Personally, for better or for worse, I’ve spent over half of a century of winters wearing ski boots. The boots (just like the sport) have changed remarkably through those years, but two things have always remained the same:
- The better my boots fit, the better I ski.
- The better I ski, the more fun I have.
Boots are the most important part of all your ski gear…even more important than the skis themselves. Properly-fitted boots will take your skiing to levels that will feel amazing. Poor-fitting boots probably cause more folks to “hang-up the boards” than anything else.
Ironically, many skiers really aren’t sure what a “good fit” feels like. Throughout my experience teaching skiing, I would usually check-in with clients during the lesson about how their feet were doing. Quite often the answer was “OK, I guess”. Usually, that means that they weren’t numb from the cold, or in pain…but it really doesn’t express how effectively their boots were transmitting the motion of their bodies to the edges of their skis.
Bottom-line, the better your boots fit, the better your body is going to talk to your skis. A good fit will help you feel safer, more in control, more confident…and with today’s technology this can all be achieved while keeping your feet warm, dry & free of pain or numbness.
If you haven’t thought much about your boots, or even if you’re just curious about the possibilities, a trip to a qualified boot-fitter at a professional shop is time well-spent. Be sure to bring your boots with you. The off-season is a good time to do this because the shops won’t be pressed and they should be able to give you some extra attention. Doing a little research ahead of time is always good because you’ll be able to ask better questions when you’re there. You can get started by checking out the information contained in this Ski Boot Guide.
So, you may invest a little time & coin (maybe a little more coin if new boots look like the best option), but the first time you hit that “sweetspot” and feel that carve you’ve never felt before, it’ll all be worth it!
Ironically, many skiers really aren’t sure what a “good fit” feels like. Throughout my experience teaching skiing, I would usually check-in with clients during the lesson about how their feet were doing. Quite often the answer was “OK, I guess”. Usually, that means that they weren’t numb from the cold, or in pain…but it really doesn’t express how effectively their boots were transmitting the motion of their bodies to the edges of their skis.
Bottom-line, the better your boots fit, the better your body is going to talk to your skis. A good fit will help you feel safer, more in control, more confident…and with today’s technology this can all be achieved while keeping your feet warm, dry & free of pain or numbness.
If you haven’t thought much about your boots, or even if you’re just curious about the possibilities, a trip to a qualified boot-fitter at a professional shop is time well-spent. Be sure to bring your boots with you. The off-season is a good time to do this because the shops won’t be pressed and they should be able to give you some extra attention. Doing a little research ahead of time is always good because you’ll be able to ask better questions when you’re there. You can get started by checking out the information contained in this Ski Boot Guide.
So, you may invest a little time & coin (maybe a little more coin if new boots look like the best option), but the first time you hit that “sweetspot” and feel that carve you’ve never felt before, it’ll all be worth it!
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