Curated experts make thousands of recommendations to skiers every season taking into account key factors, such as skill level, preferred terrain, and skiing style. This list brings together their most recommended ski boots under $500. Note, however, that we don't believe in "best of" lists here at Curated – everyone is different and we believe in finding the best gear for you and not generally for the masses. Don't forget to chat with a Ski Expert here on Curated for free, personalized advice and recommendations on finding the best boots for your needs.
- Dalbello DS MX 90 GW Ski Boots · 2023
- Dalbello DS MX 80 GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
- Dalbello Boss 110 Ski Boots · 2023
- Dalbello DS MX 75 Ski Boots · 2023
- Dalbello Panterra 85 W GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
- Head Edge LYT 90 Ski Boots · 2023
- Salomon Select 80 Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
- Fischer RC One X 85 Ski Boots · Women's · 2022
- K2 BFC 100 Ski Boots · 2023
- Salomon S/Pro 100 GW Ski Boots · 2023
Dalbello DS MX 90 GW Ski Boots · 2023
Great choice for skiers hoping to improve their technique. Lightweight, easy to step into, and has GripWalk soles for easy walking to and from the car or the lodge. Good for a newer skier who is hoping to get to intermediate level gear. Still a comfortable boot with a 104mm last so you won't have to worry about aching feet.
With a 104 last this is great for a wider foot and has a heat-moldable liner to make this a super comfortable boot. Great for all-mountain skiing, they have a 90 flex that's a little softer allowing for a lot more forgiveness. With that heat-moldable liner you can get it customized to your foot.
Dalbello makes high-quality boots that are known to last a long time. These ones come with four buckles and a Velcro strap up top to get a perfect fit. A wider fit makes these comfortable too.
Dalbello DS MX 80 GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
The DS MX 80 GW is a comfortable, low volume boot that runs a bit narrower than other boots; which is great for smaller feet. The Hyperlite material works to reduce the weight and make skiing more enjoyable on and off the slopes. The easy in and out make getting the boot off at the end of the day a breeze and make getting in comfortable and streamlined. Its 2 piece architecture is a traditional overlap design and offers precise control and great energy transference from boot to binding to ski.
Dalbello Boss 110 Ski Boots · 2023
These are notoriously comfortable and super easy to take on and off with their three-piece shell design. They have a heat-moldable liner that can adapt to your unique foot shape and help with flat feet. I would certainly recommend a footbed for any purchase you make as it will definitely alleviate any pressure points you may experience by keeping your foot supported and locked in while flexing the boot.
The Cabrio design built from three pieces rather than two, eliminates overlap and the pressure points associated with that. Also gives you a more consistent forward flex and power transfer. A heat-moldable liner allows you to dial in the fit. The extra buckle location on the forefoot is another added feature that will also help you customize your fit.
Dalbello DS MX 75 Ski Boots · 2023
Anyone that prioritizes comfort when they're first starting out! The DS super liner hugs your foot with plush comfort and the 2-piece Hyperlite shell design offers a consistent and a reliable flex that powers a good energy transmission into the bindings.
Dalbello Panterra 85 W GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
The brand with the best performance and comfort combined in a boot geared towards intermediate skiers! The 85 flex will be the goldilocks zone for your preferred boot stiffness at that upper mid-range. These have a revolutionary MyFit system that expands the range and accommodates virtually any foot in a comfortable liner wrap that feels like a hug and skis like a champ! Has a removable women's cuff insert to really tailor the boot opening and nail the perfect fit. It has a flex control option on the back spine of the boot to uptick or downturn your flex depending on how you are feeling on that particular run or day, and a Cabrio design for a ski/hike mode that lets you functionally get around when in the lodge or in the parking lot.
These are highly recommended boots for any intermediate or advanced woman skier. A good all-terrain boot that would allow for some quality days on the hill. These provide a responsive and consistent flex, along with great lateral and rear support. Women-specific liners allow for an extra stretch at the top of the cuffs. The cuffs themselves are lower and scalloped for a better fit. It has a last fit adjustment where you are able to adjust from 99-101 mm width, really helping acquire the overall perfect fit. Definitely for someone who likes a medium-stiff flex, but still manages the wide range of motion to make it a quality choice.
Head Edge LYT 90 Ski Boots · 2023
These are the perfect ski boot for the ambitious intermediate. They are high-quality boots that won't break the bank, and will last you forever. They come in a progressive 90 flex that is reactive and elastic. The more pressure you apply, the stiffer the flex will get. This will give your turns more power than ever!
Featuring Form Fit technology, this boot can also be heat molded to gain more space if required. A graphene infused shell that has very thin shell walls, gives a responsive flex and nearly unmatched weight to power capacity!
Salomon Select 80 Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
Meant for someone with a medium-wide forefoot (slightly wider than average) and provides extra space and comfort in the calf volume meant for a medium calf. The high-volume fit is made for high instep and helps deep with any uncomfortable spots in the boot. The auto stretch foam liner is meant to contour to any foot.
Fischer RC One X 85 Ski Boots · Women's · 2022
A great all-around boot for skiing those groomers and mixing it up in the soft stuff occasionally. Balanced flex and quality liner make it a great fitting boot that is responsive and supportive. Recommended for moderate skiers looking to develop their skills, or just happy with where they are and those enjoying days on the slopes that are often fun cruisers, but also jumping into some mixed snow and terrain from time to time.
K2 BFC 100 Ski Boots · 2023
A perfect blend of comfort and performance. These have one of my favorite liners of all time with a cushy plush open-cell foam that is as supportive as it is comfy for all-day laps on the mountain. Another unique feature I really like in these is the powerfuse spine in the back that effectively eliminates the chatter and vibrations on variable terrain and really smoothes out your ride!
Salomon S/Pro 100 GW Ski Boots · 2023
Great 4-buckle downhill boot with power, precision, and a fully customizable fit. 100mm last (width) is great for an average width foot. The S/pro is a top of the line boot from Salomon. These have seamless liners to eliminate potential hotspots, and can be fully customized with heat molding for the perfect fit to your foot. GripWalk soles for comfy walking around the lodge and base area as well.
Recommended for intermediate/advanced skiers. 100mm last (width) for average sized feet. Also has a 100 flex - a medium flex for intermediate skiers to give them quick rebound and better snow feel. Micro adjustable buckles to get that perfect fit right out of the box. Seamless line to make sure you are comfortable through the entire day on the slopes!
Super warm, seamless liners keep you comfy and happy all day long! The 100 flex is a great spot for slower, relaxed skiing and hard charging skiing! The oversized pivot point on the heel aslo allows for an easier yet poweful flex to get the most out of your gear!
Rossignol Allspeed 100 Ski Boots · 2022
This boot has a comfort fit designed for wider feet with a last of 102mm. Great intermediate to advanced boot that will be great all day!!
All conditions, intermediate flex, better for a little bit wider feet with a 102mm width.
Dalbello DS MX 65 W Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
Getting out of rentals, keeping your feet warm, and progressing on your new pair of skis. Best price to quality ratio on all of the women's boots we offer.
Head Edge LYT 100 Ski Boots · 2023
Lightweight, easy entry and progressive flex to keep you comfortable while getting the most out of your skis! Head's new liners called the "perfect fit" liners fit amazing straight from the box and can be heat molded for an even ore precise fit.
K2 BFC 80 Ski Boots · 2023
SUUUUUPER killer new line from K2! BFC stands for built for comfort and I can confirm that they are! They're an insanely comfortable boot that is still geared toward performance! These don't have a walk mode, but they're a very comfortable boot and that does not exclude walking to the chairs from the parking lot!
An 80 flex is very forgiving, allows for maximum comfort and performance on the slopes. A great choice for someone looking to get a good deal on a boot, these are an awesome option. Grip walk soles and a cushfit comfort liner to really seal the deal here!
Salomon S/Pro 90 W GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
Recommended for beginner/intermediate skiers. These Salomon's have a seamless liner to help provide comfort and all day warmth. Large tongue for easy entry/exit. Also has micro adjustable buckles to get that perfect fit!
Rossignol Pure Comfort 60 Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
60 flex makes these boots ideal for beginners. The wide last accommodates all widths of feet, and the heat moldable liner allows you to form the boot to your feet to get the ideal fit!
Intermediate skiers who put comfort over performance. These boots have a limit, but they are very comfortable, and can take whatever most intermediate skiers are capable of!
Salomon Shift Pro 120 AT Ski Boots · 2022
Salomon claims to make boots and liners that are easier to heat mold, and can be molded more than a traditional boot. This will give you some extra leeway when it comes to getting them comfortable.
Salomon Select 90 Ski Boots · 2023
The S/Pro line are fantastic boots that fit a variety of foot shapes right out of the box, making them a great choice for intermediate skiers looking for something comfortable but with good performance. 90 flex is solid without being overbearing and the new 2022 model is lighter than ever before.
Salomon S/Max 120 GW Ski Boots · 2022
The Salomon S/Max 120 is a great boot option with an easily customizable fit. It has a 98mm last, so it's a lower volume boot, but the entire shell is heat moldable, so it will stretch around your foot for a full custom fit and can be blow out to approximately 104mm. Salomon's core frame construction stiffens key areas of the boot to improve power transfer. These have GripWalk soles, so they're easier to walk around in than a typical alpine boot. They have some rubber for traction and a little rocker to the toe for a more natural stride.
Head Edge LYT 70 W Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
A 70 flex index is a perfect blend of performance and comfort for a new skier. 100 last is great for average size feet. Fleece liner helps keep your feet warm even if it get a bit chilly out. A heat moldable liner allows you to get that custom fit, thus adding to comfort and performance. An easy step in makes getting the boot on and off that much easier. This is an excellent boot to get you started and will be at your side as you progress and find your self exploring more of the mountain.
The bottom 3 buckles give great retention to the skier, while the top buckle has a sliding buckle ladder to accommodate for the calf muscle if it attaches lower - a common difference between women and men's anatomy. The result is a boot that still gives a snug fit, but isn't constricting the leg or cutting off circulation.
Has a women's specific Perfect Fit HD liner that'll make you feel like you're walking on clouds!! Also heat moldable like the other pair which means you can adapt them exactly to your foot shape and size. Did I mention ultra warm? Never worry about damp feet ever again!
Salomon QST Access 80 Ski Boots · 2023
This is a comfortable and functional boot. It's warm and light weight.
Tecnica Mach Sport HV 85 W Ski Boots · Women's · 2022
The intermediate skier who is looking for a comfortable boot that will allow them to progress quickly onto more difficult terrain. This boot is also built for comfort and will not give your feet any fits!
This is a great boot to ski in all sorts of conditions, it is stiff enough to help you progress, but also comfortable for slow and steady runs.
If your foot is wide you will love the volume and comfort of this boot. Great for a day exploring the resort!
Salomon S/Pro HV 80 IC Ski Boots · Women's · 2021
The 80 flex is an accessible stiffness that is accessible and provides good comfort. Built out of light weight material this boot is light to keep you skiing hard all day. The liner features Salomons instant fit technology for comfort and the dual inserts on either side make this boot a breeze to step in and out of. Alpine ISO 5355 certified to fit into most standard alpine bindngs.
Atomic Hawx Ultra 95 S W GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
The cream of the crop in Alpine ski boots as far as I'm concerned. They are forgiving with a 95 flex but built to be intuitive enough to push your skis through a tight turn in the trees if you need to. This boot makes handling a wider ski feel more manageable and less taxing on your legs throughout the day, helping you to stay injury free while skiing those hard 3:50pm last runs!
Lower volume boot that has a fairly wide toebox, so it does accommodate medium width feet for a skier looking for a more performance fit. Comes with GripWalk soles for improved traction and Thinsulate liners for those cold, icy days.
Fits like a glove and rides like butter. The progressive flex and suspension keep you stable when the trail gets choppy. They have easy entry/exit and have warm, moldable liners to fit your foot perfectly!
Tecnica Cochise 85 W Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
With a female-specific fit, lower cuff, 85 flex, and asymmetrical power construction, this boot is perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers who want high performance and comfort. Combined with its walk/hike mode and Gripwalk soles, this boot provides the best of both worlds: solid downhill capability and the ease of walking around parking lots and the lodge with up to 50 degrees range of motion.
Lange RX 80 GW Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
Another 80 flex option for improving beginners! These have Langes dual core design which is quite confusing in technical terms honestly but it basically just compresses and expands with you as you flex the boot to get the most out of your gear with minimal input for a really easy to control setup!
The Lange RX is your classic alpine boot! It's the perfect combination of comfort and control! It's light weight and highly regarded. It will perform for you for up to 10 years! Full custom moldable shell and liners with gripwalk toes for natural walking. Can't recommend these highly enough!
At 99 last it is geared toward an average width foot. Furthermore, 80 flex is a soft enough to handle as a beginner but will stick with you and still perform as you progress as a skier! Lange has always been geared toward the downhill performance and is what they are known for!
Fischer Ranger Free 100 Walk Ski Boots · 2019
A great all mountain go everywhere performance boot with great comfort and a great walk feature for getting around easier when your not on your skis.
All mountain skiing. Going anywhere and everywhere on the mountain.
Head Edge LYT 60 W Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
Specifically designed for beginner skiers with a wonderfully soft 60 flex, this is an incredibly cozy and warm boot that prioritizes comfort fitting that translates into a real pleasant riding experience. 100mm last size for an average foot, this one is designed with a women's-specific shell that holds a sport-frame footbed with a fully customizable PerfectFit liner. Form-fitted with a Duo progressive flex pattern, these can dial in your EXACT fit with an adjuster dial on the back of the boot spine that can actually make these boots softer or stiffer. On top of that it has four micro-adjustable alloy buckles and one macro super ratchet to find that ideal fit and lock it in.
Salomon Select HV 70 Ski Boots · Women's · 2023
Recommended for intermediate skiers looking for a warm and comfortable boot! They have a wide last (width) and are considered a high volume boot for skiers with wide feet. Micro adjustable buckles to get that perfect fit right out of the box. They also have a large tongue for easy entry/exit.
Wider feet and people who want more comfort. Micro-adjustable buckles help you dial in a perfect fit and a "My Instant Comfort Fit" liner will adapt to your foot without having to go to a specialized boot-fitter.
Lange RX 100 LV GW Ski Boots · 2023
Highly recommended boot for beginner skiers who are scratching that intermediate level and have a narrower foot shape. These boots sport 3D dual thermo liners that are 60% customizable to really dial in that perfect foot wrap with their soft density foam and a precise soft tension fit. The Duo-port injected shell reinforces the most important areas like the spine, heel, and lower shell with a tougher plastic to improve rebound performance and overall give it sturdier durability for the newer skier who will probably see more impact starting out. Meanwhile, the softer plastics are redirected to cushion the ankle and wrap around the lower leg for increased comfort. The best of both worlds!
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