Best Ski Boots for Wide Feet: A Bootfitter's Honest Guide
Quick answer: A wide foot generally starts at a D width on a Brannock, or wider, which translates to about a 102mm or wider forefoot in a ski boot. But the front of your foot is not the only thing that matters. The volume of the boot (heel, ankle, instep, calf) matters just as much. The right wide boot depends on your whole foot and leg, not one number. And no matter what you read online, you should still see a bootfitter before you buy.
What actually counts as a wide foot?
Most skiers with wide feet are told the same thing: just get a wide boot. But if you've ever bought a "wide" boot and still had pain or pressure, you already know it's not that simple.
Here's the thing. As a bootfitter, I typically consider a wide foot starting at a D width on a Brannock, or wider. This translates to about a 102mm or wider forefoot in a ski boot. But the front of your foot is not the only thing that goes into a ski boot when choosing the best fit. The volume of the boot also matters. Some people have a wide front of their foot and a narrow heel (me!), while some are wide and high volume everywhere. There are many combinations of calf size, ankle size, foot width, etc. that can exist.
Some people have an overall slim foot but have bunions. That person doesn't necessarily need a wide boot, they may need a mid volume boot with some punches for their bunions. Ski boots can be adjusted easily by a bootfitter.
One more thing before we get into specific models. Just because you find good info about boots online, doesn't mean you should buy online without seeing a bootfitter. I always recommend buying at a reputable ski shop. It doesn't have to be somewhere in a big ski town, just somewhere with experienced ski bootfitters.
Specific wide boot models
Now that we've established the difference between width and volume, we can talk specific models. These are boots I have experience fitting. There are many wide boot models on the market right now, they vary in many ways, and it's about choosing what's best for you. This is not a complete list.
These models all come in a variety of flexes. And though they're all listed at 102 to 104mm last (which is considered wide), they all fit VERY differently.
A note on the numbers: The last width listed for any boot is measured at a size 26 shell. As the shell size goes up or down, that width shifts by about 1 to 2mm per size. So if the table says 102mm and you're skiing in a size 28, your actual shell is running closer to 104mm. If you're in a size 24, it's closer to 100mm. Women's models are typically measured at a size 26.5. It's an imperfect system, and another reason why the number on the box is only a starting point. A fitter will measure your actual shell.
| Boot | Last (at 26.5 shell) | Fit profile |
|---|---|---|
| K2 BFC | 103mm | High volume foot AND leg: big calf, wide foot, high instep. Widest real-world fit on the market. It's a boat. |
| Nordica Cruise | 104mm | Same high-volume profile as the BFC. Generous through the foot and the leg. |
| Dalbello Cabrio Max | 103mm | Great wide option in a three-piece Cabrio construction. High volume and very comfortable. Men's only. |
| Atomic Hawx Magna | 102mm | One of the truly widest shells regardless of what the number says. |
| Lange Concept | 103mm | Wide foot, average leg and heel. The classic Midwest customer. Tighter heel hold than the BFC. |
| Nordica Sportmachine | 102mm | Same fit category as the Concept. Cork liners available for extra heel hold and response. |
| Tecnica Mach1 HV | 103mm | Wide and high volume with strong performance from the T-Drive. More response than the Mach BOA. |
| Tecnica Mach BOA HV | 103mm | Awesome and very comfortable, with BOA. Great comfort fit. |
| Lange Shadow HV | 102mm | Wide forefoot with a strong performance feel. Great high flex option. |
| Rossignol Speed / Track HV | 104mm | Fit wide and do run long. Not our personal favorite in this category, but they cover the width need and are worth trying. |
| Salomon S/Pro Delta | 102mm | Molds super easy. Fits wider than Salomon's old wide models. |
| Roxa R/Fit HV | 102mm | Not the widest. A nice comfort boot for a slightly wider foot. |
Same width, very different boots
For example, the Lange Concept and the K2 BFC are both listed at a 103mm last, however these are for two very different customers. The BFC (stands for Built For Comfort) is built for a high volume foot and leg as well as a wide foot. This boot will fit someone with a big calf, wide foot, and high instep. It's also customizable through shell and liner molding, like many boots are these days.
However the Lange Concept, also at 103mm, is targeted more for someone with an average size leg and heel with a wide foot (this is what I call the classic Midwest customer). The Lange will have a tighter heel hold and overall be lower profile in the leg area than the BFC. This is just one example of the fit differences in wide boots. I feel the Sportmachine fits into the same category as the Concept, while the Nordica Cruise has the profile of the BFC.
Another disclaimer: the BFC is listed at 103mm, but many customers feel it is the widest fit on the market. For good reason. It's a boat.
If you truly have a WIDE foot
If you truly have a WIDE foot (measuring double to triple E or wider), your choices narrow down pretty quickly: the BFC, the Cruise, or the Magna. The K2 BFC is genuinely the widest boot on the market. Worth mentioning here too: the Salomon Delta, in the hands of a good bootfitter, belongs in this conversation. It molds super easy, and when you shell mold it with padding over the width and instep during the mold, it can open up significantly more than the numbers suggest. It really does wonders.
Premium / performance options
Many of these boots come in flexes up to 120 to 130, however some are more performance oriented than others. In my opinion the best high performance options here are:
- The Lange Shadow HV 120/130
- The Tecnica Mach1 HV 120/130 (different than the Mach BOAs, which are awesome and very comfortable, but you get more response out of the Mach1 with the T-Drive)
- The Nordica Sportmachine 120/130 (cork liners for extra heel hold and response)
That doesn't mean the high flex options from other brands are not high performance boots, they still are. These are just going to have the most premium liners and options (and typically the higher price tags).
Wide boot FAQ
How do I know what's best for me?
The table above should help you figure out whether you're more of a BFC customer (high volume everywhere) or a Concept customer (wide foot, average leg and heel). Most people can narrow it down to two or three boots pretty quickly once they understand that distinction. From there though, size, flex, and how your specific foot sits in the shell still need a real fitting. One boot can feel completely different on two people with the same last measurement. Come in having done your homework, and a good bootfitter can get you to the right answer a lot faster.
Should I size up if I have a wide foot?
Short answer, no. You always want to buy ski boots as true to your proper size as possible. I very rarely have to size someone up because of width. Typically in a wide boot with the right size and some fitting and adjustments, a proper bootfitter can get you into your correct size and skiing comfortable, even with a wide foot.
What if I don't have a wide foot but I have a high volume calf or ankle?
Usually in this situation we look at a mid volume boot, or even a narrow boot in some cases, and make room for the calf, leg, and ankle. It's best to fit to the majority of the foot and adjust to the rest.
What if I already ski in one of these models but they still aren't wide enough?
Many times this is an easy fix: a simple width stretch, punch, or shell mold with a bootfitter. Sometimes it takes a couple tries to get the boot stretched enough for a very wide or sensitive foot.
Footbeds, stance, and gait pattern
Many types of feet can benefit from footbeds, but it can be a love hate relationship for wide feet specifically. Footbeds typically benefit people that are pronated, and that still applies with a wide foot. However, some people with wide feet have a neutral or supinated stance. This is where the foot naturally rolls outward while walking.
We find that in ski boots specifically, some people that are supinated feel the ski boots aren't wide enough or tall enough, when there is actually enough shell space. The pressure is coming from improper positioning in the boot. When your foot rolls out even the slightest, it can create a lot of pressure on the outside of the foot and the top of the foot.
Luckily this has a simple fix. The number one recommendation is a custom footbed to correct stance. However, if that isn't an option cost wise, there are still options. Something as simple as a supination pad (technically called a lateral heel wedge, or valgus wedge) that goes on the outside of the heel, under the footbed in the ski boot. This can help correct the foot's placement in the ski boot, creating a better fit for these types of feet.
Then there is the extra complex case where the front of the foot rolls outward, but the knees and ankles still fall in (me!!). This makes it harder to correct each problem on its own, because a supination pad can make knock knees worse. This can require a unique solution: a small wedge under the big toe (we call this a "gas pedal," obviously a non technical term). This wedge brings the floor up to stabilize the foot under that toe. It sounds backward, but it works. (Trust me, my custom footbeds have perfectly shaped wedges under each big toe.)
The same thing goes for the other way: someone can pronate (arch and foot collapsing inward while they walk) but their knees can go outward.
Talk to a real bootfitter
Wide feet come in a lot of different shapes. Wide and narrow heel, wide and high volume, bunions, a supinated stance that mimics width issues when there is actually enough room. The right boot is where all of those variables intersect, not just the number on the box. That's why the table above is a starting point, not an answer.
This guide should help you walk into a fitting knowing what questions to ask and which direction to start. If you're ready, come see our bootfitters and shop the full lineup at AspenSkiAndBoard.com.
Written by Alexis, head bootfitter at Aspen Ski and Board. Ten years fitting boots, trained at the Sidas Bootfitting Academy.
← Back to all Shop Talk articles