Ski Boots Size Chart – How to find the right size for you

Why is it not possible to buy ski boots in size 10? Well, because the size of the ski boots is stated in the mondopoint. And what kind of scale is it then? Mondopoint is based on the centimeter measurement of the foot. We sort out the concepts surrounding this standardization.

Choosing the right size when buying ski boots can seem difficult. But the fact is that it doesn’t have to be particularly complicated at all.

The sizes of ski boots are given in something called mondo sizes (also called mondopoint) which is a standardization developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

What is mondopoint?

So what does mondopoint mean? Well, it’s simply the centimetre measurement of the liner. Simple, right? Still, it’s common for skiers to wear boots that are way too big. The reason for this is that many people try on ski boots in the same way as they try on shoes and choose a boot that fits comfortably in the store, but often turns out to be too big when it is used. The boot is a piece of sports equipment that is supposed to transfer movement to your skis via the binding, which means that play is best avoided.

A boot that is too big means that you have to tighten the boot tighter and tighter during the day, which cuts off the blood supply, which in turn results in cramps and cold toes. Read more about buying the right ski boots here.

The best thing is always to go to a store with a knowledgeable bootfitter who can help you with what size you should have and which boot fits you. If you don’t have that opportunity, you can measure your foot yourself to find out what size you should have.

Here’s how to measure your foot:

• Place a blank piece of A4 paper on the floor against a wall, take out a ruler and pencil. A tip from the coach is to tape under the paper so that it stays still.

• Place your foot on the paper while keeping your heel against the wall, measure barefoot or with a thin sock.

• Bend your knee slightly and draw around the front of your foot (it helps if someone helps).
• Repeat the same with the other foot
• Measure what you have drawn for both feet, the longest measurement is your theoretically perfect mondo size, splice up/down to the appropriate mondo size that is available IRL.

Measuring yourself is a bit tricky, but it is possible. If you want more accurate measurement, ask a friend to help or buy/borrow a measuring stick.

Comfort or performance?

A rule of thumb is to choose the size that is just above your centimeter measurement if you prioritize comfort, for example, if your longest foot measures 26.9 cm, you should usually choose a boot with a size 27.5. If you want maximum performance, you can in some cases choose the size that is below your centimeter measurement if you fall between two sizes, and in this case you would then end up with mondo size 26.5.

If your feet are 25.2 cm and 26 cm as in the measurement example, 25.5 may be an option if you want to sit tight and are prepared to hit your right big toe occasionally, but size 26.5 is more reasonable for most people. To change a ski boot lengthwise is very difficult, because after quite a few millimeters it can start to affect how the ski boot sits in the bindings, to change width and push out individual points for bumps on your feet is easier.

Ski Boot Half Sizes

What can be somewhat confusing about ski boots and mondo sizes is that it is usually only possible to buy in 26.5, 27.5 and 28.5, for example. So there is a whole size between each interval. This is a cost issue for the manufacturers, who choose to only make the hard outer shells for the boots with a full size interval in between.

The liners, on the other hand, are sometimes available in tighter intervals, but are then placed in a shell that is actually a bit too spacious. A boot that is 27.0 has an outer shell that is 27.5 but the liner is adapted to half size smaller, i.e. 27.0. This works reasonably well if you ski infrequently. If you ski a little more and place higher demands on performance, it can be a problem because the liner’s material over time gives way and molds to your foot, which in itself is good, but it can go too far and the boot simply becomes too big. This can be tweaked, for example, to put a flat extra sole under the liner.

The best boot for your foot is of course the one that needs the least modifications afterwards, but at the same time if you want to fit tight and well and not be in pain, it requires a little bootfitting for many of us. Here we have listed 10 steps to find the perfect fit, how should ski boots fit.

Did it get messy? Let’s say that you have measured your feet that are 26.8 and 26.9 centimeters, you can choose a boot with the size 27.5 (just like we mentioned earlier). Should you choose size 28.0, it means that the liner sits in a shell adapted to an liner that measures 28.5 centimeters. This means that the liner, which is 28.0 centimetres, will most likely stretch and become too big in the long run because the shell is larger. If, on the other hand, you choose size 27.0, the liner sits in a shell that is adapted to an inner shoe that measures 27.5 centimeters and then you might as well choose 27.5 directly if you are going to ski a lot.