6 of the Best Ski Boots
Whether you’re ripping down groomers, charging wide, open powder faces, launching off cliffs, hiking ridges, skinning up to untouched peaks, or dancing on tables, we’ve got a ski boot for every adventure.
Here are six pairs of boots we tested and deserve to feature in the Fall Line Gear Guide 2025. In the magazine, you’ll find even more in-depth reviews, plus discover which boots earned the coveted Editor’s Pick tag in each category.
Alpine Boots Review
ATOMIC HAWX PRIME 115 S BOA W / 120 S BOA GW
Price: £560
Sizes (MP): 22.0 – 27.5 / 24.0 – 32.5
Walk Mode: N
Volume: Medium
Last (mm): 100
Flex: 115 / 120
Weight (per boot): 1,739g (24.5MP) / 1,910g (26.5MP)
The Hawx Prime boots have undergone a complete redesign for this season and look significantly different from last year’s models. Some of the new Hawx Prime boots are available with either a BOA or a four-buckle-closure system, though the 115 is exclusively available with the BOA system.
Both the 115 and 120 models feature Powershift, allowing you to adjust the cuff’s forward lean and add an additional bolt to stiffen the flex. While these boots are chunkier than their predecessors, they remain relatively light. For instance, the 120-flex four-clip version is 133g heavier than last year’s, though the BOA version doesn’t add as much weight.
On the slopes, you’ll feel the difference with enhanced ride quality—more support and less deformation when driving through the cuff, as well as greater responsiveness out of turns.
The Prime boot has also been redesigned for easier entry, addressing concerns with the old shell. The Mimic liner has been further improved for a more secure fit around the ankle and heel, thanks to the new Power Ankle Lock inserts that surround the rear of the ankle. The cuff, shell, and liner are all fully heat-mouldable, ensuring a personalised fit.
Available in a range of flexes.
Website: atomic.com
KÄSTLE K120P / K130P
Price: £547 / £564
Sizes (MP): 22 – 26.5 / 24.0 – 30.5
Walk Mode: N
Volume: Medium
Last (mm): 100
Flex: 120 / 130
Weight (per boot): 1,985g (26.5MP) for both boots
Although KÄSTLE offers a small Terra women’s range, the Performance (P) and Race (R) lines include models in the same size range. The K120P comes in 22.5-26.5MP sizes, which are designed for women, but also work well for men who need smaller sizes or a softer flex.
All the P range boots come with a 100mm last as standard, but are also available in a 98mm low-volume version (indicated by LV in the name). The 120 and 130 are built for top-level performance without the stiffness of a full race boot.
The Performance+ liner is exceptional, and these two boots feature KÄSTLE’s finest boot technology. They are identical boots with different flexes and sizes, weighing the same. Both come with flat ISO 5355 soles, with GripWalk soles available separately (the 110P/100P boots come with GripWalk as standard).
The buckles on the 120 and 130 have flip-out levers, making it easier to get a snug fit. These boots deliver race-boot-like performance with an incredibly responsive ride and excellent suspension. The distinctive turquoise colour scheme also stands out.
Website: kastleski.co.uk
Freeride Boots Review
K2 MINDBENDER 125 BOA W / 140 BOA
Price: £775 / £795
Sizes (MP): 22.4 – 27.5 / 25.5 – 30.5
Walk Mode: Y, 50° ROM
Volume: Medium
Last (mm): 97 – 100
Flex: 125 / 130
Weight (per boot): 1,722g (24.5MP) / 1,816g (26.5MP)
The top-line, mega-powerful Mindbender BOA 125 and 140 boots are new for K2, offering guns-a-blazin’, big-line charging, full-throttle fun. They’re niche, but we love the ballsy attitude K2 shows in releasing such skischuhe. You get a TPU shell and a Pebax cuff, helping to keep weight down. The Intuition wrap liner gives superb hold, further enhanced by the BOA closure, helping prevent your foot and ankle from moving in the liner when skinning.
The shell’s BOA cable and dial allows you to get a precise, snug fit, resulting in a direct translation of skier input down into the ski. In comparison to others, it’s best to think of these as 100mm last boots that can be tightened down to 97mm with the BOA dial on the heat-mouldable shell.
You get all the benefits of standard Mindbender features, and we love the gel inserts in the heel, improving skier comfort when taking hits and charging hard. Yes, K2 does a range of flexes in this boot family, but the top-end 125 and 140 should be on the wish list of many full-send freeriders.
Website: k2snow.com
LANGE XT3 FREE 115 W LV GW / 130 LV GW
Price: £590 / £630
Sizes (MP): 22.0 – 27.5 / 24.0 – 29.5
Walk Mode: Y, 53° ROM
Volume: Low
Last (mm): 97
Flex: 115 / 130
Weight (per boot): 1,614g (24.5MP) / 1,790g (26.5MP)
The XT3 Free boots have had a few tweaks since last season, but the stand-out change is the way the boots look. Lange can inject different plastics into the mold, delivering the precise flex characteristics they want in each boot. They call this Dual Core, and we’ve always loved how Dual Core boots perform. This season is no different, apart from the fact they’ve worked out how to inject different colored plastics in the various densities, resulting in a stunning, flowing color change in the cuff.
There’s nothing else like this on the market, so Lange should get an outstanding achievement award on this fact alone, if we had such an award. The boots are beautifully smooth to ski in and give plenty of motion when skinning and hiking for those elusive untouched powder lines. The 130 gets an upgrade with the claw power strap, which we much prefer to the Velcro strap of last season. It’s a shame the women’s 115 hasn’t also had this upgrade.
Both boots come with GripWalk soles and pin inserts (toe and heel) for maximum binding compatibility.
Website: dynastar-lange.com
Touring Boots review
SALOMON MTN SUMMIT PRO W / S/LAB MTN SUMMIT
Price: £580 / £680
Sizes (MP): 22.0 – 27.5 / 22.0 – 30.5
Walk Mode: Y, 75° ROM
Volume: Medium
Last (mm): 99
Flex: 90 / 110
Weight (per boot): 1,020g / 1,180g (no stated size)
The MTN Summit boots are incredibly light, and you notice it immediately. The women’s versions mirror the men’s, but with a softer flex and a women’s-specific liner. The bottom-end Sport and top-end S/Lab models are the only two unisex versions, covering the full size range from 22.0 to 30.5MP.
The S/Lab Mtn Summit is stiffer and pricier, featuring a carbon-loaded spine instead of the glass fiber reinforcement in the Pro versions. It includes the My Custom Fit Tour Light liner (compared to the My Custom Fit Tour Pro) and has a narrow Velcro power strap, which is missing on other MTN Summit boots.
All models incorporate recycled materials in the sole and feature a buckle and power strap combo to secure the cuff, along with a BOA dial and cable closure over the foot. The strap over the ankle, attached to the BOA cable, does a brilliant job of holding your heel in place, and we appreciate how easy Salomon’s ski/walk lever is to operate. These boots are designed specifically for pin bindings, and when paired with a light ski, the entire setup works harmoniously.
Website: salomon.com
SCARPA GEA RS / MAESTRALE RS
Price: £670
Sizes (MP): 22.5 – 27.0 / 24.5 – 32.0
Walk Mode: Y, 61° ROM
Volume: Medium
Last (mm): 102
Flex: 120 / 125
Weight (per boot): 1,310g (25.0MP) / 1,470g (27.0MP)
The Gea RS and Maestrale RS models are superb, touring-focused boots that deliver impressive performance. They feature a Grilamid Bio shell and Pebax Renew cuff, both reinforced with carbon, while the tongue is also crafted from Pebax. The Intuition liner is firm and will start to shape to your foot even without heating. For a next-level fit, you can also opt for heat molding.
The ankle buckle does a great job of securing your heel in the pocket. These boots are lower in volume, so if you have a very high instep, a boot fitter may need to make adjustments. A Z-cable and buckle wrap around your foot, featuring a neat knurled micro-adjuster for precision.
The cleverly designed tongue provides excellent rearward movement while walking without sacrificing forward support when skiing aggressively. The sole has a smooth, snow-clearing ridge down the center, yet the grip remains surprisingly solid. We’re mightily impressed with what Scarpa has achieved with these boots. Looking for a softer flex? Then consider the regular Gea and Maestrale models.
Website: scarpa.co.uk
