Many parents are rightly concerned about finding the right ski boots for their child. On the one hand, delicate children's feet need the best possible protection. On the other hand, comfort plays a major role too. When renting children's equipment, we always take our time at the INTERSPORT Rent shops, and our RENTertainers definitely know the ins and outs of sizing kids' ski boots. Now, we have summarised and answered the most frequently asked questions in a magazine article. Happy reading!
What do I need to keep in mind when shopping for children's ski boots?
Ski boots can turn out to be quite the spoilsports while on winter holiday – in the most literal sense of the word. If they pinch, are too heavy, too tight or too cumbersome to put on, it's game over for your adventures on the slopes. To prevent this from happening in the first place, we've summarised the most important criteria for well-fitting children's ski boots.
Children's ski boots: what to look out for
- Right size: Ski boots must fit properly and offer support. Did you know? Nowadays, there are adjustable children's ski boots with telescoping shells and expandable liners that can "grow" up to four sizes! Under no circumstances should children wear ski boots that are too large. Their feet will move around in them too much and, as a result, the child may lose control of their skis. Scroll down to find all the information on the proper size!
- Light weight: Small and petite children need lightweight ski boots. Depending on the model, their boots can weigh less than one kilogram and still offer plenty of stability.
- Easy entry: Putting on and taking off ski boots can be quite the challenge for children. Self-shaping tongues should do the trick in this case. Note: For small children, ski boots with rear entry are available, but they are not suitable for older kids.
- Removable liners: The boots should come with removable liners, so you can take the fabric out and let them dry properly.
Children's feet are still growing, which is something most manufacturers take into account. Ski boots for kids usually have a softer flex and shorter shaft than models for adults, which also makes them more comfortable.
How to find the right size ski boots for kids
Ski boot sizes for children – just like adult ski boot sizes – are based on the Mondopoint system. Standard children's shoe sizes are not used for ski boots. How come? Sizes for street or sports shoes aren't standardised. This means that manufacturers can decide for themselves how they want to specify their sizes. As of now, the Mondopoint system is the only standardised boot sizing system in the world. Mondopoint sizes are exclusively based on foot length.
Ski boot size chart for children (Mondopoint)
Our convenient size chart offers you a comparison between shoe sizes, foot lengths and Mondopoints.
| Mondopoint boot size chart for children based on ISO specification ISO/TS 19407:2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint | Foot length in cm | EU | UK | US |
| 120 | 12 | 19.5 | 3.5 | 4 |
| 125 | 12.3 | 20 | 4 | 4.5 |
| 12.7 | 20.5 | 4.5 | 5 | |
| 130 | 13 | 21 | 5 | 5.5 |
| 13.3 | 21.5 | 5.5 | 6 | |
| 135 | 13.5 | 22 | ||
| 140 | 13.8 | 22.5 | 6 | 6.5 |
| 14.2 | 23 | 6.5 | 7 | |
| 145 | 14.6 | 23.5 | 7 | 7.5 |
| 14.8 | 24 | |||
| 150 | 15 | 24.5 | 7.5 | 8 |
| 155 | 15.4 | 25 | 8 | 8.5 |
| 15.7 | 25.5 | 8.5 | 9 | |
| 160 | 16 | 26 | 9 | 9.5 |
| 16.4 | 26.5 | |||
| 165 | 16.6 | 27 | 9.5 | 10 |
| 170 | 16.9 | 27.5 | 10 | 10.5 |
| 17.3 | 28 | 10.5 | 11 | |
| 175 | 17.6 | 28.5 | 11 | 11.5 |
| 180 | 17.9 | 29 | 11.5 | 12 |
| 18.2 | 29.5 | |||
| 185 | 18.5 | 30 | 12 | 12.5 |
| 18.8 | 30.5 | 12.5 | 13 | |
| 190 | 19.2 | 31 | 13 | 13.5 |
| 195 | 19.5 | 31.5 | 13.5 | 1 |
| 19.8 | 32 | |||
| 200 | 20 | 32.5 | 1 | 1.5 |
| 205 | 20.4 | 33 | 1.5 | 2 |
| 20.7 | 33.5 | |||
| 210 | 21 | 34 | 2 | 2.5 |
| 21.3 | 34.5 | 2.5 | 3 | |
| 215 | 21.7 | 35 | 3 | 3.5 |
| 220 | 22 | 35.5 | 3.5 | 4 |
| 22.4 | 36 | |||
| 225 | 22.6 | 36.5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| 230 | 23 | 37 | 4.5 | 5 |
| 23.2 | 37.5 | |||
| 235 | 23.6 | 38 | 5 | |
Good to know: Have a look at the size of the liners as well! They shouldn't be more than one centimetre longer than the soles of your child's feet.
INTERSPORT Rent Tip
We are happy to lend you a hand in the INTERSPORT Rent shops. We usually measure children's feet with a gauge to find out the length and width and then select the right boots based on these measurements.
