Your boots are broken in, they’re comfortable, you love them… and it’s probably time to replace them. According To the latest research from SIA (SnowSports Industries America) on boot buying, most skiers’ boots are more than five years old and have been used more than 150 days. That’s a pretty amazing statistic considering how important your boots are to your overall skiing performance. Skiing in boots that are too soft is like driving a high-performance sports car with mushy suspension and an automatic transmission—you’re never going to get the most out of that experience.

This season boots got a lot lighter with more focus on fit without sacrificing stiffness. Some best-selling lines include the Atomic Hawx Ultra, Tecnica Cochise, Salomon X Pro, Lange XT, Full Tilt Descendant, Nordica Speedmachine, Rossignol Allspeed, Dalbello Panterra and many more. In fact, according to SIA, there are more than 1,100 boot models available on the market. So how do you choose?

Most skiers start the buying process with a little research, checking out a few gear guides, talking with friends and known experts, stopping by the local shop or shopping around online. The next step is a visit to a boot fitter. Most skiers who have purchased boots in the past 12 months and are satisfied with their new boots went to a professional who worked with them to find and fit their boots. The group that used the services of a boot fitter used the words fit, comfort and performance to describe what they liked best about their new boots.

Let us know what you think about your boots, whether they’re old or brand new. Click HERE to tell suppliers what you think about your alpine boots. The Snow Sports Insiders is SIA’s proprietary consumer panel and is an important resource for snow sports suppliers. The feedback you provide helps manufacturers better understand your needs and make better gear for skiers like you.

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the non-profit trade association and member-owned advocate for the snow sports industry. Headquartered in Park City, Utah, SIA’s mission is to help the winter sports industry thrive. Year-round programming in support of SIA’s members and winter stakeholders includes advocacy, research, education and collaboration. In a direct effort to help grow the winter business, SIA also offers expertise in industry data and intelligence, produces the largest snow trade show in the world, and focuses on global business and participation initiatives.