The Best Ski Boots for Wide Feet
Do your ski boots feel a bit too tight?
While ski boots are supposed to be snug, they still have to be comfortable enough for people to comfortably ski for extended periods of time. And if you feel like your feet get numb because your boots are too tight, then you might need wide-fit ski boots.
As the name suggests, these are ski boots specifically designed for people with wider feet. With these boots, your feet will feel just right while still being snug and safe for skiing. The sizes run a bit wider than standard ski boots, and they are the go-to solution for people in need of more comfortable and accommodating boots.
There are more than a couple of brands and manufacturers for these types of boots on the market. And while having a lot of options is usually a good thing, we found that it actually makes it hard for people to choose the right option.
But don’t worry; at OwlRatings, we’re dedicated to making it easier for people to find the right products for their needs.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best ski boots for wide feet that we’ve found based on comfort, durability, and other key features. And by the end, you’ll know exactly which boots you’ll need for your next ski trip!
Best Overall
Rossignol Alltrack 90
Rossignol Alltrack 90
These boots check all the boxes and are available at a competitive price. With its dual-core technology and wide fit, you won’t find any comfort and performance problems when wearing these boots.
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Before we get into the other models, we want to show you the one we found to be the best overall. There was no doubt in our minds that the Rossignol Alltrack 90 provides the best performance, comfort, and durability out of all the models on the market. On top of that, it’s available at a much more affordable price compared with models with the same features.
The only downside to this model is that it isn’t the best for beginners. While it still has a relatively light flex rating of 70 (compared to “professional” ski boots), this is still a bit stiff for first-timers. It does have a “walk mode” that reduces the flex a little bit, but customers found that it didn’t make too much of a difference.
These boots have a much wider calf than most other ski boots. So, you will instantly feel comfortable wearing them, even if you have wider feet that don’t feel that comfortable in regular-sized ski boots.
These boots are made out of polyurethane, so they are very durable. You won’t have to worry that much about the boots breaking after heavy use. So, if you’re looking for a top-quality pair of ski boots to last you many years and ski trips, this is definitely the one for you.
These boots sport a dual-core build, which makes them much more durable than other models. On top of that, the boots are designed to keep your feet warm even in very cold weather, making them one of the best choices for wide-footed skiers on the market today.
Best Premium
Salomon S/Pro 80
Salomon S/Pro 80
These ski boots have a unique 3D seamless build, which makes them much sleeker than other models. And since they perform great with a fairly hard flex, we found this to be one of the best options on the market for people ready to invest in a good pair of ski boots.
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This next model actually gave our best overall pick a run for its money. But while they came with similar features, these boots are a bit more expensive, so we couldn’t rank them as the best. Since it still has a bunch of great features and performs incredibly well, we still decided to feature it on our list as the best premium mode.
These are ski boots designed for serious skiers. These are not a good option for beginners. They have a high flex rating of 80, which means they are fairly stiff. So, if you’re a beginner still trying to get the hang of controlling the skis, you might be better of with a softer pair.
With that said, these boots can provide you with a lot of rebounds, which is what makes them great for serious skiers. On top of that, they come in a sleek black design, which you can consider the cherry on top of the cake with these boots.
Aside from the stiffness, the only other complaint we had with these boots is the price. They are definitely on the more expensive side and won’t be an ideal option if you’re shopping for ski boots on a budget.
However, with all the technology and engineering that went into this pair of boots, you can see that it’s definitely worth the price. It has seamless support, feels great even for people with a wide fit, and is truly a modern piece of gear designed for modern skiers.
Best Affordable
Rossignol EVO 70
Rossignol EVO 70
If you’re shopping for a pair of boots that won’t leave a gaping hole in your wallet, these are the ones for you. While these boots are affordable, they can compete with some of the more expensive models out there, which is what landed them on our list.
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Here at OwlRatings, we want to find a product for everyone. And if you’re a person hunting for a pair of ski boots on a tight budget, we’ve got you covered. After extensive research, we can comfortably say that this is one of the best models on the market available at an affordable price.
Compared to most of the other models we’ll feature on this list, these Rossignol boots are incredibly affordable. And since they have a flex rating of 70, they hit the perfect middle ground between decent rebound and comfort. Even if ski boots, in general, are fairly uncomfortable, many customers were surprised at how well these boots wrapped around their feet.
These boots are made for people with wide feet. The boots use softer plastic around the instep area, which is why they are much easier to put on than a standard pair of boots. On top of that, they are engineered to be lightweight, which can make it much easier for both beginners and serious skiers to hit the slopes.
Another neat feature of these boots is that they are GRIPWALK compatible. So, you can buy a separate pair of attachable soles for the boots that make it easier to walk in the snow. That way, you won’t have to take off your boots every time you need to walk somewhere. The one complaint we had about these boots is that they don’t come with as many complex and advanced features as some of the other models. However, we found this to be a fair sacrifice considering how affordable these boots are.
Best for Kids
Roces IDEA Free Adjustable Ski Boot
Roces IDEA Free Adjustable Ski Boot
There aren’t too many children’s ski boots available that are good for kids with wide feet. But this model is a definite outlier that can help your child feel as comfortable as ever whenever you bring them out skiing.
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There are tons of kids that love skiing. But just because they’re young, doesn’t mean you can’t get them good gear. In fact, it might be safer if you invest in good skiing gear for children as this can lessen the chances of accidents and injuries. And in today’s market, these are one of the only pairs of ski boots you can find that can fit children with wide feet.
The hard part about finding ski boots for kids with wide feet is that most children’s ski boots would be too narrow for them, while adult ski boots will be too large. That’s why these adjustable ski boots were one of our favourites when creating this list.
These specific boots can fit sizes 4-7. On top of that, they adjust at half-size increments, which means kids can use them for years and simply adjust them whenever their feet get bigger. It also has a 3mm power strap that ensures the boots stay on their feet no matter what happens.
When finding ski boots for kids, you need to make sure they’re comfortable. That’s why we greatly appreciated the memory foam built into the boots. These make it much more comfortable for children as the foam adjusts to their feet and stays in that position after some time.
The thing about these boots is that they may not feel as comfortable once you start stretching them out to the larger sizes. If the boots stop feeling comfortable for your kid, this is a clear sign that it’s time for them to get a new pair of boots.
Best for Women
Rossignol Kelia 50
Rossignol Kelia 50
If standard women’s boots are too tight and men’s boots are way too wide, this is the pair for you. It’s perfect for women who don’t feel comfortable in the standard tight ski boots available and who find men’s boots a bit too wide for them.
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We’re wrapping up our list with a pair of wide-fit ski boots for women. Women with wide feet usually have to look for different ski boots than men because a man’s wide-fit ski boot will be way too wide for a woman. This is why we chose to feature these boots, which are wider than your standard women’s ski boots but not as wide as a men’s boot.
These boots are designed to have a relaxed fit. So, while your feet will still feel very snug while wearing them, they won’t feel too tight like it’s cutting off your circulation. This is partly due to the slightly softer plastic used near the instep which allows your foot to easily slide in without much of a problem.
Another cool feature of these boots is the simple design. Granted, it isn’t as grand as some of the other ski boots on the market, but it’s simple yet very stylish. So, if you’re worried about your ski boots ruining your ski outfit, these boots will be no problem for you.
And like other Rossignol models, these boots are compatible with GRIPWALK. It would have been nice for these boots to include GRIPWALK soles, but customers have to buy them separately. But aside from that small complaint, we couldn’t find that many things wrong with these boots.
What to look for in good ski boots for wide feet
If you haven’t seen it or felt it before, you wouldn’t know that snow is a very different type of surface. That’s why for years, people have been looking for boots that help them walk on the snow and vehicles to make it easier to travel long distances when it’s snowing.
While it’s mostly seen as an Olympic sport or leisure activity for people in snowy areas, skiing has a rich history. Skiing can be traced back thousands of years ago as a means of transport. Ancient humans would use skis to travel, when at war, or when they were out hunting.
But back then, skis looked much different. In fact, they were closer to snow boots than what we know as modern skis.
Fast forward a couple of thousand years and skiing has grown into something completely different. Nowadays, there are specific skis for long distances, slopes, and for recreation.
And while there are many different types of skis, they share one quality: you need to wear ski boots to be able to use the skis. And if you want to really take your skiing game to the next level, you need a good pair of ski boots that fit your feet well.
That’s why we’ve made this quick and intuitive buying guide you can use to easier find the best ski boots for your feet.
Durability
The first thing you need to check is its durability. Whether you have wide or narrow feet, it’s important to find ski boots that will last. Remember, ski boots can be a bit pricey, and if you have ski boots that don’t last, you might end up having to buy a new pair regularly, especially if you’re training.
So, before checking for other features, make sure they are made out of durable material. Most modern ski boots are made of plastic as this is a fairly durable material that can absorb quite a bit of shock.
With that said, it’s important to make sure that the boots are made of high-quality plastic. Low-quality plastic breaks easy, which is why you would want to avoid these boots at all costs.
Flex Rating
Flex rating refers to how flexible a pair of boots is. For beginners and kids, experts recommend using low-flex boots. These are a bit easier to move around and are generally more comfortable. Since beginners need to get used to the feeling of skis and controlling them, lower flex boots would be the best option.
However, if you’re a more experienced skier, you may need stiffer boots. On top of that, heavier people also require stiffer flex boots when on skis. One of the biggest advantages of these boots is that you get a strong rebound, which isn’t that important for beginners but can make a huge difference for experienced skaters.
Comfort
We highly recommend testing out a pair of boots before buying them. Even if you plan on buying the boots online, heading to your local sports shop to try them out first is a great idea. That way, you get to test how comfortable they feel on your feet and whether they’re the right option for you.
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to ski boots. While they are not the most comfortable shoes available by design, this doesn’t mean you should put yourself in pain whenever you ski.
Design
This is a very underappreciated aspect of ski boots, but the boots’ design is just as important as other factors. Aside from the aesthetic value, well-designed boots can better reflect your personality when you’re skiing, which can help you feel more confident.
Remember, confidence is very important when skiing. Skiers need to be comfortable performing these complex maneuvers on the slopes if they lose focus for a split second, it could result in dangerous consequences.
Budget
Ski boots won’t be the cheapest shoes you can find. These are special pieces of gear specifically designed for one purpose. This usually means they come with higher price tags.
Generally, expensive ski boots will come with more advanced features designed to help you take your game to the next level. However, there are still a lot of great options on the market that are relatively affordable and can still do a good job.
Before you start shopping, we recommend setting a price range to follow. This way, you can instantly forget about options that fall out of your price range, making it much easier to find the right model.
Do I need wide ski boots or better arch support?
One thing you need to remember before buying new ski boots is just because they feel tight and uncomfortable, doesn’t mean you need wider boots. If your foot isn’t getting enough support from the footbed of the boot, then it will start spilling over to the sides, which results in them getting squished and feeling “too tight”.
There are many beginner skiers who mistake poor arch support with boots that are too tight. So, before heading out and finding wide-fit ski boots, we recommend trying to find custom footbeds that are designed to provide you with better arch support.
If these fix your problem, then you won’t have to go out and buy new boots. But if the ski boots still feel too tight and uncomfortable after doing that, then that’s the time we recommend looking for wide-fit ski boots.
What are wide-fit ski boots?
Generally, manufacturers make three ski boot widths: narrow, average, and wide. Usually, people go with average-fit boots for the first time, but not everyone can fit into these shoes comfortably. If you have feet wider than 103mm, then you need wide-fit ski boots.
The width of the ski boots is generally called the “ski boot last”. Wide ski boots are the biggest available, so they have a bit more room than some of the narrow boots on the market.
So, why make wide-fit ski boots in the first place?
The reason it’s important to make ski boots of different widths is that ski boots need to fit snug for them to be effective. Ideally, you shouldn’t be able to wiggle your toes or move your feet around while skiing, as this is dangerous and can lead to a lot of foot pain.
FAQ
Do they make ski boots for people with wide feet?
Yes, if you have wide feet, we recommend getting wide-fit ski boots. These boots have the equivalent of an “E+” rating for standard shoes and are great if you feel like your current boots are a bit too tight. That way, you are more comfortable when skiing, making for a safer and more fun experience.
Should I be able to wiggle my toes in ski boots?
No, you shouldn’t be able to wiggle your toes in ski boots. If your feet have too much room, they will bump the inside of the ski boots, which can be very painful, especially when skiing over long distances.
Why are my feet painful in ski boots?
This could be because they are too narrow or they don’t offer enough arch support. Ideally, you want your feet to feel snug but comfortable in ski boots. If your ski boots are causing you pain, it might be best for you to buy a wider pair that’s a better fit for your feet.
