too small. Perhaps at the ski boot sale at the end of February you will find cheap ski boots for your child. There are ski boot offers then also good for adult skiers as well as cheap ski shoes discontinued models. However, if you and your feet are fully grown, you can use your ski boots for up to 10 years. You need a new ski boot if you lose comfort while skiing or a buckle breaks off. Buy a model that ski shoes with a wide foot are also suitable so that the shoes do not expand too much. How long ski boots last also depends on whether you remove ice and snow after each use to protect the material.

4.2. How must ski boots fit??

When skiing, it is very important that your personal ski boot comparison winner, like the Head ski boots, fits perfectly. If you buy your ski boots cheaply, the quality of the fit can be low. Adjusting ski boots is essential for the right driving comfort, especially for models that are supposed to be suitable for wide-foot ski boots. You can customize ski boots perfectly with models that are thermoformable. The inner material of the ski boot is heated in a special process. Now all you have to do is put your foot in the ski boot and the lining adapts to your individual foot shape. You can keep long ski boots if they harmonize perfectly with your foot shape, because the comfort is very good. This procedure ensures that your ski boots fit perfectly and that you experience a pleasant skiing experience on the slopes – even if you have not previously carried out your own ski boot test. You can find out how a ski boot is professionally adjusted in this video:

4.3. How to wash the liner?

How long ski boots last depends on the correct care of the inner boot. If the inner boot of your best ski boots is removable, you can wash it in the washing machine at around 40 degrees Celsius. If you buy ski boots cheaply, the inner material is usually not washable. The wool wash cycle is particularly gentle. With a special mild detergent, you can bring the inner boot of your skis back to the scent. However, avoid the spin cycle, otherwise the fibers could break.

4.4. Which ski boot suits me?

The best ski boot has to ensure the perfect hold.

The power is transferred directly to your skis via the ski boot. The best ski boot must give your foot enough grip so that you can ski down the slopes safely and without losing your balance. If your personal ski boot comparison winner is thermoformable, the inner material adapts perfectly to your foot shape, which provides even more grip and thus safety. In its edition of 01/2013, the Stiftung Warentest conducted a ski boot test and explained that sports skiers are more likely to use ski boots that are harder. Here, precise power transmission to the ski can take place and tight curves can be driven better. Leisure skiers prefer models that are a bit softer so that they don’t feel constricted in their shoes, according to Stiftung Warentest. Depending on whether you are a sporty or a recreational skier, we recommend hard or soft ski boots. The value of the Flex Index tells you whether your personal ski boot comparison winner is hard or soft.

4.5. What flex for my ski boot?

If the Flex Index value is high, the ski boot on the shaft is very hard, which means there is great resistance on the shin. The higher the flex value, the better you can keep your skis under control while skiing. However, your ankle mobility is very limited. If you are a beginner, we recommend a ski boot with a lower flex index. This way you feel more flexible and can better balance on the slopes. We recommend professional athletes a ski boot with a high flex index. The power transmission to the ski is precise and the ski on the descent wonderful controllable. If you buy ski boots cheap, the flex value can either be too hard or too soft.