Guide to Purchasing Cross Country Ski Boots

Choosing the correct cross-country boots is crucial for your skiing adventure, no matter the style you wish to pursue. To help you make a well-informed decision, we've gathered some vital tips.

This purchasing guide discusses:

Cross Country Ski Boots Sizing: Determining the Right Fit

For cross-country boots, ensure they are sufficiently snug to retain heel stability while skiing. It's important, though, to steer clear of a fit that's overly tight or overly loose. There should be enough room for your toes to move slightly to prevent any squeezing which could harm your toes. Moreover, excessive tightness in the boots may disrupt balance and circulation. Commonly, people wear thicker socks in their cross-country ski boots, meaning the boots may need to be approximately half a size to a full size larger than one's trainers.

When searching for cross-country boots at SkatePro, always consult the sizing guide specific to the boots you're considering. This allows you to compare your foot length against the particular boots you're eyeing. In our sizing guides, we frequently offer advice based on customer insights.

Deciding on Cross Country Skis for Recreational or Competitive Use

When selecting cross-country ski boots, it's essential to align your selection with the setting in which they will be used. The range of designs available varies depending on if you’re skiing for leisure or competing in Sweden’s famous Vasaloppet race.

Recreational Cross Country Boots

For casual skiing, importance is placed on comfort and usability. Recreational cross-country boots are crafted to keep feet warm and are designed for a relaxed fit, ideal for longer trips. These features are equally desirable for newcomers or children wanting to relish the snow.

Competitive Cross Country Boots

Performance-driven boots offer a tighter and more accurate fit to optimise energy transfer to the skis. Incorporating lightweight materials such as carbon, these boots are designed to minimise weight, enhancing speed and manoeuvrability. As competitive cross-country skis focus less on comfort, they are designed with seasoned skiers in mind.

Types of Cross Country Ski Boots

Cross-country ski boots come in four main types, each crafted for a different style of skiing. Besides these, a fifth type caters specifically to roller skiing.

Classic Cross Country Ski Boots - Soft Soles

Boots for classic skiing feature a supple sole, crucial for executing classic strides due to the necessary forefoot flex.

Whether an experienced skier or a beginner, there is a classic cross country boot suitable for anyone practising this style. Beginners should prioritise features like a thicker liner to keep feet warm, as well as good support around the heel and ankles—the perfect choice for skiing during an annual winter holiday or a first-time Vasaloppet experience.

For the more advanced, classic cross country boots are typically lighter, with a thinner liner to minimise weight and prevent overheating during intense skiing. They also feature a more robust heel counter for enhanced energy transfer.

Explore our Classic Cross Country Ski Boots.

Skate Ski Boots - Sturdy Ankle Support and Rigid Soles

Unlike classic cross country ski boots, skate ski boots cater to a distinctly different skating stride, which exerts significant pressure on the ankles due to lateral kicks. To provide adequate support, these boots are made with a rigid and higher ankle brace, potentially composed of plastic or carbon.

Additionally, skate boots share a stiff sole, unlike their classic counterparts, allowing full-sole kicking rather than just the forefoot, which enhances kicking power.

Explore our Skate Ski Boots.

Cross Country Combi Boots - Mixed Soles and Enhanced Ankle Support

Enjoy both skate and classic forms of ski with a single boot pair - or if added ankle support for classic skiing is needed, consider combi boots.

Blending elements of both classic and skate boots, combi boots offer firm ankle support, maintaining stability for skating and providing classic flexibility in the sole for rolling the feet during traditional kick-offs—hard to achieve with skate boots alone.

View our cross-country combi boots within our range of both Skate Ski Boots and Classic Cross Country Ski Boots.

Backcountry Ski Boots - Durable and Weather-Robust

Backcountry ski boots are tailored for rugged adventures, featuring elements to maximise comfort and protection. Resembling regular walking boots in appearance, they ensure your feet remain warm and cushioned, integral for longer journeys into remote terrain. High cuffs offer additional support and keep snow out.

In essence, for backcountry skiing, you need boots that cater to the demands of the environment; thus, selection should prioritise durability, comfort, and waterproofing, especially for NNN BC bindings.

Browse our Backcountry Ski Boots.

Rollerski Boots - Focus on Ventilation

While many employ cross-country ski boots for off-season rollerskiing which is perfectly fine, if summer training makes your feet too warm, opting for summer roller ski boots for NNN bindings (NIS) is advisable. These are lighter and offer better ventilation than traditional models.

Remember, using your cross-country boots for rollerskiing might cause faster wear, particularly around the zip. Keeping them clean from dirt and grit and storing them dry when not in use will help prolong their lifespan.

Explore our Roller Ski Boots.

Matching Cross Country Ski Boots and Bindings

Ensuring that your cross country boots and bindings match is pivotal before buying them. The choice depends on the compatibility between the boot soles and the respective bindings.

Utilise the chart below to evaluate your options: one way is to identify your cross country boots to check compatible binding types. Alternatively, pin down the bindings on your skis to determine compatible boots. This methodology assists in ensuring your boots fit the bindings you have.

Cross Country Footwear and Binding Compatibility Overview

	NNN Bindings	Prolink Bindings	Turnamic Bindings	SNS Profil Bindings (Classic)	SNS Pilot Bindings (Skate)	NNN BC Bindings
Alpina Boots	x	x	x
Atomic Prolink Boots	x	x	x
Atomic SNS Pilot Boots (Skate)					x
Atomic SNS Profil Boots (Classic)				x
Fischer Boots	x	x	x
Madshus Boots	x	x	x
Rossignol Boots	x	x	x
Salomon Prolink Boots	x	x	x
Salomon SNS Pilot Boots (Skate)					x
Salomon SNS Profil Boots (Classic)				x
Alpina, Fischer or Madshus NNN BC Boots						x

For detailed information on cross country boot and binding compatibility, please refer to our guide Compatibility of Bindings for Cross Country and Roller Skis.