The Escape Junior Classic Boot is a cross-country ski boot shaped around a kid's foot, not scaled down from an adult last. Its junior-specific shape leaves room to grow without cinching down too tight, and the Junior Performance sole carries the softer, beginner flex that classic technique calls for at that size. A thermoformed heel counter keeps the ankle steady, so a new skier can focus on finding a rhythm instead of fighting the boot. What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"My kid can get these on and off alone thanks to the quickLACE system, one pull and the laces cinch evenly without me tying anything. The zip that covers the laces keeps snow out on wetter trail days, so we're not turning back early over soaked socks."