Well, the best freestyle boot is the one that fits you the best is exactly true. The right fit is the result of not only matching the shape of the shell to your foot, but the shape of the cuff to your leg shape, the forward lean angle of the boot to the angle your leg needs/wants, and the right flex for your weight/strength/ankle range of motion. If you find a boot that checks all of those boxes, then that is the right boot for you.

But not only will you need the right boot, you will also need the right footbed. An unsupported foot will twist and move inside the perfect boot, which can lead to cramping, toe bang, shin bang, knee pain, etc. So if you have the perfect boot, but no footbed then you only have part of the equation solved. Make sure to get those as well.

Next, it's up to you and your technique. With bad technique or a bad landing, you can still get shin bang with a perfect boot and a perfect footbed. But, the shin bang won't be caused by ill-fitting gear at least. Landing backseat can cause shin bang because of physics, not fit.

Lastly- don't listen what boot other people like. They don't have your foot, your leg, your biomechanics, or your skiing style so their favorite boot is quite often not the right thing for you. Your best chance at getting the right boot is researching boot-fitters in your area, finding the best one, and letting him/her tailor the boot to your needs. That is the recipe for a comfortable boot that works for you.

The best freestyle boot is the boot that fits you. If the forward lean of the boot is too great for you then to boot does not truly fit you.

Just to add an extra non-boots related tip if you struggle with shin bang. Get an exercise foam roller and roll your shins over it everyday for a few minutes, put both of your shins on the top of it and roll backwards and forwards over your shins. It will hurt for the first few days but if your persistent with rolling on your shins everyday you'll desensitize them and toughen them up quite a lot.

I'd check out salomon x pros (I have the 120 flex). My feet are 106mm wide, I molded the boots and liners in a fischer vacuum machine and they're amazing. Super snug all over, but still warm and comfortable. They generally have an upright stance compared to some other boots, and have served me very well all mountain w/some park thrown in.

i was on full tilts last year but they were way to narrow, went to a boot fitter and just copped a pair of Dalbello Boss I.D.'s which are 103 width. felt super comfortable,light, and best part is its a park oriented boot, seriously should check them out, i couldnt tell you how they ski but on foot walking around they felt amazing

I agree with OP, maybe the best boot for people like Candide or Jossi is a race boot with more support that fits them best, but thats not the case for about 90% of the people on this site. If you're skiing an averaged sized park, bunch of rails and jumps around 40 feet, you will do just fine in a comfortable, "freestyle" boot. OP, I would look into the Descendent Series from Full Tilt...if you're into FT. I have a wider foot as well and started out with FT booter, which no longer exists, but has the same 102mm last the new Descendent Series does. Im now on a B&E but I know FT has put a lot of time into designing the Descendents for what skiers want in a wider boot. Upgraded footbeds, typical intuition moldable liner, replaceable boot soles (both heel and toe), upgraded style of buckles, and so on. I've had a few friends cop them last season and they had nothing but good things to say. I know not everyone is a FT fan, I happen to be, but definitely worth a look.

dope_boyI agree with OP, maybe the best boot for people like Candide or Jossi is a race boot with more support that fits them best, but thats not the case for about 90% of the people on this site.

Candide wears an original SPK still, because it fits him. Full Tilts don't work for him, he tried them and didn't like them because they didn't fit him well enough.

Jossi wears a 98mm commercial "race" boot, because it fits him. He doesn't like wider boots because they don't fit him well enough. He'll soon be in a Hawx Ultra once the season gets going.

What is the case for 100% of the people on this site is that when you get a boot that fits you (meaning your foot shape, calf shape, forward lean needs, weight, strength, ankle range of motion, etc.) you will have an awesome ski boot that will be great for every "playground" of skiing.

When you ignore this criteria and buy a boot for other reasons (looks, marketing hype, etc). you run the risk of being dramatically less comfortable. These are not opinions, these are facts, facts that directly correspond to your enjoyment while skiing.

onenerdykidCandide wears an original SPK still, because it fits him. Full Tilts don't work for him, he tried them and didn't like them because they didn't fit him well enough.

Jossi wears a 98mm commercial "race" boot, because it fits him. He doesn't like wider boots because they don't fit him well enough. He'll soon be in a Hawx Ultra once the season gets going.

What is the case for 100% of the people on this site is that when you get a boot that fits you (meaning your foot shape, calf shape, forward lean needs, weight, strength, ankle range of motion, etc.) you will have an awesome ski boot that will be great for every "playground" of skiing.

When you ignore this criteria and buy a boot for other reasons (looks, marketing hype, etc). you run the risk of being dramatically less comfortable. These are not opinions, these are facts, facts that directly correspond to your enjoyment while skiing.

Thanks for the good tips.... where would you recommend going for a fitting? I live in Taos NM, but I won't go to bootdoctors as a result of their employees having very differing opinions in what is the "right fitting boot".... After purchasing my boots, having them start hurting and returning to the shop for adjustment, the employee looked at me and asked "where did you go to get fitted for these boots? They didn't do a very good job" then they started backtracking and doing damage control after I told them they fit me. They started throwing out a bunch of bootfitter terms that I definitely didn't understand for the purpose of confusing me into thinking I have an extremely difficult foot to fit. They even told me I would probably never ski pain free because of my foot shape.... I find that very hard to believe in 2016.... Technology has come too far for anyone to not be able to find a good boot.... maybe I'm wrong, but intellectually it makes no sense that they told me I will never ski pain free..... I'm heading up to denver to check out a couple different boot fitters in the next week.... any suggestions??

TaylortylertxThanks for the good tips.... where would you recommend going for a fitting? I live in Taos NM, but I won't go to bootdoctors as a result of their employees having very differing opinions in what is the "right fitting boot".... After purchasing my boots, having them start hurting and returning to the shop for adjustment, the employee looked at me and asked "where did you go to get fitted for these boots? They didn't do a very good job" then they started backtracking and doing damage control after I told them they fit me. They started throwing out a bunch of bootfitter terms that I definitely didn't understand for the purpose of confusing me into thinking I have an extremely difficult foot to fit. They even told me I would probably never ski pain free because of my foot shape.... I find that very hard to believe in 2016.... Technology has come too far for anyone to not be able to find a good boot.... maybe I'm wrong, but intellectually it makes no sense that they told me I will never ski pain free..... I'm heading up to denver to check out a couple different boot fitters in the next week.... any suggestions??

I don't really know about any bootfitters in Denver but if the bootfitter asks you what boots you would like to try on, fits you without actually even measuring or looking at your feet/ankle/legs first, doesn't do a shell check, doesn't recommend footbeds or recommends Superfeet/premade footbeds instead of proper custom footbeds, or is trying to sell you something that doesn't really actually fit you or isn't willing to do work on the boots after you got them fit then go somewhere else.

I have difficult feet to fit as well, very high instep and extremely wide forefoot and size 24.5 which cuts out a lot of adult boots and makes finding shops with stock challenging. I went through a lot of boots and shitty bootfitters, the first pair of boots I was sold were two sizes to big. All you can do is be patient and persevere, I now ski Technica Ten.2 120's which have been stretched, grinded, had bits cut off the liner, J-Bars added, etc and it took a few days to get them dialed but now they're sorted and fit really well.

TaylortylertxThanks for the good tips.... where would you recommend going for a fitting? I live in Taos NM, but I won't go to bootdoctors as a result of their employees having very differing opinions in what is the "right fitting boot".... After purchasing my boots, having them start hurting and returning to the shop for adjustment, the employee looked at me and asked "where did you go to get fitted for these boots? They didn't do a very good job" then they started backtracking and doing damage control after I told them they fit me. They started throwing out a bunch of bootfitter terms that I definitely didn't understand for the purpose of confusing me into thinking I have an extremely difficult foot to fit. They even told me I would probably never ski pain free because of my foot shape.... I find that very hard to believe in 2016.... Technology has come too far for anyone to not be able to find a good boot.... maybe I'm wrong, but intellectually it makes no sense that they told me I will never ski pain free..... I'm heading up to denver to check out a couple different boot fitters in the next week.... any suggestions??

Usually the Boot Doctors are really good, but I can fully understand and sympathize with your scenario. It's best to just find another place that you can work with.

I would make the half hour drive out of Denver and go see the guys at Larry's Boot Fitting in Boulder. Super nice staff (in my experience) with a great selection of boots. You will definitely want to call and make an appointment though, just to make sure someone has the time to work with you.

I've heard good things (but only been there once) to Colorado Ski & Golf (I think the Aurora location, but whichever is their flagship store). Staff there seems very knowledgeable with a giant selection of boots.

onenerdykidUsually the Boot Doctors are really good, but I can fully understand and sympathize with your scenario. It's best to just find another place that you can work with.

I would make the half hour drive out of Denver and go see the guys at Larry's Boot Fitting in Boulder. Super nice staff (in my experience) with a great selection of boots. You will definitely want to call and make an appointment though, just to make sure someone has the time to work with you.

I've heard good things (but only been there once) to Colorado Ski & Golf (I think the Aurora location, but whichever is their flagship store). Staff there seems very knowledgeable with a giant selection of boots.

Just curious I've been wearing my sidas foot beds in my shoes to break them in is that a bad idea

YoungWookieeJust curious I've been wearing my sidas foot beds in my shoes to break them in is that a bad idea

No it's a good thing to do. Footbed will put your feet in new position and may make them sore without getting use to it first so wearing them in your shoes for a while is a good idea.