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The 6 Best Alpine Boots of 2013

Your skis might be flashier, but your boots are the more critical piece of gear. You could roll the dice and buy online, but we highly recommend getting them the old-fashioned way: in person. The more knowledgeable the shop is, the better. If the staff don’t ask you a slew of questions (What type of skier are you? Where do you ski? How many days a year?) or insist on measuring your foot, take your business elsewhere. This past April, our crew of 15 tested some 50 pairs of boots at Colorado’s Copper Mountain. These six rose to the top.

2013 Winter Buyer's Guide
Sunday, October 28, 2012

Fischer Ranger 12

By: Category: Winter Buyer's Guide, Snow Sports, Alpine Ski Boots
Fischer Ranger 12 Photo: Fischer

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BEST FOR: SIDECOUNTRY

This 120-flex-rated boot has a Vibram sole for better traction on hikes, and it can be set to any of three different modes: lock (for aggressive skiing), ride (for softer snow), and hike (for heading up).

Brand: Fischer

$679

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Giro Combyn Outside reviews the best gear from SIA's 2013 Snow Show, including the Giro Combyn. $120 Outside Online Snow Sports, Snow-Sport Helmets, Gear

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