The 10 Best Beginner Ski Boots of 2023
By: Jordan Berde: Assistant Ski Buyer | September 19, 2022
For many people, the biggest barrier to entry to becoming a passionate skier when learning how to ski is the boots. Too often the ski boots that are recommended to beginners are cold, uncomfortable, hard to get off and on, and imprecise. That means that new skiers have to struggle with frozen toes, cramping feet, and gear that makes it harder, rather than easier to translate their body’s movements into ski turns. That’s why it’s so important to shop carefully for beginner ski boots. A good beginner boot will fit well, keep your feet warm, and have a good balance of flex and stiffness so that you can lean into the boot to initiate turns, but not have it fold when you really push into it.
New This Year:
Luckily, the best beginner ski boots are better than ever before. Brands have done a lot of work to make sure every boot on this list is easy to get on and off and will keep you warm through a long day of skiing. And now they’re offering beginner boots in more last widths than ever before, so it’s easy to find a perfect fit for your feet.
K2 BFC W 75
Free your feet from the tyranny of uncomfortable boots with the K2 BFC W 75 Ski Boots. These beginner-friendly boots come with a high volume last and a soft, forgiving flex that keeps the focus on fun, rather than on which part of your lower leg hurts the most. And with Gripwalk soles designed for easier, safer walking on snowy surfaces, you'll be dancing all the way back to the lodge. If you’re looking for boots that lower the barrier to becoming a competent skier, look no further!
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 80 | 103 mm | $299.95 |
Rossignol Kelia 50
Light, super comfortable straight out of the box, and with a relaxed 104mm fit that compares to standing in the warm sand at the beach barefoot, the Rossignol Kelia 50 Ski Boots are a great choice for those new to skiing or less aggressive skiers with high volume feet. Lightweight construction using Polyolefine plastic means the Kelia 50 is easy nimble and less tiring to walk in, and the three buckle design is a snap to get in and out of. The Kelia is a versatile boot that’s great for young folks and more experienced skiers alike.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 50 | 104 mm | $219.95 |
Salomon QST Access 60 W
Get your downhill skiing career off to the right start in the Salomon QST Access 60 W Ski Boots. A women's liner with an anatomic tongue guarantees all-day comfort, with a Woolmetal layer to keep your toes warm while you dial in your lefts and rights. The shell is durable and soft flexing, and the Hike and Ride walk mode makes visits to the lodge, and the commute to and from the parking lot, as easy as pie. Make every day at the mountain a walk in the park with the Salomon QST Access 60 W Ski Boots. These boots are ready for every day in the mountains, from early morning lift lines to evening apres.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 60 | 104 mm | $299.95 |
K2 Method W
Don't tell anyone, but you don't actually have to feel like your feet are being slowly crushed by concrete blocks to have a successful day of skiing. In the K2 Method W Ski Boots, you can enjoy a roomy fit and a mellow flex, while still laying down sweet turns on the groomers, and maybe even hitting some jumps in the park. These do-it-all all-mountain freestyle boots have loads of luxury, plenty of performance, and a surplus of style. The K2’ Method W’s three-piece design means they’re absurdly easy to get on and off and provide a smooth consistent flex.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 70 | 102 mm | $399.95 |
Atomic Hawx Prime W
The Atomic Hawx Prime W Ski Boots offer Atomic quality and performance at a price that will leave you some breathing room for other essentials like lift tickets. Between Atomic's dialed-in 100mm fit and the heat molding potential of Memory Fit, the vast majority of average and slightly higher volume feet are going to find a happy home in the Prime W, another reason the Hawx Prime is one of evo's best-selling boots. Atomic has taken everything they’ve learned with their industry-leading line of Hawx boots and applied it all to the Prime W to make it one of the best women’s boots on the market.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 85 | 100 mm | $299.95 |
Tecnica Mach Sport HV 80
Comfort is job #1 for the Tecnica Mach Sport HV 80 Ski Boots, and anyone who's had a rough time trying to fit their wide and high-volume feet into narrower boots is in for a treat. With a 103mm comfort last and a cushy Celliant® insulated liner, the Mach Sport HV 80 is a step in the right direction for your trip away from the rental counter and onto a boot you can call your own. These boots are designed to make life easy for you, and your boot fitter.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 80 | 103 mm | $299.95 |
Rossignol Evo 70
Comfort beyond description and release from the Hell of the Rental Line make the Rossignol Evo 70 Ski Boots a deal you can't pass up. 104mm lasted comfort, easy on-off, and a forgiving 70 flex make this the perfect starter boot. The Evo 70 is an affordable, comfortable boot that will help you grow as a skier.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 70 | 104 mm | $219.95 |
Salomon QST Access 80
What's better than a dry boot that some dude with athlete's foot didn't wear yesterday and no standing in the rental line? Not much, really - solve the problem by getting a pair of the Salomon QST Access 80 Ski Boots. The ultra-comfortable 104mm last, lightweight polyolefin construction, and QST walk mode for getting around when the skis aren't on your feet combine to make this boot far better than any rental you'll find. Both your feet and your skiing will thank you. The QST Access is a great first ski boot and will hold up to years of skiing, even as you progress and become a stronger skier.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 80 | 104 mm | $349.95 |
Dalbello DS MX 75
Skip the rental line and head straight for the Dalbello DS MX 75 Ski Boots. They'll fit like slippers from day one, help you concentrate on actually learning to ski instead of fixating on your aching feet all day, and they'll be dry every time you put them on. The DS MX 75 is a classic overlap design with a soft flex designed for newer skiers. It’s an affordable option that beats out any rental boot at a reasonable price.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 75 | 104 mm | $199.95 |
Nordica Sportmachine 80
A solid boot for skiers just getting started, the Nordica Sportmachine 80 Ski Boots are designed around a relaxed 102 mm last that delivers comfort right off the shelf. The easygoing 80 flex is just right for progressing skiers, and the easy entry instep design means you spend less time struggling to get them on in the morning and more time on the things that matter, like actually skiing. The Sportmachine does everything you need your boot to do, without any extra fuss.
| Flex Rating | Last | Original Price |
| 80 | 102 mm | $249.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Ski Guides:
Skis - Kids' Size Chart and Buyer's Guide
Skis - Rocker Technology Explained
Ski Bindings – How to Choose & DIN Setting Chart
Ski Boots - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Ski Boots - Boot Sole & Ski Binding Compatibility
Ski Boots – How to Make Your Boots Fit Better
Ski Poles - Size Chart
Skiing - Beginner Skiing Tips
Skiing - How to Fly With Skis
Skiing - How to Get in Shape
Ski Maintenance - Base Repair
Ski Maintenance – How to Store for the Summer
Ski Maintenance – How to Tune
Ski Maintenance – How to Wax
Gloves & Mittens - How to Choose
Goggles - How to Choose
Goggles - Wearing Goggles with Glasses
Helmets - How to Choose & Fit Guide
Outerwear - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
Outerwear - How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
Outerwear - Regional Ski & Snowboard Guide
Ski Socks - Sizing & Buyer's Guide
Avalanche Probes - How to Choose
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Airbag Pack
Backcountry - Choosing an Avalanche Beacon
Backcountry - Climbing Skins Size Guide
Backcountry - Dynafit / Tech Binding Basics
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Bindings
Backcountry - How to Buy Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Backcountry - How to Choose an Avalanche Shovel
Backcountry - How to Choose Climbing Skins
Backcountry Backpacks - How to Choose
Backcountry Basics - How to Get Started
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The Best Beginner Skis
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The Best Intermediate Skis
The Best Freeride Skis
The Best Ski Bindings
The Best Touring Ski Bindings
The Best Men's Ski Boots
The Best Women's Ski Boots
The Best Touring Boots
The Best Ski Socks
The Best Beginner Ski Boots
The Best Value Skis
The Best Ski Poles
The Best Kids' Skis
The Best Kids' Ski Boots
The Best Cross Country Ski Boots
The Best Ski Boot Liners
The Selection Process:
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jordan Berde
Jordan (she/her) is the Assistant Ski Buyer at evo. Before working in this role, she worked at the evo Denver store for two years, where she began as a bootfitter and quickly moved into Store Lead and then Store Supervisor roles. Prior to evo, Jordan worked as a bootfitter at other shops, a mountain bike instructor for kiddos in Colorado, a ski patroller in Alaska, and a liftie in Taos. She's an avid backcountry skier and ski mountaineer and recently summited Mt. Baker as a fundraiser for SheJumps, a non-profit committed to getting more women involved in the outdoors.She started sliding on snow later than most (in her late 20s), but now she’s the friend getting up at 4 am to make sure she can get a dawn patrol lap in before work! Jordan is passionate about diversity and inclusion and making outdoor activities more inclusive to all genders, races, and ability levels. When she's not skiing, Jordan is likely on her mountain bike exploring all that Colorado and Washington have to offer with her wife. Some say she never stops moving…