Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

This might not work for everybody but maybe some sharing of information as to our actual foot sizes as measured and what we wear might help each other out in this crazy world of boot shopping and hoping we get the right boot since so many of us order on line.

My foot size (biggest foot)…
10 1/8” or 26 cm long
3 7/8” or 9.9 cm wide
*edit. Measured again after a few hours of skiing
10 9/16” or 26.5 cm long
4 1/8” or 10.5 cm wide
No abnormally high arch but not flat footed either.

I prefer a comfort fit. Don’t feel any particular need to ruin my feet with a performance fit. My feet typically swell a bit with activity but nothing major.

I have 3 different XP boots, all are a size 44.
-my Alpina Pioneer Tech is what I’d consider my most athletic fit, I’ve removed the insole to use it. I typically use a thin sock (usually 5 Toes) to wear these.
- the Alfa Free A/P/X GTX has a bit more room than the Pioneer Tech. I usually wear a doubled up pair of 5 Toes socks or one 5Toe/1 medium weight sock. They don’t feel overly tight or loose, not as snug as the Pioneer.
-and then theres the Fischer BCX Traverse. Definitely the roomiest. I can wear a 5toe/thick sock combination with this boot easily. I consider this one my cold weather boot, its very warm. Also have this boot in NNNBC and 75mm, the fit is pretty much the same. I did try this boot in a 43 but it was too tight, even barefoot. I felt my toes being curled back in a most unpleasant way.

I have tried on a size 44 Alpina Alaska. It felt very tight width-wise. Maybe it would have relaxed but I’m committed to Xplore so I’ll have no need for it.

My plastic telemark boots are the 24/25 Scarpa TXPRO in Mondo 28. I tried a 27 and it was painful. The 28 works well for my foot size. I’ve also got a Scarpa F80 (same as an F1) A/T boot in Mondo 28 and a Scarpa F3 (the older model with bellows and Tech heel) in Mondo 28. All fit well, and are comfortable all day.

My feet:

- Left (slightly longer than my right)→ 26.5cm
- medium width
- small volume
- high arch- supinator
- narrow, small-volume ankle and shank
- large-volume calf

I wear size:
- 9 to 9.5USM
- 42 to 43EU
- 26.5 to 27.5 mondo

A 42EU/9USM is typically a performance fit- but, I often need this due to my small-volume foot-ankle-shank.
A 42.5EU/9.5USM is a better fit in terms of footbed length (eg LOVE my 42.5 Scarpa hiking/backpacking/mountaineering boots).
A 43EU is typically fine in terms of length- but often too large inside- leading to severe heel lift and often metatarsal crunch. I somtimes have needed a 43 in a boot with a narrow and/or very-low volume last (e.g. Alpina Alaska XP).

I am currently using the following current ski boots:
- 42 Alpina Alaska BC
- 42 Crispi Svartisen BC
- 42 Lundhags Guide/Expedition BC
- 42 Crispi Lofoten 75
- 42 Alfa Skaget XP
- 42 Alfa Free XP
- 42 Crispi Futura Pro XP
- 27 Scarpa T4

If I could I would try the Alfa Free in a 43 with a thick insole...It crushes my foot- don't know if the 43 would be even worse...

@Inspiredcapers
Do you have a wide, large-volume foot-ankle?

I am a US 11, medium width, not a wide width. My work boots are wide, they were a pain to break in, however they fit fine now. I had the same problem with a hunting boot that was a wide fit.

Ski boots, Scarpa T-4 size 28.5 mondo
Alpina Alaska BC & 75 both 45 both fit like custom made for my foot with stock footbed and a thin wool ski sock

Scarpa F-1 & F-1 Race 318 BSL marked 9.5-10 stickered 28.5 mondo. The F-1 fits, the Race came with a thin liner and was a no-go, a thicker liner from Intuition and the fit is excellent

Alico UK surplus “Ski March” UK 10 W, the thick wool insoles took up volume. It fits great, but doesn’t see much use.

Hey Cliffy, my feet grew almost a size (43 to 44) a few years ago when I started barefoot/minimalist shoes a few years back. I find the average shoe tighter widthwise than lengthwise. Never thought about adding shoe sizes and choices but I’ll have to throw a couple of those up as well.

I like what Fisheater did adding BSL, I’ll have to do the same.

Thanks guys.

Size 11, moderately wide feet (between regular and wide width), high arches (I need orthotic insoles).

I like Alfa boots. Currently skiing the Kikut Perform in EU size 45. It has plenty of room in the toe box, yet still fits snug around the ankle.

Inspiredcapers wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 01, 2025 8:55 pm

Hey Cliffy, my feet grew almost a size (43 to 44) a few years ago when I started barefoot/minimalist shoes a few years back. I find the average shoe tighter widthwise than lengthwise. Never thought about adding shoe sizes and choices but I’ll have to throw a couple of those up as well.

I like what Fisheater did adding BSL, I’ll have to do the same.

Thanks guys.

A few years ago my foot went from a EE to a D when I stopped playing soccer after 45 years of pounding the turf. I don't know if it actually changed size but I can tolerate a narrower shoe/boot than before.