Editing Ski boot (section)

==Nordic==
[[File:Old-sns-side.jpg|thumb|right|A typical modern cross-country boot, using the original SNS style binding. Compared to downhill, cross-country boots are much simpler and more closely related to their leather ancestors.]]

===Cross-country and telemark===
{{update|section|newer systems like x-plore, salomon prolink, and NIS have come on the market.|date=March 2024}}
Cross-country boots, like all Nordic equipment, attach to the ski usually only at the toe of the boot and are allowed to flex at the ball of the foot similarly to a normal shoe or boot. Cross-country boots generally use one of four attachment systems; NNN (New Nordic Norm), 75mm Nordic Norm ("three-pin" binding, "75NN"), d-ring, or SNS (Salomon Nordic System). A four-pin binding system similar to 75NN used to be popular in the USSR. A new Salomon Pilot binding is now widely used for racing because it uses two connection points so that the skier has more stability and control over the ski. As these boots are intended for travel over generally flat terrain, they are optimized for light weight and efficiency of motion.<ref>Barbara Brewster, [https://books.google.com/books?id=gPORdmXapkEC&pg=PA72 "Gear Up Properly for Cross-Country"], ''Snow Country'', January 1989, pp. 72-75</ref>

{{update|section|needs mention of "TTN" and "TTS" telemark bindings as well as NTN, but also 75mm equipment remains in production as of 2024|date=March 2024}}
Telemark refers to a specific technique for making downhill turns on Nordic equipment. This has resulted in highly specialized equipment designed for better performance in a downhill setting. Until 1992 Telemark boots were basically heavy leather boots with the front of the sole adapted to the 75mm Nordic Norm. The introduction of the New Telemark Norm (NTN) binding in 2007 change the technique dramatically.<ref>[http://www.telemarktips.com/TeleNews87.html "NTN On-snow Test Report"], ''Telemark News'', 26 January 2007</ref> Since then plastic boots have become more and more common and now make up almost all Telemark boots. Plastic allows for a laterally stiffer boot while still allowing freedom of flex at the ball of the foot through the use of bellows. Boots intended for more cross country travel generally have a lower cuff, softer flex and lighter weight. Boots specialized for downhill use have higher cuffs, stiffer flex and heavier weight. Telemark boots are almost always equipped with a rubber sole.

===Alpine touring===
[[File:Tourenschuhe01 kl.jpg|thumb|Modern alpine touring boots from different brands. Often the inner boot can be worn separately, as shown with the red exemplar. Also common is a lever as seen on the back of both boots to switch from a rigid "ski" position to a flexible "walk" adjustment.]]

Although randonnée is considered as an alpine sport, it basically combines the cross-country stride for uphill portions and then conventional alpine techniques on the downhill. The equipment uses most closely compares to modern telemark systems, with a stiff plastic boot offering good downhill control, and a binding system that allows it to pivot at the toe for cross-country striding.<ref>Ronald Eng, [https://books.google.com/books?id=QupdBAEgpGEC&pg=PA329 "Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills"], The Mountaineers Books, 2010, p. 329</ref> Different models trade off light weight against downhill performance. They have a rockered, rubber sole to allow for easier walking. This means that they will not fit in ordinary alpine bindings. Instead, the interface between alpine touring boots and bindings is defined by [http://www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1194 ISO 9523]. Other attachment methods exist and prominent amongst these are the ''Tech'' bindings and fittings that were first commercialized by Dynafit as the TLT. As yet, these are not covered by an international standard.