I know it's been a long road. Tears, pain, cramps, poor circulation and numbness, hours of shoving your feet into dozens of options and staring at your foot wondering "WHAT SIZE AM I?!" It's true that your boot is the most important part of your setup and it's true that your boot largely determines whether you have a good time or a bad time out there. It's also true that boot shopping is the part of the search that takes the longest and that can go extremely well, or horribly disappointing. It requires careful thought, some time, and an optimistic spirit. Being part of peoples' process each day provides the expertise I hope to pass along to all of you. I will be covering the women's specific boots that we carry at Cripple Creek Backcountry because that's what I know best.
LOOKING FOR A WOMEN'S TOURING BOOT
When looking for a ski touring boot it is important to first think about what you want to do in the boot. A lighter boot is often slightly softer, this is ideal for long tours, and slower skiing in softer snow i.e. backcountry. There are also heavier, stiffer boots, with a smaller range of motion, that maneuver bigger skis at faster speeds with more stability. And there are boots all in-between too. You should think about where you want to ski, and how much you want to ski. You should think about how much you want to spend (usually related to how much you want to ski). And you should think about whether you can and will enjoy learning to ski on a boot that requires more balance and technique from you, or whether you want to buy the gear that works best for how you already ski.
Once you have reflected on these questions you are ready to head to a shop to talk with someone and try on boots. The shop will want to size you on a mondo sizer to figure out your ski boot size. Most of the time you want to start trying on boots that are your true size. Often in the alpine ski world we size down for performance and cram our toes into the end so we can turn on a dime at high speeds or on a very steep slope. With alpine touring boots you will be hiking in them, likely quite a bit. Going with a boot too small will cause pressure points and pain, bone growths, possibly nerve damage or other serious issues. Going with a boot too large will cause blisters, cramping and decreased control while skiing and lots of frustration. A boot-fitter will know which boots fit on the large side or small side and can also shell-fit you to be sure you end up in the appropriate size. When shell-fitting you will remove the liner from the boot shell, slip your foot in and scoot your foot to the front so your toes are barely touching the end. Then flex your shin forward and put your fingers behind your heel, you are looking for 1.5-2 fingers of room behind your heel. That being said some people desire a very tight fit and will size down and some desire a less-snug fit (mostly in the cases of painful bunions or bone spurs) and will size up. But for most of you, 1.5-2 fingers! If it feels snug that's good! Boot fitters will heat mold the liners if it bothers you but you'll break them in on your own after a few weeks of skiing. Keep in mind as well, that spending a few minutes walking around in boots is the best way to get an idea if they will work for you. Demoing boots is an ok idea but they won't fit right since other people have toured and skied in them. Putting a brand new boot on and spending some time in it is the only way. Also, remember that your boot-fitter is very wise and you should listen carefully to him/her. They do this a lot, and they have your best interest at heart.
Now on to the actual boots!
Light Ski Touring Boots
Scarpa F1 XT
This boot is an excellent choice for expert ski mountaineers. For those who describe their needs as fast, light, smooth, and efficient, this boot was engineered to ensure you can get uphill as fast as possible. Meaning more skiing, more vertical, more exploration.
The F1 XT takes many of the features from the F1 LT but in a slightly softer flex (95). With the skin track in mind first, this boot comes in at 1145g (size 27) per boot and has a friction-free 72° range of motion. The full-length Lambda Frame and Carbon Grilamid® LFT Cuff offer enhanced power transmission and progressive flex for a better downhill experience. Unlike the F1 LT's boa closure system, the F1 XT wraps your foot up with the Wave Lite Closure system. The three points of contact to the shell from the buckle and cable system creates a uniform pressure and is adjustable to fit any type of foot without pressure points.
The Tour LT2 liners are thermoformable (meaning we can heat and mold them to your foot) and optimize insulation, weight savings and performance. Coupled with the Overlap Shield Tech Gaitor, the F1 XT provides a custom fit for exceptional control and agility, uphill and down. Vibram sole grips rocks and ice, while the low thickness in the tow area increases sensitivity to objects underneath. When speed and efficiency are your priority in the mountains, reach for the Scarpa F1 XT touring boot.
Scarpa F1
This boot comes in a 21.5 so it's a go-to when looking for a small adult or even a kid foot. It has a boa system on the forefoot and a big beefy velcro strap with a cam on the cuff. Simple and secure. The boa and the ski/walk lever are adopted from the Scarpa Alien race boot and both work really well. Personally we admire Intuition liners the most and Scarpa partners with them for all their boots. They fit snugly, keep a mold well and are slow to pack out and get sloppy. High quality stuff. 1080g at a size 25 and 62 degrees of motion in walk mode. 101mm last fits a medium to wide foot. The F1 is great and light for touring, fits true to size and is very laterally stable, making it feel stiffer than its flex rating, which is 95. This boot is a low volume boot so if you find that you get a good fit with Scarpa but need some or significant punching you should consider trying a Gea instead. A light mold on the liner will usually tell if you can go with a lower volume boot if you have your doubts about a pressure point or two. If it's still feeling uncomfortable in any key places (especially vertically around your forefoot) then moving to a Gea is the way. All around this boot is terrific and a good choice for anything except hard freeriding, although some of us have been happy to ski fast groomers at the resort on them.
Mid-Weight Ski Touring Boots
Scarpa Gea
The Gea looks and fits the most like an alpine boot. If that's what you're looking for this is the boot for you. If you like a stiff boot the RS version is rated at a 120 flex compared to the Gea 100 flex. The boot is the same except for the extra carbon in the cuff and the paint job. A popular and greatly appreciated feature is the tongue's ability to completely hinge over to the side making getting in and out effortless. The last is 101mm and a size 25 is 1360g. This boot has won awards and come back year after year. We reach for this boot when someone tells us they want a boot they can skin up in and ride lifts afterwards. We grab it when someone tells us they want a light boot with good downhill performance. We grab it when someone tells us they want something comfortable. It's a perfect compromise in our book. Fits true to size. We have sold many new liners to gals who continue to use this boot year after year unwilling to let it go. It has three traditional buckles and a ladder ratcheting strap across the ankle plus a booster strap. Simple lever on the heel for walk/ski mode. Sturdy boot, seems to hold up well and is one of the best boots to make large punches on. Good for backcountry and resort skiing.
Scarpa 4-Quattro XT
This boot is the lightest 110-flex GripWalk hybrid boot on the market. The new 4-Quattro XT W boot is designed to combine Freeride qualities with a slightly lower volume boot.
When you look at this boot think about the Gea RS and the F1 meeting on the skin track. The 4-Quattro XT Women's has a low stand height to increase power and performance. This is a great boot for expert skiers and snow professionals.
The versatility of this boot is pretty incredible when it comes to ski performance, warmth and comfort. The shell's carbon insert give it enhanced precision and control. This is all designed to have you lower and closer to the ski, allowing the power and transmission to engage instantly with your bindings and skis. Pretty magical. The Presa sole helps the boot billy goat around on rocky ridge lines so you can get to your descent safely. We'd say this is the perfect in-between boot for chair access and backcountry users!
Dynafit Radical Pro
The Dynafit Radical Pro W Boot offers freeride performance at a touring weight of 1270g. It has a roomy width (last) at 103.5, which offers all-day comfort for skiers with higher-volume feet, as it gives ample space both around the ankles and instep. It has a tapered fit so there's plenty of space up front without sacrificing heel and ankle retention. The liner is fully heat moldable, so customization is easy no matter how unique your foot is. And trust us, we've seen it all!
The forward motion of this boot is virtually limitless, while the rearward motion is more than enough for even the flattest of roads. The one-buckle system is what makes this boot your one-boot touring option. The Radical Pro W still has the same innovation we came to love from the Hoji line. In combination with the walk mechanism, it's smooth between uphill and downhill and maintains its stiffness. The Hoji Lock Mechanism is a revolutionary turning point in how stiff a touring boot can be while still feeling effortless when hiking. This boot is light and fast , with an incredibly durable and stiff design, so it'll hold up to the test of time.
So there's the lowdown on our most popular women's boots! Remember to visualize your skiing and what you're looking for first. Then head into your local gear store and talk with someone about the best fit for you (in the philosophical sense) then put on some boots to find the best physical fit. And repeat after me..."My boot-fitter is wise. My boot-fitter cares about me."
If you can make it in to Cripple Creek for this experience we promise you the biggest smiles, the most patience, and a delicious cup of espresso or pint of beer to take the edge off the whole search. Heck we might even be more excited to find The One than you are, we love this stuff!
See you soon,
Jewel & The Cripple Creek Backcountry Crew