![]() Stern has been testing skis and boots professionally for four years. Working with flipper-footed Angelenos who haven’t worn a closed-toed shoe in their lives, he understands the importance of comfort as well as performance when it comes to finding the right boot. Footloose Sports, the shop where he fits, has been a leader in custom bootfitting for four decades. Jake Stern is a freelance writer and professional bootfitter based in Mammoth Lakes, California. For backcountry boots, we climbed and skied at least 6,000 vertical feet per boot. We ski each boot for a minimum of three full days with our own custom footbeds and then make any necessary adjustments and ski it for a final day. Then we determine which tester would best fit each boot out of the box and send it to them to ski. Our test starts in the back of the boot room, where we strip and examine each boot and assess the features and biomechanics of the shell and liner. Whatever you choose, make sure you carefully consider and research your boot/binding compatibility. If you’re a dedicated backcountry skier who’s looking to shave grams to make big backcountry missions more doable, check out the boots labeled under the “Alpine Touring” category. If you’re looking for one boot to use inbounds and in the backcountry, peruse our top-rated hybrid options. These boots also often feature GripWalk or Multi Norm Compatible (MNC) soles that may be compatible with the bindings mounted on your resort skis, meaning they can be great one-boot quiver options that you can ski in and out of the resort.īecause we all have different backcountry agendas, we’ve included 2024’s best backcountry boot options in both the hybrid and alpine touring categories. They may also feature tech inserts in the toe and walk-modes with an acceptable range of motion for longer tours, but they tend to be heavier because they’re made with burlier plastics and materials that increase downhill performance. ![]() ![]() Hybrid boots bridge the gap between the downhill performance of alpine boots, and the uphill performance of alpine touring boots. It’s for this type of skier that the hybrid backcountry boot category was born. These skiers don’t care so much about how light their equipment is so long as it crushes the downhill. Other backcountry skiers are in it for untracked powder-they head out of the resort’s backcountry gates to ski and skin lap after lap of pristine snow just beyond the resort boundaries. These skiers need ski boots that are on the same page: lightweight alpine touring boots that feature tech inserts in the toe, burly Vibram soles for bootpacking and scrambling, and above all, walk-modes that give you ample fore-aft range of motion so you’re not killing your ankles and calves on long, steep tours. Backcountry purists log serious miles and thousands of feet of vert to access the best views and most technical lines. “Backcountry skiing” means different things to different skiers. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
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