All-mountain skiing is one of my favorite styles of the sport. You can explore anywhere on the mountain and tackle a lot of challenging terrain along the way. But you need ski boots that are up for the task if you want to do this effectively.
I’m Christine, and I created this blog to cover every aspect of skiing and provide other skiers with valuable resources they can use to their advantage. I’m a big fan of all-mountain skiing and know what to look for in the best boot options out there.
The Tecnica Mach1 MV 120 is my pick for the best all-mountain ski boots. These will give you high levels of versatility and performance you can rely on no matter where you want to ski. They have a lot of high-end features and innovation as well.
I’ll give you a full breakdown of all my favorite models for all-mountain skiing in this post. My goal is to find an option that best matches your needs and preferences as a skier.
Let’s get on with it.
Contents
Who Should Get This
These boots are best suited for the skier who likes to tackle a little bit of everything. From ripping fast down groomers to the occasional backcountry trip or resort stop, all-mountain boots will allow you to ski comfortably under almost any circumstance.
They are particularly useful for intermediate to advanced skiers who shift their style depending on snow conditions and desire.
If you’re a beginner skier or looking for a dedicated racing or backcountry boot, all-mountain style boots are probably not for you.
Beginners will probably want a bit more comfort or stability, while the broad capabilities of all-mountain boots might limit performance in other disciplines.
Top Picks of Best All-Mountain Ski Boots
Here are all of my top picks for the best all-mountain ski boots. Each model below is recommended and will help you handle the variable conditions and terrain involved with this skiing style.
1. Tecnica Mach1 MV 120
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Versatile performance, CAS shell, T-Drive tech, performance liner, Celliant insulation, quick instep, micro-adjust buckles
- Flex: 120
- Last: 100 mm
- Cost: $$$
The Tecnica Mach1 MV 120 comes in at the top of the list and is the best overall all-mountain ski boot model of the year. These will have your back no matter what type of terrain or condition you want to explore.
The boots have the versatile performance that you want and need out of an all-mountain option. They come built with a CAS shell that is designed to mimic the natural shape of your feet for a great fit right out of the box.
T-Drive technology is another performance-focused feature that helps the aggressive flex stay true no matter the temperature on the mountain. This means you’ll get reliable performance every day of the season.
A performance liner gives you a lot of support and wraps around your foot and ankle to deliver plenty of cushioning and protection from impact. This is surrounded by a layer of Celliant insulation that is extremely warm.
These are on the expensive side of things, so they might be out of the budget of the average skier, and they also have a stiff flex best suited for intermediate to advanced skiers.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Jans or Christy Sports.
2. Dalbello Panterra 120 GW
- Best for: Wide Feet
- Key features: Variable last, My Fit System, adjustable rear cuff spoiler, IF liner, low cuff hinge point, micro-adjustable buckles
- Flex: 120
- Last: 100-102 mm (variable)
- Cost: $$$
All-mountain skiers with wide feet should check out the Dalbello Panterra 120 GW (review). These come with a variable last that is adjustable from 100 to 102 mm, giving you a little extra room for your feet to stay nice and comfortable.
They also feature Dalbello’s My Fit System that allows both the liner and shell to be customized to your feet using heat shaping. This provides a lot in terms of both comfort and performance. An IF Comp Liner is included for the high-performance demands of all-mountain skiing.
I also like the adjustable rear cuff spoiler that comes with the Panterra 120 GW. This allows the boot to adjust to different leg sizes and shapes, another design trait that leads to customized performance.
A low cuff hinge point lets your feet move more naturally than some other models on this list, which is great for long days on the mountain or any time you want to hike to terrain to get first tracks in fresh snow.
These are another option with a stiffer flex that is best for experienced skiers, and the wider last makes them not a good choice for people with narrow feet.
==> You can also get it on Mountain Edge.
3. Atomic Hawx Ultra 95
- Best for: Women
- Key features: Women’s specific design, memory fit, True Flex shell, Mimic Gold liner, 3M Thinsulate insulation, energy backbone
- Flex: 95
- Last: 98 mm
- Cost: $$
The best all-mountain ski boots for women is the Atomic Hawx Ultra 95. These give you a lot of versatility and comfort in a women’s specific design that is hard to beat.
The boots have a cuff explicitly designed for women skiers that creates a more secure fit around the calf area, allowing you to get increased levels of precision and control out of your boots.
A True Flex shell helps with durability and makes the boots very responsive no matter what the temperature is outside. This tech uses a special plastic additive that works with the other materials very effectively.
The Hawx Ultra 95 also has a Mimic Gold Liner that has a very nice fit despite not being heat-moldable. This is surrounded by a layer of 3M Thinsulate insulation for added warmth and comfort.
The 95 flex might be a little too forgiving for expert-level skiers but should work well for everyone else.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Jans.
4. Salomon Shift Pro 130
- Best for: Experts
- Key features: High-end performance, heat-moldable shell, lightweight, super responsive, core frame construction, Surelock ski/walk mode
- Flex: 130
- Last: 100 mm
- Cost: $$$$
If you are an expert level all-mountain skier who demands high-end performance, the Salomon Shift Pro 130 is highly recommended.
These boots are built to tackle the most extreme terrain and conditions you can find yourself in on the mountain, and they will give you phenomenal levels of performance and response along the way.
They have a heat-moldable outer shell to give you a customized fit that enhances the boots’ already stand-out performance. This is increased to another level by a custom-fit 3D seamless race liner.
They are also very lightweight and make for a solid backcountry option if your all-mountain explorations take you far outside the resort boundaries. A Surelock ski/walk mode helps when you want to hike or walk around the resort.
The Shift Pro 130 has a very stiff flex, so they are only suitable for advanced and expert skiers who want the best performance possible.
==> You can also get it on Salomon or Evo or Backcountry.
5. Rossignol Alltrack 120
- Best for: Budget Option
- Key features: Affordable, easy entry, custom T3 liner, comfortable, performance stiffness, versatile,
- Flex: 120
- Last: 102 mm
- Cost: $$
The Rossignol Alltrack 120 is a solid budget all-mountain boot that will still give you good levels of versatile performance at a very affordable price.
These also have an easy entry instep that makes getting into and out of them a breeze. If you have ever struggled with getting your boots on in the morning, this is a nice feature to have.
A custom T3 liner gives you a lot of comfort and customized support for a solid fit you can count on when exploring different types of terrains. This liner provides a lot of impact absorption as well.
The Alltrack 120 also comes with a Hike Mode 2.0 design that increases the flex and range of motion when you want to hike to any terrain for fresh tracks.
Being a budget option, this isn’t the most durable model on the list.
6. Salomon QST Access 80
- Best for: Beginners
- Key features: Affordable, versatile, comfortable, custom fit liner, power strap, backbone buckle for ski/walk mode
- Flex: 80
- Last: 104
- Cost: $$
If you are just learning how to ski but want to focus on your all-mountain style, the Salomon QST Access 80 is a great option for beginners.
These have a forgiving flex of 80 that gives you enough bend to keep you comfortable without compromising too much performance.
They are also pretty affordable, so it is a good option for skiers looking to purchase their first setup.
A custom-fit liner gives you plenty of comfort and warmth to keep your feet in good shape as you tackle new terrain and push your abilities to the next level.
The QST Access 80 also has a backbone buckle that makes it easy to switch from ski to walk mode to hike to terrain or stay comfortable in the lodge.
These don’t deliver high-end performance and aren’t recommended for intermediate or advanced skiers.
Also Read:
==> You can also get it on Salomon or Evo or Sun & Ski Sports.
How to Choose All-Mountain Ski Boots
Keep the following things in mind when choosing all-mountain ski boots. All of the factors found in this section are important considerations for every skier.
Design
All-mountain ski boots are designed to tackle many different skiing conditions. That being said, different varieties of boots suit different needs.
If you mostly ski at a resort, look for a stiffer design with added straps and buckles. If you like backcountry skiing, look for a design with a bit more flex that will allow you to handle long hikes and uphills.
Comfort
While performance is crucial in a ski boot, you also want an option that will be comfortable no matter where you ride. Many all-mountain-type ski boots are constructed with comfort in mind.
However, it’s a good idea to pay attention to what material the liner is made out of, as well as if the shell and/or liner is heat moldable so that it customizes to your feet. Such features allow you to enjoy your ski days without worrying about cold or sore feet.
Performance
All-mountain ski boots need to perform well under all conditions. While these boots won’t be the best at any one aspect or style, they allow you to ski well in virtually any type of situation.
All-mountain boots combine elements of a sturdy performance underfoot with the flex and comfort of a backcountry boot. That enables you to ski tough all of the time. When looking at all-mountain boots, make sure they come with the versatility needed to match your skiing style.
Useful Tips & Resources
If you are a fan of all-mountain skiing, you know how fun it can be to go after the entire mountain in a single day. I like that approach because you can take what the mountain offers and turn it into quite a bit of fun.
If the main runs are crowded, go find some fresh stuff in the trees. If you’re too tired from a morning of big mountain runs, turn up the speed on the groomers in the afternoon.
If you’re just getting into all-mountain skiing, check out a few tips and tricks to make the most of it.
One of my favorite aspects of all-mountain skiing is chasing powder. Finding fresh, deep snow, though tricky, is well worth the pursuit. Watch this video below for some tips on how to ski in the deep stuff.
Final Verdict
The Tecnica Mach1 MV 120 is my pick for the best overall all-mountain ski boots. These will provide you with versatile high-end performance that will have you covered no matter where you want to venture inside or out of resort boundaries.
All of the options you find on this list can work really well for all-mountain skiers. They give you solid power transfer and response to let you adapt to any condition or terrain that comes your way.
