Backcountry/telemarking boots come in enough styles and materials to make it difficult to summarize current models, let alone to anticipate what next year's market might bring. A decade ago, most backcountry/ telemarking boots were leather affairs that looked like heavy-duty hiking boots. Today, you can choose from leather, plastic, synthetic fabrics, or any of these in combination. Prices display a similarly wide range.
Spend as much money as you can to get a good-quality boot that fits comfortably but snugly when you're wearing ski socks. Plastic boots can offer several advantages over leather. They are sometimes less expensive, and are generally warmer and more waterproof. Some boots have a locking, hinged cuff that allows the boot to serve a wider range of functions. You can leave the cuff unlocked for diagonal stride or hill climbing, or fasten it for rigidity on descents.
The best approach to boot shopping is to seek the counsel of ski instructors or ask for advice at well-run ski shops. As a general rule, the wider the ski you choose, the more torque it takes to control it, and thus the bigger and stiffer the required boot to deliver the necessary leverage. For instance, with a super sidecut ski or other wide design, you'll need a big boot constructed of plastic or a leather-plastic combination that will flex fore and aft but not sideways.
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