6 Best Backcountry Ski Boots For Comfort, Fit & Performance

Backcountry skiing is very different from resort skiing. You still want the best backcountry ski boots to support you on the downhill, but you also need to think about efficiency on the uphill. Clunky and cumbersome resort ski boots could lead to bruises and blisters while hampering your ability to chase that sweet backcountry powder.

Ski boots are not known as comfortable pieces of equipment. However, manufacturers have taken incredible strides in addressing the comfort issues, especially with backcountry boots. Backcountry ski boots benefit from being lighter weight, having a large range of motion to assist in uphill movement, and effective walk modes.

If you have or plan to get out into the backcountry, you’re going to want the best options to keep your feet safe and comfortable.

My Review Process

I’ve been backcountry skiing for almost a decade now, and every year I learn something new. One of the first things I learned was that I needed to update my ski boots. Resort/alpine ski boots can handle a smidge of sidecountry or small backcountry tours, but they aren’t made to support the movements you make when skinning in the wild.

The process of perfecting a backcountry setup can take a lot of precious time, involving boot fitters, equipment specialists, and a lot of trial and error. My goal is to help you find the right boots while avoiding the mistakes I made. Ski boot selection is critical, and the selections in this guide support a variety of foot sizes, binding compatibility, and backcountry objectives.

If you run into a term you don’t understand in the reviews, there will be an explanation in our buying guide below. Now, let's get to my backcountry ski boot picks!

Backcountry Ski Boots Buying Guide

Backcountry boot options are numerous, and it can be confusing trying to narrow them down. Armed with your ski boot size, the technical details in each review and our buying guide, you should be able to find the touring and alpine boot features you want the most.

Cost

Backcountry and alpine ski boots don’t generally run cheap. However, because they are one of the most important components of your setup, it’s worth spending the time and money to get it right.

On average, a pair of new boots will run anywhere from $500-800. Once you get to $1000, you’ll be spending more than most. Budget deals on new boots can go as low as $250-300. 

Fit & Comfort

In order to find a good fit, you need to start with ski boot size. For an easy way to find your ski boot size, head to our ski boot chart article. And remember, your ski boot size is different from your foot size. After that, you want to find your volume.

There are low, mid, and high-volume versions of ski boots. Volume is measured by the last width, often simplified to last. Generally, a last width of 99 mm or less is a low volume boot class. A mid volume boot class has a last between 99-101mm, and a high-volume version has a last of 102 mm or higher.

Next, it’s time for your boot flex. We have a curated guide on ski boot flex & how to choose yours. A higher flex gives you a stiffer boot, but a stiffer boot doesn't guarantee comfort. Some ultralight boots don’t advertise a flex, like the Fischer Traverse CS, but that usually means they are very flexible.

After that, it’s time to find the ROM (range of motion). When backcountry skiing, you’ll be skinning to get to your destination. Since you raise your heel with each push, it helps to have a wider range of motion for uphill comfort. Anything between 40-80° is worth looking at, with a 60-degree range being average. A limited range below 40° could be problematic for long tours.

Other factors include how comfortable the boot liner is and whether or not you can heat mold it. Sometimes, you can chuck the liners into the oven for a short time to soften them up. It's also worth looking at the buckle system. Lighter buckles and simple buckle closures are more convenient, along with advanced tightening systems like BOA.

If you can hammer down these aspects, you’ll be well on your way to finding a comfortable fit. And for more information, our companion article, how should ski boots fit for pain free skiing, dives deeper into fit & comfort.

Flex

Flex refers to boot stiffness, and the flex rating is usually tied to ability level. Boots have a variety of flex points. A 60-130 ski boot flex rating covers just about every boot out there for recreational skiing.

A high flex rating means a stiff boot. This is often seen as critical to aggressive skiing because the stiffer upper cuff of the boot will hold your leg securely in place. The sturdier you feel, the more aggressively you can ski. However, stiff flexes from about 110-130 are not comfortable.

If you aren't an aggressive skier but still enjoy getting out then a mid-flex from about 90-110 may be best. Anything lower than that is very flexible and should be reserved for terrain park skiers and beginners. A low flex is great for the beginner ability level because it's more forgiving on your legs as you’re learning.

Boot & Binding Compatibility 

Boots and bindings need to fit with each other, or you won’t be able to ski effectively. There are several variations of each, and not all alpine touring boots fit all bindings. However, there are some that fit with multiple bindings. The benefit of compatibility is that it extends the value and versatility of your boots.

Standards are set by the ISO (International Standards Organization). Currently, the ISO recognizes 3 boot types. A fourth type exists (WTR) but is being phased out. There are also 5 bindings types that the ISO recognizes, alongside some non-compliant tech bindings.

Boot Sole Standards

• Alpine, a.k.a. resort boots (ISO 5355): These popular boots have a traditional alpine sole and are compatible with most standard resort bindings (ISO 9462). They do not have tech inserts but can work with full frame bindings, MNC, Sole.ID, and Gripwalk bindings. Some resort boots can work with tech inserts, but not all. 
• Touring boots (ISO 9523): These boots work with pin/tech, frame, or hybrid bindings (ISO 13992). Touring boots will need tech inserts and tech fittings to work with pin bindings. But they also work with MNC, Sole.ID, and Tyrolias AT bindings. They will NOT work with Gripwalk bindings or resort bindings. 
• GripWalk (ISO 23223): A niche but popular style of boot that features a non-flat sole, a walk mode, and hybrid appeal. These crossover boots work with Gripwalk, MNC, and Sole.Id bindings. With tech inserts, they can work with tech/pin bindings.

Weight

Generally, backcountry boots aren't as heavy as alpine boots. However, when looking at technical details, boot manufacturers tend to advertise the weight of one boot. Remember to double it to get the actual weight per pair. Weight is also commonly expressed for a boot in grams, although I've converted it to pounds and ounces in above ski boot reviews.

The weight of an average backcountry model is between 3-4 pounds. As far as lightweight boots are concerned, the lightest option in this article is the Fischer Traverse CS, which comes in at 2 lbs. 2.5 oz per boot. The beefiest touring boots in this guide is the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD BOA, with each boot weighing 4 lbs.

Versatility

Hybrid and crossover boots can work as both resort and backcountry boots. This increases their versatility but may come at the expense of weight. Crossover boots tend to be good in both worlds and can boast incredible value, like the Scarpa Maestrale RS. Specialized boots like the Fischer Traverse CS excel in backcountry conditions but would be awful at the resort.

Unless you plan on only using your boot choice for intense backcountry objectives, versatility is a key consideration. The more your boot can do, the less money and time you’ll spend overall.

Summary

If you’re looking for the best backcountry ski boots out there to add to your ski setup, it’s hard not to recommend the stellar Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro. For people with narrower feet, I’d opt for an aggressive touring boot like the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD BOAs.

Folks with wider feet should check out the Dynafit Hoji Free 130s for a more comfortable alpine touring setup. And, of course, value hunters will find tons to love with the Scarpa Maestrale RS boots.