Women's touring boots

Buyer’s guide for women touring ski boots

You have dozens of questions about the touring boots you’re going to get. No worries, Glisshop is here to help you choose the model that best suits you.

What is a good touring boot for women?

Just like for alpine skiing, manufacturers work hard to develop and derive their products for women and provide them with optimal comfort. The boot last (or forefoot width) is narrower, the cuff is lower, heel lock is improved and the foot arc has more camber. Comfort is extremely important when touring, long walks or tours create abrasion or pressure points, this is why you need to make sure your boots fit like a second skin. A good women touring boot delivers a good insulation to breathability ratio (to make sure it evacuates moisture and keeps your feet warm), a good balance between stiffness and mobility (for up and downhill performance), and a grippy outsole offering traction on rocks and slippery terrains.

Freetouring boots, who are they for?

Since a few years, boot makers can deliver high end versatile touring boots. They work with touring bindings and with the more traditional alpine bindings. The main benefit is: you can have one pair of boots to do it all, skiing on piste, off piste and touring. These freetouring boots offer added performance on the downhill, they are stiffer and more powerful than pure touring boots. They feature walk modes allowing the cuff to move freely by unlocking the backbone. Heavier than real touring boots, they are best suited for skiers who want to be able to tour and to ski and more importantly who want ultimate versatility from their boots.

2, 3 or 4 buckles?

You have probably noticed that on certain models, or in certain brands, women touring boots feature sometimes 2, sometimes 3 or even 4 buckles. What’s the difference? A 4-buckle boot will be stiffer and more responsive than a 3-buckle one, but it is also going to be heavier. If your main focus is downhill performance, go for 4 buckles. If you prefer something light and comfortable, 3 (or even 2) buckles will make you happier.