| back to boots | back to top Which is the best boot?
The simple answer is "the one the fits your foot". The longer version is: nearly all manufacturers make a range of boots, from "entry-level" or "beginner" boots to very "high performance" and "race". And, they all have their own idea about what the "perfect" foot shape is i.e. roomy in the fore-foot, high over the instep, narrow in the heel and all other kinds of combinations. Your job is to find the manufacturer that makes boots best suited to your particular foot shape in a model most consistent with your skiing style.
back to boots | back to top How long should a pair of boots last?
It depends largely on the skier and the particular boot, but 150 – 200 ski days is not unreasonable.
back to boots | back to top How can I tell if my boots are wearing out?
Working on the assumption they fit well from the beginning, the liner will eventually "pack-out", allowing some movement, creating "hot spots" where there were none. If there are any cracks in the shell get rid of them, they are dangerous. When the soles of the boots are worn to the point they are no longer "DIN" standard, reputable shops will not mount or adjust bindings to these boots. If buckles are not working properly they can and should be replaced. If the boot soles are worn excessively and replaceable soles are one of the features of the boots, replace them.
back to boots | back to top How should boots fit?
See the beginning of the custom boot fitting section. We believe any boot fit should be "custom", ‘cause there’s nobody else quite like you!
back to boots | back to top What is the difference between a footbed and an orthotic?
A footbed can be either generic or custom but is not designed to accomplish biomechanical correction. They are most often slightly-or-well rounded on the bottom, where they interface with the boot. A ski boot orthotic is a corrective device; a very specific mold of the foot manipulated into an exact position referred to as sub-talar-neutral. The orthotic is then ground perfectly flat on the bottom at the interface with the ski boot. This makes the foot very stable in the boot.
back to boots | back to top How important is a footbed or orthotic in skiing?
Even the simplest, generic footbed is way better than what the boot manufacturers put into the boot for you. There are more than a few very good boot fitters that will not work on problems with boots unless there is some kind of footbed inside. And, if the one you have is ineffective they will recommend something better. An effective footbed or orthotic will eliminate 80-90 percent of all boot fitting problems and allow the bootfitter to accurately address the ones that do remain.
back to boots | back to top How do I get a proper size boot?
Sitting down, ski socks on, liner out of the boot shell. Put your foot into the shell, toes gently touching the front of the shell, shin forward, you want about 1 – 1/2 finger widths behind your heel. That is the length. To assess width, move your heel into the back of the shell and slide your forefoot back and forth between the sides. You want your foot to be as close to the shell as possible, without any pressure. Light contact on both sides of the forefoot is okay. Any more than a quarter inch total space in the forefoot and you will loose steering control after the boots pack out.
back to boots | back to top Why do I measure my feet while sitting down?
When standing, your feet are spread out and they are at their biggest. We want the closest fitting boot not the loosest. Half of the skiing experience is weighted and half is weightless. It’s when you are weightless and in big boots your feet move around and you lack control. Then, the only solution is to tighten your boots but they’ll start to hurt. A proper orthotic will control the shape of your foot so we can get it into the right size. 90% of all skiers, when left to their own devices will choose boots that are too big.
back to boots | back to top Why do I bang my toes into the end of my boots giving me black toenails?
Probably the lack of, or an ineffective, orthotic. Nothing to stop the foot from sliding forward. If this movement was not there the first few days of skiing, the boot is too large.
back to boots | back to top How can boots feel so comfortable in the shop and then start hurting after only a few days of skiing?
The liners always pack out and the boots get looser. And loose boots will eventually hurt. This is why we "shell size" and try to ignore what the liner is telling us. Just like a freshly washed, tight fitting, pair of jeans eventually loosens up and fit perfectly.
back to boots | back to top I have a high instep and it hurts! What to do?
Assuming appropriate boot size and a proper footbed, remove material from the liner tongue, over the instep. This also allows better blood circulation to the toes and does not affect the insulating ability of the boot.
back to boots | back to top What to do for Big Calves?
Most people with big calves get boots that are way too big for their feet in order to accommodate their lower legs, or they move the buckles to get more room. Both these are bad solutions. Resulting too big boots is obvious. Moving buckles to accommodate a large lower leg usually puts the skier into a too forward position and out of balance. The boot liner cuff usually has anywhere from 4/3 – 1 _ inches of padding that can be removed and replaced with much thinner neoprene. More material can be taken from the tongue in the shin area. This way we fit the skier’s foot and stay in balance.
back to boots | back to top Have a really narrow foot?
Not all, but most boot manufacturers consider the average American woman’s foot to be a "B" width and man’s a "D" width. One of the most difficult issues to address is the foot with a low instep and arch coupled with a narrow foot. Women "A" and Men "B" or less. The best solution is to find the closest fitting shell possible, replace the stock liner with a foam or silicone liner and an aggressive footbed or orthotic.
back to boots | back to top What is the best way to keep my feet warm?
Stay off the snow, wear fluffy booties, sit by the fire and drink something warm. OOORRRRR, wear really well fit boots, with a single layer of medium-thin wool/silk blended socks. Double layer socks always cause a problem, as do too thick socks. Electric boot heaters sometimes work well, but they rely on batteries, which sometimes fail in extreme cold. Neoprene "boot gloves" seem to work well.
back to boots | back to top Are my rear entry boots still good?
When someone asks me if their boots are good, my response is "Do you love them?" If the answer is absolutely "YES" I say, "don’t mess with success", no matter what the boot. But, if you want to ski better or feel better then 4 buckle overlap boots of today have a great deal to offer (performance wise), and still can be remarkably comfortable! There are no more "performance" rear entry boots being made today, but there are still a few people who do need what the good rear entry boots of yesterday had to offer. They were for the high volume foot that had a hard time finding a home!
back to boots | back to top What is the difference between foam and silicone liners?
Both require an effective footbed or orthotic. Foam is an aggressive procedure where the existing liner of the boot is replaced with a hollow liner. The liner is then filled with a foam and catalyst which pass from the back of the leg out the boot toe, aggressively filling the space between the boot wall and the foot, from the metatarsals to the lower leg. Done right, it creates a great fit. Silicone is a little more passive. A dental grade silicone is injected into a liner that has some existing padding. It is recommended the liner be skied 2-3 days before injecting (most people choose not to wait). The liner is injected then the foot is placed into the boot, displacing the silicone and the skier waits for the silicone to set-up. Silicone tends to be a little warmer than foam.
back to boots | back to top My feet cramp up!
Boots too big, no footbed, working to hard with the muscles of the feet instead of letting the boots do the work.
back to boots | back to top I’m getting chaffing, rubbing and/or bruising on my shins!
Buckles too loose, cuff too big. It all sounds like motion to me. If you can move, you will move and if you do it will hurt!
back to boots | back to top What is involved in a complete boot fit?
See the section on custom boot fitting, it’s the only kind we do!
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