When it comes to ski boots next winter, ase of customisation, walk modes and low weight are still high on the design agenda, but the biggest overall shift is to boots with a curved Grip Walk sole. Most of us use a regular flat soled downhill boots for power and consistent safety. Grip Walk changes this as there are still hard parts for power and safe binding release but most of the sole is curved and grippy to make walking easier. But it’s worth noting Grip Walk boots should only be used with Grip Walk compatible bindings so may require you to upgrade your skis too.
Read our full guide to buying ski boots here.
Best for men
Best for those with a high instep
Dalbello Panterra 120 GW
£400
A 100mm last for a medium width, with a higher than average fit over the top of the foot – ideal if you suffer from pressure there // Three-piece shell with plastic tongue on the outside gives a smooth, progressive flex // Customisable shell and liner for an enhanced fit // Variable ramp angle adjustment alters heel height within the shell to tailor how much the foot slopes forward // Dalbello’s Power Cage – an outer layer of stiffer material on top of a softer boot shell – gives a lot of power for a 120 flex boot, but keeps weight down // Curved Grip Walk sole makes it easier to walk and improves traction // Walk mode lever at the back provides 50 degree of cuff movement for improved hiking comfort // Flexes range from 130 to 90
dalbello.it
Best for range of motion in tour mode
Fischer Ranger One 120
£420
A new boot from Fischer with a roomy 101mm last // Ski to walk lever by the top buckle is really easy to use, providing a massive 55 degrees of motion in walk mode // Surprisingly progressive flex for a two piece boot // Heat mouldable shell can expand up to 3mm for wider feet // Innovative floating tongue design makes it easy to put on boot // Fitted with a Grip Walk sole as standard on all flexes // Available in flexes ranging from 130 to 100 // Men’s 130 and 110 models also available with Dynafit inserts in the sole for use with pin touring bindings
fischersports.com
Best for downhill performance without the weight
Head Nexo LYT 130 RS
£460
Narrower 98mm version of Nexo // Heat mouldable shell and liner // Liquid fit can fill in gaps around your heel and ankle if required // Really light on your feet // Shell thickness has been increased in the front of the cuff and on top of the foot, increasing power delivery // 14 degree cuff forward lean is more upright than many, providing a natural balance suiting modern skis // Adjustable flex, so you can soften for powder days // Power Plate between the Velcro strap and the top of the cuff does wonders to reduce pressure on shins // Comes with standard flat downhill soles but Grip Walk soles are available // Available in flexes ranging from 130 to 110
head.com
Best for all-round performance
Rossignol Alltrack Pro 130 GW
£450
This is a new boot in the Alltrack Pro range // All models in this range have been improved for this season and are a lot lighter // 100mm last, ideal for a medium width fit // Dual Core injected clog has stiffer material used for power lower down and softer material over the foot to make it easier to put the boots on // Great shape around the top of the foot to reduce any pressure over the instep // Redesigned hike mode provides 50 degree of cuff mobility for walking and ski touring, a vast improvement over previous versions // The pivot by the ankle has been moved lower on the boot for an improved rotation point // Heat mouldable liner // Thinsulate insulation in the liner for enhanced warmth // Grip Walk sole on the 130 model with pin inserts // Regular flat downhill sole on 120 and 100 flex models
rossignol.com
Best for women
Best for light and versatile freeride option
K2 Mindbender Alliance 90
£400
Model from new new range of boots from K2, featuring some of the lightest freeride touring boots available // Heat mouldable shell and liner // Shell constructed of materials using varying stiffness and thickness to deliver power, keep weight low and ensure the boots are easy to put on // Massive range of cuff forward lean adjustment for skiing from a really upright 10 degrees to a race ready 17 degrees // Beefy metal lever locks the cuff into place for skiing // 50 degree range of motion in hike mode // Lace up liner hugs your lower leg, even in tour mode // 100mm medium width fitting in 90 flex, with narrower 98mm width in the 110 flex model // Grip Walk sole and integrated pin fittings
k2skis.com
Best for shin comfort
Lange LX 90 W
£325
Lange’s unique injection process injects different stiffnesses of plastic together in fused layers, like a sandwich, to aid characteristics like rebound. It really works, providing a beautifully smooth flex and rebound, reducing shin bang // Softer shell materials in the cuff front and on top of the foot for comfort and ease of entry // Stiffer materials lower down the shell and up the back of the cuff for power // Specially designed padding in the tongue of the women’s liner to distribute pressure // Thinsulate insulation for warmth // Heat mouldable liner, except the softer 70 flex version // Regular downhill boot sole has grippy base // Grip Walk soles also available // A 102mm last for wider feet // Flexes range from 90 to 70
lange-boots.com
Best for a tour ready downhill boot
Rossignol Alltrack Pro 110 W
£360
New hike mode for this season provides 50 degree of cuff mobility for walking and ski touring // A 100mm last for medium width // The Dual Core clog of the boot is made by injecting different stiffness materials; soft over the top of the foot so they’re easy to put on and stiff around the base for power and drive // The shape on top of the foot works well to reduce any pressure over the instep // The pivot by the ankle has been moved lower on the boot for an improved rotation point // Heat mouldable liner// Fleece lined inner boot with Thinsulate insulation for enhanced warmth // Regular flat downhill sole // Grip Walk soles available // Flexes range from 80 to 110
rossignol.com
Best for super comfy, customisable fit
Salomon S/Pro 90 W
£320
Heat mouldable shell and liner // 100mm last shell can increase by an extra 6mm across the forefoot and more in other areas of the foot and leg when heat moulded // Seamless liner is plush and really comfy // Softer shell material at the top of the clog makes the boot a cinch to get on // Shell and liner combine for a super smooth flex // Calf Adjuster allows up to 11mm of extra room at the top of the cuff // Sense Amplifier plate at the upper top of the cuff for improved rebound but also works with Calf Adjuster to improve fit to the female form // Flexes range from 100 to 70 // Flat downhill sole as standard // Grip Walk soles available
salomon.com