One of the most common mistakes skiers make is purchasing the wrong size of ski boot. Whether it is too small or too big, a boot that doesn’t fit correctly can make a fun day on the slopes very uncomfortable. So, how do you know if your boot is the right size? We asked Justin, one of our boot fitting experts at Ski ‘N See, how skiers could make sure their boots fit right. Here is how Justin resolves fitting issues:
First, figure out what the issue is.
Is the boot too tight? Too loose? Where are you feeling pain? The most common issues people have with boots are toe pain, inside ankle pain, calf pain, 6th toe pain, and too much room. These fitting issues can usually be fixed without having to buy a new boot, but it is important to pinpoint the problem first.
Are you using Custom footbeds?
Justin recommends a custom footbed or a trim to fit foodbed to every customer who buys a boot or has boot fitting problems. Footbeds are often overlooked when it comes to fitting your ski boot. There are many benefits to using footbeds, including more comfort, better performance, and better circulation. Custom footbeds are molded specifically to your foot, giving you extra support so that your arches don’t collapse. If you are an aggressive skier, want better performance out of your boot, or are looking for a better fit with your boot, a custom foot bed is highly recommended. Ski ‘N See and Arcs sell custom footbeds at their stores ($109 with a boot purchase or $160 alone). If you don’t want to go with a full custom footbed, you should still consider purchasing one of Ski ‘N See’s trim to fit footbed options. Ski ‘N See sells Superfeet footbeds for $39 and Zapz footbeds for $59. Although these aren’t as customizable to your foot, they will still give you the extra arch support you need to make your boot fit better.
Did you get your liners heat molded?
This can make your boots more comfortable if you haven’t already worn them 4-5 times. Your boots may be uncomfortable for the first little while you go skiing in them because they aren’t broken in. It takes a little bit of wearing in for your foot to mold to the liner. If you don’t want to wait for them to get broken in, you can get them heat molded to your foot. Ski ‘N See will do heat molds for free with a purchase of a ski boot, or for $20 if you don’t purchase your boots somewhere else. Heat molding isn’t necessary (unless you have Intuition liners), but it can make breaking your boots in a lot more comfortable.
Do you use heel lifts in your boots?
If your heal pops out while skiing, you should consider inserting heel lifts into your boots. This can solve calf pain problems along with taking up some volume in the boot to prevent your heel from lifting out of place. (You can purchase heel lifts at Ski ‘N See or Arcs for $10)
What kind of socks are you using?
You want to wear a snug, thin, wool or polyblend sock while skiing. Many skiers make the mistake of doubling up on socks for extra warmth. This will not help with warmth nor will it help with foot comfort. It is actually counterintuitive because it will prevent your foot from getting proper circulation.
If the above fixes don’t solve your boot fitting problem, it is time to check the shells.
A Shell Fit will give you a good idea of whether the boot will fit whether the liners are broken in or not. To do a Shell Fit you take the liner out of the boot and put your foot inside the shell. Slide your foot so that your toes are touching the front of the boot. Once your foot is in the front, lean forward and have a friend or somebody that is with you check to see if there is enough room between the back of your heel and the back of the boot. For a performance fit, you will want there to be enough room to place one finger between your heel and the back of the boot. For a comfort fit, you will want enough room to place one and a half fingers between your heel and the back of the boot. For feet that are still growing (kids), you will want enough room to place two fingers between your heel and the back of the boot so there is room to grow. Sometimes the shell needs to be adjusted to fit a wider foot. Ski ‘N See does custom shell alterations as a last option if none of the above fixes solve your boot fitting problems. This can be done by either stretching or grinding the shell of a boot.
These are general rules to help make sure you are in the correct size and type of boot. But, there is no substitute for a professional boot fitting! Come into the Sandy Ski ‘N See location and ask for one of our boot fitters, Justin or Ryan, to help assist you with a professional boot fitting. We will make sure we get you in the correct boot and that your feet are happy on the slopes!
