17 Things to do Before Setting Foot in a New Ski Boot

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Written by Ski Press Magazine

The single biggest problem with ski boots is simple. We consistently by them too big.

Scott Russo, Dalbello’s International Product Manager, estimates, “over 60 percent of skiers where ski boots that are one to three full sizes too large”. Meanwhile, Tecnica maintains that 99 percent of their boot returns were simply bought too big. The kicker is that oversized boots under-perform miserably. Instead of helping you control your skis, they let your skis control you. Frustrated, you over-buckle, cutting off blood circulation, creating pressure points, cramping, cold feet, the works. The solution? Listen up:

  1. Find a great boot fitter. Go online, ask a pro, bribe a friend. Just find a fitter you can work with and trust. Ultimately, in a shop where you would like to spend some time and money.
  2. Make an appointment so you both know you are serious.
  3. Find out what you should bring. (e.g. old ski boots, new ski socks, shorts or baggy pants, an open mind, credit card…)
  4. Shelve any pre-conceptions. Many boots look fabulous online, in print, on shelves. So what? If they don’t fit your feet, legs, stance, style, weight, ability or needs, they are pretty much useless.
  5. Be patient. You are not buying soap. You are acquiring the prefect ski boot shell, liner and footbed for you. If all three don’t fit you properly, they will give you fits. Guaranteed. Take your time in the shop. You will feel and ski much better later. And longer.
  6. Be honest. How often do you really ski? Where? How fast? How well? What are your favorite conditions? If you really skied like Bode, why weren’t you in Torino?
  7. Bring lightweight ski socks or buy a new pair at the fitting. If someone tosses you’re an old pair of thick, thermo-jobbies, schuss, don’t walk, to another shop.
  8. Ask your boot fitter about custom footbeds before you start the fitting. Footbeds are corrective devises that align your feet and put you in a strong, neutral stance for more leverage, better edge control and greater comfort.
  9. Ever notice how one foot is bigger than the other? Always size ski boots to your smaller foot. If the difference is significant, let your boot fitter determine the next step.
  10. Don’t decide the boot is too small, short, tight or snug until your foot is properly seated and, only then, buckled in. Then wear it for at least five minutes before concluding anything.
  11. Buy snug. Sell large. Most brand new ski boots will get one-half size bigger with a week of skiing in them. Loose boots pack out sooner, wear out faster and cause greater problems. Also, a good fitter can usually grind, stretch, trim punch out or make a boot significantly bigger and softer. Never smaller or stiffer.
  12. Bend zee knees. If you can’t flex your ankles comfortable inside the boots, with your knees centered over your fee and your soles flat on a warm, carpeted ski shop floor, how do you think you will manage on a cold, slippery slope at heart-thumping speed?
  13. If you feel any pain or discomfort anywhere, tell the boot fitter precisely what you are feeling and where.
  14. If your boots must match your skis, look, outfit, whatever, spare the universe time, energy and misery. Buy the boots first.
  15. Learn what those nifty new features on your boots do and how they work, before you leave the shop.
  16. Make sure the shop guarantees their fit. If they don’t , ask why. If you are not satisfied, find a shop that does.
  17. Go back and tell the boot fitter how you like the boots. If they need tweaking, have them tweaked. Like any long-term relationship, you will have to make some adjustments.

From Ski Press Magazine Fall 2006