Photo by Ali Vagnini
Ski boots are notoriously uncomfortable and hard to get into. When I was a kid learning to ski, my parents budgeted 30 minutes just to help me yank my boots on—and let me tell you, there was a lot of protesting. The drama didn’t end there. My parents still had to convince me to keep them on all day, while making sure that my feet stayed warm and the buckles weren’t crushing my tootsies. Needless to say, ski boots can be a huge barrier when getting into the sport, and a major source of friction when herding young skiers out the door. Luckily, things have begun to shift, and there are a lot more options that cater to young feet.
The Fischer One and Two are a radical take on kids’ ski boots, entirely breaking with the traditional approach of shrinking adult boots down to kid sizes. “Our overarching goal in the development of the Fischer One and Two was to create ski boots that enable the next generation of skiers to grow a passion for the sport we all love,” explains Fischer product manager Christoph Lentz. “We spent a lot of time in the snow with children and talking to parents, ski instructors, and boot fitters. It quickly became apparent that weight, simplicity, and ease of use were the most critical factors.”
Balancing performance with comfort, the Fischer One and Two are essentially snow boots with ski boot soles. They offer enough support for basic maneuvers (like pizza and learning to edge) while being just as comfortable as a snow boot. Designed with kids in mind, they’re meant to be fuss-free—and if your boots are more comfortable, you’re more likely to fall in love with the sport.
The Fischer One and Two both feature a wide-open design for easy entry and closure, making them intuitive to slip on and allowing young athletes to get into their own boots from an early age. The shell reduces weight while offering enough stability for novice skiers to progress without sacrificing warmth. It consists of a double-layered waterproof gaiter with reshaped liners to protect feet from the elements and keep them toasty. GripWalk soles make for easy walking and are clearly marked left and right, allowing young skiers to be self-sufficient when gearing up.
The Fischer One comes in kids’ sizes 15.5, 16.5, and 17.5, and the Fischer Two in 18.5, 19.5, and 20.5—ensuring that up-and-coming skiers can seamlessly transition from one to the next until they’re ready for adult boots.