Top 10 Walk Mode Ski Boots of 2024

Whether you want more mobility in the backcountry on your next ski tour or just an easier time traversing the lodge during lunch, a pair of ski boots with walk mode is key. Regardless of whether you prefer riding resorts or out of bounds, a boot with ample cuff rotation will save you time and energy so you can focus on bombing the hill as much as possible.

Best Touring Ski Boots

K2 Mindbender BOA

The BOA Fit System has been a common feature in snowboard boots for a while now, but it is relatively new in the world of skiing. As skiers, we are extremely happy to see BOA technology creeping into the world of ski boots, and it is a big reason that we love K2’s Mindbender line of boots so much. BOA lacing helps spread pressure more evenly throughout the boot over traditional buckles and helps to eliminate uncomfortable pressure points.

The Mindbender boot can accommodate many different shapes of foot, even right out of the box you’ll be able to walk in these ski boots. A 97mm-100mm last offers plenty of room for most widths of foot. For those with super wide feet, a last of 104mm can be achieved by heat molding the boot.

The Mindbender is among the heavier boots on this list but in the grand scheme of things they are still on the lighter side. They offer a 50-degree range of motion in walk mode, which is plenty for most skiers. Throw in the fact that they are compatible with both standard alpine DIN bindings and AT tech touring binding system, and you have a boot that is a favorite among resort and backcountry riders alike.

Nordica Unlimited LT DYN

Nordica really knocked it out of the park with these top-tier boots. The Unlimited LT DYN boots really boost comfort and flexibility with incredibly strong construction to make a hard-charging boot that is great for skiers of all skill levels.

Nordica’s Tri Force Cuff Construction is made up of three different density materials that allow for unrivaled comfort without sacrificing weight. Softer PU/Triax in the front of the boot helps the skier find the perfect fit and reduce shinbang on the skin track while a denser PU/Triax spine and heel offer the most support possible, helping to transfer the most energy possible with the least amount of work. Eco-friendly castor bean-derived Grilamid® throughout the rest of the shell helps tie everything together into a boot that both downhill and AT skiers can appreciate.

On top of this, Nordica offers IR molding technology that can help relieve unwanted pressure points from any part of the boot, offering a truly custom fit.

Dynafit Ridge Pro

Dynafit went and did it again with this season’s Ridge Pro ski boots. What really sets this boot apart from others in the same category is the thoughtful, innovative details that the professionals at Dynafit chose to incorporate into this top-shelf boot.

These boots might as well be your second pair of slippers with the 70 degrees of cuff rotation that they offer, on top of the revolutionary “floating tongue”. This tongue actually moves with the top of the foot as you stride, allowing it to naturally flex instead of fighting against your movement. This combo makes for a seamless and simple ascent.

As for the downhill, the tongue ratchets down via the dial-and-cable system that actually adjusts the interior volume of the boot. This means that it can accommodate a wide range of foot sizes and shapes. Normally we would reserve a boot with a 101mm last for wide feet, but this genius design makes it perfect for narrower feet as well.

It’s no surprise that these boots are right at home in the steepest and most sendy terrain out there. Dynafit’s award-winning locking mechanism has been redesigned for even better power transfer and ease of use. Combine that with a full carbon and Grilamid® shell and you have one of the most confident and stable downhill boots to maximize performance ever – especially considering how light, comfortable, and affordable they are.

If you plan on using ski boots with walk mode and will be on your feet for a long period of time. Take your touring boots into ski shop and talk to the local boot fitter.  Fitting boots for a variety of foot shapes is what they do. And when you’re touring day in day out you really can’t get away with anything less than a perfect fit.

Scarpa Maestrale RS

The Maestrale has been a favorite boot for backcountry skiing for many years now, and the Maestrale RS is a completely redesigned version of the boot that improves upon an already legendary model of AT ski boot.

As far as the construction goes, Scarpa continues to live up to their name with this new model of boot. Skiers with wider feet will be happy to know that Scarpa updated the Maestrale RS with a wider toe box. The new 102mm last allows skiers with wider feet to enjoy the unmatched performance of the Maestrale RS without sacrificing any comfort.

There’s a reason that so many backcountry hounds and ski patrollers utilize this boot. Scarpa managed to make an extremely durable and strong boot that weighs in at under 1500g. The carbon Grilamid® shell offers the perfect balance of backbone for charging downhill performance without weighing you down on the ascent. The tongue of the boot is a blend of Grilamid® and Pebax®, which offers a stiff and light product that will fit almost any shape of foot.

Fischer Transalp PRO

The Fischer Transalp PRO is a prime example of a full-fledged touring boot that combines lightweight construction with the power and response of a racing boot.

Walking around in these boots is almost as comfortable as walking around in a pair of sneakers they truly fit comfortably. These bad boys weigh in at a mere 1280g and offer a whopping 80 degrees of cuff rotation. This means that whether you are grabbing lunch at the lodge or boot packing your way to the summit, you won’t have to expend any unnecessary energy before dropping in.

The adjustable forward lean makes the Transalp PRO a great selection for any type of skier. The boot offers an easily adjustable 3-degree change in stance. Mellower skiers can enjoy the more neutral 13-14 degree position, while more aggressive riders can crank the lean forward to 17 degrees for that extra little umph when it’s time to charge down the mountain as hard as possible.

Rossignol Alltrack Pro

Rossignol has really come into its own as a quality ski boot manufacturer, and the Alltrack Pro series is a testament to the company’s ability to produce a quality walk mode ski boot at an affordable price.

Now these aren’t the lightest pair of boots on this list, but the fact that Rossignol was able to pack this much brand-new tech into a boot that is almost half the price of some of our other top picks is truly amazing. If you are looking for one pair of boots to use in any situation without breaking the bank, these are the boots for you.

Rossignol’s Hike Mode 2.0 offers a wider berth in the bottom of the shell for your foot along with a lower axis for rotation. This means that the Alltrack Pro is capable of providing a 50-degree range of motion in walk mode without giving up any stability while the boots heels locked into ski mode.

Dalbello Cabrio LV Free

Dalbello’s new Cabrio LV Free are definitely one of the most versatile boots on this list. They offer comfort and stability in deep pow, corduroy, uneven crud, dust on crust, and anything else you can imagine. The 105 and 120 flex designs provide enough backbone to punch through less-than-ideal snow while distributing that force throughout the boot, making every snow type feel soft and buttery. The Cabrio LV Free is for any skier who prioritizes all-day comfort regardless of the conditions.

The new 99mm last on these boots is perfect for skiers with medium to narrow-shaped feet, but the IF Hike Pro Liner is comfortable enough to accommodate skiers with a slightly wider foot as well. The memory foam tongue only adds to the boot’s level of comfort, making it a solid all-in-one pair of boots that you can use all season long.

Tecnica Zero G Peak

Tecnica is and always has been one of those boot manufacturers that has made top of the line ski boots for every style of skiing whether it be alpine boot, freeride boot, or touring boot. The Zero G Peak was an easy choice for this list of top walk mode ski boots of 2024 because it really isn’t missing out on anything that makes a quality touring boot.

First and foremost, the Zero G Peaks are some of the lighter boots on this list and among similar types of boots on the market. Any time a boot weighs less than 1000g, a backcountry skier’s ears perk up because this is a good sign of a quality AT boot that can be used for long backcountry tours. At a mere 980g, these boots won’t weigh you down whether they are on your feet or in your pack.

Tecnica was able to achieve such a lightweight boot by incorporating a co-injected carbon fiber and Grilamid® combo into the shell and cuff of the boot. They also threw in a carbon fiber plate underneath the foot of the boot to help reinforce torsional stability to help maximize power transmission from the skier to the ski. Ultralight boots run the risk of losing this power transmission, so it’s nice to know that Tecnica thought of everything when creating this amazingly versatile boot. To top it all off these things have a whopping 75-degree range of motion, so getting from A to B is easier than ever – no matter the terrain.

Atomic Hawx Prime XTD

Atomic has always been synonymous with racing and freestyle boots, but the Hawx Prime XTD is proof that they know what they are doing when it comes to creating quality touring boots.

Now these boots are definitely on the heavier side of things, weighing in at almost 2000g, but they shouldn’t be counted out as a top pick for quality walk mode ski boots. Part of the reason these boots weigh a little more than some of our other picks is because they are a medium-volume boot with a 100mm last. This means that they can handle skiers with wider feet and ankles. Generally, a 100mm toe box is for people with average width feet, the reason that these boots can accommodate especially wide feet is because of the special memory foam liner which can expand up to 6mm around the ball of the foot and another 10mm in the ankle.

Despite being on the heavier side of things, these boots should be a top pick for anyone with a wider frame who needs a quality pair of walk mode ski boots that they can stay comfortable in all day long.

Salomon Shift Pro AT

Salomon really nailed it when they made the Shift Pro AT ski boot. It is the perfect hybrid of heavy-duty backcountry tech and mellow resort riding pleasure.

This boot is highly customizable and it avoids all of the common pitfalls that can come along with this characteristic. The Surelock Ski Walk system is designed to line up with the upper buckle so that you can transition between walk and ski modes quicker than ever. All four buckles also have micro-adjusting capabilities to ensure a snug and comfortable fit every time. To round it all off, there are two hiking hooks on each of the cuff buckles to ensure a wider range of motion when in walk mode. 43 degrees of cuff rotation isn’t the biggest when compared to our other picks, but this is still plenty for most skiers’ needs.

Related Ski Boots

1. Fischer RC4 Pro Ski Boots
2. Dynafit Hoji Pro Ski Boots
3. Scarpa F1 Ski Boots