Member of the Month

profa_212
July, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

What better for park stiff ski boots or soft?

profile picture
K_JIBS
Posts: 88 - Karma: 1,481
what's better for park stiff ski boots or soft?
12 years ago
15 9
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13239 - Karma: 20,498
soft. flex 85-90 is my range. Im 6'3'' 165lbs
12 years ago
1 3
profile picture
wasatch_rat
Posts: 1775 - Karma: 3,017
depends on your preference, soft boots are better for preventing shin bang but stiff boots are more responsive. i ride my full tilts at an 8 flex but a friend of mine whose at pretty much the same level of park riding uses a 2 flex. most people who ride a lot of park tend to ride a little softer than the average, like there is a guy i work with who uses a 12 flex for all mountain riding.
12 years ago
3 4
profile picture
thedanimal
Posts: 490 - Karma: 185
Most park skiers use soft flex how ever its all about your preference
12 years ago
1 1
profile picture
Deforestation
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 3,194
I use a 90 but i only weigh 130, probably wouldnt go softer
12 years ago
1 0
profile picture
onenerdykid
Posts: 6750 - Karma: 11,820
Soft is not better for park, just as stiff is not better for all mountain.

The right flex is based on YOUR subjective needs based on body weight, ankle range of motion, strength, and what you have used in the past.

A boot that is too soft for you will be super inefficient, lack power, lack control, and increase your likelihood of shinbang. A boot that is too stiff for you will cause you be in the back seat more often and place your body in the wrong position.

Visit a boot-fitter and find out what the right flex is based on your body's needs and you will have a boot that skis awesome in the park, pow, and all mountain.

PS- all of our freestyle athletes are on 120 flex (or stiffer) boots.
12 years ago
5 1
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
I don't understand how people use soft flex boots. I know the 90-130 ratings different companies use aren't standardized and are basically arbitrary, but damn. I have a pair of dalbello kryptons that are 120 that I literally can fucking fold in half when skiing bumps or choppy rapidly changing terrain. 6'1" 185
12 years ago
2 0
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
I feel like you lose so much transfer of energy in soft boots, similar to how you lose it in boots that are too big or poorly fit. People tell me that they like soft boots for doing butters and jibbing, but when I think about it, it seems like you'd be better off having stiff boots so that the energy of shifting your weight forward or backwards leverages your skis more efficiently. I dunno.

12 years ago
4 0
profile picture
GayWolf420
Posts: 38327 - Karma: 132,632
i agree. i love my lange rx130's. pretty stiff because i ski out of the park almost as much as i do in the park. and they hold up well on jumps. comfy as hell too. and they are loaded with performance.
12 years ago
1 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 3:05PM