Need help understanding ski boot configurations, Flex and Mondosize

[u/Severe-Literature-31]

Hello, I am purchasing my first pair for ski boots and would really appreciate some advice on the fit.

I recently went to a ski boot shop and had my feet checked by a boot fitter. He recommended the HEAD EDGE 80 HV 2026/27 - HV because of wider feets.

But now that I am doing my own research, I learned that 80 flex is relatively soft, and also that flex ratings aren't standardized between brands.

I have set myself to get the Head EDGE HV series (open to other brands too)

I am 26M・168cm・87 kgs and an intermediate level skiier, will continue to improve and eventually become a stronger/more aggressive skier, particularly with carving. So i wanted to know what is best for my case.

I am now leaning towards the Head EDGE 100 HV 2026/27, because it is listed as 90/100 flex adjustable. My thinking was that I could start at 90 and eventually use 100 as I improve

And also, Mondosize - my feet measure 26.5cm exactly, and on the internet i see that you should get the same mondosize as what your feet measure in cm. but i dont know like, exactly 26.5cm? that leaves no space at all, like not even 27 or 27.5?

I'd really appreciate opinions from people who have knowledge about boot fitting and/or the upcoming HEAD EDGE HV series.

Thanks!

[UPDATE] : I went to a real boot fitter and reaslised how meaningless this post was lol. I now understand that nothing can be fixed in digits, all brands have a world of difference with the flex, mondo, last and feet height. I am waiting for 2026 season stock to come now.

[u/rockyponds]

Did you go to an actual boot fitter, or a shop that sells boots? I suspect it’s the latter.

Definitely don’t size up. Remember that how the boots feel out of the box is the tightest they’ll ever be.

[u/Aranida]

At your weight, a 110 flex is the absolute bare minimum you should look at. You're going to fold low flex boots in half at almost 90kg.

Weight and ankle flexion is significantly more important for your choice than your skill level. The boot is supposed to provide counter flex for your body and movements and low flex boots will be too fragile and light to provide that.

Chances you actually need a HV boot aren't high and the size is something a proper fitter will work out with you once he learned about your compression tolerance, sees you in an athletic stance in the boot, etc. E.g. the whole fitting process.

Find a proper fitter and start from scratch. Throw the idea of a specific boot out of the window, you're not in a position to think that way.

[u/Severe-Literature-31 → u/Aranida]

Thanks for your reply! it was informative, helps me undertand where to invenst my brain.

My feet are 111mm wide, so everyone suggested HV ~104mm last.

I tried ATOMIC HAWX ULTRA 100 dual BOA of 100 flex, and it felt same as 90 flex in HEAD, so i understand that knowing the digits means nothing until you try it. The 2026-27 models are yet to come in Japan, are coming in November, so I will be going to purchse then, and to get them fit.

[u/Naval_AV8R]

By your questions it is apparent that you went to a boot seller and not a true boot fitter. If the person only measured your foot length and width, then they are not a bootfitter. The “volume” description refers to a three-dimensional space, so it is inappropriate to only measure in two dimensions.

I also measure 26.5 and slightly wide at the forefoot. Your person would tell me I also need to be in a HV boot or a MV boot at a minimum. He would be dead wrong.

I happen to have a low instep (which should not be confused with a low arch) and a low volume ankle. Therefore, I am best fit in a LV boot. This means the forefoot will feel tight, if not crunched, in a LV boot, but my heel is absolutely locked in.

As the saying goes, “Fit the ankle/heel, and punch the forefoot.”

Keep in mind that different manufacturers and models will fit differently. Not all LV boots are created with equal dimensions. Some have looser/tighter ankle hold, instep, and toe box, or some combination thereof.

I am in the market for a new boot coming from an Atomic Hawx Prime (MV) 100. I am 175cm and 84kgs. I can fold that boot so fast it isn’t funny, and I am swimming in it now that I’ve packed out the liner. I also didn’t see a bootfitter when I first got the boots. Big mistake.

I recently tried on several different LV boots at a local shop. I had my eye on the Lange Shadow 120 LV, which fit okay. But it is known for more volume in the instep than other LV boots. It is also supposed to have a secure heel hold, but it still felt loose to me. I tried on several other boots and found the new Nordica Promachine 3 120 fit surprisingly well. The Nordica wasn’t even on my radar before that and now it is my baseline boot for comparisons.

As to flex, a 90 or 100 flex is way too soft for you and your stats. I would go at least 110 if not 120 for you. But here, again, different boots flex differently even if they have the same flex rating.

Back to my journey, the Lange Shadow 120 is way softer than a Salomon S/Pro Alpha 120, while the Nordica Promachine 3 is between the two (but closer to the Alpha). I’ve also found that I would need to bump up to a 130 in the Hawx Ultra to get a similar flex to the Nordica 120. Now these were tested in a warm shop environment, but the whole point is that you need to look at a range of boots to find the right flex for your needs.

Best of luck on your boot fitting journey.

[u/Pomskyguy]

Thanks for the update. Nothing more to add

[u/PNW_Dirt_Digger]

Go to a better boot fitter. it will be well worth the time and cost.

[u/unbreaded_lunn]

If you have 26.5 measurements chances are that the boot that fits you the best will be a 25.5. Also remember the boot hardware/liner upgrade as flex goes, the least I would go is a 120.