Shopping Cart: 0 items 
Clearance Center (Back to all Products)
If the Boot Fits
Your ski boot choice will be determined by boot size, boot width and boot flex and stiffness. Ski boots use a Mondo point sizing system, which is measured in centimeters. Once you’ve chosen the correct size, you will want to select the proper width. In most cases, recreational boots are wider, while advanced boots tend to be a bit narrower. As a general guideline, beginner and intermediate boots are usually available in widths of 102 to 105mm, while intermediate and advanced ski boots use a tighter 100 to 102mm. Experts and racers, who require a tight fit for maximum control and precision, usually choose ski boots with widths under 100mm. Caveat: If you have a pronounced bunion on either of your feet, a narrow ski boot can create a hellacious experience. If this describes you, consider the services of a professional boot fitter, who will be able to blow out a portion of the boot to leave space for the bunion.
Flex is the next subject of your boot fitting agenda. As mentioned, advanced ski skills usually require a stiffer boot. For this reason, beginner boots have a flex rating of 60 to 80, depending on their weight. As you begin to enhance your carving skills, you will prefer a boot with a 60 to 80 flex range. In contrast, advanced skiers usually choose ski boots rated 80 to 100. Stiffness increases for experts and racers, with flex ratings ranging between 110 and 150. Keep in mind that as your ski skills improve, your feet and ankles will grow stronger, which will in turn improve your ability to flex a stiffer boot. Skis.com makes it easy for ski boot buyers by listing boots by flex, size and width.
Ski Boots Demystified
Once you gain a basic understanding of the art and science of alpine skiing, you begin to realize that selecting the proper ski boot is essential to your progress as a skier. While novice skiers tend to focus on buying skis, which are indeed the “sexier” purchase, if you consider the fact that skiing movements begin in your feet, it becomes obvious that a pair of boots that are responsive to your feet’s commands are capable of leading your skis down the hill with a grace that is comparable to Fred Astaire leading Ginger Rodgers.
Now that we have you convinced of the importance of ski boots, you will need some guidelines about proper selection. First off, as a newly addicted skier, you are probably concerned about price. While we suggest that you try your boots on at a ski shop, purchasing boots in a store might require taking out a second mortgage on your home. In contrast, take a look at the ski boot page on Skis.com. Notice the retail price. Yikes! Now look at the Skis.com price. That’s much better!
Now let’s talk about some boot-buying basics. There are five basic ski boot categories:
- Men's Ski Boots
- Women’s Boots
- Kids' Boots
- Racing Boots
- Freestyle Boots
Ski Boot Fit: Beyond the Basics
In the previous section, you discovered ways to narrow down your selection of ski boots. Now that you are armed with a bit more knowledge, you are ready to fine tune your ski boot decisions by taking into account the subtleties of boot fit. As mentioned, you want to avoid buying boots that are too big. Your first step is to search Skis.com for an appropriate ski boot based on your needs. After you’ve made a selection of a few boots that have the appropriate size, width and flex, check to see if your local ski shop carries these boots. You will probably notice that they are considerably more expensive than the boots featured on Skis.com. Furthermore, your local ski shop will not offer you the Skis.com Powder Points, which can provide substantial discounts on future purchases.
Your next step is to put on a pair of thin ski socks and head to the store. Take note of the importance of thin ski socks. Wearing thick hiking socks will cause you to buy boots that are too big. Now, try on the boots. Stand up straight. Although your toes should be touching the end of the boots, make sure that they are not clenched or curled under. Clenched toes will narrow your base of support, thereby impeding your balance.
From here, you need to flex your knees and assume a skier’s tuck position. As you do this, your toes should pull slightly away from the front of the ski boot. It’s also important that your heels stay down when assuming a flex-knee position. Don’t expect immediate comfort. Walk around the store and try a few ski movements. Is the boot responsive? Compare two boots by placing one on your right foot and the other on the left. Which feels better? Once you’ve decided on the best ski boot, smile at the salesman and thank him politely. Then, go home and buy your boots on Skis.com for a substantial savings.
Women's Ski Boots
In the world of skiing, it is not politically incorrect to point out the anatomical differences between men and women. Women’s ski gear is not some attempt to make equipment that is prettier or more feminine than the gear used by men. In fact, a ski boot or ski designed for women can make an incredible difference in technique and enjoyment of the slopes. In many cases, a women’s ski boot can solve some of the problems that are typical of female skiers.
For example, is flexing your boot a challenge? Do you find it difficult to initiate a ski turn, without muscling or skidding your movements? Do ski instructors tell you that you tend to be “in the back seat?” This can be explained by the fact that in general, women weigh less than men. To make matters more complex, women tend to have shorter legs and a lower center of gravity. This gives them less leverage, which makes it difficult to flex a unisex boot.
The problem is easily solved by a women’s boot, which usually features tops that end lower on the leg to compensate for shorter leg length. Many women's ski boots are composed of softer materials, which make them easier to flex. Some women's ski boots are made with a rear spoiler. Others have an increased ramp angle, which places your heel higher than your toes. This can help you stay in a more forward alignment.
Here is another issue that many women encounter with unisex boots. Many women complain that the tongue of their ski boots pinches their shins. Others have difficulty fastening that crucial top buckle. Why does this happen? In many cases, a woman’s calf is attached at a lower point in the leg. Women often have wider calves than men. A female-specific ski boot can solve that problem by featuring adjustable cuffs, wider tongues and boot buckles that have a wider adjustment range.
Another problem women encounter on the slopes is lack of precision due to ankles that have too much mobility in the heel cup. This is not because women have less skill than men! Women’s narrow ankles are the problem. Women's boots are often designed with a self-molding liner that will conform to the shape of their ankles. These liners are often made of a micro-fleece material, which also solves the cold-feet problem that is prevalent amongst female skiers.
Ski Boot Upgrades, Boot Fitting and Alignment
Once you find yourself hooked on the sport of alpine skiing, you may find yourself searching for ways to improve your skills. While taking lessons can help, you might want to consider an upgrade on your ski boots. For example, high-end ski boots often come with micro-adjustments on the buckles, which allow you to find the perfect balance between comfort and support. Lateral ski boot adjustments allow both bowlegged skiers and knock-kneed skiers to flatten their skis on the snow. Flex adjustments can provide either a softer or harder flex, which can be adjusted according to ski conditions.
The Ski/Walk feature can make it easier to walk through the base area without feeling like a dork. Just remember to change the lever back to “ski” when you get back on the slopes. Better ski boots also come with heat moldable liners and neoprene toe boxes. If you have a tendency towards cold feet, some ski boots are pre-wired for ski boot heaters. This can be a much appreciated add-on for skiers that frequent cold areas such as Mont Tremblant.
If you want to take the upgrade process one step further, consider engaging the services of a professional boot fitter. Depending on your stance, your boot fitter might suggest a medial/lateral alignment to correct a bowl-legged or knock-kneed condition. Some skiers require a fore/aft boot alignment in order to correct a stance that is either too far forward or too far back on the skis.
Custom foot beds are another option. These inserts are carefully molded to bring the weight bearing sections of your feet into alignment with the gravitational forces of your skeleton. In many cases, a custom foot bed will alleviate the pain and fatigue that is sometimes associated with ill-fitting ski boots.
Kids' Ski Boots
Here’s some news that parents are going to love! Children’s ski boot design has finally entered the 21st century. In the past, parents would subject their poor kids to years of painful rental boots. This can almost be considered child cruelty! Of course, this decision was justified by the fact that parents righteously believed that buying kid's ski boots would be a waste of money, since the child would likely outgrow the boots within a year.
But the new children’s ski boots are designed with special inserts that make them usable for two seasons. Keep this in mind when sizing your child’s ski boots. Many parents make the mistake of choosing kid’s ski boots that are a size too big, in the hopes that their child will “grow into” their boots by the next season. This often results in bad habits, poor skills, and even injury. The new children’s ski boot design solves this problem.
The technology used in adult boots is now being adapted into children’s ski boot design. Some manufacturers use structures that can provide maximum energy transmission from boot to ski to snow. Others offer a bi-injected shell. This gives your child the lateral stiffness needed to help them make this transition. Miraculously, these companies have managed to do this without sacrificing the fore/aft flexibility that is essential for proper ski stance and alignment. The new children’s ski boots also boast kid-friendly characteristics that can often eliminate the need for parental assistance in putting them on or taking them off.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
