How to Select Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Alpine Touring has become a popular way of skiing and exploring the backcountry. With qualities that allow locked-down downhill skiing and unlocked, hinged hiking abilities, Alpine Touring (AT) boots are a unique hybrid of ski boot. Knowing what to look for when buying is a helpful bit of information.
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Instructions
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Determine the predominant areas where you will be skiing. If you will be skiing "out of bounds" or "off piste" frequently, you will be looking for a lighter weight boot. If you will be hiking and touring less than the time you will be skiing on lifts at a ski area, a heavier, stiffer boot will be your choice.
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After you determine where the majority of your skiing will be done, you can begin to look for your boot. Take the materials used to make the boot into consideration. Newer boots now use carbon fiber to give lighter weights with increased stiffness. If you will be skiing both resorts and backcountry, look for AT boots that have interchangeable soles.
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If you are technically savvy and enjoy fiddling with your gear, in addition to the changeable soles, some AT boots have tongues which can be changed to adjust for stiffness and hiking comfort. Consider though, that more bells and whistles on your boots also means an increase in things which can break or malfunction.
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One very important feature to look for in an AT boot is the liner. Stock liners tend to be cheaper and less stiff than aftermarket liners. Some boot makers include high-end liners, which can be baked and molded several times to your foot shape. Ask your shop pro what liners come with the boots you are selecting, how many times they can be baked, and what level of stiffness they provide.
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Check the mechanism for switching between hike and ski modes. Check to see how accessible it is; or whether it is solid and can withstand heavy use. Think of the position your body will be in when you try and lean down to flip the mechanism between modes.
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Tips & Warnings
Your AT boots are an investment. Take the time to go to a pro shop and have a professional boot fitter assist you with this pricey purchase.
Spend the extra money for a custom boot fitting. The best fitting boot is the one custom-molded to your foot.
