Top Tips for Choosing Ski Boots

How to choose the best ski boot for you! 
It's a pretty big choice. There are loads of brands and styles available, not to mention all the different types of ski boots! So we sat down with one of our expert boot fitters to find out the Top 5 essentials for getting the perfect ski boot fit! 

Length

When finding the perfect ski boot you always start with length, finding the perfect size is important. Too short and your toes are crammed at the end, too long and your foot is sliding all over the place.

After measuring your foot, the boot fitter will perform a shell check. This is when you pull the liner out of the boot and you place your foot into the shell. From here they will analyse how much room you have in the boot, too much room and you will find your heel lifting and your toes sliding into the end of the boot.

Unlike buying a pair of shoes, ski boot sizing is done in Mondopoint which is an accurate measurement from toe to heel. This does not change between the boot brands so a 27.5 in a Tecnica boot is a 27.5 in an Atomic boot too! 

Last

The last is also very important when finding the perfect boot, the last of your foot is how wide it is. Lasts in boots, on average, range from 98mm to 104mm. Some reach up to 110mm for very wide feet! 
Unlike the length measurement, width does change between brands and your boot fitter will be able to recommend ski boots that are better for wider feet or your type of foot shape.

Most rental shops don’t carry super wide boots. So, if you have wide feet they’re probably just going to give you a size up because the longer the boot, the wider it gets; however this can lead to even more problems like your heel slipping and sore feet from rubbing and gripping with your toes.

The ideal boot will fit all aspects of your foot, you want it to be like a tight hug, a nice fit around the foot and heel with no pressure points or pinching. Everyone’s feet are unique, but don’t worry, almost every boot is customisable and can be stretched or adapted to perfectly fit the shape of your foot.

Flex

The flex of the ski boot means how stiff the boot is. Factors to consider when selecting the perfect ski boot are your ability, discipline and weight.

The perfect ski boot flex should support your neutral position, if a boot is too soft it will collapse under your weight and leverage; this leads to muscle fatigue and over bending of the knee.

However, if the boot is too stiff it will mean you won’t be able push forward enough into the boot preventing the best performance out of the skis. It will also force you into a back-seat position meaning it will be harder to turn your skis and may result in sore shins.

Choosing your flex is highly individual. There is no standard rule for weight / ability / style, so talk to an expert who can help point you towards something that will work best for you. 

Insoles

Insoles are important when fitting the perfect ski boot as they help keep your foot in a natural position. Ski boots are quite unnatural in the way they work. When skiing the foot is constantly under load, if there’s no insole the foot will start to spread.

If you’ve suffered from foot pain in the past, then an insole could help. They support the arch of the foot and help the feet to sit in a natural position while under load. This will help the foot feel more relaxed and comfortable within the boot.

Custom moulded insoles are highly recommend if your planning to spend the whole day on your feet. They are moulded exactly to your foot and fine-tuned to fit the shape of the liner of your selected boot.

Shell and Liner

The majority of boots have custom mouldable liners and shells to help create that perfect fit within the ski boot. Heat moulding the liners causes the foam in the liner to expand, placing your foot inside the liner as it cools will create a mould around the unique shape of your foot.

If you have any problematic areas like bunions or ‘the sixth toe’ (if you know, you know), the majority of ski boot shells are fully customisable. A ski boot can be warmed up to around 80 to 100 degrees C making the plastic very malleable. The ski boot can then be pushed out in any problematic areas. As the boot cools down it will set in a wider shape to create a more comfortable fit around the affected area.

 Your Boot Fitter

Your boot fitter is able to precisely measure every aspect of your foot and has the expertise to customise both the shell and the liner for a perfect fit!
Everyone’s feet are different, and no off-the-shelf boot will fit perfectly.

Our expert boot fitters know have years of experience that allows them to accurately recommend the right boots, and we even offer a comfort guarantee!

For more information or to book a boot fit visit our Boot Lab page! 

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