I’ve always been firmly in the skiing camp when it comes to snowsports, but I definitely get boot envy watching snowboarders walk around the lodge easily during lunch and après. So when I found out Apex Ski Boots offered the best of both worlds—a soft, snowboard-like inner boot combined with a hard, removable outer shell for skiing—I knew I had to check them out. This is my honest review of Apex Ski Boots.
What Are Apex Ski Boots?
Apex Ski Boots feature a modular design with two key components: an open-chassis external frame for performance on the slopes and a soft, walkable inner boot for unmatched comfort. This setup allows skiers to enjoy the precision and responsiveness of an advanced ski boot while also being able to move freely when out of their skis. With a simple step, you can release the inner boot from the rigid frame and walk around with ease—no more awkward, clunky treks up and down the stairs just to get to the bathroom!
Apex Ski Boots Fit
Apex does not do half-sizes and recommends sizing up to get the best fit if you are a half-size. I found the shoe size conversion site on Apex’s website to be accurate, but I did get measured to confirm. I measured at a 23.5 and sized up to a 24 and it was a good fit. The boots run a bit small, so if you’re unsure of which size to get, I would go for the larger size. You can always heat mold them to gain a little more room.
However, after wearing the boots for a couple of ski days, I did encounter some chafing on my ankles. I took my Apex ski boots to a boot fitter, who told me that since I have a low-volume foot, I would benefit from some insoles to help fill the space in the heel. The fitter also noted that Apex (like most ski boot companies) uses very cheap and flimsy insoles and that most people (regardless of foot size) would benefit from swapping out the insoles. The fitter recommended the Superfeet Winter Thin Support insoles as the best for the Apex boots. I purchased them through the ski shop but later found that they were cheaper on Amazon, so it’s worth checking there first.
The Apex ski boot liners can be heat molded, but I didn’t have mine done (since I didn’t need any extra room) and they fit well without it.
The boots come with tools so that you can adjust the cuff alignment and boot flex at home.
Apex Ski Boots Features
One of my favorite features of Apex Ski Boots is their BOA lacing system, which provides a precise, customizable fit that can be adjusted on the fly and makes the boots much easier to put on and off than traditional ski boots. There are two adjustable dials on each boot (one on the front and one on the side) that help you dial the boots in for a perfect fit that’s more custom than the traditional hard latches on ski boots. The BOAs look a little flimsy, but they are actually extremely durable. When I had mine fitted, the boot fitter told me he’s never had to fix a broken BOA.
The boots are super thick and warm. I always have cold feet and usually ski with heated insoles, but I didn’t even need them on the coldest days with the Apex boots.
I don’t snowboard, but you can use the Apex boots without the frame as a snowboarding boot, which is nice if you’re someone who does both sports but doesn’t want extra gear.
The boots worked fine with the existing bindings that I had on my skis, which were just a normal binding.
Pros
- Comfort: The soft inner boot feels more like a snowboard boot, making it much more comfortable than traditional ski boots.
- Walkability: The design allows for easy walking when out of skis, reducing discomfort while moving around lodges or parking lots.
- Warmth: The liner is well-insulated, providing better warmth compared to many standard ski boots.
- Ease of Entry/Exit: No more struggling with stiff plastic shells; they are easy to put on and take off.
- Adjustability: The external open-chassis design allows for micro-adjustments to fine-tune fit and performance.
- Convenience: The ability to remove the inner boot and walk around normally is great for après-ski activities.
- Multi-purpose: Can be used for skiing and snowboarding.
Cons
- Weight: Apex boots tend to be a bit heavier than standard ski boots due to the dual-layer system.
- Less Precision: Advanced and aggressive skiers may find them less responsive compared to high-performance traditional boots.
- Bulkier Design: The boot system is larger than regular ski boots, which may be less appealing to some skiers.
Price and Where to Buy
I bought my boots directly through Apex’s website, where they frequently go on sale. Apex does offer free exchanges if your boots don’t fit, but unfortunately, this only applies before the boots have been skied in, so definitely wear them around the house a bit to make sure they fit before taking them out to the slopes. The Apex ski boots range in price from $409 to $899 depending on the model.
I’ve also seen good deals on the Apex boots at Sun & Ski.
Apex Ski Boots Dupes
The only similar style boot I’ve found to Apex are the Dahu Encore Ski Boots, which range in price from $450 to $989. I chose the Apex over the Dahu after trying both on and finding the Apex to be more comfortable.
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