Embodiments of the present invention contemplated herein describe a contoured skate boot having contour seams formed therein for introducing preferential biases in the boot material. By strategically creating notches in the boot upper material and subsequently rejoining the edges of each notch, the boot upper may be biased to conform to the complex contours of a skater's foot and ankle. Moreover, by introducing boot contours such that the boot is able to closer approximate the natural contours of a skater's foot, fewer stiffeners and less padding is required to result in a comfortable fit while providing increased control of the boot. Additionally, by reducing the quantity of stiffeners and volume of padding, a lighter boot is provided, thus resulting in a more efficient energy transfer from the skater through the skate.