Guide To Properly Fitting Ski Boots |
Properly fit ski boots are the most important
item in all of your ski gear. Ski boots are the bond between
you, your skis and the mountain. All of the energy you exert
to ski gracefully goes from your boots to your skis. A properly
fit boot will provide maximum energy transference to your
skis for control. Your feet must be comfortable in your boots.
Feet must be relaxed and have even weight distribution. If
boots do not fit properly serious ski edging problems occur
and muscle cramping problems are likely to occur. With poorly
fit boots people complain of an inability to carve turns,
difficulty on ice terrain, and inability to control skis.
How Should a Ski Boot Fit?
A ski boot should fit snug and comfortable,
it should not be painful. When you are in your skiing position
(knees flexed) your heel should be held down and be pushed
back. If there is room for your heel to slide then you know
that there is too much room in the boot for your foot. You
also NEED to be able to wiggle your toes. It is all right for
your toes to touch the front of your boot as long as they pull
away when the boot is buckled and knees are flexed. The instep
through the top of the ankle must be tight but not crammed.
The foot should be held in the boot without having the buckles
fastened too tightly. You want to be sure that the fit is from
the boot not from the buckle system.
Other Problem Areas
Arch - Forefoot - Heel Lift - Cramping
If the foot is unstable in the boots the
skier uses his or her muscle to try to lock up or another way
of explaining this is expanding the foot muscles to fill the
voids in the boot to aid with ski control. Therefore assuring
proper fit will decrease the risk of cramping from occurring.
Think of the way you like your sneakers to fit. Comfortably
with good support is probably the answer most will give. Your
foot has a structure and the boots you wear should conform
to this. Not every boot is for every foot, just like not every
sneaker is for every foot.
Shin Pressure and Pain
The boot tongue is designed to hold the
foot securely in place as it distributes the pressure of flexing,
to absorb shock of skiing and insulates the skier from pain.
Shin Bite is a condition caused by friction of the skin or
sock rubbing against the tongue of the boot. This can be a
result of a bunched up sock or an improperly fit boot. A good
guide to see if you are at risk of experiencing this is when
trying on the boots, buckle them up and assure snug proper
fit and assume your ski stance (knees bent) if you feel a pinch
and then it is relieved as you stand up then you know there
is a potential for problems. Some of this pain can be relieved
by adding a customized liner or readjusting your socks and
bindings.
Why Do Feet Get Cold?
Feet usually become cold due to restrictive
blood flow. An improperly fitted boot will put uneven pressure
on the foot, limiting blood flow. Again, proper fit is crucial.
The result of this should be that when
you are wearing a pair of properly fit ski boots your adventures
on the slopes will be more comfortable and probably last longer
than 2 runs per shot. This information has been provided for
your convenience and please be aware that the people that work
in your ski shops are usually highly educated and can be an
asset for you.
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