Whether you live for the terrain park or want to huck off natural features in the resort or backcountry, there’s nothing quite like freestyle skiing. Getting a good pair of boots will help you excel at this style of skiing, and you’ve come to the right place with that in mind.
Hi, I’m Christine, a lifelong skier who loves everything about the sport. I’m not exclusively a freestyle skier, but I have a lot of experience with equipment focused on this category – boots included.
The Nordica Speedmachine 110 is my pick for the best overall freestyle ski boots. These might seem like a stiff option for freestyle needs, but they give you unmatched performance that will help you go big all over the mountain.
There are a few other great freestyle models that I’ll highlight in this post. Every option you find here comes highly recommended for freestyle skiers looking for outstanding performance and the latest innovation from some of the most respected names in the industry.
Let’s buckle up and get to it.
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Who Should Get This
All ski enthusiasts can enjoy the boots in this guide, but they are best suited for freestyle pursuits. Being one with your skis is an essential factor in any type of downhill activity, especially for freestyle skiers who want a bit of extra power or flexibility as they ride.
The more intense skiing you do, the more you’ll be able to appreciate these boots. That is not to say more casual or reserved freestylists won’t enjoy them, but the models are perfect for more intense runs where you need that little bit of extra performance.
Best Freestyle Ski Boots: Top Picks
Here are my picks for the best freestyle ski boots of the year. All of the models mentioned here are highly recommended and will allow you to tackle any freestyle situation with ease.
1. Nordica Speedmachine 110
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Tri-Fit Tech, easy-entry, 3D performance liner, weather shield system, adjustable construction
- Flex: 110
- Last: 100 mm
- Cost: $$$
The Nordica Speedmachine 110 is my top pick for the best freestyle boots. These deliver solid performance in many situations to match your freestyle needs on the mountain.
The boots are built with Tri-Fit technology that allows you to get a customized fit that can help you excel as a skier – no matter what your preferred style is. This includes the ability for the shell to be molded under infrared light to match the shape of your feet.
A 3D performance fit liner gives you another level of customization with heat-moldable comfort that also delivers excellent impact absorption. This liner has a layer of PrimaLoft insulation to keep your feet warm and cozy while you ski as well.
A weather shield system is another nice touch that uses an overlapped shell design to make the boots extremely waterproof to handle any condition you find yourself in.
These are a little stiff for the average freestyle boot, but they get the job done.
==> You can also get it on Fun-sport-vision or Buckman’s.
2. Dalbello Krypton AX 120 ID
- Best for: Wide Feet
- Key features: Wide last, My Fit system, adjustable rear cuff spoiler, ID Max liner, forward lean control
- Flex: 120
- Last: 100 mm
- Cost: $$$
If you are a freestyle skier with wide feet, the Dalbello Krypton AX 120 ID is the best boot option to look into.
In addition to having a wide last that gives your feet more room, these boots will also provide a lot of high-end performance.
They have an adjustable rear cuff spoiler that gives you a custom fit that molds around your unique leg shape. The ID Max liner is also thermoformable for even more customization.
The Krypton AX is another stiffer option, so it isn’t the best for park-specific freestyle skiing.
==> You can get it on themountainedge.
3. Salomon S/Pro 100
- Best for: Versatility
- Key features: Versatile performance, Custom Shell HD, core-frame construction, micro-adjust buckles
- Flex: 100
- Last: 100 mm
- Cost: $$$
If you want a versatile boot that will let you tackle freestyle runs and many other types of skiing, take a look at the Salomon S/Pro 100.
These boots feature a Custom Shell HD construction that gives you heat-moldable customization, providing excellent performance in various conditions.
Core-frame construction keeps them lightweight, so you can easily launch kickers or charge through the halfpipe.
I don’t have any real negative marks to give these boots aside from the fact that they stand pretty straight, which isn’t always my preference.
==> You can also get it on Evo.
4. Full Tilt Kicker
- Best for: Park
- Key features: Comfortable, great in the park, adjustable flex, moldable shells, wide toe
- Flex: 70
- Last: 102 mm
- Cost: $$
The Full Tilt Kicker is the best boot if you plan on staying primarily in the terrain park.
These are built with an adjustable flex that gives you plenty of customized performance that you can even adjust between each run through the park.
They also have Intuition foam liners for a ton of comfort and impact protection to keep your feet in good shape when you come back down to earth.
The Kicker won’t stand out all over the mountain, but they shine in the park.
5. Dalbello Panterra 85 GW
- Best for: Women
- Key features: women’s specific design, adjustable last, My Fit system, flex control, TF Performance liner
- Flex: 85
- Last: 99-101 mm
- Cost: $$$
The Dalbello Panterra 85 GW is the best option for female freestyle skiers.
This model comes with an adjustable last that can accommodate many different foot shapes and a flex control feature that can match your preferences or ability level.
They also have a comfortable and effective TF performance liner that will keep your feet well cushioned as you hit features all over the mountain.
The Panterra 85 GW can run a little small, resulting in a tight fit, but that’s just about their only downside.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Equipe Sport or The Last Hunt.
Best Freestyle Ski Boots: What to Consider
Be sure to keep the following factors in mind when looking for the best freestyle ski boots to match your needs and preferences on the mountain.
Flex
Ski boots have a flex number (somewhere between 60 and 130) that indicates the give of your boots. Though every model is different, freestyle boots typically have a lower flex. That makes them much more forgiving and gives you increased control over your skis.
Always try to find lower flex numbers when shopping within the discipline. Rigid or stiff boots will make it difficult to generate speed or effectively move when you need to turn. Ultimately flex is a personal preference, but lower flex help with this style of skiing.
Durability
Your footwear might have a solid fit and style, but they also need great construction. Durability is an essential quality for all ski gear, and boots are no exception.
You want a pair that can take a lot of use, keep cold air out, and last for years with little to no issues. Freestyle skiing will always create wear and tear on your boots, but premium materials significantly reduce that damage.
Fit
Everyone knows their boots have to be the proper size. However, making that decision is not as straightforward as it sounds. There are three different freestyle ski boot fits – narrow, medium, and wide.
Narrow shoes are better for racing, medium do well on the slopes, and wide options are perfect for comfort and recreation. When picking your fit, take performance into account but value comfort over other aspects. Your boots should be snug but not too tight.
Useful Tips & Resources
Freestyle skiing is a unique way to ski that opens up the potential for a lot of creativity on the mountain. You might think that this only applies to what you can do in the terrain park, but there are ways to turn the entire mountain into a terrain park if you get creative.
You always want to be safe when you are going big, so remember to wear a helmet at all times when you are freestyle skiing. Some people like to wear even more body armor to prevent injuries, which can help if you are a high flier.
If you are just getting started with freestyle skiing, take a look at some of the tips in the video below. There are some basic tricks that you can master, which will lay a good foundation for improving your skills even further.
Final Verdict
The Nordica Speedmachine 110 is my pick for the best freestyle ski boots of the year. These are a solid pair all around and will give you many high-performance characteristics while also delivering plenty of impact protection and comfort.
Every option you find here will meet the needs of freestyle skiers. From the park to a big backcountry cornice, freestyle skiing has a unique set of requirements, and you need good boots to go big.
