Best Cross Country Ski Boots of 2025

BEST FOR: WET CONDITIONS

Nobody likes cold wet feet, especially when cross-country skiing through the backcountry. For a fully waterproof (and warm!) ski boot, consider the Alpina Alaska 75. 

No matter how extreme the weather is, your feet will stay covered and dry through slush and powder alike. The waterproof membrane is also breathable, meaning all the sweat you work up will have a place to escape rather than creating a humidifier effect inside your boots. 

The Alpina Alaska 75 also features an “Achilles flex zone”, ensuring you stay mobile even with an over-the-ankle boot. The result is a tough, high-top boot that never makes sacrifices.

BEST FOR: PERFORMANCE VERSATILITY

If you’re all about the Race & Performance category of cross-country skiing, then these boots will provide you the versatility to perform both skate skiing and classic race skiing. 

Since the difference between the two styles really comes down to technique, it makes sense to buy a hybrid boot that can do both! Might as well save your money and invest in the top-of-the-line Alpina R Combi.

These sporty looking race boots feature elastic inserts so that you can customize the fit exactly to your liking. They’re also water-resistant and extremely lightweight, a must for anyone whose performance is on the line. 

Lastly, the Alpina Combi R’s have a soft flex that is perfectly suitable to classic race and performance skiing while the Combi style makes them ideal for skate skiing. It’s the best of both worlds!

BEST FOR: OFF-TRACK VERSATILITY

Rossignol knows exactly what cross-country skiers need, which is why they’re one of the most popular brands among consumers. Offering innovative designs is where they excel and they hit it home with the X5 OT, a hybrid style boot that bridges the gap between groomed runs and full on backcountry skiing. 

Many backcountry boots use backcountry soles and bindings which tend to be very wide – too wide for traditional groomed tracks. If you’ve bought a pair of partial/full Metal-Edge Touring skis so that you can ski both groomed and ungroomed terrain, you need a crossover boot like these. 

The Rossignol X5 OT (Off-Track) features hinged cuffs that add stability to your skiing while also sporting TURNAMIC soles that are compatible with most bindings, including NNN, NIS, and Prolink. Check out the Things To Consider section below for more info on these bindings.

BEST FOR: COMPETITIVE SKATE SKIING

Whether you’re new to competitive skate skiing or a weathered veteran, the Rossignol X10 Skate ski boots are an absolute gem. With a design inspired by top-notch athletes that compete at the cross-country skiing World Cup, these premium boots are bound to serve you well.

Lightweight and incredibly responsive, the X10’s deliver unmatched precision and power transfer when utilizing the skate skiing technique. The low profile soles are not only sporty, but also assist your skating efficiency by helping you create a natural foot roll. 

Lastly, the X10’s will keep your feet warm and dry even when race day conditions are at their worst. Relying on a reflective foil built into the fabric, the liners inside the boot will keep your feet warm and dry, allowing you to perform your best.

BEST FOR: RUGGED BACKCOUNTRY TERRAIN

When braving the harsh conditions that the backcountry often serves up, you need a rugged backcountry boot to match. The Alpina Alaska BC (backcountry) ski boots are just the right pair for intensely rugged expeditions. 

Sporting full leather uppers, these boots are constructed from quality, long-lasting materials. They also come with proprietary Thinsulate liners which will keep you warm and dry while lending you the support necessary to tackle backcountry terrain. 

The Alaska Alpina BC’s also feature full laces which will help you dial in the perfect fit. You can change lacing patterns to relieve pressure or tighten up specific areas for a fully customized fit.

BEST FOR: THE PERFECT FIT

Are you super particular about how things fit? Are you the type of person that wants complete control on customizing your fit? Then look no further than the Salomon Escape Plus ski boots. Featuring adjustable cuffs, ankle support, and streamlined insulation, these boots are packed with features that will make your feet extremely happy.

The Quicklace system is not only super simple to use, but it helps you tighten your boots in exactly the right places. The soles and liners feature thermoformable foam, which contours to your feet under heat and pressure which essentially creates a custom fit after a single day of use. 

The liners also feature Thinsulate, a super slim material that keeps your feet extremely warm during even the chilliest of days.

BEST FOR: COMPETITION SKATE SKIING AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

Looking to break into the competitive side of cross-country skiing without breaking the bank? The Salomon RS8 Prolinks are a premium quality skate skiing boot that will help take you to first place!

Featuring super stable support cuffs for your ankles, these ski boots help convert your power into speed, reducing muscle fatigue in the process and helping you keep a more stable stance. The adjustable heel straps also ensure you have a proper heel hold for the best results. 

Lastly, the RS8 Prolinks feature Prolink soles which are compatible with the most widely available bindings: New Nordic Norm (NNN), Nordic Integrated System (NIS), TURNAMIC, and Prolink bindings.

BEST FOR: BUDGET-MINDED CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Cross-country skiing doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. If you’re relatively new to the sport or are just now investing in your own gear, consider the Madshus Nordic cross-country ski boots. They deliver great quality for classic touring with an entry-level price tag.

Perhaps the most enticing feature are the soles. Using the widely common New Nordic Norm (NNN), the Madshus Nordic boots are compatible with a wide array of bindings, making your life simpler and giving you many, many more options of bindings and skis with pre-fitted bindings to choose from.