The Best Women’s Ski Boots of the Year | SKI

Photo: Buster Tronolone

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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 that’s specific to 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. If you’re hoping to dabble—or even convert—to the backcountry, you’ll want to look for alpine touring (AT) boots.

With innovative new technology like BOA closures and even hands-free-entry designs, it’s never been easier to find a ski boot that meets your needs. The other good news? Even if it doesn’t fit your foot right out of the box, most of these options can be customized to fit like Cinderella’s slipper. Here are our picks for the best women’s ski boots of the year.

Read about the best men’s alpine boots of 2025 here.

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$750 at Tecnica

Category: All-Mountain TraditionalLevel: Expert (115 flex)Last: 100 mmVolume: MediumAvailable flexes: 105, 95, 95, 75Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 23224

Pros and Cons⊕ Best-in-class all-mountain performance⊕ Generous fit at the calf, toebox, and forefoot⊗ Might be too roomy for those in between LV and MV fits

This boot not only received perfect 5.0 scores in three of our on-snow performance metrics (dynamic balance, quickness and steering, and edge power), but it also impressed testers with its supreme comfort.

How is it that the Mach 1 can be so comfy and yet ski with race-worthy power and quickness? For one, the boot’s stance angles have been refined over several years to hit that Goldilocks sweet spot: not too flexed, not too upright, and dead-flat edge-to-edge underfoot. The Mach 1 boots also use a polyurethane plastic with a thickness adjusted to enhance vibration damping and stability. As for comfort, credit the shell’s anatomical shape, which seamlessly contours the foot, and its thoughtfully designed liner. The padded liner is pre-molded to cup the ankles, eliminating hot spots.

But the real magic may be in the way the cuff is connected to the lower shell. This connector—paired with a hard PU plastic in both the cuff and shell—keeps the boot rigid, providing enough lateral support to transfer energy to the skis. Tecnica also uses more supple plastic in the instep zone—a feature that enhances comfort without sacrificing power. The design also makes it easier to step into and out of the boot.

Add it all together, and you get surprising power and turn-to-turn quickness—results we could feel on narrow and fat skis alike, and across a variety of terrain—from frozen spring cord on Mt. Bachelor’s frontside, to soft, untouched corn on the south-facing backside. Testers also appreciated that the boot comes with patches of easily stretchable plastic in key fit zones—like beside the forefoot and above the arch. However, they felt little need to take advantage of the technology in the medium-volume version since the pre-contoured shell and liner provided such excellent out-of-the-box fit.

$730 at Corbetts

Category: FrontsideLevel: Advanced, Expert (115/125 flex)Last: 96 mmVolume: LowOther flexes: 95Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 5355

Pros and Cons⊕ Very comfortable high-performance boot⊕ Race-level features⊕ Great sole traction⊗ Softer in forward flex⊗ Roomier than previous Raptors

This boot continues to surprise testers with its sleeper qualities. It’s stronger on edge, requires less effort to engage, and is more comfortable with less fitting fuss than Raptors of seasons past.

In fact, some testers complained that, with its roomy toebox and wider forefoot, it almost feels too comfortable to qualify as a high-performance boot. But don’t think that extra space leads to a sloppy fit. While the toes are free to wriggle with little compression, we found our feet remained suitably cinched right back to the heel.

The flex is also noticeably different from previous Raptor models. Testers reported that it feels soft, given the rated 115-flex index, but this doesn’t affect the boot’s ability to drive a ski hard. That’s because the edge-driving power of a boot doesn’t come from forward-flexing movement but rather from lateral and torsional movements against the boot shell. The special PU plastic in the Raptor WCR 115’s shell and cuff helps maintain a rigid edging linkage to the ski while also allowing for a longer-traveling, more forgiving flex. That evens out terrain inconsistencies and smooths pressure delivery to the ski. The result: cleaner carves at higher speeds with less effort and fewer errors.

Our testers also gave big thumbs up to the toe and heel sole plates, which have a bit of built-in tread. (The men’s version, in contrast, features a smoother, more slippery sole.) Bonus: The soles are replaceable.

$800 at Rossignol

Category: All-MountainLevel: Advanced, Expert (120 flex)Last: 98 mmVolume: LowOther flexes: 90, 70Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 23223, 5355

Pros and Cons⊕ Improved shin fit and cuff height over previous model⊕ Sleek liner permits easy entry⊗ Still on the roomy side—an issue for very narrow-footed testers

If this boot was an Olympic gymnast, the announcers would be losing their minds over the number of consecutive perfect scores: Eight of our 13 testers gave it perfect 5.0s across all five scoring criteria. That made it a top choice for hard-charging experts who haven’t gravitated to women’s-specific boots in the past.

The Pure Elite 120 isn’t new this season; it debuted several years ago in a slightly longer, roomier iteration with more sedate cosmetics and a furry liner that belied its high-performance status. This season’s updated liner—while far less luxe—gives the new version added performance chops. And because it’s sleeker and more slippery, it makes for easier on-and-off. The current model also utilizes the same lower mold shape as the men’s model, giving skiers a closer fit and more tightly contoured shell. Another update is the tongue attachment point: Rossignol brought it in closer contact along the entire lower leg. The only downside: While the Pure Elite 120 is indeed snugger than previous iterations, narrow-footed testers still found it a bit on the roomy side for its category. Still, most testers noticed the improved responsiveness. “It’s got a solid, performance fit right out of the box,” said tester Megen Johnson. “It held me in an athletic position and made it easy to get back to center. This boot has been a big hitter for several years, and this year’s version lives up to that reputation.”

That quickness and responsiveness made it truly stand out in its field. Even our strongest skiers couldn’t overpower it. But you don’t need to be an ex-racer to drive this boot; it reacts just as predictably at low, cruising speeds, making it equally accessible to less aggressive skiers.

$750 at Christy Sports $750 at Evo

Category: All-MountainLevel: Advanced, Expert (115 flex)Last: 100 mmVolume: MediumAvailable flexes: 95, 85Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 23223

Pros and Cons⊕ Easy to get on and off⊕ Comfy and warm given the high performance drive⊗ Shorter external sole left some toes feeling cramped

Testers lauded this boot for its flawless fit, predictable on-snow behavior, and almost unlimited power and quickness. Better yet: It all comes in a warm, easy-to-put-on package—two features that can be tough to find in such a high-performance boot.

So, how did the Lange engineers accomplish such a design dichotomy? They reduced flex distortion while creating a boot that applies more leverage to the front of the ski. To achieve that, designers doubled the attachment points between the cuff and shell at the hinge point near the ankle. Then, they added an additional piece of plastic between the two connection points at the rear spine of the boot. The update acts like a leaf spring, increasing power, rebound, and rearward support—without making the boot feel too rigid or too suctioned to the foot to get off easily.

Testers could feel the difference. They reported strong lateral support in uneven terrain, easy steering capabilities, and fast, smooth rebound. “It was responsive in every way,” said tester Michael Kendrick Powderly. “The flex-resistance was supportive, rebound was fast, and sole connection to the ski and steering were direct and immediate. I couldn’t find a category that the boot didn’t perform well in.”

Testers also noted the silky, cushioned feel of the liner, thanks to micro-etched perforations in its exterior material that allow it to bend more easily around foot and lower leg contours. The liner didn’t seem to loosen as it warmed while skiing, either. Testers who performed long-term tests on the Shadow after last year’s launch reported that pack-out was minimal and that the cushioned feel against the leg and foot remained consistent.

The only ding: A few testers mentioned that the Shadow MV’s shorter external boot sole made it feel a little cramped at the big toe. But it’s nothing a little stretch in the toe box can’t fix.

$600 at Dalbello

Category: All-MountainLevel: Beginner to Advanced (95 flex)Last: 99 mmVolume: MediumAvailable flexes: 105, 95, 85, 75Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 23223, 5355

Pros and Cons⊕ Excellent value⊕ Skis with more power than its stated flex indicates⊕ Snug medium fit⊗ The rounded toe box can squeeze wide-splayed toes

In terms of power-per-flex-point, this boot punches well above its weight—earning it top marks among lightweight skiers who still want the responsiveness and strength of a stiffer boot. In fact, the Veloce 95’s total score average was on par with many popular, stouter 115-flex boots in our test. Better yet, testers reported great fit, comfort, and convenience across the board.

First up was comfort. Testers loved the cushioned-but-firm feel of this 99-millimeter-lasted boot against the foot and leg. The memory foam provided a particularly welcoming surface against the shin and over the top of the foot. On the hill, it set ski edges against the snow with the power and stability of boots that are 20 flex points stiffer and $200 more expensive. And while carving in deeper snow, tester Lee Ann Ross reported that it felt less like a dull sledgehammer and more like a quick and precise scimitar. “I was able to hit an edge sharply and enjoy some rebound on short turns,” she reported. “This is a really high-performance 95-flex boot—I think it would make a lot of ladies very happy.”

Testers said the Veloce 95 MV’s stance-balance home base was right on the money and didn’t require any special moves or a learning curve to figure out: Just buckle up, click in, and go skiing—everywhere and anywhere. Its huge performance bandwidth—which we tested everywhere from trees in Mt. Bachelor’s West Bowls to low-angle groomers off Skyliner chair—will appeal to a variety of all-mountain skiers, but especially those lighter in stature looking for a softer flex model that still skis well.

Some testers commented that the somewhat rounded, old-school toe box shape tapered a bit too sharply, squeezing the big and little piggies a smidge. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if you have a squarer foot shape, you might require a little bootfitter magic to massage the fit.

$400 at Aspen Ski and Board $400 at Outdoor Sports

Category: All-MountainLevel: Intermediate (75/85 flex)Last: 102 mmVolume: HighOther flexes: 75Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 23223

Pros and Cons⊕ Roomy fit for wide feet⊕ Great performance, especially for smaller or less-aggressive skiers⊕ Superb value⊗ Lumpy initial fit requires some break-in time

Roxa surprises us at every test, and this one was no different. We certainly didn’t expect this little 85-flex to end up among winners in the wide all-mountain category, yet the R/Fit 85 wowed us with its outsized performance and comfort, making it our top choice for beginners this year.

Our testers are a diverse group of women who work both within and outside the ski industry. Most ski in boots that sport a traditional overlap design, yet they still awarded top scores to this wide-set boot, which utilizes a three-piece design for easier entry and exit. Testers even scored this 85-flex higher than two 105-flex competitors and several 115-flex boots in the wide boot group.

Does this mean the R/Fit 85 is more powerful than a boot with a 115 flex? No. Testers look at each boot’s intended audience, and the 85-flex boot is aimed at less-experienced and petite skiers, as well as bargain hunters. If a tested model nails the fit, stance, edge power, quickness, and comfort targets for its intended audience, it’s a winner. And this boot assuredly is.

Testers said the R/Fit 85 performed well enough to appeal to skiers who’d otherwise look at 100- or 105-flex models. It received perfect scores on stance, edge power, and quickness. At the same time, the liner proved cushy and warm. It’s a boot that’s sure to satisfy new skiers and improving intermediates alike.

We did see a couple complaints that the initial fit felt a bit “lumpy” and inconsistent. This knocked down the boot’s fit score (the only parameter that didn’t bag a perfect 5.0). However, most testers saw the fit improve after a couple of runs.

$750 at Rossignol

Category: All-Mountain AlpineLevel: Intermediates to Experts (100 flex)Last: 100 mmVolume: MediumOther flexes: 90, 80Size range: 22.5-27.5ISO: 23223, 5355

Pros and Cons⊕ Insanely easy to put on and take off⊕ Surprisingly quick and strong on edge⊗ Frilly aesthetics might deter some buyers

Rossignol has placed a mile-high stack of chips on its new Vizion “concealed convenience” boot concept, which is now available for both men and women, in narrow, medium, and wide lasts and in a multitude of stiffnesses.

Why did we coin the term “concealed convenience?” Because beneath the second closure buckle on the upper cuff is a hidden, color-highlighted, cuff-releasing buckle that allows the boot to open rearward and permits seemingly miraculous hands-free entry. Exit is similarly effortless (you do need a hand, but not much of one).

By far the easiest of our tested models to put on, it skied as well as 95 percent of the fixed-cuff boots we tested in our all-mountain traditional category. That’s a big deal for a boot with these kinds of convenience features. Testers said that the flex pattern and fit against the shin helped absorb off-piste terrain hits, giving them a smooth, flowy feel. Others noted the ease with which the Vizion Pro 100 W rolled the skis onto steep edge angles and then managed them through deep carves, even at speed.

If you’re a skier who has experienced enough struggle with getting boots on and off that it has affected your enjoyment of the sport, schedule a visit to your local shop and try on a Vizion boot. And do it soon. Our testers who are bootfitters at specialty boot shops already have waiting lists for customers who want a pair.

If you’re a strong skier and feeling hesitant to trust the performance level of a boot like the Vizion (especially given that this one also looks a little frilly), know this: One of our veteran testers who’s used to piloting 130-flex boots and stiff, narrow women’s models plans to make the Vizion her daily-driver for the upcoming season.

Learn More at Fischer

Category: All-Mountain AccessLevel: Intermediates to Experts (95 flex)Last: 102 mmVolume: HighOther flexes: N/ASize range: 22.5-26.5ISO: 23223

Pros and Cons⊕ Huge toe box⊕ Grippy soles⊕ Walk mode offers great range of motion⊗ Lacks the freeride tech binding fittings offered on the men’s version

A great all-mountain-access boot starts with a versatile build and adds an extra element that makes skiing just a little bit more appealing and convenient. This boot’s main trick is its hidden walk-mode switch (just beneath the upper cuff buckle) that releases the cuff into a rangy stroll-about mode. Add to that a pair of reliable, grippy soles, and you get a very walkable, all-mountain wide ride for those who spend long days on the hill.

While there are lots of wide-lasted boots with convenient walk modes, very few range above an 80-flex for women, and those that do often don’t ski well. Not so with this boot. Our testers were impressed with the control this softer flexing unit exerted over the ski. Many said it skied much more adeptly than its 95 flex indicated. “Super strong for a 95, and great for a solid skier chick with a wide foot,” said tester Kori Coggin. “Loved it!”

The generous toe box and forefoot taper back to a comfortably snug heel and ankle, which provided enough control for our testers to steer precisely through all types of terrain and snow. One tester felt that the heel might be a little too snug for the 102-millimeter forefoot width target. It’s something to pay attention to if your foot is on the meatier side.

The Ranger 95 HV’s price point also deserves a special call-out. In an era of $1,000 ski boots, it’s good to see a reasonable hang tag attached to a solid product. At $650 suggested retail, this boot packs great value at a relatively affordable cost. The one downside: While the men’s version offers freeride tech binding fittings, the women’s does not.

Our boot test starts with an orientation meeting at Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor, where we held this year’s on-snow test. During the meeting, testers are briefed about test categories, widths and protocols for dry-testing, on-snow testing, and scoring. That ensures our large team is on the same page and knows how to evaluate a boot accurately and scientifically with as little bias as possible.

After the meeting, we try to get each boot on as many testers as possible. Before they take the boot out on the mountain, each tester fills out a phone-app feedback form covering their impressions of entry, closure, fit, flex feel, and stance. Then, they take the boot on snow for a three-run performance test, aiming to take full advantage of Mt. Bachelor’s wide variety of terrain to see how the boot performs in a range of conditions. After that, the boot gets tossed to a new tester. Rinse and repeat.

A boot’s total score is composed of its average across testers, and each model gets up to 15 total tests. Testers score boots in these criteria:

Only the highest scoring boots have made it into this collection of reviews.

A group of 15 incredible women tested boots for us this year. Here’s a snapshot of just a few of them. We’d also like to extend special thanks to Megen Johnson, Linda Parazoo, Michael Kendrick Powderly, Lee Ann Ross, Sam Tischendorf and many others.

Age: 39 | Height: 5’6” | Weight: 150

A boot test veteran and bootfitter, Alleman was raised on the slopes. Her parents got married on skies—a tradition she followed when her own wedding day came. Alleman came to the industry by way of a ski instruction background and spent 10 seasons as a bootfitter and salesperson at Gravity Sports at, Mt Bachelor, OR. Since then she has spent one season with the Boot Solutions crew in Niseko, Japan, and is going into her sixth season with the team at the Alpine Shop in Sandpoint, ID.

Age: 31 | Height: 5’6” | Weight: 160

Born and raised in central Oregon, Coggin has been skiing for more than 20 years and ski raced for 12. She currently works as a supervisor at Gravity Sports at Mt. Bachelor, OR—her latest position after roles as a ski technician, salesperson, and bootfitter. After obtaining a degree in outdoor leadership and education, she has worked for several outdoor youth programs and has guided for outdoor adventure organizations. In the off-season she manages the ZipTour guide staff at Mt. Bachelor. She has been a Masterfit University bootfitting instructor since 2019.

Age: 55 | Height: 5’4” | Weight: 130

Elling is a veteran boot tester and former PSIA Level II Alpine instructor. She has also worked in the ski industry as a retail salesperson and demo technician, as well as a snowcat driver and bartender at Cat Ski Mt. Bailey in southern Oregon. Currently a committed pow skier and line-poacher, she works full-time as a vintage retail dealer and assists with our boot test’s backend. She is also the critically important après ski bar stocker at our test social events.

The boots listed on this page run the gamut from high-performance, low volume options to more accessible, high-volume options. 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 foot shape and skiing style.

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 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’ll see on hybrid or alpine-touring (AT) boots. Hybrid and AT boots are designed to work with alpine-touring or hybrid backcountry bindings. Alpine boots, on the other hand, usually only work with alpine, or downhill, bindings

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 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 for you. Learn more here.

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. If you’re a larger skier or an expert skier, you’ll want a stiffer boot. If you’re lightweight or pretty new to the sport, a softer boot will likely feel more forgiving and easier to maneuver. Read more here.

Volume refers to how much space there is between the floor and ceiling of your boot at the instep. It also indicates 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- and 99-millimeter last; mid-volume (MV), between 99 and 101 millimeters; and high volume (HV), between 100 and 104 millimeters. Learn more here.

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