Of all the gear we use to participate in alpine skiing, none is as important as the boot. This is the connection between your body and your edges. The Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance teaches the importance of stance and balance when skiing. It starts with your boots. Think of your ski boots like a car. There’s a wide variety available. Race cars have quick positive unforgiving steering and stiff suspension. Race boots are stiff and unforgiving. Race cars are hard to get in and out of and so are race boots. Simply put – the quicker the reaction, the less forgiveness and the tighter the fit.
Manufacturers are finally telling us what models in their lines are narrow, ( usually 98 mm. & narrower,) which models are in the medium fit group, (100 mm. & up) and the wide body ( 102 mm. & up) for the heavy, wide foot. This is called “the last” of the boot. Along with “the last” of the boot, manufacturers are also indicating the flex index of each model. Eighty flex is the softest and approximately 130 flex is the stiffest. It is important to take your time with a good boot fitter to endeavor to find the right boot for you. A expert boot fitter should:
- First look at your feet. Is your foot wide or narrow? Do you have a high arch or high instep? Does your foot pronate or supinate, and do you have bunions, bone spurs, low calf, heavy calf, bow legged, or knock kneed etc.?
- They should ask about your skiing. What kind of a skier are you? How often do you ski? What are your skiing goals? Did you have a price range in mind? Remember – boots are the single most important piece of ski equipment and they will last you many, many years. Perhaps this is not the time to be frugal.
Here’s what you should look for:
- Can I get it on and off?
- Can I flex the boot, when I am wearing it, so my knees go over the toes of the foot?
- Do I feel balanced and in an athletic position when the boots are on?
- Do I feel like my knees are being pushed to the inside or outside? The upper cuff should be able to be adjusted to the angle of your leg.
- Is the shop willing to work with you if I have fit problems after having skied in the boot for a few days?
They should explain how to look after your boots so you can get many years of enjoyable skiing out of them.
Just a couple of other thoughts – Custom foot beds really improve fit, performance and warmth. If you suffer from cold feet the electric boot heaters really work. Don’t over tighten your boots. This cuts off circulation and causes cold feet. Hope this helps.
“THINK SNOW” Milt Gilmour
Milt Gilmour is a club member. He is a partner in Totem Men’s Wear and Ski Shop, in Jasper, and Jasper Source for Sports. He is a CSIA Instructor and has worked with our groups at the Marmot Ski Improvement Tours in recent years. This article will also appear in the March newsletter. Thanks for the information Milt!
