2027 Ski Boots Round-Up
While we may feel a little tapped out on ski tech innovation, boot design continues to level up year after year. We’ve grown used to seeing BOA all over the place, and now it’s becoming more common to see different placements.
But beyond BOA, we’re seeing better performing touring boots, women’s specific designs, and more and more progressive and smooth riding boots. Boot fitting conventions still apply—the best boot is the boot that fits your foot. But now, all these boots have fantastic features and easy customizations, there’s not a bad way to go. Learn more about all the new gear for next year in our 2027 ski boot round up!
Armada
The newest player in the boot game is expanding their AR ONE line with a new AR ONE AF. This boot is nearly identical to the original AR ONE, just with the new “ascent feature”. The walk mode on the spine and tech fittings in the toe and heel allow for tech binding compability and uphill travel. But, unlike some other hybrid or touring focused boots, the AR ONE remains focused on downhill performance, with minmal differences from the other downhill boots.
You’ll get the Frictionless Cuff Pivot, along with an updated liner that helps give you a little more mobility, but other than that, no differences in the plastic or features.
Flex Options:
This boot is classified as “unisex”, with a size run in both the 130 and 110.
Atomic
Rear entry is back for Atomic! There’s a new boot from them dubbed the Nexus. The Nexus
Also new for next year, not pictured here, is the new Remedy 110. A softer flex of the Remedy 130 that sparked some big hype last year, this 110 comes with the same features as the 130 and down to a 21.5 size.
Flex options:
For men: Hawx Ultra Dual BOA 130 and 100. Remedy 130, along with a new Redster TX 130, 120, and 110.
For women: No new dual BOA for women, Redster TX 110 down to a 21.5.
Dalbello
Dalbello are our resident three-piece boot specialists, and they’re coming back with a familiar favorite feature on one of their most popular models: the Cabrio Free Pro.
You might notice from the picture, but the removeable tongue returns! The Cabrio Free is their premiere low-volume freeride boot with tech inserts and a walk mode. Dalbello transitioned to the Cabrio from the Lupo a few seasons back, and made a few changes to the boot. Once of the most requested features was to bring back the removeable tongue for uphilling, and Dalbello brings it back.
You also get an adjustable forward lean, and this boot is offered in a full size run down to a 22.5. Dalbello dubs this a 130+ flex.
Head
Head’s Kaliber ski boots are some of the highest performing boots on our wall. This year, they’re introducing a new low volume model with a unique dual BOA design. Instead of a BOA dial on the lower shell, the BOA dial is moved to the upper cuff to make it easier to adjust both dials. There’s no performance or fit gain with this new placement, just an ease of use upgrade. This new boot is dubbed the Kaliber Pro LV BOA 2.
They’re also releasing a regular upper BOA option, as the Kaliber Pro LV BOA, offered in a full range of flexes. Both boots offer a 98mm flexes with a snug heel pocket that ensures you have a precise fit. You also get some upgrades on the interior of the boot and an integrated power plate on the spine for increased power transfer.
Flex options:
For the Kaliber Pro LV BOA 2: 130 and 110. For the single upper BOA: a men’s 130, 120, 110, and 100. On the women’s sizes, 105, 95, and 85.
K2
After the mega launch of the Cortex last season as a new high-performance, low-volume boot, K2 is turning their attention to their all-mountain freeride collection. New for 26/27 is a revamped Recon and Anthem series.
You’ve seen this before: Zonal BOA. That’s K2 for dual BOA, with a BOA on the upper cuff in addition to the lower shell. Both the Recon and Anthem get a new cuff and shell design to provide a better fit and increase durability, along with an adjustable forward lean. You’ll also get new liner upgrade in both boots for a better out of the box fit and longer life.
What’s special is in the Anthem collection. This is the first, ground-up independently designed women’s ski boot. What we mean by that is this is no scaled down men’s boot—the shell is an entirely different mold. You get a higher ramp angle, different cuff alignment, new cuff design, and different forward lean settings than the men’s boot. The shell shape is also entirely different, with a more triangular mold that more anatomically matches women’s foot shapes.
These are still their more mid-volume boots, with a last of around 100mm.
Flex options:
For men: Recon Team (140), 130 AF, 120, 110 AF, 110. The AF versions have higher end liners.
For women: Anthem Team (125), 115 AF, 105, 95 AF, 95.
Lange
Lange remains a top dog in the ski boot space. Known for their committed heel pockets and low volume fits, the Shadow is one of our favorite resort boots from the last few years.
This year, Lange is looking to their freeride touring boots for some upgrades. XT3 is no longer around, with Code taking their place. The new Code boots get an all new mold and design, most notably with BOA on the lower shell. Lange is taking an “ease of use” approach to BOA, featuring it here and on the high volume Concept boots.
The Code is offered in a medium volume 100mm last, along with a low volume 97mm last, and in a whole bunch of flex options.
Personally, this gear writer is keen on the beefy walk mode featured on the back. The bar style walk modes add a ton of lateral power transmission and more secure locking.
Flex options:
A unisex 140 LV in a 23.5-29.5. For men: a Code 130 LV/MV, 120 LV/MV, 110 MV. For women: 115 LV/MV, 95 LV/MV, and 85 MV.
Nordica
This year Nordica turns their attention to their narrow volume line with a new version of the Promachine series. Enter the Promachine 3—it’s the Promachine that we’ve grown to love.
The Promachine 3 gets the same 3Force frame that the Speedmachine has for better power transfer and lateral stability. They’ve also tweaked the shape to be more anatomical, while keeping it in a performance fit.
You also get a mega nice liner, that’s inegrated with cork on the exterior that helps stabilize the boot in the shell and gives you more control. There’s less bells and whistles on this boot compared to all these dual BOA and hovercraft models, but our takes on snow is that this skis just as well and reliably as you could want out of a low-volume ski boot.
Flex options:
For men: Promachine 3 130, 120, 110, and 90.
For women: Promachine 3 115, 105, 95, and 85.
Rossignol
Coming soon!
Salomon
This year Salomon drops a few new boots to keep us perked up. One whole new line in the new Salomon S/Pro Alpha with upper BOA, and a new S/Lab Shift Alpha.
The S/Pro Alpha continues the work Salomon has done to make this a well fitting, low-volume ski boot, but adds the latest dimension of the upper BOA cuff. Salomon is leaning into the idea that the upper cuff BOA levels up performance with a better wrap around the cuff. They leave the buckles on the lower shell for precision and fit, with their trademark instep buckle that provides better heel hold.
Salomon also adds a few new features like a lowered pivot point for quicker power transfer, and increased cuff material to deliver more power.
On the touring side, the new S/Lab Shift Alpha serves as the most downhill oriented option in the line. You get a beefed up plastic compared to the other Shift Alpha that delivers a stated 140 flex.
Flex options:
S/Lab Shift Alpha: full size run from 22.0-29.5 in a 140 flex.
S/Pro Alpha BOA: 130, 120, 110, 100. On the women’s sizing, 115, 105, 95, and 85.
Scarpa
Scarpa has long been a household name for alpine touring boots, and they’re dialing it up this year. Get it? Another BOA pun!
Instead of adding BOA to their mega-popular Maestrale series (stay tuned for that part), the new Maestrale RS and Gea RS gets an additional buckle. This makes it fall into a little more of the traditional four-buckle boot category in terms of lateral power transmission and control. The regular Gea and Maestrale stick with the three-buckle design.
On the lightweight side, Scarpa drops a new F1 RS. This new boot is a stiffer version of the cult classic F1 boot. Coming in at 1340 grams in the men’s boot in a size 27 and 60 degrees range of motion, this boot is feathery and uphill oriented. A notable piece is the new BOA dial installed on the cuff to close the lower shell. Compared to old Scarpa boots, this is the latest H+1 BOA that we’re seeing on alpine ski boots. This gives you increased durability and reliability where you need it most—deep in the backcountry on a big adventure.
Tecnica
Fact: Tecnica knows how to make an uphill boot. The Zero G is one of the most well known alpine touring boots on the market, and for good reason. It skis reliably, fits well, and offers some great performance. But, Tecnica thought they would level this boot up one more. Enter: the Decoy.
The Decoy tries to keep a lightweight profile, while beefing things up for a better downhill experience. Instead of lightweight plastic, Tecnica uses polyurethane (just like you’ll find most resort boots) in the shell and cuff for a more stable and powerful ride.
The boot also gets a more robust Power Frame for better power transfer, a GripWalk sole that’s full rubber for easier walking and compatibility with alpine bindings, and a beefier liner.
Flex options:
A Zero G Decoy Pro at 130 in a full size run, 22.5-30.5, along with a Zero G Decoy 115 W in a 22.5-27.5.
