Many skiers buy boots because they are good value for many or because they look lovely and fashionable. However, usually, skiers need to learn how tight boots should be and how they should fit. As a result, people are using ski boots that need to be fixed for them properly. It ruins your skiing experience and causes pain in your feet and body.
The right fit for ski boots is different for each skier. It’s crucial to select the right fit rather than buying a boot because it looks nice or matches your ski outerwear. Each person’s feet are different, so always discuss them correctly with a trained boot fitter and boots company.
Boot fitting is a process that you need to keep doing. The shape and contours of your feet change as you age. It is not just the increase in size that happens as you grow older. A good boot fitting company would understand this and give you relevant suggestions.
Related: What Is The Best Place To Buy Used Skis?
Why Do Ski Boots Hurt?
If ski boots aren’t your size, they can cause discomfort and pain. Ski boots that are larger than your foot can cause blisters because your foot will be sliding inside the boots. If your boot is tight means the boot will move with your foot and will not cause rubbing, bruising, and blisters.
What To Do When Your Ski Boots Hurt?
If you have blisters, your boots are not your size. Try getting a smaller size. Also, ensure you wear a good pair of modern ski socks, as the wrong ones can lead to similar problems.
Essential Parts Of The Boot For Fitting
Achieving a snug fit starts with several parts of the boot. First, they need to match your feet and calves so you may have a well-fitted boot. The following provides a good summarized guide to help you select a comfortable boot that doesn’t give you pain and is a performance fit:
The Liner
This should hug your foot, and there should be enough room to wiggle your feet. It should feel like a second sock inside your boot.
The Shell
It should be big enough so your entire foot may fit inside. However, extra space should be equal to just about two toes. To check, do the following: Place your foot inside the shell and stand up.
Next, push your toes forward until they reach the body’s front. Now notice how much space there is between your heel and the back of the foot. This space should barely be two fingers wide for comfort fit and one finger wide for a performance fit.
The Upper Cuff
It should feel like a pair of hands snugly holding your shin and lower leg while two more hands (the overlapping shell) envelop your foot. When you wear your boot and buckle it, it should feel like all four hands are keeping your foot comfortable and, at the same time, locked in place.
Heel-lift
It should be minimized, especially for aggressive edges during skiing.
Arch Support
It needs to be neutral unless you keep the balance of your feet on your toes or heels. Boots with a higher arch are generally fit for individuals with a natural balance of feet towards the toes.
| How Should Each Part Feel On Your Feet? | |
| Ski Boot Part | Feel |
| The liner | Should hug your feet |
| The shell | Should fit your foot with two toes extra space |
| The upper calf | Should feel like four hands softly holding your food in place |
| The heel-lift | Should be minimal |
| The arch support | Should be neutral except some special cases of balance |
Is The Width Of The Ski Boot Important?
Boot width is another important factor that helps you select a snug-fit boot. Different companies of skiing create boots with a variety of widths. Some can be wider, and some are thinner. Every person has a different foot shape, and you must check what feels snug.
As mentioned earlier, wiggle your foot and check for space. Too much slack may result in bruises. Less space may be too tight.
Should Your Heel Lift In Ski Boots?
Heel movement should be there but must be minimum. For example, when you stand in the skiing position, your heel inside the ski boot should be flat and touch the base of your boot. You will be able to lift your heel if you try hard consciously. But it shouldn’t raise during flexed position.
It would be best if you consider getting advice from a ski boot fitter. For example, you can ask for thinner boots or heel lifts to solve your issue.
How Tight Should The Power Strap Be On A Ski Boot?
The buckles of ski boots do most of the tightening work. If you want a higher-performance system, consider booster straps, especially heavy-duty ones. They are well worth the money and weight for intermediate or above skiers.
Boosters provide energy return and have a locking buckle that tightens your boot. They still allow your foot to move, and their tightening ability is better than velcro. A lot of skiers and racers use them.
You must consult a professional ski boot fitting company because you invest in purchasing a power strap.
Tips For Achieving A Snug Fit
Here are some additional tips to remember.
Use The Old Boots As A Guide
Always take old ones with you when you buy new ski boots. It will help the boot fitter immensely. The boot fitter will study them, and you can tell them what you liked or disliked about them or if you faced any issues. It would help the boot fitter provide a much better service.
Wear Dry And Thin Socks
Make sure your feet and socks are clean and dry. When you go to buy boots, wear your thinnest socks. It is because your ski boots will get looser with time.
Wear Clothes That Reveal Your Legs
Try to wear shorts or baggy pants. It is helpful for the boot fitter because he can look at your feet and legs and give you a better fit. In addition, he can check the cuffs and uppers and their alignment.
Get A Small Shoe
If there is a size issue, try to get a smaller and snugger-sized boot. The boot fitter can make adjustments in smaller boots to make them snug. However, an oversized boot would be brutal to make smaller and snug for your comfort.
How Does A Snug Boot Feel?
An unbuckled ski boot should feel somewhere between very snug and tight. Your foot should have no room to move forward, backward, or sideways. Your ankle should feel aligned with the boot’s heel.
After buckling in, your power strap should be closed, and your feet should feel snug and nicely fit inside the boot. Your feet should not feel squeezed or cramped. You should not feel pressure points.
Final Thoughts
Boot fitting is a complicated process to figure out on your own, mainly because wrong fitting can cause physical pain and injury. Due to this, you should visit a professional boot fitter. Then, according to the shape of your feet, you will be able to feel the fit of the boot.
However, the general idea is that a ski boot must feel comfortable and snug simultaneously. Therefore, the liner, shell, cuffs, and boot width are essential to help you determine the boot’s fit. If in doubt, get a smaller boot and take the boot fitter’s help to adjust it.
