Christy Sports – Skiing & Snowboarding Clothing
How to Choose the Right Ski Boots
As the only connection point between your body and your skis, the right ski boots are vitally important for a great day on the slopes. The right fit is essential for giving you the perfect amount of control over your skis and keeping you comfortable throughout the day. Buying the right ski boots is a lot more complicated than buying sneakers, and this guide will help you understand the nuances of ski boots to ensure you get the best fit. As always, we recommend you visit one of our expert boot fitters in-store and take advantage of our Boot Fit Guarantee.
How Should Ski Boots Fit?
Ski boots should be snug— the boot should practically immobilize the foot within the boot shell for precise control.
Comfort vs. looseness:
- Snug fit = more comfortable boot + better performance (prevents foot from sliding/bashing around inside the boot).
- Loose fit = poor control + discomfort.
How to check fit quickly:
- Toes clearly touch the front of boot when first on.
- Buckled + flexed → heel slides back when boot is flexed, creates toe room.
Personalization: Fit should match skiing style and comfort needs (not everyone needs a "race fit," but everyone needs a good fit).
Best method: Work with a boot fitter to match boot shape to foot shape + skiing goals and preferences.
Width, Last, and Volume
Last = boot width at the forefoot/ball of foot.
Volume = overall space inside boot.
- Narrow last → low volume.
- Wide last → high volume.
Instep height: Measurement over the top of the foot just past where the foot meets the ankle. A higher arch often corresponds with a higher instep. Boot instep height can be (but is not always) linked to overall boot volume.
Fit example: Narrow foot + high arch may need a boot with a narrow last + higher instep,
such as the Lange Shadow 110 LV.
Pro tip: A boot fitter can match last, volume, and instep to your foot shape.
Low Volume (LV) fit
-96mm to 99mm last
-A, B, C width in street shoes
-Examples: Tecnica Mach 1 LV 130 or Lange Shadow 115 LV
Mid Volume (MV) fit
-100mm to 102mm last
-C, D, E width in street shoes
-Examples: Nordica Speedmachine 3 BOA 130 or Atomic Hawx Prime 105 BOA
High Volume (HV) fit
-102mm+ last
-E or wider width in street shoes
-Examples: K2 BFC 120 BOA or Tecnica Mach BOA HV 95
Flex
Boot flex rating: Number (60–130) = soft → stiff.
General guide:
- Beginners → softer flex.
- Advanced → stiffer flex.
Adjust for body size:
- Lighter/shorter skiers may need softer flex relative to skiing level.
- Heavier/taller skiers may need stiffer flex relative to skiing level.
Brand variation: Flex numbers aren’t standardized across brands (e.g., a 120 flex boot from Salomon may feel different from a Nordica 120 flex).
Cold effect: Boots feel stiffer on the mountain than in a warm shop.
Tip: Always try multiple models to find the right feel.
CUSTOM BOOT FITTING
Your boots are the most crucial part of ski equipment, so we take the time to connect with you on a personal level and get it right. Christy Sports guarantees the fit of every boot that we custom fit. Test run didn’t go so well? Bring them back to your boot fitter for adjustments. Still not quite right? Bring them back again. We will adjust boots until they feel perfect or will refund the cost for a full year after purchase. Our boot fitters can work wonders on a boot using custom adjustment techniques to dial in the perfect fit. You’ll never be stuck with something that doesn’t feel right when you purchase ski boots from Christy Sports.
