When Nordic ski boot suppliers worldwide were sold-out back in December, we needed emergency boots to make sure anyone wanting to get outdoors to ski this pandemic winter could do so. Spine boots, based out of Russia, was one of the only boot manufacturers with any product available. So we at Canadian Wintersports got as many pairs as we could air-freighted here with not much in the way of expectations in terms of quality of the product. When the boots arrived, we were astonished not only by the workmanship of the gluing and stitching but most of all, the comfort and warmth of the boots. Russia and Canada share similar climates and it’s evident immediately in the showroom when you try on a pair for the first time. These are comfortable ski boots great for Canadian winters.

Spine boots are made in-house at their factory in Yaroslavl, Russia with very little outsourcing. This keeps production speedy and QA at a very high level. Production outlooks are very promising (while keeping in mind Canada is a drop in the bucket when compared to the Russian market) for a Mid-September/Early October delivery to Canada in advance of W21-22.

https://spine.ru/products/nordic_ski_boots/filter/ski_bindings-is-nnn/apply/

Here’s my list of recommended boot models:

Spine Smart 357:

Colour: Black

Size Run: 26 EUR to 50 EUR

Technique: Classic

Great for: First-time skiers, rentals, ski-at-school

The Spine ‘Smart 357’ model is the perfect entry-level ski boot. A warm, comfortable classic boot that feels great when you try it on in the showroom. When compared to the cheaper Spine “Loss 243” model, it sports ‘smarter’ design decisions; more durable materials, and much thicker insulation. The “Viper Pro 251” is a slightly better entry-level boot, but the similarities don’t seem to justify the higher price for most customers. If lace covers are needed, upgrading to the Spine “Comfort 83/7” is the way to go. There’s also a blue-coloured version and a cyan version.

Spine Energy 258:

Colour: 50% black, 50% blue

Size Run: 37 EUR to 47 EUR

Technique: Combi

Great for: Active skiers, season’s pass holders

The Spine ‘Energy 258’ model is a combi boot at a great price point. It’s fantastic for classic skiing and can be used to dabble in skate skiing from time to time. It has a high Velcro cuff for increased ankle support for skate skiing. However, both the cuff and the sole lacks the stiffness found in a real skate boot which is why I designate this combi boot as more classic-focused. Again, a very comfortable fit. The zip-up lace cover keeps feet dry and warm.     

Spine Polaris 85:

Colour: Black/Grey

Size Run: 37 EUR to 47 EUR

Technique: Skate

Great for: Active skiers, First-time skate skiers

The Spine ‘Polaris 85’ model is an entry-level skate boot. It has a solid cuff for ankle support and a supple sole that will be more familiar, comfortable and less intimidating for beginner skate skiers. This boot is great for ‘active skiers’ or kids, but if you’re thinking of training for a loppet, an upgrade will go a long way.     

I’ve tested several models of the higher-tier spine boots and been generally impressed with the comfort. I’d remark on the similarity to the Alpina boots I’ve tried in the past. For a loppet racer, you can’t go wrong with the Concept Classic 294 which is a legitimate classic boot with a decent flex profile. The Concept Skate 296 has a properly stiff sole and solid cuff which is a necessity for skating distances over 15km. As you get to the very top tiers, like the Carreras, the boots are built on top of Rottefella soles which gives them a great feeling of rigidity found in other boots built with those same soles. The Ultimate 599 skate boots are my favorite skate boots period. They are vastly more comfortable than my Fischer SpeedMax skate boots and much warmer. Overall, Spine was a great find this winter and a fantastic addition to Canadian Wintersports’ catalog going forward.