How should a ski boot fit?
As a keen skier, you understand the importance of every element in your skiing gear, especially your ski boots. The right fit not only enhances your performance but also ensures comfort throughout your skiing adventure. But how should ski boots fit? Let's dive into the world of bootfitting to discover the key to unparalleled skiing experiences.
The Importance of a Perfect Fit: For passionate skiers who find solace and exhilaration on the slopes, the fit of a ski boot is not just about comfort; it's about precision, performance, and a deeper connection with the mountain. A well-fitted ski boot acts as a conduit between your body and the skis, allowing for precise control and responsiveness.
Key Aspects of Ski Boot Fitting:
Snug, Not Tight: Your ski boots should fit snugly around your foot and ankle, eliminating any unnecessary movement. However, they shouldn't be so tight as to cut off circulation or cause discomfort. Kind of like a firm handshake.
Heel Hold: A proper fit means your heel stays in place when you flex forward. This is crucial for effective energy transfer from your legs to your skis. If you try to force your heel up in your ski boot, you’ll feel it lift about 1cm (but feels like double) and that’s how it should feel
Toe Room: While your toes should lightly touch the boot's front when standing up straight, they should pull back slightly when you bend your knees into a skiing stance.
Flex Rating: The flex of a boot should most importantly match you biomechanics, and then your skiing style and ability. No one should be in a boot that they crush when leaning forward. And conversely, some forward flex is necessary to translate your energy to the ski (and start a turn).
No Pinch Points: The boot should feel even everywhere. Even pressure dispersion is important not just along the sides and shin of your boots, but also along the sole. A custom ski orthotic is key for this, so you don’t get hot spots or burning
No Numbness: Your toes and forefoot shouldn’t be going numb in your ski boot. But we will qualify this with if you want a race fit, you might find that after being in the boot for hours, you may still get an area of numbness. It’s a race boot - it’s always a balance between performance and comfort, so have a really good think about what you’re wanting.
Custom Ski Boots - The Game Changer: We we are bringing custom ski boots to Australia to give Aussies the best fitting boots they’ve ever owned. Getting that balance between comfort and performance is our specialty and a custom boot is the ideal way to achieve this. This is particularly beneficial for skiers who face challenges with standard boots, like discomfort or a lack of proper fit.
At Ortho Ski, we pride ourselves on being the best bootfitters in Australia because we have an unrivalled assessment system and knowledge of the foot and biomechanics of skiing. Our ski podiatrists really do kick-arse in this respect. Our process involves:
Detailed assessment of your foot's function, measurements and skiing style.
Selection of the right structural boot for your movements.
Selection and fitting of the appropriate custom boot liner for a perfect fit - it’s the ebst interface between your foot and ankle and the hard plastic of the shell.
Fine-tuning for optimal performance. We can do this because we have an on-mountain store that gives us daily immediate feeedback on what works in bootfitting and what doesn’t. We don’t just fit people in the city and never see the outcome of our boot. We know what works and what absolutely doens’t.
Understanding how ski boots should fit is the first step towards enhancing your skiing experience. At Ortho Ski, in Melbourne and Mt Buller (plus we currently have pop-ups in Brisbane and Sydney for summer 23/24) we're committed to helping you find that perfect fit. Book an appointment at our pop-up clinics and experience the difference of professionally fitted ski boots. Because when your boots fit perfectly, the mountain becomes not just a place to ski, but a realm of endless possibilities and joy.