Best Ski Boots For Kids: Boys And Girls

by Simon Naylor | Updated: February 10th, 2023 |  Recommended Gear

Looking to buy your kid his or her first, second, or third ski boot? After many hours of research, I've narrowed down this year's best ski boots for kids from toddlers to teens in 2021/22. Whether your kids are 4 or 14 there is a ski boot in this list that should be suitable for their skiing adventures.

Best Ski Boots For Kids 2022: Boys And Girls

    1. Roces Idea Free Children's Ski Boots

    • Flex: Soft
    • Size: 22-25cm & 16-18cm
    • Level: Beginner/Early Intermediate

    The Roces idea-free kids ski boot is the perfect first or second-time ski boot for your child and suits new skiers to skiers with a few ski trips under their belt.

    dalbello girls ski boot

    Dalbello Gaia 1,3 Ski Boot Kids Dalbello Gaia 1 Toddler, Dalbello Gaia 2 Girls, Dalbello Gaia 4 Kids. We are reader supported. We may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

    My favorite thing about this boot is that it has an adjustable size that can fit between a size 22 and 25 - great for growing kids. This feature has the potential to save you hundreds over the course of a few seasons. No need to buy new boots or remount your bindings.

    "These are the best boots for fast-growing little feet. You can tweak for the idle fit and get 3 years out of them. I just bought the next size up as she finally outgrew the smallest pair."

    Parent Review

    Roces also do a smaller model for very young kids in a size 16-18cm which comes in black and pink color options. These boots come with a 1-year warranty and have a fair price tag for their flexibility of use across a range of ages and foot sizes.

    The buckles are easy to use and can be done up by your child. They are micro-adjustable which means the tightness of each notch can be leveled up or down to suit each child's foot shape.

    Main Features:

    • Adjustable size - grow into it.
    • All-day comfort liner
    • Micro-adjustable buckles for a precise fit

    Boot Options:

    2. Rossignol Comp J3 Ski Boot

    • Flex: 40
    • Size: 18-22cm
    • Level: Beginner/Early Intermediate

    The Rossignol Comp J3 Ski Boot is an excellent choice for new or early intermediate skiers. It has a soft flex of 40 making it easier to for your young one to transfer their weight into power and movement on the ski

    Rossignol is a well-respected company in the ski world, and this is a well-made boot at a good price. 

    Main Features:

    • It has an EVA machined liner that is warm and comfortable for all-day skiing.
    • Its upper cuff is specifically shaped for children in mind.
    • The buckles are easy to use and have a micro-adjuster for a more precise fit if your child is between buckle notches.
    • The heel and toe pads are replaceable which means a boot fitter can put in new ones if they become worn without having to splash out on a new boot.

    The design is cool with a black shell and green and white graphics and a bright green sole.

    Boot Options:

    3. Fischer Rc4 Junior Race Ski Boots

    • Flex: 70/90/100
    • Size: 23.5-27.5cm
    • Level: Advanced Intermediate/Expert

    These Fischer RC4 Podium 70 Junior Race Ski Boots are for very good skiers who can ski on a higher flex boot. They're excellent boots for the right skier who has at least a few seasons under their belt and can confidently tackle red (Europe) or black diamond (North America) ski trails.

    The boot comes in a range of flex options from 70-100 to meet a variety of weights and abilities from advanced intermediate to expert young skiers. These boots are very stable when used at speed and can quickly transfer energy to the skis. Here are the main features of the boots:

    Main Features:

    • SOMA-TEX shell makes for a more natural upright stance which enables sharper cuts. It's a less fatiguing stance and perfects when paired with rocker shape skis (most downhill resort skis).
    • They use a high-quality Thermoformable liner that insulates warmth and fights against the cold.
    • Adjustable cuff alignment makes for a very precise stance, so each ski boot can be calibrated to your child's unique calf shape and leg stance.

    The higher flex models like the Vacuum can be heat molded to your child's feet for a very precise fit and are perfect for race-level competition or aggressive all-mountain skiers.

    Boot Options:

    • Fischer Rc4 100 Vacuum Junior Race Ski Boots - Check Price
    • Fischer Rc4 Podium 70 Junior Race Ski Boots - Check Price

    4. Dalbello Sports Gaia 2 Ski Boot

    • Flex: Soft
    • Size: Toddler to early teen
    • Level: Beginner/Intermediate

    This is a great boot specifically for little ones from the Italian ski boot brand Dalbello. The Dalbello Sports Gaia 2 is a small ski boot for young skiers learning to ski. They have a soft flex and energy can be easily transferred to the ski as they learn the proper skiing techniques. Here are the main features of the boots:

    Main Features:

    • Low contour and soft liner cuff make it very comfortable around small legs.
    • 2 easy use buckles mean your kid can learn to do them up and take them off on their own with little instruction. They have a large buckle range to get the right fit.
    • The Cabrio boot design is easy to put on and take off, so you'll spend less time on the sidelines and more time skiing.
    • The liner is very warm and soft against young skin.
    • The Duragrip toe has great traction and will make it easier to walk on snow, upstairs, or in a resort without slipping.

    "Well insulated, great fit for a VERY picky child. This is our 2nd pair. Compared footbed to a leading US brand and this brand was superior - it will provide more warmth. "

    Parent Review

    The Dalbello model comes in a range of sizes from small toddler version Gaia 1 with one buckle through to the Gaia 2 buckle design for young girls up to early teenage years with the Gai 4 Kids boot.

    dalbello girls ski boot

    Boot Options:

    5. Nordica Little Belle Ski Boots

    • Flex: Soft
    • Size: Toddler to early teen (3 boot options)
    • Level: Beginner/Intermediate

    The Nordica Little Belle 2 boots are small boots for young kids. There is a larger boot for older kids and even smaller boot for young girls. From renowned ski brand Nordica, these boots are perfect for young skiers wanting a soft and comfortable boot that will support them on their skiing journey.

    The boot has a very comfortable fleece liner that is soft to the touch and enjoyable to wear for all-day comfort. The boot has one, two, or three buckles (depending on the model) which saves weight for small children but allows for a snug fit across a range of notches.

    Main Features:

    • Easy entry and exit make it easier for your child to put on and take off their boots so you can spend more time skiing and less time on the sidelines.
    • The sole has great grip and traction when walking on snow or around the resort.
    • The improved design of this boot increases the lateral support allowing for greater control and fewer falls.
    • The flex is soft which is great for new and progressing skiers, so their small legs can easily transfer weight from their feet to their skis and build confidence in turning.
    Nordica Little Belle

    Boot Options:

    This is an affordable boot with a range of sizes for children from 4-14.

    • Young Girls: Nordica Little Belle 1 Girls Ski Boots - Check Price
    • Kids: Nordica Little Belle 2 Ski Boots - Check Price
    • Pre/teens: Nordica Little Belle 3 Ski Boots - Check Price

    6. Lange RS Junior Ski Boot

    • Flex: 50/60/90
    • Size: Kid-Teenager
    • Level: Intermediate

    The Lange RS Junior Ski Boots are the perfect intermediate boot. They have a medium to stiff flex range and are great for all-mountain use from blue to black trails. They are a mid-range boot sitting between the budget range and the most expensive boots - a good mix of performance and price.

    The RS Junior ski boots have a more natural upright stance and transfer energy into the skis for sharper more stable cuts at speed. 

    Main Features:

    • The short cuff provides a greater range of motion.
    • Contour fit so blood flow to the feet is not cut off and your kid's feet stay warmer for longer.
    • Control Fit liner padding is comfortable for all-day skiing.

    These boots would be too stiff for a new skier and may not provide the performance for an expert skier, but these are a great choice if your child can parallel ski and is developing as a skier and sits in that early to advanced intermediate range.

    If your child has a wide foot and is an advanced intermediate skier, the Lange RX 80 Wide is a good choice - links below.

    Boot Options:

    This boot comes in a range of flex options. The higher the flex the stiffer the boot and the more suited it is for a higher level of skiing.

    7. Salomon T3 Kids Ski Boot

    • Flex: Soft
    • Size: Kid-Teenager
    • Level: Beginner
    • This Salomon T3 Kids Ski Boot is perfect for new skiers. It has a soft flex which makes energy transfer easier for young skiers learning on green and blue slopes. The soft flex makes turning easier and makes learning the foundations of skiing more natural.

    Main Features:

    • The misfit Liner is padded and cushioned for extra warmth and all-day comfort.
    • 2 or 3 (depending on the boot model) easy open and close buckles.
    • This is a durable boot that will last many seasons. Guaranteed for 1 year.

    Boot Options:

    This boot comes in two main options. The T3 has three buckles and is for the older kid while the T2 is a smaller boot for younger children.

    8. Nordica Firearrow Team 2 Ski Boot

    • Flex: Soft
    • Size: Kid-Teenager
    • Level: Beginner

    The Nordica Firearrow Team 2 Ski Boot is an awesome ski boot for new skiers learning to parallel ski. It has a soft beginner flex and makes it much easier to transfer power to the skis and initiate a turn.

    The Firearrow is a comfortable and warm boot and great for wearing all day without getting sore feet. 

    Main Features:

    • Easy to put on take-off, the tongue expands out far and your child will have no trouble getting into and out these.
    • Comfort Fit Jr. liner is warm and cozy. Make your child's day on the slopes enjoyable and a fun learning experience.
    • Steel buckles are strong but not too challenging to close for a good fit. The steel buckles won't rust or snap.
    • Jr. Cuff Profile is shaped for young legs and allows for a good fit while allowing joints to move.

    This is an affordable boot at a fair price and is good for girls or boy skiers.

    Boot Options:

    kids skiing (2)

    How to Choose a Kid's Ski Boot?

    When choosing a ski boot for a child these are the key things to be aware of. Choose a boot with the correct:

    • Size
    • Boot width
    • Flex

    1. Size

    Boots are measured on the mondopoint scale which is the length of your child's foot in CM. Choosing the correct size boot is essential for your child's ability to transfer their movements directly into their ski rather than as an internal slide within the boot.

    Ski boots that are too big can make skiing very challenging and may cause blisters. Whereas skiing with too small boots will fatigue feet, reduce circulation, and make them sore and cold much quicker.

    To get your child's foot size is simple, put your child's foot against a wall, grab a tape measure, and measure from the wall to the top.

    mondopoint black

    Some ski boots like the 'Roces Idea Free Children' model can actually expand 4cm so your kids can grow into the same pair of boots.

    2. Width 

    Most children will be fine in the standard width ski boot, and most ski boots for young children will be able to accommodate a larger volume of the foot. As they get older more options for wider or narrow boots become available and it is worth looking at a boot with a wide or narrow last (width + boot volume). Some of these adult ski boots listed on Best Ski Boots For Wide Feet are available in smaller youth sizes;

    3. Flex

    Flex is a key consideration when buying new ski boots and it refers to how stiff or soft the shell plastic is. Better or stronger skiers benefit from a stiffer boot with a higher flex while younger or new skiers develop their skill more easily with a soft or low flex boot.

    A stiffer boot is more stable at speed and for skiers who have the technique to transfer power into the skis. A softer boot is much easier to flex and turn the skis at lower speeds while learning to or building confidence in the parallel turn.

    kid parallel ski

    While flex ratings are not universal across boots, these flex ranges provide a good baseline for most children.

    Boot Flex for Kids
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    If you're interested in learning about adult ski boot flex, read my full ski boot buyers guide

    Final Thoughts

    That's a wrap, this list will be updated each season to bring you the best ski boots available from beginner to advanced young skiers.

    Thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments feel free to write them below and I'll get back to you.