Alpine Accessories

About Ski Boot Sizing

If you want to be a better skier, if your ski boots hurt your feet, do not buy your boots online. Getting a proper fitting boot is a nessesity as ski boots are the foundation for proper balance on your skis. Find a great boot fitter at your local specialty ski shop. Your experience on the slopes will go from night to day. You will have great fitting boots that help you advance in ability level and confidence. So if you are not a real skier and just want to save a few bucks then use this chart to buy the cheapest pair of boots.

About Mondo Sizing

The first thing you probably notice is ski boots have a different sizing than shoe sizing. The ski industry calls it Mondo sizing. Mondo sizing is a standard boot size between all ski boot manufactures. Mondo sizing is the length measurement in centimeters of the INSIDE of the boot. It was developed to simplify the different sizes that are throughout the world. If you take a tape measure and measure the length of your foot in centimeters, you would get your Mondo size. One thing you should know, ski boot shells come only in full sizes. An example of this is a size 27.0 and 27.5 both share the same shell size and have the same inside length. Both are the larger 27.5. Sometimes only the inner liner changes.

Kids Ski Boot Size Chart

Adult Ski Boot Size Chart

USA Womens Size Mondo Size USA Mens Size Euro Size
5 21.5
5.5 22
6 22.5
6.5 23 5 37
7 23.5 5.5 37-38
7.5 24 6 38
8 24.5 6.5 38-39
8.5 25 7 39
9 25.5 7.5 40
9.5 26 8 41
10 26.5 8.5 42
10.5 27 9 43
11 27.5 9.5 44
11.5 28 10 44-45
28.5 10.5 45
29 11 45-46
29.5 11.5 46
30 12 46-47
30.5 12.5 47
31 13 47
31.5 13.5 47-48
32 14 48
33 15 49
USA Womens Size Mondo Size USA Mens Size Euro Size

When Your Boots Are Too Big

Get the correct size length and width of ski boots to fit your foot shape and size.

Boot Fit

You have probably heard that “ski boots are the most important component of your gear.” While your boots should be comfortable, the proper size and flex keeps you in a balanced position which makes it easier to control your skis. Get the wrong size and wrong flex, and you’ll make it more difficult to control your skis. There are a few factors you need to consider before deciding which size and model to have;
  1. Your overall foot length.
  2. Your arch length.
  3. Your foot width.
  4. Your instep height.
  5. Overall shape of your foot.
  6. And your aggressiveness.

Were you aware most of us have one foot longer than the other? And did you know many times your arch length is different than your overall foot length. What about your width? Boots generally range in width from 98mm to 106mm. Do you know the width of your foot in mm? So which length and width measurement do you use? While many people take the easy way and choose a larger size, this is many times the wrong choice. A boot too big allows your foot to move around. I know what you’re thinking, “you’ll just tighten the buckles”. But that’s like buying pants too big. You can tighten the belt, but the rest of the pants still don’t fit properly! We all have our favorite jean brand that fits our body shape the best. Well you can get a great fitting ski boot by getting the right brand for your foot shape. Just ask your local boot fitter.
Find out what ability level you are.

Ski Boot Model

Here’s a scenario! Your friend loves their boots. Best fit they’ve ever had and they’ve never skied better. What probably happened is your friend has a boot shape and stiffness that matches their performance and foot shape! Hence loves them. But that doesn’t mean that you should get that model. Your friend probably has a differently shaped foot than yours and you could require a different stiffness. We all have our favorite jean brand that fits our body shape the best. Well you can get a great fitting ski boot by getting the right brand and model for your foot shape. You can purchase a lot of things on-line, but if you’re considering purchasing ski boots on-line, you’re asking for problems. Like us, stores charge the same on-line as we do in store. So why take the chance and purchase on line when you can get the boot fitting service for the same price?

Ski Boot Flex

Just as important as fit, flex (or stiffness) is important. Without getting too technical, proper flex helps keep you balanced (forward and aft) on your skis. Too stiff of boot and you can't get forward making it difficult to initiate a turn or absorb shock and bumps. Too soft of flex and it’s difficult to relay the motion from your knees and legs which makes it difficult to turn and hold an edge. The boot industry doesn’t make things easy. They may have standardized sizing, but not flex. And ski boot flex ratings are not the same between manufactures. What that means is a 90 flex from one manufacture can be a different flex in a 90 flex from another manufacture. So how do you determine your flex? When trying boot on, make sure you can move your knees 4 – 5 inches forward at room temperature. If you can’t flex your knee 4 inches forward, get a softer boot. If you flex your knee consistently more than 5 inches, get a stiffer boot.

Most Frequent Ski Boot Problems

The worst ski boot problem is people usually purchase boots too big. The reason? People react to first impression when they try on boots. And usually the first impression is the boot is too small because the toes touch the end. But what really happens is the skier doesn't give the heel a chance to get into the heel pocket. So what do you do? Give the heel pocket time to develop. Put the boots on and loosely buckle them. Then stand and occasionally flex your knee forward. This helps slide your foot back into the heel pocket naturally. You should leave the boots on for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep in mind, if you stand straight up, (knees straight) your foot will slide out of the pocket and forward but this is not how you ski.

The second problem is the wrong socks are used. Ski socks make a huge difference in comfort. Ski boots should always be worn and tried on with the proper ski socks for the best fit.
Find out why ski socks are important.


Kids Ski Boot Size Chart

Children should have a good fitting ski boot too. Many parents size ski boots by the size of shoes the child wears. While wearing a pair of sneakers too big, doesn't hinder walking, wearing too big of ski boot can be unsafe. Ski boots are sized in cm, or mondo size. It's always best to have a trained boot fitter check the size and flex of the boots before you make your decision. Anticipating growth is difficult and going too large in a ski boot makes skiing more difficult and unsafe. And a boot too soft, they'll have a lack of control. A boot too stiff, and it will make turning more difficult. Ski boots should always be worn and tried on with the proper ski socks for the best fit. A happy kid makes for a happy mom and dad.

Learn more about Mondo sizing to help with selecting your size.

USA Kids SizeMondo Size
814.5
915.5
1016.5
1117.5
1218.5
1319.5
120.5
221.5
322.5
523.5
624.5
725.5
825.5

How To Select Ski Boots

By Rick Pasturczak at Alpine Accessories

The ski boot is your most important component of your ski equipment. Most people think that boots are the most important component because of comfort. While your boots must be comfortable, it’s your boots that relays feedback on snow conditions from your skis so you can react properly. And it’s the boot’s flex (stiffness) that keeps you balanced from tip to tail on the ski for ease of turning, control, and response. Wrong fit = lack of response and comfort. Wrong flex = lack of control.

It’s estimated over 50% of ski boots are too big. The reason is due to the forward lean of the boot. When you first put your foot in a boot, the forward lean does not allow your heel to fall into the heel pocket which allows your toes to touch the front making you think the boots are too small. So they go larger before giving the boot a chance to fit properly. Keep in mind, a boot gets about ½ size larger as it breaks in.

How do you select a ski boot?

  1. You start with shell shape sizing Boot hard shells come in different widths, heights, and shapes. Your overall foot length, arch (heel to ball of foot), instep, and width should be measured and be matched to the proper shell shape. Example; a wider foot should be in a wider shell. Even though you may have the same length as someone else, your foot shape will probably be different. Ever hear someone say I love my boots? It’s usually due to the fact their foot is shaped according to the shape of the shell.
  2. Don’t go too big Many people think bigger is more comfortable. When in fact, too big allows your foot to move around in the boot creating discomfort and a loss of control. And boots have a midsole point which line up with the balance point on your skis. If you’re boots are too big, your foot will be farther back in the boot making you behind the skis balance point making your skis more difficult to turn.
  3. Flex or Stiffness While sizing is important to comfort, flex is important to control. Boots range in flex, or stiffness, from 40 to 150 flex. It’s the flex that help you keep your weight balanced from tip to tail on your skis. Too soft of boot and you’ll get too far forward allowing your tails to wash out and not getting you back in position making control more difficult. Too stiff of boot stops you from getting your weight forward, making your skis more difficult to turn. Make sure to get a flex where your knee moves indoors about 5 inches forward. More than 5 inches, go stiffer. Less than 5 inches, go softer.
    TIP: Keep in mind a 90 flex is softer than a 110 flex in the same manufacture. But flex can vary from one manufacture to another. In other words, a 90 flex from Tecnica may be different than a 90 flex from Salomon. So make sure to try them on and flex.
  4. Personalized fitting Even though some people have the same length of foot, not all feet are shaped the same. For this reason, boot liners should be heated to 150 degrees so they soften and take an impression of your foot for a better fit. And now, many boot shells must be heated to take an impression of your foot and to adjust the shaft alignment.
  5. Shaft alighnment (or canting) Some people are bow legged, some knock kneed. This effects how your skis lay flat from edge to edge on the snow. It’s important to have this checked or you could be riding on the outside or inside edge making turning, and control more difficult.
  6. Custom insoles / orthotics The majority of us are pronated which means your lower leg is slightly aligned to the inside of your foot. Then when you flex forward, (as you do in skiing) your arch can collapse which allows your foot to roll to the inside. Many times this movement causes pain, but even if the pronation is not causing pain, this rolling creates a lack of response. A custom insole, or orthotic, is designed to fit under your foot and support the heel and arch from rolling giving you more comfort and control.
To achieve the best boot for yourself, you must visit a shop with a qualified, experienced boot fitter to be measured properly and find your flex. Once you have the proper shell shape and flex, then the boot liners, and sometimes the shell, must be heated to be shaped to the shape of your foot for the best fit. Once you have properly fitted boots, and the correct flex, you’ll enjoy skiing more.

There Is More To Good Fitting Ski Boots.

Get boot heaters for the ultimate in comfort while skiing.

Get Boot Heaters for more comfort.

Ski socks designed for great fitting ski boots that wick moisture and keep your feet dry and warm.

Wear Ski Socks for Great Fitting Boots.

How To Size Ski Boots!


INFO for a Better On Snow Experience