“I am still skiing with my Salomon rear entry boots! Started skiing young in 1969 and after years of Nordica, Lange, Fischer (I think) and pain, my Salomons are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever had. If I could drive a car in them I would wear them all the time. As a nurse, comfortable, supportive foot wear is important. The clomping does wake some patients up, but with these I have the energy for 12+ hour shifts and a relaxing glide down the slopes after.” Debbie Webster, R.N.
Debbie is an example of the diehard fans of rear-entry ski boots. Every year my blog receives more comments on this topic than any other! Specifically they usually involve the Salomon 7x, 8x, 9x series. They express love for their 30+ year old boots, or they mourn that their boots finally disintegrated, or they can’t believe today’s boot companies don’t offer rear-entry models.
So every Retro-Ski season I include a column on the topic of rear-entry ski boots to let these folks know they aren’t forgotten! Last season I brought hope to the devotees with the announcement by both Atomic and Nordica of new rear-entry models. I had hoped to garner some firsthand experience about these new offerings this season, but it hasn’t been the best season for new equipment thanks to COVID. Actually I think I witnessed more old equipment on the mountain this winter than new. This even included some Salomon 9x boots!
Let’s review some of the pluses and minuses of rear-entry boots. The unchallenged plus is the ease of putting them on or taking them off versus the traditional four buckle front-entry boot. Most devotees also claim they are more comfortable once they are on your feet as well. Some also claim the rear-entry boots are warmer, but I’m not sure what in their design would lead to that. I do know that many owners of the traditional four buckle boots overtighten the bottom two buckles which can lead to cold feet. Interesting that the new Nordica rear-entry series offer a model with built-in boot heaters which should definitely make them warmer!
The main negative critics usually bring up about rear-entry ski boots is their lack of “performance.” However let’s review last week’s trivia question. What was unique about Marc Girardelli’s ski boots in winning his 5 overall FIS World Cups? They were rear-entry!
Jan Rozendaal of South Burlington had the answer. “Marc Girardelli won his medals on the rear entry Salomon S-X 90 Equipe boots. I had a pair of these bright orange beauties for over 30 years and tears streamed down my face when they finally broke.“ Jan also added that whenever his skiing buddies mocked his choice in boots, he’d bring up Girardelli’s record as a response.
Jan also has a pair of the new Nordica HF 770 rear-entry boots, but they weren’t easy to get! He couldn’t find any at local ski shops, but his son talked him into getting them online. Due to COVID he only skied with them 4 or 5 times this season, but says, “I found them quite good. They are very easy to get on and off and are warm and comfortable.” He does say that tightening or loosening the fit was easier on his old Salomons which had both a side and rear adjustment. The Nordica has just a rear adjustment which is not as accessible.
Jan also mentioned that rear-entry boots should be great for rentals. I couldn’t agree more. So let me get on my soapbox.
The skiing industry is interested in attracting new people to skiing. The skiing industry includes ski area operators, equipment manufacturers, ski shops, lodging, and food services. Data show us that the majority of people who try skiing go one day and that’s it for at least the season! Cost is the primary barrier for why they don’t come back, but I would put ski boots next on the list! I have personally witnessed the following scenario in the rental shops at Stowe: A “never-ever” skier enters, the rental agent measures the skier’s foot and brings out a boot of appropriate size. The new skier has difficulty getting into the boot so the agent brings the next size up. This continues until the skier is happy. Now I doubt that the potential skier will realize that the boots are way too big, but they will remember what a pain it was to get into or out of ski boots! Rear-entry boots would be so much easier and the new skier would have a boot far closer to a good fit!
April 14, 2021 at 4:51 pm
I have 2 pair Salomon rear entry boots Sx 71 snd sx 80 circa 1982 and about 1995. My 71’s died this week when skiing Snowbird/Alta my heels disintegrated off the boot and my boot became stuck on my also retro Rossignol Bandit skis. Pried loose eventually, but I had to resort to 4 buckle rental boots. Sigh!! At 68 I had hoped the rear entries would last my entire ski life.. My rental boots Nordic’s sport machine St 75 flex were comfortable and after about 2 hours finding my spot I had a fun day after all. Loved my rear entry boots!
October 12, 2021 at 2:21 pm
Replacement heels are available…
November 14, 2022 at 7:26 am
Hi Tom, I just saw your comment about replacement heels being available. Can you let me know where I can find new replacement heel and sole plates for the old Salomon SX series?
October 12, 2021 at 2:20 pm
I’ve 20 pairs of Salomon SX boots.
Could be persuaded to part with a pair or two…
November 20, 2021 at 4:08 am
I love that I have discovered a place where people still “treasure” there old rear entry Salomon boots. I STILL have my Salomon Sx 81 boots. I was convinced years ago to get new boots because the ski shop said I risked them falling apart. But, I could never part with them, so they sit in a box. Now I’m inspired to drag them out. They were still the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned. I’m tempted to pull out my ancient Dynastar Course “bubble-nose” skis to which they were originally mates as well.
November 20, 2021 at 4:08 am
*their*
January 9, 2022 at 9:10 pm
Maybe I will return to skinning after all with news these boots are back! Kudos to the manufacturers who have dared to make this so! Ten years ago I spent two plus hours with a ski boot fit technician trying to find a boot that didn’t make my feet scream. At the end of it all he told me that my best bet was to scour the thrift stores for a rear entry boot, as he lamented that they should have never stopped making them and they were th best boot shape for a woman’s foot. I found a pair, and now my teenaged daughter has taken them over. No shame at all over wearing “moms really old boots!” You spent a mint on a ski pass – comfort on the hill is key!
January 9, 2022 at 9:10 pm
Maybe I will return to skiing after all with news these boots are back! Kudos to the manufacturers who have dared to make this so! Ten years ago I spent two plus hours with a ski boot fit technician trying to find a boot that didn’t make my feet scream. At the end of it all he told me that my best bet was to scour the thrift stores for a rear entry boot, as he lamented that they should have never stopped making them and they were th best boot shape for a woman’s foot. I found a pair, and now my teenaged daughter has taken them over. No shame at all over wearing “moms really old boots!” You spent a mint on a ski pass – comfort on the hill is key!
December 3, 2022 at 6:32 am
Just stumbled onto this, YES! love my SX71 boots, easy comfortable, and above acceptable performance. Yes they are a little mushy in the big bumps but that’s the point, they are so comfortable. Currently my favorite boot for snow kiting on the lakes.
To someone’s point above you can drive your car with them on!
I may be biased toward the rear entry boot by my first modern ski boot a yellow Hanson. It was so much better then the Heshung boot I first had (low plastic over leather cable boot),
but I don’t understand why there are no rear entry boots on the market/
March 31, 2023 at 8:37 pm
My 40 year old Salomon SX80 rear entry boots still remain the best I’ve ever worn. Unbelievable materials still seem as good as new. Still give excellent comfort and control.
November 18, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Considering the shape of the foot and the need to bind it with ski, you can immediately see that a normal 4-buckle shoe is an idiocy, because the ski shoe must fit to Achilles.
I made my ski instructor patent in the early 90s in 4-buckle shoes, the ones, which were the best at that time, produced by Alpina for ski racers. When I destroyed the internal shoes (lining) because of stupidity, for a moment I switched to the lightest shoes, i.e. Salomon SX 80. For the next season I already had SX 91, and in my opinion they are the best shoes that where ever produced. In each subsequent series, i.e. 92, 93, 95, something was improved, but something worsen
.
For a normal skier, the most important difference is that 4-buckle shoes must be well fitted to the ones foot, and the buckles are only used for fastening, while the rear entry can also be fitted with buckles. If someone has such thin legs in the ankles like me, then they will not turn a 4 -buckle shoe so good that there is no slack. It only succeeds in Salomons. This means that Salomons hold my foot better than any 4 -buckle shoes.
Ps. After 30 years of skiing, my SX 91 are a bit tuned. I prefer them from 92, 93, and 95, which I also have, but they lie idly in the attic.
January 2, 2024 at 7:53 pm
I love my SX92.
Is there a secret in how to remove the inner boot for forward lean adjustment?
I have been pulling hard with no luck.
Thanks