What To Look For
Look for boots on the stiffer side, which will transfer more energy from your foot to the ski. Most major manufacturers offer different levels of flex for each boot in their line, so go with a higher stiffness index. Front-entry boots are superior in performance to rear-entry boots. Additional features such as adjustable cant and forward lean and power straps around the shin area further help customize the fit. While four-buckle boots are generally superior to three-buckle boots, some three-buckle models have proved popular with experts who are skiing all over the mountain.
Common Pitfalls
While you don't want to get a boot that is too soft, neither do you want one that is the stiffest (i.e. racing) boot in a line. You also want to have a boot that has some cushion or flex to it, or every landing on a jump will feel very painful.
Where To Buy
Boots make more of a difference in your skiing performance than any piece of equipment. As such, it is best to buy boots from a local ski shop where you can consult with an expert on the way the boot fits, and have the store do any customization, such as heat-molding the liners.
Cost
Off-the-shelf expert all-mountain boots typically cost between $500 and $900 (2010 prices). Most shops will include the cost of basic customization in the price.
Insider Tips
Fit is more important than anything else. Most modern ski boots have inner liner boots that can be heat molded to the shape of your foot. When looking at the boots, make sure that your boot fitter does a shell fit before doing anything else; in a shell fit, the inner boots will be removed and you slide your foot into the shell until your toes touch the front; you should have no more than 1/2 inch between your heel and the back of the shell.
Custom footbeds, which help keep your foot and knee in a neutral position, increase the performance of your boots but take up more space in the liner.
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