5 Best Ski Boots for High Instep & Arches

Owning equipment that doesn’t properly fit your body isn’t just uncomfortable, it also can ruin an entire day out on the slopes. That is why it is so crucial that skiers with high arches find the proper boots. 

I’ve been skiing for most of my life, and I’ve worn dozens of different ski boots over the years. I know how to find equipment that is well suited for specialized needs, such as high arches or insteps. 

The Salomon Quest Pro CS 100 is my pick for the best ski boots for high arches this season. This is a quality boot all-around, but it has a little extra support in the instep area that can work well for skiers who have issues. 

There are a few other good options out there, and I’ll show you all of the best models in this post. My goal is to make sure you have a great time on the mountain, even with high arches. 

Let’s get rolling. 

Who Should Get This

The boots in this guide are obviously best for those with high insteps/arches. If you need extra support for your foot shape, the models in this guide are for you. Not only will they be much more comfortable than regular ski boots, but they will also have a much better fit.

General skiers can also take advantage of the following models. While these boots work best for those with high arches, they are not only for those with high arches. Rather, they work for just about every single type of skier in almost every single kind of environment.

Best Ski Boots for High Instep & Arches: Top Picks 

Here are my top picks for the best ski boots for high instep (arches) this season. 

1. Salomon Quest Pro CS 100

• Best for: Overall 
• Key features: Good arch support, Sensifit construction, good power transmission, comfortable, warm 
• Flex: 100 
• Style: Alpine 
• Cost: $$$

The Salomon Quest Pro CS 100 is my best overall pick this season. 

This is a good ski boot for any skier, but those with high insteps will appreciate the extra support and comfort they provide. 

They also feature excellent power transfer for precision and performance while the design limits pressure and discomfort in all areas of the foot. 

The cuff can ride up a little high, but I don’t have many other negative remarks here. 

2. Atomic HAWX Ultra 85 

• Best for: Women’s 
• Key features: Women’s specific design, comfortable, memory fit, True Flex design 
• Flex: 85 
• Style: Alpine 
• Cost: $$$

Female skiers with high insteps will love what the Atomic HAWX Ultra 85 has to offer. 

These boots feature a memory fit design that gives you customizable heat fitting technology to create a liner that precisely fits your foot’s shape, helping reduce high arch issues. 

They also have a True Flex design that maintains similar performance in a wide range of temperatures. 

The flex is a little soft for very experienced skiers, but they are still an excellent option to explore.

Read More: Best Women’s Ski Boots 2022

==> You can also get it on Evo or Christy Sports or Curated.

3. Tecnica Mach Sport HV 70 

• Best for: Budget 
• Key features: Flexible for touring, good arch support, comfortable, well-insulated
• Flex: 70
• Style: Touring/Alpine
• Cost: $$

The Tecnica Mach Sport HV 70 makes for a good budget and ski touring boot for anyone with high arches. 

These come with a medium flex that gives you more play when you are headed uphill but still enough performance on the way back down. 

The boots also come packed with Celliant insulation to give you extra warmth when you are deep in the backcountry. 

These aren’t technically a touring-specific boot, but their lighter flex will still get the job done when you are off-piste.  

==> You can also get it on Scheels or Buckman’s or Skis.

4. Rossignol Alltrack 90

• Best for: Narrow Feet  
• Key features: Good for narrow feet, small last, comfortable, warm, durable
• Flex: 90
• Style: Alpine 
• Cost: $$ 

If you have narrow feet and high arches, the Rossignol Alltrack 90 can be a good solution to both issues. 

These are very comfortable boots that can work for a variety of skiers, and they have a narrow last and increased arch support. 

You also get plenty of warmth and durability, thanks to a high-quality construction that uses Generative Grid Tech to provide consistent flex and power transfer. 

These might not work for extremely narrow feet, but if you have that issue and high arches, you’ll need custom inserts for sure.  

==> You can also get it on Rossignol or Evo or Sun & Ski Sports.

5. Salomon S/Pro 120 GW 

• Best for: Men’s 
• Key features: Excellent performance, wide last, custom liner, micro-adjust buckles
• Flex: 120 
• Style: Alpine 
• Cost: $$$$

The Salomon S/Pro 120 GW is the best men’s boot with high insteps or arches. 

This is a high-performance option for skiers who like to go hard, and the 120 flex is best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers. 

They also feature a custom liner to help you get extra arch support and four micro-adjustable buckles to let you dial in a precise fit. 

These are expensive but worth it if you aren’t on a big budget.  

==> You can also get it on Curated or Evo or Backcountry.

How to Choose Ski Boots for High Instep or Arches

Here is some advice to help you choose ski boots if you have high insteps or arches. 

Flex

When it comes to ski boots, nothing is more important than flex. Your shoe’s flex tells you how much control it will give you, as well as what experience level it’s for.

When looking at flex, beginners should use lower numbers (80 or less), intermediate skiers should go for a mid-range (80 to 100), and advanced skiers should get a flex of 100 or more. Sticking to that scale will ensure your boots perfectly match your skiing style.

Last

Going hand-in-hand with your boot’s flex is the width, also known as the last. When picking a last, you want to get one that perfectly fits your foot. 

Those with narrow feet should look for lasts of 97 or 98 millimeters, normal width is 99 to 101, and those with wider feet should get a last that ranges from 102 to 106.

No matter how high your arches are, you need to ensure your boot fits your foot without being too loose or too tight.

Fit

Those with high arches need comfortable boots. Comfortable boots need to fit. When picking out a shoe from the following models, make sure it sits on your foot in the right way.

Just because a boot works for high arches does not necessarily mean it will be comfortable for you. Know your size, what type of fit you want, as well as how comfortable your boot needs to be.

Useful Tips & Resources

Ski boots specifically made for those with high arches are the best way to handle pain while out on the slopes. However, if you want to go beyond that, or if you’re simply curious about other ways to tackle discomfort that comes from high insteps, check out this helpful video below.

No matter what type of foot you have, a proper fit is also important. Though many people get fit by professionals, you can also do it yourself. If that’s the way you want to go, you need to understand everything there is to know about boot fitting. 

This guide covers some common myths and explains why they aren’t true.

Final Verdict

The Salomon Quest Pro CS 100 is my pick for the best ski boots for high instep or arches of the season. They have a little extra support in the instep area to keep your feet in good shape when you ski. 

All of the models on this list are good for skiers with high insteps. If you have struggled to find a good-fitting boot because of high arches, these boots should help you out.