How Stiff SHOULD your Ski boots be 

I don't understand how this guy can be producing such amazing high quality content, yet still be getting so little recognition

Hey, great video! I've got one addition from my experience: the willingness of the boot to flex is also depending on the temperature of the shoe, meaning that inside a store, the boot is warm and the plastic is easier to flex. That should also be taken into account.

Well done explaining the intricacies on flex of a boot and things to consider when boot shopping. I have gone too stiff and too soft with past boot purchases. I really had to look at who I am, and what am I really doing. Setting the ego aside has helped me get into the right boot.

Great video, very well laid out and still current today! I went to my local independent ski shop and bought new boots this year. I needed performance and fit, they set me up. Can't imagine trying to order online and get something decent.

I run a 130 flex as an intermediate skier. I’m 6’2” 210ilb. Salomon boot. Have no issues. Great feedback and feel through these boots.

Thanks, I have seen several of your videos and have learned a great deal. I am a beginner and people who know skiing have just said do this without a reason why. your the first who has explained the reasons and whys. this helps me greatly.

Maybe another factor in choosing the stiffness is the outside temperature. January 2022 in the east as been real cold skiing at minus 25, and the boots realy stiften in those cold days. It may be a factor when choosing between 2 stiftness.

All of this info is super helpful! Thanks!

Best advice, go to a boot fitter. I did it two years ago and was blown away. You know your stuff.

I just started skiing this year so charts say I should be in a softer boot. 180 lbs gym rat though, 30 years of snowboarding and ski 4-5 times a week since I live right by the lifts. My local ski shop talked me into trying stiffer boots and I'm so glad they did. I'm in lange rx120s and they're perfect for me. They flex just fine and I have amazing control compared to the rentals I was using before. Forget the charts and have an experienced ski shop talk with you and get you into something that works for your individual needs.

Fantastic video I learn something everytime.

This video was a big help, thanks! I've been skiing since I was a little kid, but have only skied 3 times since 2015 (college, started snowboarding last year. When i used to ski a lot, I was advanced intermediate. I'm a strong muscular guy (mountain biker legs...) that weighs about 240, so I think I'm going to go with some 120 salomons

Love your channel. Great information, thanks. Subscribed, liked.

Bought new boots last year. Waited till I was in CO and found a fitter and must have tried 6 or 7 pairs and ended up with a pair of Tecnica Mach 1 110's and custom footbeds. Skied with them all week and could not be happier. Whole process took about 2 hours. Was nice that it was a week day and kind of slow at the shop. I went in with a boot in mind and it was just not as comfortable as what I ended up buying.

This helped a lot. Thanks

Going to a professional is really good advice. I would preface that with finding out who that person is. Ask around, and hear what other people have to say about so and so shop. If you walk into any shop, and expect the person there to have years of experience. When in reality this is their first year doing this sort of thing, and all they know is what the boot rep told them. Well that would be like the blind following the blind. Ski boots is the most important piece of equipment. You can skimp on just about anything else. But if you have a perfect fitting boot, that matches your skiing. Everything comes into focus.

Just now started really trying to educate myself on ski gear and I'm hear to say.......this sh*t is kind of a pain in the ass.

For me as an expert skier, stiffness is appreciated more in the mixed conditions I typically ski. If I'm making a run that has the combination of fresh powder, packed powder and ice, the additional stiffness of my Lange RX130's makes all the difference when varying the power required based on those conditions (i.e. powder doesn't require that much power...ice requires significantly more). Additional boot stiffness offers that reserve of power when the conditions require it (and power you can feel as you transfer that power to edge hold). If your skiing style/ability doesn't require this, then you will likely be very happy with a less stiff boot. I'm not that large at 5'8" and 160 lbs, but my skiing style and ability requires me to ski a 130 flex boot for excellent control in all conditions and at all speeds.

As I'm now retired, all-being-well I'll be taking up skiing again next season as a mature beginner - 67. As I've had my own boots previously - they've long gone - I'll be getting my new own boots, I've green run skied before 35 years ago, and will be using a local retailer - Ellis Brigham in Manchester - as they do a professional boot fitting service to mould the boot so it is adapted to my feet. Forgot to mention, I'm just about 5' 6", and am 12 stone 4 pounds, as I'm a not flabby but stocky build like Dad was, but hope to be at or a little under 12 stone by the time I get to the resort. As I live alone I'm quite active, and walk a reasonable amount.

I was on Lange WC120's and I liked them fine. I went to a Fischer Ranger Free and the shop guy talked me all the way down to a 100. I am 5'7" and 140lb so he felt I was making skiing harder than it should be. He was right. Compared to the Lange boots these seem to initiate a turn as I'm thinking of it.

Bro, great video. By the way, where did you get that flannel? So dope.

Thanks for the clarity! Great info. I'm in my second pr of tecnica cochise 95 flex. I love the fit of the boot, supported, nothing pinches, every aspect from toes to top of calve feels supported. I tried both the 85 and 95. Like goldilocks, I think I'm somewhere in the middle. 95 might be alittle too stiff, but the other just didn't feel right. Now I have this little seed of doubt and its killing me! Is there a threshold of home much you should be able to flex the boot? What does too much or not enough look like? Thank you again!

Great Video.

Thank you!

Thanks for the video. Whats your thoughts on the forward lean of the boot in it's static unforced position. For me i found a more forward leaning boot suits me and they skiing i enjoy.

Very good info, i learned something! Things i wonder about: temperature when trying boots indoor vs negative temperature outside. Plastic gets stiffer when cold so one might get wrong impression at the store. You speak about weight but i think length is also a factor as you have more leverage if you are light but tall.

Testing indoors at 20C is not representative of -10C at the hill....always take the fact they are thermoplastics into account.

Another excellent vid, thanks for posting it. I know without seeing my feet in person this is just a suggestion. I am a middle aged skier, have gone about 10 times in the last 2 seasons a beginner aspiring to become an intermediate. I am about 5'8" tall and 200 lbs with reasonable athleticism my foot length: 275mm foot width 105mm with a slightly high arch slightly longer heel to heel instep perimeter (HIP) than foot length. Do you have any suggestions for a ski boot and flex rating?

People always think the need a higher flex than they actually do. Higher flex does not equal more cred.

I bought Dalbello DS 120s last season. They didn’t fit too well so I bought some K2 recon 90s this season. I honestly feel like they’re the same in terms of stiffness.

Thank you 🤙🏼

I’m 5 foot 11 inches, about 195 pounds. Ive been skiing for 14 years and am a freeride/woods/all mountain skier. I’m looking at tecnica Cochise 110 dyn gw. I have not tried any boots on yet I’m just looking at the moment I’m still using lease boots from a ski area because I’m 17 and my feet aren’t done growing yet.

I'm an expert snowboarder but only an intermediate skier. As a boarder I want my boots about as stiff as its possible to get a snowboard softboot but as a skier out cruising with my wife and kids I want a softer experience. I'm not hard charging on skis and have no intention of ever doing so. I love a fairly soft ski boot because it allows me to get forward when needed but also to stand up when I'm just taking it easy and want to take the load off the thighs and have a nice rest. Softer ski boots are also nicer when you are at the bar.

also the material plays an important role. some materials tend to have a more lineal flex and others have a more progressiv flex. if you are an advanced skiier you should def go with a progressiv flex. also some materials change the flex at different temperature. you have to keep in mind, that in the shop there is a higher temperature while skiing.. if you are interested in nerdy boot stuff than check out the gear:30 podcast of blister with matt manser. it blows my mind.

Finished 5 full days this year (Breck/Vail) and now carving on black groomers/harder blues. I bought nordica 80 flex, mostly because I got a really good deal. After watching videos and actual skiing, I still have no idea how flex affects my skiing. All I know is my boots are super comfy, fit perfectly, and not sure where they even physically "flex" on the boot. I actually did my own outfitting, and my own shell mod. I notice my skis performance a lot more. I spent three days trying a couple different lengths, and I could feel the 10cm range difference, but even that is surprisingly subtle as I added 5cm at a time. I'm sure there is a noticeable difference at the extremes, but when there is no standard, it's going to be mostly hocus pocus to make outfitters sound smart with their extended guesses to make you feel good about your expensive boots. I want to see a scientific video with a camera and sensors attached to a boot shell, with an "intermediate" skier doing the same hill segment with various flex. I bet even that will be suspect because multiple variables change between boots from the same manufacturer.

If at all possible do not buy boots online. Maybe ok for kids as they are growing, but not for someone that plans to ski full days and keep the boots for years. As this presenter states, don't go in and pick out the boots on their appearance. Find someone with experience and let them show you what they think will be the best fit for you. They will measure your feet and often try on the boots without the liners first to check if that shell is the right size. Once you have them on spend more than five minutes in them. My last pair I went to two different very experienced fitters and they both did these things. The first guy put me in a pair that felt far too soft and he didn't want to listen to me that they flexed too easily. They were a 100 flex where I had been in a 120 flex for forever. The second guy put me in a 120 flex pair of Technicas and suggested I wear them for about 30 minutes, walk around the store, flex, look for hot spots, etc. Bought those boots and did custom foot beds. The other great thing about this store is that they offer lifetime adjustments and they have stores in many ski areas. And they are great about doing those adjustments included. If the boot feels wrong, don't be afraid to tell the tech. If he doesn't listen, go elsewhere.

Best fit comes when your foot is in a sub talar neutral position. A true boot professional will know how to achieve this. Volumetric foot beds and cuff alignment are ALWAYS recommended before you make a final decision

i got a 95 flex because i wanted to feel the support of thee ankle more than my previous gummy 75. i didnt ferl like ever improving with soft boots

For ski racing it just depends what age category your in, u10 should be in a 60-70 flex boot racing, u12 is 60-90 flex racing boot, u14 90-110 racing boot, u16 90-130 racing boot, u18 110+, FIS and college racing 130+, and this also depends on weight and height, someone on my race team is u16 and skis on a 70 flex Fischer racing boot.

Flex should be standard, like a "pressure needed 20cm above the floor to bend a full closed boot 1mm forward at 0°C". Mondopoint is universal , so is the binding system. For a better experience it'd be great to have a transparent system for length , width, talo-calcaneus perimeter, flex pressure, weight, canting angle. nice video anyway ;)

Hello! Great content! I would appreciate your thoughts on the following matter. I’m looking to buy boots for the first time, been renting up until now. I’m intermediate and my weight is 100 kg (220 pounds), 176 cm height (5'9.29) . With rentals, I always experienced shin bangs (at the area where the tongue’s boot touches) and blisters, no matter what I tried, and that’s why I’m looking to purchase my own. I don’t know if I should be taking 100/110/120 flex boots. On rentals, I usually received 80ish which is bad, I know. I tried at the shop today 100 and 110 ones (Salomon S/Pro). The 100 was pretty good on and when leaned forward it was ok and didn’t hurt my shin. I then tried on the 110, which was stiffer of course, but then when I leaned forward it did hurt my shins a bit. I know that because of my weight I should be taking 120 but I did hear in your videos that there are more variables. Do you think that in this case I should be going with 100? Or should I be still aiming to take 110/120, even though it’s already hurting my shins when flexing (even in the shop)? Because as I said, I always suffered from shin bangs and blisters on rentals - so I’m afraid to take something that will do the similar thing.. but on the other hand, I want the boots to be as good as possible for me to develop. By the way, do you recommend putting the boots outer shell on the “oven” for the perfect fit? They fit fine at the least at the shop, so is there any reason to still cook them in your opinion? Also, I’ve got flat foot… but I never had footbeds before, not even on regular shoes. Do you still recommend on getting custom ones? Thanks !

How are you addressing dorsi flexion? Limited vs. Very flexable.

great video ! two thumbs up if I could.. I did pick up a pair of 22 Tecnica Cochise in 110 flex in 30.5 . I'm 205 pounds usually and 6'3 you think 110 will be to soft because of my size ? i'am intermediate to expert

Very good assessment of the process. Although I would have to add that once you take a boot in the cold, it will get stiffer. I am an advanced skier and have skied with all kinds and brands of boots on all kinds of terrain and I have to say that you have to be comfortable if you want to last the day. If you have to unclip your boots every ride up the lift, chances are you’re not. I have been skiing with a pair of Full Tilt Tom Wallish for a while now and I think they’re the best all around the mountain boot you can buy.

Hey, great video. Recently got some new ski boots fitted and kinda of forgot about the stiffness. Ended up with 100's, I'm a 60 KG 5ft 9 skiier who competes at slalom for my university and am an advanced skiier on a slope as have been skiing for 17 years now. I'm kinda of annoyed I didn't get 110-130 now but not sure if I'm just too light. Any advice cheers?

Great video! I´m considering to buy the Head Lyt 130. I´m 1.90m and 100 Kg and i consider myself an intermediate/advance skier. What do you recomend? Thanks

Really enjoying your videos. I'm 5'10" and 150lbs with a wide relatively flat foot, and looking to buy a set of ski boots to call my own for the first time (always rented in the past). I'd say I'm probably an intermediate skier who has only skied twice in the last 7-ish years, but would like to get out a few times per season going forward now that I live closer to the mountains. Planning to do mostly groomed standard runs (majority blues, some greens, an occasional black). I've been eyeing the Nordica Cruise 90 for width and price. Would you recommend? Or would you suggest I go stiffer? Is there another boot you'd recommend in that price range for a wider flatter foot? Thanks!

My daughter is 110 lbs 14 years old, 5’ 9” and we ski 10-12 days a year. She skies mostly blues and blacks. Double blacks maybe 3 times a year. She skis moguls fine,I would consider her advanced, black diamond. She likes tree skiing but nothing steeper than blue trees. I have a number in mind, but what flex would you recommend? For me, I am 48, 210 lbs, 6’ 4”, same ski abilities described above but much more aggressive on the same runs. I own a pair of Solomon x pro 120’s from 2019. Is this the right flex for me?

Very informative video, thank you! How well do boot shells age? I know liners pack out and mine need to be replaced, but my shells with several hundred days fit so well I dread going through the fitting / punching process again (this was my third pair of custom fitted boots and although the most difficult, also the best results). My Technica Mach 1 MV boots (120) were professionally fitted, including custom footbeds and punch outs; they are very comfortable and I ski fairly well (old guy, skied my whole life); although I do have an ankle injury and your comments on having a stiffer boot to protect your foot hit home. How much stiffness has my boot lost over several 100+ day seasons?

Hello, great video! What would you recomend for a 72 kg (160lb) and 170 cm (5.6ft), intermediate/advanced skier? Thank you.

Today was my 1st day and even before the ski lesson started, I was already complaining of pain on my shins from the boots. Every advice article out there says it’s because too much room in the boot letting me shift around, while i’m screaming inside “there’s absolutely no movement in these boots!”

Have a set of dalbello air 130. waaaaaaayyyy too soft. the scarpa maestrale, which is rated 110, feels like a brick wall compared to the dalbellos

I dont know how i'd rate my self i can do double black runs, without stopping & can hit jumps. Found a pair of ski boots slightly worn for $120 Lange LX120's, i'll be taking them to the slopes tomorrow to see how they are but i never thought about the flex when buying them

Hi I’ve just bought atomic Hawx magna 110, I’m worried that the flex is not stiff enough, I’m probably about advanced skier and have very strong legs ex powerlifter and keen cyclist. I’m only 5feet 5 inches tall and weigh 145lb. Does the flex on this boot sound about right for me. Thanks

Hello. Excellent video. Concerning the Fischer Ranger One boots. Would you agree that there is hardly any difference between the 110 and 120 flex (how it feels)? Thank you. Boots are the one thing I would never buy online! Peace.

Thanks

Hey! Your content is amazing! I know this is nearly impossible through here… but could you give me a minute of your’s? I consider myself an advanced skier, previously took part in many junior races, but unfortunately i didn’t ski since march 2020 due to the pandemic i’m now 177 cm (5’8”), 66 kgs (145.5 lbs) and to my surprise my 85 flex fischer cruzar x 8.5’s, which i used from 14yo till 16yo, seem to be too flexible I’m now 18,5 yo and not sure what flex to choose (my foot size didn’t really change since then, so theoretically they fit just fine, but they squeek when i lean forward) , my estimate is 110, what’s your opinion? Thank you for reading this, i appreciate your time!

so i'm a beginner that recently switch to skis from snowboarding for the last 20 years. i'm athletic, play sports at the gym 4 days a week but i weigh 240 so i'm wondering if a soft 100 flex would be too soft for my weight? Would 120 be a bit more my speed?

I am 6’2 240 advanced but not expert I can ski all the trails at most mountain do not like moguls but love easy glades. Looking at nordica hf 120. My current boot a nordica Cruz 70 got it cause easy to get in got arthritis in ankle hence the HF curiosity. Is flex different in rear entry? Would stiffer boot help ankle and knee arthritus other than the getting into it issues. Is there a front entry you would reccomend that is easy to get in yet stiffer. Tia

Does the ski you are using matter when choosing a boot flex? Wouldn't a stiff boot be too much for a lighter and energetic ski and vice versa?

I prefer a softer product, as I prefer to ski all day. I was a monster physically. Two hours of explosive strength and 5 days of cardio a week. but if it's not a perfect fit, you lose force transmission. the rigid boot? must be perfect!

Hello, what would you recommend for casual but fast and pretty agressive carving? I think i’m starting to reach advanced level. I am on the lighter side (around 65kg), but very tall (186cm). Should i perhaps go for something around 90-110 since i do have power to push the skis forward? Great video, subbed!

Would the apex ski boots be a good option, I'm 17, 6'1", 140, and would say I'm intermediate getting close to advanced. I do like to hit jumps, more on the smaller side but that may change in 1-2 years. And I would say I am quite fit, just really light.

Remember the boot is important for transferring power into the ski.

Hello! I originally bought boots at a shop. They were extremely comfortable and an 85 flex (I wasn't sure what that meant at the time, but it was what the tech recommended for me). I still love how comfortable they are, but I fatigue very quickly and have issues flexing them. I'm a petite woman (5'1", 115 lbs) and would considered myself a cautious, more beginner skier (I've skied multiple times, but only get to make it out a couple times a year so I don't get consistent practice). Given that I have issues flexing the boots and get fatigued very quickly as a result), would you recommend I try a different flex rating? Or should I focus on trying to get more skilled or stronger and growing into the boot's flex rating? Thank you!

How do I tell if I’m flexing my boots “enough?” There are no decent equipment shops within a couple hundred miles of me, so I’m on my own trying to figure this out. I *think* my boots may be too stiff for me, but I have no idea how much they’re supposed to flex - sure, the harder I lean into them, the more they flex, but outside of that, I’m a bit lost. Is there a rule of thumb or reference point, such as, you want your knees to travel as far forward as your toes, or 2” beyond your toes, etc.?

Full Tilt / K2, now - the old Drop Kick. Brody skis it when he doesn't have to ski someone else's boot. Get a variety of tongues and find out what you like. I'll hang this out there - most people ski a boot that is too stiff.

Hey man, according to other comments and of course the vid, with my 85kg and 1,8m height with intention to learn into advanced skiing 100-110 will be fine for me right?

"man I love the look of these.... I cannot buy them they hurt so much" what a mood

Is the atomic 130 S with custom fitted to my feet good for an intermediate skier ?

What's your opinion on flex rating for a tall, thin beginner skier? I'm 6'6" and only 210 pounds. I read elsewhere that tall people should have a softer flex because the angles are different (that is, we need more flex because we have to dip more). Thoughts? I'm looking at some ski boots with a 70 flex rating.

Hey I was wondering what stiffness I should get? I am 6,1 220 and I am in the intermediate/advanced range? I was thinking around 130

Hello, I am 179cm, 85kg. I have skied for 2 seasons(around 10 days per season). Planning to do more skiing(20 days per season) and progress to the next level. Due to extra wide feet, my boot options are limited. So, considering K2 BFC boots with last 103mm. What flex should I choose 100 or 120? Thank you

I'm a 55 yrs old beginner skier. 5'10" and 180lbs. Is 80 flex too soft? And can you suggest any brand and model for me pls?

5’4 62 kgs intermediate to advance,what would be my boots flex now?

Advanced , 67kg , 6’1 old boots where shocking 90flex what would you recommend

What about and advanced skier at 46kg and 155cm tall?

Hi i'm about 6'6 & 220 lbs. Between intermediate to advanced, but don't know what stiffness I should go for, what do you think would be best?

My father bought me Nordica 100 flex boots and I watched this because I'm sceptical. I've been skiing for 6 years (going one week every winter). He says I'm pretty much advanced at this point but idk I feel more intermediate. I'm 17F, 167 cm and 61 kg. Not that fit, just average. Is that going to be alright ?

I've always felt that for anyone above an intermediate level who knows the mechanics of how to bend a ski, you should go with the stiffest boot that you can still flex and get your knee somewhat over your toe. The stiffer the boot you can manage, the better connection you will have with your skis and the better control you will have over what your skis are doing under you on varying terrain.

The same question I ask people about skis applies to boots as well. What do you want this boot do do? How do you like to ride? What conditions are you in? How fast are you going and what is an honest appraisal of your ability? You might be a larger specimen and a highly advanced skier. But if you always ski powder, you don't need the stiffest boot you can fit. If you are a smaller racer and never ski powder you are still going to want a stiffer boot or you won't be competitive. I am a telemark skier, 66 years old, athletic as far as it goes at this age, 6', 180 pounds, and I live in Hokkaido where 95% of my skiing is in backcountry powder. I like lateral stiffness but I also like forward flexibility because I developed my tele technique in the days of floppy leathers and misery sticks. Plus, I have nerve damage to my left shin from hitting a tree and 4 buckle boots cause a lot of pain when I lean hard on the cuff. So I have developed a technique based on balancing on the middle of the edge and riding it. I like to go fast but I'm not what I would call super aggressive. So I cut the top buckle clean off of my Scarpa TX-Pros and ski from my ankles. As I said, I still appreciate the lateral stiffness and that is what I use to put leverage on my edges even as I don't really pressure the tips all that much. My choice of skis figures in this equation as well. I like moderately stiff, directional skis that are wide enough to provide float in powder and rocker mostly focused on the tip because I also like a flat tail to give me more power at the end of the turn----no back seat action at all unless I'm screwing up. I may be quite an outlier in terms of my needs but my point is, just because I am big and a very accomplished skier doesn't mean I need a stiff boot. YMMV. ;-)

You cannot make a boot stiffer but you can soften the flex of the boot also the boot is warm in the store but on the snow it's a lot colder and the boot will be stiffer.

I heard being strong means flex should increase, I’m a Powerlifter that weighs 195 and squat 500lbs, should I go with 110 or 120 flex? I would like to ski very aggressive but still pretty new

@mountainvibes im a 14 yo and weight about 48 kg I’ve been skiing for a long time . curently im looking into wider skies fror park or freeride do you think 60-70 would be enough. Thank you so muchh!

I am 165 lbs 5”10. Intermediate skier. I like skiing steep glades. Any recommendations?

What flex in a Salomon ski boot for 135 lbs intermediate skier? And would it change for an intermediate/advanced skier?

Hello. I just bought Salomon Shift Pro 100 (for 299 eur) because boot fitter recommended that after trying couple of boots. I'm 190cm, 95kg, skiing like 1 week per winter (not a beginner but not an expert either), and after some Googling and watching this video I have a feeling that I have made a mistake. What do you think? After watching this, I feel like cheated.. After all, I have skiing one day with those boots, and they felt better than last ones (70 flex).

I'm very athletic and a highly skilled snowboarder that just got skis. I have 80 flex Salomons and they feel like noodles on my feet, Im 6'1 and weigh 205. Im thinking 120 flex boots that I can kind of grow into. How does that sound?

size 13 foot Canadian

How much weight is considered heavy for a stiff boot?

Back in the day we didn't have boot flex numbers, boots universally sucked and nothing performed just like skis didn't perform untill deeper sidecuts allowed shorter skis to perform. Now we have better plastics and ski boots rarely ever break in half like they used to. While they still suck you can now get boots with extra thick plastic to allow you to stretch and grind the shell customizing the boot to your foot exclusively and ruining the boot for any other purpose. Plug shells cost much more and must be two full sizes smaller than your regular shoe size, you must be able to accept the cost of ruining several sets of shells before you figure out how to fit them. Boot fitters are expensive and they can only guess at where the pain and pressure points are. My boot fitter was not sadistic enough so I did the work myself, that makes me a masochist.

But how come skiers that aren't on the heavy side can ski in stiff boots? I really gave the Head Raptor B2 a chance because they fit my feet like vacuum. But I just couldn't ski in them. I ended up in a pair of Technica Mach 1 with a 130 flex instead. I ski pretty hard but I have no competitive background and I weigh in at 170 lbs.

It would be nice to rent boots of various stiffness and ski them for day. But my feet and ankles don't line up like humans so I need a really fit boot.

I'm 190 90kg naked and all 130 freeride hybrid boots seems too flexy... only dalbello krypton is a real 130 but is a race boot faked for big strong freeriders, maybe my problems comes with the long legs that put a big lever on boots.

Hello. I'm 158 cm and 52kg. Intermediate skier. Choosing between 85 or 95 flex index. Which would be the best for me?

I am 6'2 225 lbs, beginner skiier but working toward intermediate (I've skiied about 6 times now). How much flex should I get you think?

Hey, I’m a high expert skiier competing in Freeride competitions 155lbs and 5’11” would a 120 or 130 flex be better for me?

5'10 170 former FIS point racer. Weight has little to do with it. I bend 130+ race boots with ease. The flex should depend on your ability what you want to accomplish and how much control you want in the foot binding ski marriage nothing more. For those of us expert skiers stiffer is better and getting custom moulded boots and insoles is critical. Insoles are not mentioned here which is sad as it makes the experience soooo much better. Too soft a boot is the big mistake I see the most. Skis boots are not loafers but if properly fitted they should be as comfortable as loafers.

Most park professional skier use 80 to 100 flex. Very few over 100. If you are an expert skier who want jib in the park and all over the mountain, go with 90/100 flex.

What's the effect of skiing as an intermediate with a 80 flex boot?