Having a hard time finding wide calf ski boots? Here are some tips for how to shop for or modify your boots so you can be comfortable!
Love skiing but can’t stand the boots? Or maybe you want to try skiing, but can’t find boots that fit over your calves.
As someone with extremely muscular calves, I feel your pain.
Shortly after we got married, my ski-loving husband talked me into going skiing with friends, and I tried on boot after boot. None of them fit over my calves — not even close.
It was so embarrassing!
If you, like me, struggle to find boots (of any kind, really) that fit over your calves, you’re not alone.
Looking for suggestions on other equipment and clothing? See my post on the best ski gear for beginners.
Wide calves and boot shopping becomes even more problematic if you’re short, because the widest part of your calf is closer to the ground and more likely to be inside the boot.
If you also have narrow feet, it gets trickier, because many wide-calf boots also have a wide foot bed.
Happily, with some trial and error, I've figured out the modifications and/or types of wide calf ski boots that work better for me.
Now when we head off for a day at Perfect North, at least I don't have to worry about the boots. I hope this guide will help you too!
Talking Measurements
If you're shopping for wide calf ski boots, here are a few measurements to be aware of.
Your Foot Width
While I can wear a standard width shoe, my foot is on the narrow end of the scale.
Many ski boots that are marketed for wide or muscular calves are made for a wider footbed. This can be problematic if you have a narrow foot, so it's good to know what your foot width measurement is.
In ski boots, the boot footbed width is called the “last size” or “last width.” This post has a sizing chart if you need help finding your last width.
Your Calf Circumference
Calf circumference is a standard measurement for the widest part of the calf.
Most ski boots seem to be marketed for an average calf circumference, which is around 14 inches. If your calf is much larger (or smaller!), ski boot shopping can become tricky.
For reference, my calf circumference is just over 16 inches. And since I'm 5-foot-2-inches tall, my calves are lower to the ground (and more likely to be inside the boot) than someone taller.
Looking for other types of outdoorsy comfort? See my top suggestions for camping gear for women and men. And if you're a new skier, here are 10 things I learned that might be useful for you!
Wide Calf Ski Boot Modification Options
Want to make an off-the rack ski boot fit more like a wide calf boot? Here are some options.
Heel Lift
Adding a heel lift below the ski boot insole can help slightly reposition your calf.
I like these Dr. Wolf Heel Lift Inserts.
Move the Strap
Lots of boots allow you to move the ratchet strap attachment over one position. Watch how to do this in this video.
Custom Boot Adjustments
A boot fitter may be able to add a ratchet extender and adjust the boot lining thickness.
If your boots require major adjustments to make them fit, visiting a boot fitter is highly recommended, because a muscular calf can impact the tilt of the boot, placing your body at an undesirable angle.
Ski Boots Made for Wider Calves
Shopping Tips
1. If possible, shop in person. If you have lots of ski shops, try calling around to find a shop with a boot fitter who’s experienced in fitting wider calves.
2. Try a boot that adjusts from the back. These boots sometimes are easier to adjust to a larger calf size, and a large calf doesn’t throw off the tilt of the boot.
3. Shop for a women’s boot. In general, women’s boots are shorter than men’s boots, so the boot doesn’t come to the widest part of the calf (in theory).
Our Favorite (Non-Custom) Wide Calf Ski Boots
Apex ski boots are our top pick for comfortable ski boots right out of the box.
We’d heard good things about Apex ski boots, and this video convinced me to give them a try.
There’s no way around it, these boots are pricey, but they’re the very first ski boots that I’ve ever found that fit my legs!
Apex boots are different than traditional ski boots. The inner boot is softer (like a snowboarding boot), and a cable system is used to tighten the fit. Then it slides into an outer boot.
Straight out of the box, these boots fit! We did follow the directions included with the boots to widen the top of the boot and adjust the tilt as much as possible.
The top hit a few inches below the widest part of my calf, and I was able to adjust the footbed cables to make it a narrower fit.
There were no pinching or pain points, which was pretty exciting! I did find that one cable was pressing slightly uncomfortably on my lower calves, so we heat molded the boot lining and added heel lifts.
I followed these directions for heat molding.
With those small adjustments, they were fairly comfy! At least, more so than any other ski boot I'd tried.
Apex Women’s vs. Men’s Boots
The biggest difference we noticed between the men’s and women’s boots is the height of the boot shaft.
The men’s boots were slightly taller (because men’s calves tend to be higher off the ground than women’s).
The adjustment points were also in different locations, and the men’s boots had an updated latching system that made them easier to get on and off.
If you’re on the lookout for a customizable ski boot for your sporty calves, give Apex boots a try!
Do you have another suggestion for a different wide calf ski boot that we should try? Let us know in the comments!
Jess says
Your article helped me to find a boot to fit my wide-calved preteen son, after successfully finding one for myself. Your tip to shop women’s boots — which I did for me, and then realized I could do for my 5’3” tall 10-year-old, solved the problem! We both ended up with K2 BFC 95 womens boots.