In mid-September, ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langd.se visited Torsby and Sportakademin’s test days. Here, you’ll find this season’s news in ski boots.

Between September 16-18, Sportakademin invited people to test days at the Torsby Ski Tunnel in Sweden. Over two intensive days, staff from sports stores tested this year’s new products from all suppliers. Of course, ProXCskiing.com’s sister site, Langd.se, was also on-site to document the new ski boots equipment and speak with the various suppliers.

What are the hottest items on the market for the upcoming winter? Here’s where you’ll find the latest news on ski boots.

Also Read: Part 1 and Part 2 of this year’s ski news.

Atomic: Johan Henriksson, Atomic Sweden Sales Representative

What’s new in the boots category?

“On the footwear side, we have brand-new C9 boots. They feature a low inner boot, ‘carbon-loaded’ at the heel for increased stability, and a Sidas insole.”

“The S9 is our top seller for skating. It has a full carbon sole and quick lacing. This one also comes with a Sidas insole, making it as close to a racing boot as possible.”

What’s different from the old design?

“It’s more stable and comes with an included Sidas insole.”

What do you recommend for someone planning to ski the Marcialonga or Vasaloppet?

“If you’re aiming for time, I’d say the C9 Carbon is the best option. The regular C9 is also a solid boot, but if you have big ambitions, go for one of these models.”

Rossignol: Henrik Åkerlund

What’s new in the boots category?

“The updates are primarily in the racing boots. The classic boot now has an attachable cuff, which makes it more stable for skiers who are double-poling or sprinting.”

What do you recommend for someone planning to ski the Marcialonga or Vasaloppet?

“The classic XIUM WCS boot. It has a snug fit, won’t cause blisters, and doesn’t have a carbon sole, so it’s more affordable. It’s the best boot in terms of price.”

Madshus: John Wikman

What’s new in the boots category?

“Firstly, the Skate X boot. It’s a new system for skating”

“On the recreational side, BOA is the biggest update. The Race Pro, just below the racing model, features dual BOA fasteners.”

What’s different from the old design?

“For the Skate X, we’ve moved the attachment point under the foot and doubled the carbon thickness in the sole, making it much stiffer. The Race Pro with BOA is also more robust and warmer than the previous model.”

What do you recommend for someone planning to ski the Marcialonga or Vasaloppet?

“The Race Pro with BOA. Many skiers will appreciate the BOA. If you’re further back in Vasaloppet, where there aren’t clear tracks, a combi boot can be useful as it allows for both skating and classic skiing.”

Alpina: Måns Sunesson

What’s new in the boots category?

“The major update is in the recreational boots. The new “Race model” has the same chassis and shape as the racing boots, for both skating and classic, but with different materials. This has significantly improved the “Race model.”

“And, of course, the Skate X boot is new.”

What’s different from the old design?

“It has a better heel fit, where the chassis holds better. All boots from Race to Pro now also have a slightly forward-mounted binding attachment, providing a bit of leverage for classic skiing.”

What do you recommend for someone planning to ski the Marcialonga or Vasaloppet?

“At the recreational level, I’d recommend the new “Race Kombi.” It’s in the higher price range and is warmer, which can be useful for long races. If you have bigger ambitions, I’d suggest the PRO DPP, a racing boot built for double-poling.”

Salomon

What’s new in the boots category?

“This year, we’re launching a significant advancement for the cross-country skiing industry in the form of the BOA boot. BOA is a technology that offers enhanced comfort and fit. We also use our own technologies in boot design, following a three-layer principle: foot/sock as one layer, inner boot/liner as the second, and outer boot/shell as the third layer.”

What’s different from the old design?

“The convenience with BOA is that you can make fine adjustments. These boots have been tested on the World Cup circuit for at least a year. A big advantage is the ability to make small adjustments during the race if a skier wants a tighter fit, for example.”

What do you recommend for someone planning to ski the Marcialonga or Vasaloppet?

“For skiers who go a bit slower and tend to get cold feet, I’d recommend the S-Max Classic. For faster skiers, the S-Race or S-Lab models would be suitable.”

Read More: The Big Ski Test 2023

Are you interested in equipment for traditional cross-country and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.