How Do We Create The World's Best Ski Boot Reviews?

Aug 19, 2022 - 03:59pm by melling

We start the boot test process in early winter by working with our brand partners to determine which boots will be tested in each of five categories: Frontside, All-Mountain Traditional, All-Mountain Walk, All-Mountain Freeride and Backcountry. Virtually every boot brand participates in our boot test as it remains the only one like it, worldwide. Our test team is comprised of a core group of Masterfit University instructors, MFU trained bootfitters and boot sellers who know boots inside and out (and who also are good skiers and have been testing boots for many years). We also invite ski industry professionals like coaches, instructors, patrollers, rental technicians and resort administrative staff to test boots.

These are folks that spend long hours in ski boots for many days throughout the season and know what skiers are looking for in terms of fit and performance. On top of that, we have testers that are avid skiers that come to us from outside the industry--doctors, photographers, marketing folks, moms and dads.

Boots are tested for a variety of elements in five key parameters: Anatomical Fit & Initial Feel, Dynamic Balance, Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support, Quickness & Agility and Convenience Warmth & Features. Within each of those broad parameters testers consider many factors. For example, Anatomical Fit and Feel is broken down into specific sub-sets, like entry-exit, stance, flex feel, closure system and individual fit tension scores for toebox, forefoot, navicular, lateral column, ankle, heel, instep and calf. Good boot testers can evaluate all these elements fairly, even when a boot isn’t necessarily right for his or her foot—and they enjoy it. Yes, strange indeed.