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BOOTS |
BOOTS
The most important piece of equipment is a boot that is a proper fit and fits
your ability level. The easiest thing to accomplish is to fit a person
in a boot that is too large because it feels good. One of the hardest
things to accomplish is to get a proper fitting boot because it needs
to be secure and snug around your foot and after wearing loose shoes
your feet don't like to be snuggled. Secure and snug are the most important factors in a well fitting boot. This is an involved process
and can only be achieved by a qualified and trained technician. This
process will take a minimum of 1 hour and will involve trying on several
models and brands that will be the correct boot for your foot - be prepared.
What is a good fit? The
boots should be snug around the heel and ankle. This is where you
initiate your turn, if your heel slides forward, try another boot.
(lifting your heel is not a good test - you can do this in nearly
every boot- your turn is not made by lifting your heel). The toes
should touch the front of the boot when standing straight legged,
but when you flex the boot by pushing the knee forward, your toes
should draw back. (this indicates the length will be right once the
liner breaks in). Flex is important. If you can't flex a boot you
can't pressure your skis properly - stiff is not always the best boot
for you.
Most boots have many adjustments to fine tune the boot for
your foot and technique. After a few days of skiing in your new boots, there might be sore spots; this
is normal. Go see a boot fitter. A good boot fitter can make adjustments
with wedges to move your foot in the boot, stretching or grinding
to give you more room, padding to take up room, or a footbed that
corrects many inert problems. Don't ski with
a boot that hurts - see a technician!
How is a good fit achieved? At Skiers Edge the fitting process is a team
effort between you and your boot fitter to find the boot for you that
matches with your ability level. The following are steps that must
be taken for a good and proper boot fit and some things to consider
at each point.
- The technician will check both bare feet for arch, width, growths,
etc. The fitter will check the length and width of each foot with
a measuring device. This will determine the first boot he selects.
- The fitter will ask you to put on some ski socks - especially
made to eliminate bunching - 1 pair of socks. Cotton won't work.
Good socks come in wool, wool synthetic blend, or synthetic fibers.
The fibers transmit moisture away from the foot. It is usually
recommended that you wear a thin pair - they do come in different
weights.
- Once a boot is selected the fitter will shell check you. They
will place your foot in the empty shell and while standing - toes
lightly brushing the front - check the room in the shell. A comfortable
warm fit will have 3/4 - 1" space behind the heel, a performance
fit about 1/2" fit. Also there should be about 3/8" from side
to side in the shell.
- The liner will be placed in the shell and your foot placed in
the entire system. As your foot slides in it is going to feel
like it is rammed against the front - this is ok - when you flex
the toes should pull away. The boot is buckled around the ankle first and then flexed to set foot - we will probably ask you to walk
around. Remember when standing the toes should touch the front
- if not, the boot is too big.
- The fitter will try several different models and brands before
you make a final selection.
- After you have skied in the boot you selected for several days
and there are some sore spots be sure bring the boots in for some
adjustments. Don't ski in a poor fitting boot!
Currently more and more boot models come with heat moldable liners
that will provide even more of a custom fit.
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