Ski Boots

Reviewed by Gareth Davies

Ultimate off-trail x-country boot.

I have been an avid nordic skier for more than 30 years. My everyday skiing is off-trail x-country through rolling terrain (with the occasional steep climb and decent). Although I appreciate 75mm telemark equipment when I truly need it; I find it agonizingly inefficient compared to NNNBC for most of the skiing I do. Recently I have struggled to find the perfect boot. I have tried the Rossi BC line; like it; but not enough support. I have been using the Fischer BCX6 for two seasons; love the performance; but they hurt my feet.

Read more: Alpina Alaska NNN BC review (1)

Reviewed by John Ouellette

I rented these at REI after my first few rentals at an XC center. I found them to be a pretty good, forgiving BC boot for beginners and intermediate XC skiers. They are warmer than they appear and provide a decent mount to the ski. I used them with Fischer BC Country Crown skis and used them in both set tracks at a center and also off-track in a state park, following snowmobile trails, fire roads, old rail beds and singletrack. I used them in a fresh 8-inch dumping of snow and was out for 5+ hours.

Read more: Rossignol BC X5 review (1)

Featured review by Mikko Leinonen

Good value for money. Good overall boots for rolling in fells.

Bought these boots to replace 20-year-old Asolo telemark boots. My usage is around 75% of skiing and 25% of downhill so the flex is perfect for my rolling in nearby fells. Now after <100 km of skiing these boots are breaking in properly. Heel keeps in place quite well after switching to waxed laces instead of cotton ones. Coldest temperature of using these boots has been around -10° Celsius and no frostbites with one liner sock. Sizing: My shoe size is normally EUR 42,5 to 43 but after reviews I ordered size EUR 42 and that's a perfect fit with one sock.

Read more: Alpina Alaska 75 reviews (3)

Reviewed by BigRed

A high-end boot for the Rotteffella's new Xplore backcountry binding system. Torsionally rigid sole and ankle stiffeners for downhill performance. BOA lacing for easy entry and exit plus Xplore's step-in and-out functionality add up to a lot of convenience. A great choice for tours-for-turns type skiing, especially hut-to-hut with downhill fun on the side.

Alfa Free boot + Xplore binding = freedom + fun  The Norwegian outdoor footwear company Alfa was one of the first to produce ski boots compatible with the Rottefella’s new Xplore backcountry binding system. This review of the Free, Alfa’s top-of-the-line offering, goes along with my reviews of the Xplore binding and the Åsnes Rabb 68 ski, which I purchased together as a package deal. I have been test driving the system mainly in Bymarka, a big city forest park in Trondheim with a couple hundred kilometers of groomed xc ski trails and a lot of untracked space in between, including some quality powder stashes, but also on some forays into the Norwegian mountains.

Read more: Alfa Free A/P/S GTX review (1)

Reviewed by Luis T

Good quality and insulation with decent ankle support.

I have been using this boot for classic Nordic skiing during the last 6 years. I wanted to try the sport and found this boots to be a good deal with a set of used skis and I have been hooked since then. This is a well made entry level boot with a good amount of insulation and sturdy sidewalls to protect your feet against packed/ice snow that can rub against your feet. I have used them in groom tracks and in open country and they always perform well in terms of insulation and keeping my feet dry.

Read more: Alpina T10 review (1)

Reviewed by Alec MacAdam

Looking for a lightweight, flexible AT boot which I can fit a wide foot into following some foot surgery. Very accommodating thermal fitting options, including a mold-able outer shell

I had to sit out last year's season here in Colorado due to extended recovery following bone spur removal surgery. Nevertheless, I'm back in the saddle so to speak and am looking to expand into the AT realm. Following doing a fair bit of boot research and getting good advice from a Scarpa rep I spoke with I chose the Scarpa F1 becuse of its variability in the fittment options, and its lightweight materials. While I understand its a pin-style boot only, I'm amenable with that from a weight perspective. Overall looking forward to many happy runs in these sweet boots!

Read more: Scarpa F1 review (1)

Reviewed by Mvallee81

Very good lightweight touring boot. Comfortable for wide feet.

I have the first version (white and grey) of these boots. Very comfortable, suitable for people with wide feet. The heel stays tightly in place. Warm too, and I love the Boa attachment system for the liners. Good performance when skinning, sufficient articulation, although there is pressure on the shins, due to the plastic overlapping at the front. I prefer boots with a tongue like the Dynafit Zzero, because you can loosen it to gain space when skinning. The BD Prime don't have that. Works well with Dynafit bindings Solid Vibram outer sole.

Read more: Black Diamond Prime review (1)

Reviewed by Skygenie

This is an extremely light boot that is ideal for fast touring. If you value the up as much as the down, this boot is great. Even if the down is more important, you'll have more gas in the tank to enjoy the descent with these boots.

I am blown away by how much faster I can tour and how much more energy I have at the end of the day.  I knew that getting lighter boots would make a difference but this is amazing. I can make uphill facing kick turns smoothly and in control whereas before, I always found it a bit unstable. I'm well into my second season with these boots and am very happy with them. Because there is so much range of motion in the ankle, I find I seldom use the highest heel lift on my bindings.  As well, it is easy to ski flat sections with the heel lift up because the cuff of the boot isn't pushing my leg forward.  I can also drive my vehicle with the boots on without a problem.

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Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

Where have these been all my life?

These are my first brand new boots and the first I have bought online. I must admit I was worried about the fit but I was very impressed after they arrived. These are also my first touring boots. I own two other pairs of downhill-only boots. These were on super clearance. They may be discontinued. My skiing style: As the boots say, I am 80/20, meaning I ski 80% in the resort and 20% off-piste. I am a blue-black skier trying to become better at diamond runs. Rainier Features: The best part of these skis to me is the walk mode.

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Reviewed by BigRed

A solidly built, high-end NNN-BC boot that delivers on both touring and turning performance. The 2-buckle, hinged plastic ankle cuff boosts downhill control. A good choice for messing about in the Vermont woods or Norwegian style hut-to-hut touring with summits on the side.

Back in the '90s, as plastic boots were rising to their current dominance in the backcountry ski world, I was a regular on rec.skiing.backountry, an online bulletin board for back country skiers. I was then and remain a proponent of the NNN-BC (New Nordic Norm-Backcountry) boot-binding system as a good choice for a brand of backcountry skiing that involves a mix of kick-and-glide touring and downhill skiing in more or less friendly snow conditions. I got into a few online arguments over the pros and cons of the system, with one user arguing that no “serious” skiers use NNN-BC.

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