Types of Cross Country Ski Boots

Selecting the right equipment for cross-country skiing makes the difference between having a great experience and possibly risking injury because you don’t have the right support or comfort. Understanding the benefits of each boot type and design is important during your selection. The following list provides information on the types of boots used for cross country skiing.

  1. Classic Cross Country Ski Boot

    • Each boot is tailored to skiing conditions to provide an optimal skiing experience. The classic ski boot is most often used on flat and smooth surfaces such as trails or tracks. This type of boot is lightweight, soft and flexible. It is less bulky, pressure-resistant and, more important, provides comfort. Some of the popular models for men and women include the Fischer, Karhu and Lange Exclusive.

    Skate Boot

    • This type of boot is ideal if your primary concern is performance during skate skiing. The boots are designed to be stiffer to support weaker areas of the foot such as the ankle and heel, in addition to providing firm edge control. Lateral and rear support offer better stability and control during twisting maneuvers common to skate skiing. However, the skate boot’s lightweight design helps minimize any bulkiness yet still provides optimal support and rigid construction for first-rate torsion resistance. Popular models include Madshus, Rossignol, Fischer and Salomon.

    Combination Boot

    • The combination boot is a hybrid of the classic cross country ski boot and the skate boot. Built with sturdy support, the boot still offers a comfortable lightweight design that provides skiers with flexibility to participate in both styles of skiing. Performance and comfort are still critical factors in the design of the boot so that skiers may endure long tours on the track. Popular models include Rossignol, Fischer and Salomon.

    Touring Boot

    • Considered a heavy duty, highly durable and a waterproof boot, the Touring boot is mostly used in deep snow or off-set tracks. Touring boots allow the skier to ski in steep and deep terrain, among big mountains, in steep fast lines and perhaps even cornices, backcountry kickers, windlips, and drops to fly off. Some of the popular boots include Garmont, Scarpa, Dynafit and Black Diamond.

      There are three distinct bindings for this particular type of boot. The traditional three-pin, the New Nordic Norm (NNN) or the Salomon Nordic System (SNS). The tradition three-pin is a basic binding attachment as boots are secured to three pins at the toe of the binding. The New Nordic Norm is a clip-in latch on the toe of the boot that connects to the latch on the front side of the binding. The Salomon Nordic System is also a clip-in latch system that secures the toe of the boot, which is attached to the binding. However this feature is only compatible for Salomon Nordic System boots.