I'm an intermediate skier who hadn't hit the slopes since my oldest son was born 8 years ago. This season, inspired by a local charity second hand ski sale--and my sons' desire to try out skiing--I invested in some used equipment. Unfortunately, none of us could find used boots, and that's where Dalbello's DX 509s came in.

After several months of skiing with these boots, I have to say that I'm completely satisfied with my purchase. My husband and son have had similarly positive experiences.

Here's why:

First, the boots require no "wear-in" period. They're comfortable the first time they are worn. Part of this is due to the thick padding at the top of the boots, where it meets your leg. There's no chafing there, or at the ankle--two frequent problem spots. I have fairly wide calves, and the Dalbello boot accommodates them nicely.

Second, the boots are nicely insulated. My feet (prone to freezing) have remained consistently warm. And surprisingly, they didn't sweat too much during a spring skiing day last weekend.

The structure of the boot is also comfortable. While some ski boots cause the wearer to walk (and stand) at a slightly forward tilt, these don't produce that effect. Granted, they are a little bulky and certainly not the lightest boots on the market. But after a day of skiing, I'm not desperate to remove them. In fact, you might find yourself keeping them on during lunch and bathroom breaks.

The boots hook up with four clips, which allows fairly precise adjusting. I found the top clips slightly hard to close, but was satisfied with the fit once they were clipped. I also find it slightly hard to get my foot into the boot--I have to pull the tongue out very far to slip my foot in comfortably. But again, once my foot is in, they feel good. I also found that the sturdiness of the boots meant that I didn't have to clip them extremely tightly to feel secure.

The boots have a velcro strap at the top, as an added closure. I don't think this adds anything to form or function while skiing--but it's very helpful as a tool to carry the boots to and from the slope. The velcro straps from each boot can be stuck together, creating a rather comfortable handle. This is especially helpful since the boots are heavy.

When it comes to attractiveness, these boots score low. They're blackish gray with burgundy trim at the top. They're plain. They're dull. They attract no attention. This, however, appeals to me (an intermediate skier in second hand skis who genuinely WANTS no attention!) Others may feel differently.

The bottom line: Dalbello boots are comfortable, relatively inexpensive, and very sturdy. What more could you want?



Recommended: Yes