The Best Women’s Alpine Ski Boots of 2024
This article originally appeared on Outside
This article was first published by SkiMag.com.
Shopping for new ski boots can seem overwhelming until you realize there's only one basic decision you have to make: Do you need a ski boot to cruise or charge the resort, or are you looking for something more versatile that you can also use in the backcountry? If you're exclusively a resort skier, you're in the market for traditional alpine ski boots (also known as downhill boots), and you're in the right place. With innovative new boot tech like BOA hitting the market this season, it’s never been easier to find a ski boot that--if it doesn’t fit your foot right out of the box--can be customized to fit like Cinderella’s slipper. Here are our picks for the best women’s alpine ski boots of the year.
Looking for the best men’s alpine ski boots? You’ll find those here.
How We Test
Our test starts in the back of the boot room, where we strip and examine each boot and assess the features and biomechanics of the shell and liner. Then we determine which tester would best fit each boot out of the box and send it to them to ski. We ski each boot for a minimum of three full days with our own custom footbeds and then make any necessary adjustments and ski it for a final day.
Meet Our Boot Pro
Jake Stern is a freelance writer and professional bootfitter based in Mammoth Lakes, California. Footloose Sports, the shop where he fits, has been a leader in custom boot fitting for four decades. Working with flipper-footed Angelenos who haven't worn a closed-toed shoe in their lives, he understands comfort as well as performance. Stern has been testing skis and boots professionally for four years.
The Reviews: The Best Women's Alpine Ski Boots of 2024
Tecnica Mach1 MV 115 W ($750)
Flex: 115
Last (mm): 100
Volume: Medium
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk)
Size range: 22.5-27.5
Pros:
New MV last makes this high-performance boot accessible to skiers with wider feet
Highly customizable
Cons:
Heel pocket is a tad generous
It's almost a shame that Tecnica removed the Mach1 Pro moniker from its product line, because the all-new Mach1 MV 115 W feels so damn professional. The boot is a new product from the brand's W2W (women-to-women) department, which employs a women-only development team to build product for female skiers. This boot is a benchmark medium volume, and our tester was impressed by the ankle wrap that still allowed her calf muscles unrestricted flexion. The carbon T-Drive that bolts the scaffo and upper cuff together delivers a poppy and consistent flex that is remarkably temperature stable--a huge factor in spring conditions that we greatly appreciated. The Mach1 MV 115 W is a boot for women who like to ski fast and take chances, knowing they have a stable platform under them that won't over-flex or collapse when the going gets rough. If you want a highly customizable, rock-solid alpine boot and have a moderate to wide foot shape, Tecnica has crafted you a phenomenal option.
Read the deep-dive review and more testing feedback here.
K2 Anthem 115 BOA ($950)
Flex: 115
Last (mm): 97 to 104
Volume: Low-Medium (K2 MultiFit)
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk)
Size range: 22.5-27.5
Pros:
Great out-of-the-box fit
Exceptionally progressive flex offers precision and suspension
Cons:
BOA dial requires quite a bit of cinching to get a locked-in fit
MultiFit Last is meant to accommodate a wider range of feet, but it may be too generous for skiers looking for a performance-fit
K2 is betting big on BOA for 2023-24, building all-new molds for boots that are pretty new to its lineup, and we think the brand nailed it with the Anthem 115 BOA. As an early collaborator with BOA, K2 was eager to sign on to the innovative H+i1 alpine ski boot system. The Anthem 115 BOA is K2's flagship women's alpine boot, and it comes packed to the gills with features. The BOA is the loudest--and it does a nice job wrapping the forefoot without pressing down on the cuneiform bones and the top of the instep. On snow, the boot punched well above its weight class. The TPU cuff and scaffo (lower shell) and the TPU spine that fuses them together provided not only a lot of power, but also an extremely progressive flex. The all-new Anthem 115 BOA skis better and fits more closely than any K2 boot we've skied in years. In short? The gamble paid off.
Read the deep-dive review and more testing feedback here.
Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W ($700)
Flex: 105
Last (mm): 100 to 106
Volume: Medium
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk)
Size range: 22.0-27.5
Pros:
Great option for skiers with a wider forefoot
Highly customizable
Cons:
Comfort comes at the cost of precision
Another BOA contender has entered the arena. Salomon's new S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W boot is an energetic model that will work well for medium to wide feet. It's an extraordinarily comfortable and lightweight boot that will please a lot of advanced skiers. We were able to test the S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W on firm winter bumps, smooth spring groomers, and overcooked mashed potatoes. This boot proved to be quick and reliable for skiers with a wider forefoot. With its solid flex and vast array of customizable features, the S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W is a worthy addition to Salomon's fleet of fit-focused boots--by which we mean it prioritizes bootfitter-friendly adjustability over heavy, damp plastics and total precision.The spirit of customization runs deep through the S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W, and Salomon's attention to detail here is keen. It was one of the more comfortable boots we tested in the category. The BOA allows skiers to choose the exact snugness of their forefoot. Just click in, spin, and you're off.
Read the deep-dive review and more testing feedback here.
How to Buy Ski Boots
Here we list the most exciting new alpine ski boots to hit the market in 2024. The boots on this list were tested by women and vetted by a professional bootfitter who considered the technology, performance, fit, and customization characteristics of each boot. While we consider the boots on this list to be the cream of the crop, they may not be the right fit or choice for you. Unless you're an experienced skier and know your boot size, volume, flex and last, visit a professional bootfitter to figure out what boot is best for your physique and skiing style. If you determine a Low Volume boot or 130 flex isn't right for you, consider other models of the boot families we list--more often than not, these boot lines offer a variety of volume and flex options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best alpine ski boots for women?
What's the difference between alpine ski boots and all-mountain/hybrid ski boots?
Traditional alpine boots are designed to enhance performance for the type of skiing you're likely to do at the resort: making turns at faster speeds, on firm and chopped up snow, and using more edging skills. Alpine boots (also known as downhill boots) are made with heavier, stiffer plastics that encourage better energy transfer when you're doing this kind of skiing at the resort. While alpine boots may include some features you'll see on all-mountain or hybrid boots these days, like GripWalk soles and walk/hike modes, they differ from hybrid boots in that they're heavier and designed to be compatible with traditional alpine bindings--they do not feature the metal tech inserts in the toe that you see on hybrid or alpine touring boots designed to work with alpine touring or hybrid backcountry bindings.
How do I know my ski boot size?
Ski boots use mondopoint sizing, typically ranging from 22/22.5 to 29/29.5 for adults. Your appropriate mondopoint indicates the shell size you should be in, but there are other measurements that also factor into finding the right ski boot size for your foot. You need to know your foot sole length, the width of your foot, and your instep height, among other things. To determine your ski boot size and get the best ski boot fit, go see a bootfitter. A professional will be able to take all kinds of foot measurements to find the right ski boot size for your foot and your style of skiing. Learn more here.
What is ski boot flex?
Ski boots come in a variety of flex points, from 60-130
Ski boot flex ratings vary across ski boot brands
The higher the flex rating, the stiffer the boot; the lower the flex rating, the softer the boot
Flex refers to how easily you can distort the ski boot--how much force it takes to drive your shin forward. That's based on what type of skier you are (beginner, intermediate, or expert) as well as your physical stature. Ski boots come in a variety of flex points, generally along a spectrum of 60 to 130, where 60 is considered soft and 130 considered very stiff. Read more here
What is ski boot volume?
Volume refers to how much space there is between the floor and ceiling in the instep of the boot, as well as how much space there is in the toe box. Most brands now make boots that come in three volume options: low volume (LV), ranging between a 97-99mm last; mid-volume (MV), between 99-101mm; and high volume (HV), between 100-104mm. Learn more here.
More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide
The Best Women’s All-Mountain Skis of the Year
The Best Women’s Carving Skis of 2024
The Best Backcountry Ski Boots of 2024
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
