Abstract: A skate boot body has a lower boot portion for receiving the foot and an upper boot portion for receiving the ankle and a portion of a lower leg, in which the upper and lower boot portions are rigidly connected. The lower boot portion fastens the foot relative to the rigid boot body using laces. The upper boot portion fastens the lower leg portion relative to the rigid boot body using an independent upper strap. The upper strap includes a resilient portion, whereby a circumference of the upper portion of the skate boot body about the ankle varies as the resilient portion of the adjustable upper strap is resiliently deformed by flexing of the user's ankle. The resilient upper strap provides an optimal balance of rigid support between the skate boot and user, while still allowing the user to comfortably flex their ankle through a large range of motion.