Do You Need Touring Boots to Go Ski Touring?
CO-authored by Giray Dadali, co-founder of Daymaker Touring. Professional skier and mechanical engineer who’s toured Utah in both downhill and touring boots since 2008.
Short answer: No, not to start. With Daymaker Classic adapters you can ski tour in the regular downhill boots you already own. Touring boots walk easier and weigh less, which matters on long days. For laps and day tours, the boots that already fit you are a great place to begin.
Boots are where a lot of touring plans stall. A good pair costs $600 to $1,000 or more, and getting the fit right can take a season. That’s a lot to bet on a sport you haven’t tried yet. Here’s how ski touring with downhill skis works with the boots in your closet.
What makes a touring boot different
- Walk mode. The cuff unlocks and swings freely, so your ankle can flex on each stride.
- Weight. Lighter shells and liners, so there’s less to drag uphill all day.
- Sole. Rubber and rockered, so walking on rock or a road doesn’t feel like ice skating.
- Tech inserts. Small metal sockets in the toe (and usually the heel) that pin bindings grab onto.
All useful. None of it is required to climb your first hill.
Can you ski tour in downhill boots?
Yes, and lots of people do. You’ll feel the stiffer cuff, especially on flats. Daymaker Classic was designed around that. Its 4-Bar Tech linkage pivots under the ball of your foot, so the range of motion comes from the adapter, not your boot. On flat ground, a -3° neutral stance cancels out the forward lean built into your boots and bindings, so you stand upright instead of leaning into every step.
Tips for touring in downhill boots
- Undo your top two buckles and power strap for the climb.
- Use walk mode if your boots have one.
- Wear thin socks, and tape hot spots before they turn into blisters.
- Start with a short lap and build from there.
- Buckle back up at the top before you ski.
How to tell if your boots have tech inserts
Look at the toe of your boot from the side. Tech inserts are two small metal holes, one on each side, just above the sole. No holes means no inserts.
While you’re looking, find two numbers stamped on the shell. Boot sole length is in millimeters near the heel, usually between 260 and 355. The sole standard is marked too: ISO 5355 for downhill, GripWalk (ISO 23223) for walk-friendly downhill soles, ISO 9523 for touring soles.
Which Daymaker fits your boots
| Your boots | Pick | Boot sole length |
|---|---|---|
| Downhill boots, no inserts (ISO 5355) | Daymaker Classic | 274 to 345 mm |
| GripWalk boots, no inserts | Daymaker Classic (shims included) | 274 to 345 mm |
| Downhill or hybrid boots with tech toe inserts | Daymaker Tekdapters | 255 to 345 mm |
| Touring boots with ISO 9523 soles and inserts | Tekdapters plus the touring sole shim kit | 255 to 345 mm |
When touring boots are worth buying
- You’re climbing for hours at a time, not 30 to 60 minute laps.
- You’re out 20 or more days a season.
- Your downhill boots are a tight race fit that hurts the moment you walk in them.
If that’s you down the road, buy touring boots with tech inserts and you can keep skiing down on your downhill bindings with Tekdapters. Nothing you buy now goes to waste.
And sometimes touring boots aren’t an option at all. One customer in western Pennsylvania wears a size 15 and couldn’t find touring boots anywhere. His own boots, a pair of Classics and two feet of fresh snow at the local nature preserve took care of that.
What else you need
Boots sorted, the rest of the list is short: skins, a small pack and somewhere to go. The Frontcountry Map lists more than 140 ski areas that allow uphill travel. For the full price of starting, read how much it costs to start ski touring. To understand the binding side, read can you ski tour with alpine bindings.
FAQ
Can I ski tour in regular ski boots?
Yes. Daymaker Classic adapters work with standard downhill boots and GripWalk soles, no tech inserts needed.
What are tech inserts on ski boots?
Small metal sockets in the boot toe (and usually heel) that pin-style touring bindings lock onto. Tekdapters use the toe inserts. Classic doesn’t need them.
Do Tekdapters work without tech inserts?
No. Tekdapters need tech toe inserts. Without them, choose Daymaker Classic.
Will touring in downhill boots hurt my feet?
It’s stiffer than a touring boot, not painful if your boots fit. Loosen the top buckles, use walk mode if you have it and start with short laps.
Where do I find my boot sole length?
It’s printed on the side of the boot shell near the heel, in millimeters. Classic fits 274 to 345 mm, Tekdapters 255 to 345 mm.
