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Welcome to the Boot Hub

The skier’s encyclopedia for all things boots

Welcome to the Boot Hub

The skier’s encyclopedia for all things boots

Welcome to the Boot Hub

The skier’s encyclopedia for all things boots

Welcome to the Boot Hub

The skier’s encyclopedia for all things boots

The ski boot is themost essentialconnection toyour ski

Learn what it takes to find the right one.

Fit

Comfort

Performance

The right boot is a perfect balance of.

Fit

Comfort

Performance

The right boot is a perfect balance of.

Fit

Comfort

Performance

The right boot is a perfect balance of.

Fit

Comfort

Performance

The right boot is a perfect balance of.

Let's discover how
these three concepts interact.

Fit

When a boot fits right, you ski better.
Simple as that.

Fit

When a boot fits right, you ski better.
Simple as that.

Fit

When a boot fits right, you ski better.
Simple as that.

Fit

When a boot fits right, you ski better.
Simple as that.
A ski boot should feel like a firm handshake — not too tight, not too loose. When a boot fits right and your feet are comfortable, you ski better. 
Simple as that.
BOA Justine
001
Why does a proper fit matter?
Power transmits from your body to your skis through your feet. Ski boots are everything.
Skier jumping
002
What makes fit?
A proper fit consists of a good first fit plus fit customization.
01

First Fit

The way a ski boot fits when you first try it on is the merging of your unique foot shape with the boot’s last shape and liner construction. We call that first fit.

It can be fine-tuned by customization, of course, but the first fit should feel firm, comfortable, and secure, like a solid grip on your foot. It’s like buying a new mattress: It should feel firm but comfortable.

First Fit

First Fit

01
The way a ski boot fits when you first try it on is the merging of your unique foot shape with the boot’s last shape and liner construction. We call that first fit.

It can be fine-tuned by customization, of course, but the first fit should feel firm, comfortable, and secure, like a solid grip on your foot. It’s like buying a new mattress: It should feel firm but comfortable.
011
Ski boots shouldn’t hurt
It’s time we debunk the age-old myth that ski boots need to be painfully tight to be high performance. That’s simply not true.
012GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E1: How tight should a ski boot fit?
Atomic
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012
How tight should a ski boot fit?
Ski boots are not sized like normal street shoes. Boots fit tighter than your sneakers because skiing is a demanding sport with twisting forces that stem from your feet.
013
What not to do
Don’t buy boots that feel like fuzzy slippers. Most fit-related problems come from having too much space inside the boot.

Don’t shop by color. It doesn’t matter if you like the look of a boot if it’s the wrong shape for your foot. The boot picks you; not the other way around.
02

The Right Size

By now you know how important a proper fit is when it comes to ski boots. And maybe you think you know what your boot size is, but there’s a chance you’ve been skiing in the wrong sized boot for years. To determine the right size, which is called your Mondo Point, first find your foot length.

The Right Size

The Right Size

02
By now you know how important a proper fit is when it comes to ski boots. And maybe you think you know what your boot size is, but there’s a chance you’ve been skiing in the wrong sized boot for years. To determine the right size, which is called your Mondo Point, first find your foot length.
021GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E2: How to measure your foot length?
Atomic
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Length
021
How to measure your foot length?
Measuring your foot’s length is just the start to finding the right size for you. Find out how you can measure your foot at home.
022GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E3: What is Mondo Point?
Atomic
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022
What is Mondo Point?
Mondo Point is a fancy way of describing the shell size of your ski boot. Your Mondo Point is equal to your foot length in centimeters.
Size
023
How to know if you’re in the right size
Remove your liner from the shell. Wearing a thin ski sock, step into the plastic shell until your toes just touch the front of the boot. The amount of room behind the heel will tell you what you need to know.
024HAWX LAST WIDTHS
BOOTHUB E4: Finding the width of your foot
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Width
024
Finding the width of your foot
The width of your boot is another important factor in finding the right ski boot.
025HAWX VOLUMES
BOOTHUB E5: Volume
Atomic
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Volume
025
Volume
Feet can come in low, medium, or high volume. That refers to how much space sits between the floor and the ceiling of the instep of the boot, and how much room there is in the toe box.
03

Closure Systems

How your boot buckles or closes is a matter of personal preference. Depending on your foot shape, which closure system you choose can impact fit. 

Closure Systems

Closure Systems

03
How your boot buckles or closes is a matter of personal preference. Depending on your foot shape, which closure system you choose can impact fit. 
031
BOA®
BOA® Fit Systems are a newer technology in ski boot closures.
032
Traditional buckle systems
Four buckle boots are the conventional way of clamping down a boot. Buckles are sturdy, easy to repair, and simple to operate.
031
BOA®
BOA® Fit Systems are a newer technology in ski boot closures.
032
Traditional buckle systems
Four buckle boots are the conventional way of clamping down a boot. Buckles are sturdy, easy to repair, and simple to operate.
04

Beyond the Boot

While picking the right ski boot is obviously important, don’t overlook the importance of having the correct ski socks and an aftermarket footbed. These items are crucial to ensuring the right ski boot functions and fits correctly. 

Beyond the Boot

Beyond the Boot

04
While picking the right ski boot is obviously important, don’t overlook the importance of having the correct ski socks and an aftermarket footbed. These items are crucial to ensuring the right ski boot functions and fits correctly. 
Socks
041
Choose the right ski sock
A thin ski sock with zero or minimal padding will ensure that your ski boot fits the way it should, without extra bunching or material.
Footbed
042
Footbeds make a big difference
Human feet are flexible suspension systems designed for walking and running, so being inside a hard plastic ski boot can feel unnatural.
Find a retailer
05

Customize Your Fit

The in-store, out-of-the-box fit (or first fit) of your new ski boots is just the start. You then have the potential for an array of customization options to fine-tune your fit. 

Customize Your Fit

Customize Your Fit

05
The in-store, out-of-the-box fit (or first fit) of your new ski boots is just the start. You then have the potential for an array of customization options to fine-tune your fit. 
051
Fit customization options
Depending on how your foot relates to the boot, you might need expansion, optimization, or reduction.
052
Expansion
This is when you make the shell wider to accommodate your foot size.
053
Optimization
When your foot matches the shell shape, but you need fine-tuning, optimization is the ticket.
054
Reduction
Moving around too much in a boot either means you need a smaller size boot or if it’s just a subtle amount, reduction can reduce the volume and give you a tighter, more secure fit.
051
Fit customization options
Depending on how your foot relates to the boot, you might need expansion, optimization, or reduction.
052
Expansion
This is when you make the shell wider to accommodate your foot size.
053
Optimization
When your foot matches the shell shape, but you need fine-tuning, optimization is the ticket.
054
Reduction
Moving around too much in a boot either means you need a smaller size boot or if it’s just a subtle amount, reduction can reduce the volume and give you a tighter, more secure fit.

Comfort

Even the world’s best racers
want to be comfortable.

Comfort

Even the world’s best racers
want to be comfortable.

Comfort

Even the world’s best racers
want to be comfortable.

Comfort

Even the world’s best racers
want to be comfortable.
Comfort shouldn’t be afterthought. Comfortable boots are critical for performance — even the world’s best racers want to be comfortable.
Skier jumping, blue sky
001
What do comfortable ski boots feel like?
When we talk about ski boot comfort, we don’t mean a fit that’s loose or roomy like a fuzzy slipper.
Boothub
002
Comfort is personal
Comfort means something different to every skier and can vary drastically depending on performance expectations.
001Good to know
BOOTHUB 7: Test your comfort level
Atomic
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002GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E8: Comfort is personal
Atomic
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01

Liners

Liners, the soft, “inner boot” that holds your foot in place inside the shell, make a big difference in how your boot fits and feels. At Atomic, we work hard to strike the balance of a good first fit of your liner and durable, long-lasting materials that won’t break down over time. 

Liners

Liners

01
Liners, the soft, “inner boot” that holds your foot in place inside the shell, make a big difference in how your boot fits and feels. At Atomic, we work hard to strike the balance of a good first fit of your liner and durable, long-lasting materials that won’t break down over time. 
011
100 percent handmade
At Atomic, liners are no afterthought. Each liner is handmade from 50 distinct parts, making it the most intricate, expensive, and time-intensive part of the ski boot. In fact, it takes about an hour to produce just one pair.
Liner Detail
012
Atomic’s liner technology for Hawx boots
In the Hawx family of boots, you’ll find three main fit technologies in our liners designed to provide various degrees of customization and comfort.
013GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E9: Atomic’s performance toolbox for Hawx liners
Atomic
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Liner Detail
013
Atomic’s performance toolbox for Hawx liners
In addition to our distinct liner technologies, each level of Hawx liner utilizes specific foams, fabrics, and outer materials to create a certain glove-like fit.

Progressing from Bronze to Professional, the liner delivers a firmer feel, increased skiing performance, and more customization potential.

Performance

Flex, plastic materials,
and construction style of the ski boot

Performance

Flex, plastic materials,
and construction style of the ski boot

Performance

Flex, plastic materials,
and construction style of the ski boot

Performance

Flex, plastic materials,
and construction style of the ski boot
Performance is absolutely linked to fit and comfort, but for now, let’s learn how performance relates to the flex, plastic materials, and construction style of the ski boot. 
01

What is flex?

Flex refers to how hard or soft your boot is. It is indicated by a numerical rating of stiffness or the level of resistance your boot has when you bend your ankles and knees forward in an athletic stance. 

What is flex?

What is flex?

01
Flex refers to how hard or soft your boot is. It is indicated by a numerical rating of stiffness or the level of resistance your boot has when you bend your ankles and knees forward in an athletic stance. 
Flex
011
Flex index
All brands use a flex index to describe the stiffness or rigidity of the shell when it comes to forward inclination.
012GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E10: What influences flex?
Atomic
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012
What influences flex?
The flex index rating of a boot comes from a few factors.
013GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E11: Flex patterns
Atomic
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013
Flex patterns
When a boot has a progressive flex pattern, it means the deeper the boot moves into its flex pattern, the stiffer it gets.
014GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E12: Find the right flex for you
Atomic
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014
Find the right flex for you
The boot doesn’t know how good of a skier you are – it only knows the forces acting on it. The right flex should reflect your build, weight, height, strength, ankle range of motion, and other forces you’ll encounter while skiing. Too stiff and you’ll end up with poor body positioning and a jarring ride. Too soft and it will cause you to work harder for every turn.
015
Behind the scenes
When we’re designing a new boot at Atomic, we build the 130 flex – the highest flex index in the Hawx line – first. Flex testing is conducted using a custom-built robot that flexes the shell. After testing materials and design and arriving at the desired stiffness, we create the less stiff models – 120, 110, 100, and so on – by changing the hardness of the injection material.
02

Boot Construction

By boot construction, we mean how the plastic shell of the boot is actually built. Ski boots can be constructed in a few different ways, including two-piece, or overlap construction, or three-piece, also known as cabrio construction. Each style yields different characteristics that may appeal to certain skiers. Here, we are just focusing on two-piece construction.

Boot Construction

Boot Construction

02
By boot construction, we mean how the plastic shell of the boot is actually built. Ski boots can be constructed in a few different ways, including two-piece, or overlap construction, or three-piece, also known as cabrio construction. Each style yields different characteristics that may appeal to certain skiers. Here, we are just focusing on two-piece construction.
021
Two-piece / Overlap construction
Two-piece construction means the boot has a plastic upper cuff and plastic lower shell.
021
Two-piece / Overlap construction
Two-piece construction means the boot has a plastic upper cuff and plastic lower shell.
021GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E13: Two-piece / Overlap construction
Atomic
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03

Materials

The various materials that your ski boots are made of can feel and perform differently. Knowing which plastics your boot is constructed from and the characteristics of those materials will help you understand why your boot feels the way it does. This can help you determine which materials to look for in your next ski boot.

Materials

Materials

03
The various materials that your ski boots are made of can feel and perform differently. Knowing which plastics your boot is constructed from and the characteristics of those materials will help you understand why your boot feels the way it does. This can help you determine which materials to look for in your next ski boot.
031
The different plastics used
The three main plastic families used in ski boot manufacturing are polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), and polyamide (PA).

Each component of your boot — like the lower shell, cuff, or grip pad — can be injected with different plastics, so pull out the liner and look for an injection stamp with abbreviations, like PP, PU, or PA, and an arrow to indicate which one was used.

You need to check both the shell and cuff to know what your boot is made of.
032
Polypropylene (PP)
PPs are generally the least expensive plastics most used in lower-end boots. Other companies may use PP in higher end boots, but Atomic doesn’t do this.
033GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E14: PUs
Atomic
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033
Polyurethane (PU)
PUs are a step up in performance compared to PP plastics. Most adult alpine ski boots across brands are made from PU plastics — but not all PU plastics are created equally.
034
Polyamide (PA)
Due to its lightweight properties, PA plastics are primarily used in ski touring boots.
035
Fiber-loaded plastics
Plastics can also be loaded with carbon fiber or fiberglass.
04

Boot Geometry

The geometry of your ski boot refers to how the boot is positioned, including subtle changes to aspects like ramp angle and forward lean, to best suit your needs. 

Boot Geometry

Boot Geometry

04
The geometry of your ski boot refers to how the boot is positioned, including subtle changes to aspects like ramp angle and forward lean, to best suit your needs. 
041
What is forward lean?
Forward lean is the tilt of the upper cuff that gets the skier into the proper forward-leaning athletic stance.
042
Ramp angle
The ramp angle is the sloping angle from the heel to the toe. It impacts your ankle joint and body positioning.
043
Geometry comes standard across the line
All Hawx boots come with the Legendary Hawx Feel, a combination of consistent liner construction, the same forward lean and ramp angle, and identical natural stance.
041
What is forward lean?
Forward lean is the tilt of the upper cuff that gets the skier into the proper forward-leaning athletic stance.
042
Ramp angle
The ramp angle is the sloping angle from the heel to the toe. It impacts your ankle joint and body positioning.
043
Geometry comes standard across the line
All Hawx boots come with the Legendary Hawx Feel, a combination of consistent liner construction, the same forward lean and ramp angle, and identical natural stance.
05

Geometry Customization

The geometry of the boot can be altered so the angles work more harmoniously with your body to unlock a whole new level of performance.

Geometry Customization

Geometry Customization

05
The geometry of the boot can be altered so the angles work more harmoniously with your body to unlock a whole new level of performance.
Forward Lean
051
Adjusting forward lean
Depending on your ankle’s range of motion and leg musculature, you might need more or less forward lean.
Motion Range
052
How to test ankle range of motion at home
Stand barefoot on a flat surface, with your feet flat on the ground. Bending at the ankle joint, move your knee forward until your heels begin to lift up.
053GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E17: Cuff alignment
Atomic
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Cuff Alignment
053
Cuff alignment
Cuff alignment is when you adjust the side-to-side angle of your boot’s cuff. This can be done in two different ways.
054GOOD TO KNOW
BOOTHUB E18: Sole canting
Atomic
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Sole Canting
054
Sole canting
Canting is when you change the angle at which the boot interfaces with the binding, ultimately adjusting the side-to-side angle of the lower shell.

At Atomic, 77% ofall boot parts arerepairable orreplaceable

Break a buckle? Wear down your grip pads?
Repairing parts extends the lifetime of your boot and improves long-term performance, just like an oil change on your car. It’s more cost effective and more sustainable.