Are you planning on purchasing ski gear or traveling with your ski gear for the very first time? If so, you’re bound to be asking yourself this question (and rightfully so!).
From weight restrictions imposed by airlines to being able to lift your gear on your own when necessary, knowing the weight of your boots before a trip is quite important.
In this quick guide, I’ll give you a quick rundown of how much do ski boots weigh on average and the factors that affect the weight of ski boots. Plus, I’ll talk about if the weight really matters and the lightest ski boot there is.
What Is The Average Weight Of Ski Boots?
As you probably already know, ski boots are in fact heavy. On average, 80% of ski boots weigh around 1.5 – 2.5 kilograms (3 – 5 lbs). However, there are always exceptions that could weigh around 2.5 – 3.5 kilograms (5 – 7 lbs).
Do keep in mind that this is the weight of a single boot–meaning a pair would weigh twice as much.
Why are they so heavy? They’re built to handle all the twists, turns and other rigors of skiing, so they need to be super sturdy. Plus, they’re made with multiple layers of materials like plastic, foam and insulation which we will talk about in a bit.
Also read our guide on why ski boots make feet numb.
Do Kids’ Ski Boots Weigh Less?
Although it is easily assumed that kids’ ski boots may weigh less as they are smaller in size, this is not the case.
Kids’ boots are actually around the same weight owing to the weight of the materials. As ski boots are crafted using metals and high-quality plastics, they tend to be heavy and quite ‘clunky’ in general.
Factors That Affect The Weight Of Ski Boots
Here are some of the factors that can have an impact on how much do ski boots weigh.
- Materials used for construction
- Size and width of the boot
- Design and complexity of the boot, like ski boots with walk mode.
- Type of insulation used
- Additional features such as built-in heating systems
Let’s take a look at how materials and design affect weight in more detail:
Materials Its Made From
This one is pretty obvious. Ski boots are created using rubber (soles), plastics (shell and certain closures), metal (buckles) and foam/fabric (liners).
Here’s how each of these components has an impact on the weight of your boots:
Closures
The buckles and power straps on ski boots are generally made using metal or plastic buckles. While metal is undoubtedly the heavier material, plastic closures can be quite heavy as well.
This is due to the fact that there are multiple buckles, each of which is made to be sturdy enough to hold your boots to a tightened extent throughout your hours of skiing.
Shells
Shells simply refer to the plastic exterior of your boots. This outer layer is made up of the lower shell and cuff.
While all shells are crafted using polymer plastic, it generally includes plastic of various densities–the factor that contributes to the weight of the shell.
Liners
Liners are the soft inner boot located within the plastic shell. As they are a combination of foam and fabric, they tend to be relatively light.
Also read our guide on washing ski boot liners.
Liners are the components that contribute to the fit and foot comfort of your boots.
What Are The Lightest Ski Boots?
At present, the lightest ski boots on the market are the Scarpa 4-Quattro XT. These boots weigh just 1500 grams each and have a flex of 130.
However, do keep in mind that this statistic was recorded by ‘Gear Patrol’ in November 2022–meaning 2023 could have better options coming up! As you may know, touring and mountaineering ski boots like Scarpa are generally the lightest overall.
While they are great in terms of versatility, they may not be the best option for certain terrains as they are resort-oriented boots.
Does The Weight Of My Ski Boots Matter?
The only reason the weight would be an area of concern would be if you’re traveling and are worried about your luggage exceeding the weight limit.
Because, if you know the weight of your boots in advance, you could certainly plan things out and make sure your luggage is within the allowed weight.
From a skiing perspective, the weight of your boots is the least of your worries. Although boots from different brands will definitely vary in terms of weight, the weight will not have an impact on your skiing experience. As long as you focus on getting boots that fit well, you’re good to go!
Here’s a link to a ski boot weight chart. If you hope to purchase new boots, this could help give you an idea of the weight. Happy skiing!
