Do you want to start cross-country skate skiing or just replace your equipment?
Check out our advice to choose the pair cross-country skate skiing boots that meets your needs and body type.
There are two types of practice in cross-country skiing. The original "classic" or "alternative" cross-country skiing and "skating" which developed in the 1980s.
The practice of classical cross-country skiing is quite easy to acquire thanks to its movement close to the gliding walk, but be aware that to master perfectly the classical technique you will need a lot of rigour and perseverance! Cross-country skate skiing is a relatively new discipline in the world of cross-country skiing, and is essentially characterised by the act of gliding over snow using a skating motion.
To discover cross-country skiing, we generally start with classic skiing, to become familiar with the practice, before trying skating.
Cross-country skiing is divided into 3 successive phases, a regrouping phase to store energy, a propulsion phase to release energy and a gliding phase to recover. This set is valid for both classic and skating cross-country skiing. The aim of cross-country skiing is to make the most of the recovery phases by increasing the gliding time between the propulsion phases. This is a determining factor in improving and doing longer and longer rides.
And to do this, you will need equipment that is adapted to your level and morphology.
Check out our advice to choose the pair cross-country skate skiing boots that meets your needs and body type.
Depending on your targets, your physical and endurance capacity or even your technical control, cross-country skiing can be practised for
fun"or sport just as much as "performance".
That’s why it’s important to assess these criteria to determine your practice level and therefore choose the right material for your needs!
Just for fun
You want to start or you practise cross-country skiing occasionally and/or at low intensity on ski runs less than 10 km. Choose comfortable cross-country ski boots with good thermal insulation. These are comfortable boots, a little heavier with lower performance, but they get you started and help you enjoy the slopes. How to choose classic cross-country ski boots: "just for fun" or "beginner”
Sport
Are you fit and a beginner or are you already a cross-country skater at an occasional and/or medium intensity during maximum 20 km outings. Choose ski boots with a high flex. These are shoes with a good comfort/performance ratio, they make it easier to progress. How to choose classic cross-country ski boots: intermediate or "sport"
Performance
You practice cross-country skiing frequently and/or at high intensity on ski runs over 20 km. Choose lightweight boots that are close-fitting to the foot to gain speed and save energy. These are technical boots that give very good performance for long distance runs at a fast pace. How to choose classic cross-country ski boots: expert or "performance / race"
SKATING
Depending on your targets, your fitness and endurance, as well as your technical abilities, cross-country skate skiing can be practised as a "leisure" or with performance" in mind". As skating is more difficult to learn than classic cross-country skiing, we already favour a "sporting" rather than a "leisure" practice.
That’s why it’s important to assess these criteria to determine your practice level and therefore choose the right material for your needs!
Leisure / sport
Are you fit and a beginner or are you already a cross-country skater at an occasional and/or medium intensity during maximum 20 km outings. The right choice is a comfortable, slightly flexible pair of shoes with good thermal insulation. The volume of the boot will provide more space for comfort and warmth. These are comfortable ski boots for beginners and provide comfort and ease of progress. to help you choose, some suppliers classify boots according to level of practice, in this case, choose classic boots: advanced or "sport"
Performance
You practice cross-country skiing frequently and/or at high intensity on ski runs over 20 km. Choose rigid and light boots to increase speed and save energy. The boots are tighter around the foot for more precision and energy transfer. They are technical boots, that focus on performance to enable long distance outings at a fast pace. to help you choose, some suppliers classify boots according to level of practice, in this case, choose".
If you already have a pair of cross-country skis, check the ski/boot compatibility.
Indeed, there are several fixing standards depending on the brand.
These different standards aren't always compatible and don’t let you attach skis and boots together.
It is the oldest of the current binding standards, developed by Salomon, this binding standard is increasingly uncommon. It is till used on some skis by Salomon, One Way and Atomic (skating).
▼
This binding standard is only compatible with SNS Profile boots.
Also developed by Salomon, it is used on some skis by Salomon, One Way and Atomic (skating).
▼
This binding standard is only compatible with SNS Pilot boots.
It is the most common standard, owned by Rottefela. It is used on all Inovik, Fischer, Madshus, Peltonen and Rossignol skis.
▼
This standard is compatible with NNN, PROLINK and TURNAMIC boots.
Developed by Salomon, this binding system is compatible with all brands of shoes (except Salomon SNS Pilot).
▼
This standard is compatible with NNN, PROLINK and TURNAMIC boots.
It is a recent binding standard, it remains compatible with the older NNN system standards.
▼
This standard is compatible with NNN, PROLINK and TURNAMIC boots.
There are unisex style boots that are as suitable for women as for men that have efficient lacing and adjustment systems to fit the feet shape better.
A high-end model will be tighter and therefore more precise and dynamic, but less warm and comfortable. Conversely, a lower range model will be wider, warmer and more comfortable but less rigid and precise.
As for the size of your cross-country ski boots, choose your usual size in which you feel comfortable. You can go up a size if you want to put a thick pair of socks in your shoe. You can choose a larger shoe size if you want to put thick socks in your shoes.