How to find the best ski boots? If you’re going to buy one piece of equipment, most people opt for ski boots or snowboard boots.
Ski boots are easy to fit in your luggage and you can be sure you are getting the perfect fit. Read on for tips on what to look for in finding the best ski boots on the market.
What are the key factors to take into account when finding the best ski boots? OnTheSnow spoke to Phil Gordon, ski equipment and workshop buyer at Snow+Rock. We get the lowdown on how to ensure you purchase a quality pair.
How do I find the best ski boots?
A: The first step in finding the best ski boots is to have an open conversation with a boot fitter about your needs. What are your skiing preferences and what you want to do with your boots? Through a conversation with a boot fitter, and a good look at the foot shape, stance and needs of the foot – a boot fitter will come up with some boot options that suit the customer’s foot shape and needs.
Remember that there are many tools and skills fitters can use to reduce pressure and make it fit. The key is to find the right-shaped boot and the right flex for the customer – from there, personalisation and customisation can improve the fit even more.
It is helpful for the boot fitter to understand any past experiences a customer may have had with skiing. A particular brand, or any anomalies or injuries that may have occurred with the foot and lower leg. All these things help narrow down the boot options to select the best possible solution.
Finally, it is always important to remember that it takes time to fit boots well. You should allow for at least an hour to 1.5 hours to have your boots fit.
Any prep before buying ski boots?
A: No formal preparation is needed. Though some good advice is to trim toenails before trying on ski boots to ensure the fit is how it should be. It is also worth bringing the ski socks you plan to ski in while trying on and having your boots fit. If your socks are old then it is worth considering getting new ones. If you make that known when you are buying ski boots – you can choose the best socks for the ski boots you’re going to purchase for the ideal fit. Things like footbeds and technical socks are vital to the overall skiing experience and holiday and are worth investing in. But should also be factored into customer’s budget when they are planning a visit.
Should boots feel comfortable?
A: Even the best ski boots will initially will feel odd, not uncomfortable, but different from your dress or running shoes. However they will feel comfortable, like any footwear, once they are fitted to your foot and lower leg. And they’ll be even better once worn for a bit of time, as the foot settles in. A ski boot should feel like a firm hand shake; confident and secure without crushing or pressure points. Bearing in mind that for the majority of the year we wear footwear that is cloth and leather, the more rigid structure of a ski boot will feel odd at first. The best way to get your feet used to ski boots is to spend some time with your boots on before your trip. This is to allow your feet to adapt to the differences.
Should they keep your feet warm?
A: Ideally, yes boots should keep your feet warm. If they are fit well, then there will be enough space to allow for adequate insulation from the liners. However, some people do suffer from poor circulation and cold feet; but there are solutions for this. Ski boot fitters can install small electronic heaters into the boots to keep feet warm, or look at the option of heated socks to help keep toes toasty. One of the first things to do to keep feet warm is to always make sure your boots are thoroughly dry before using them. We suggest using a portable dryer to drive moisture out as in some cases, chalet dryers can heat “heat mouldable” shells too much and alter the custom shape.
The right size for the best ski boots?
A: For the best ski boots for kids, buy the right size and flex for the child for that current season. For little ones to get the most out of their holiday, it is important that they have the correct size for the stage that they are at. Though it may be appealing to think that buying a size larger will allow for two seasons worth of use, it is not ideal. Buying the wrong size can lead to uncomfortable feet as feet move around inside the boot and can cause rubbing.
The wrong size can also lead to over tightening the boots to reduce volume. This can change the shape of the boot or reduce circulation. Little people’s feet need to be warm and comfortable just like big people’s feet. So it is best to make the investment in the right sized boot and proper children’s ski socks. Children’s ski boots are already made warmer with added insulation. Socks also have additional warm fibers and wicking properties. With the right fitting boot and the right socks, there is no reason why children shouldn’t have warm feet.
How long do ski boots typically last?
A: It of course depends on how aggressive the skier is, how they care for their product and what they are doing, but 4-5 years is probably about right. Some high-end users such as instructors will go through a pair of boots a year. The main factors will be: how secure your foot is within the ski boots (has the liner packed out) does it feel loose in the boot, and are you having to tighten the boot too much to keep the foot secure. This is a key indication that you should have your boots at the very least inspected.
From a safety perspective, it is worth having your boots checked in the heels and toes for excessive wear. This will affect how your boots and bindings interact. Walking across tarmac, and gravel to get to and from the slopes is tough on the soles of ski boots. This may affect how easily boots release in an accident. Many heels and toes can be replaced but some cannot, which means that when toes and heels are worn or damaged the boot needs to be replaced.
Different types of ski boots on the market?
A: In general there are Traditional Alpine 4 buckle boots and Hike & Ride boots. From these two areas there are then sub-sections depending on what you are doing and looking for.
Alpine ski boots will have a fixed point that the boots flex forward and back from and the 4 buckles keep the foot and lower leg secure. These boots tend to have a set forward angle.
Hike & Ride ski boots offer the ability to unlock the rear of the boot and allow for a greater range of motion in the ankle. This ability to pivot at the ankle makes locomotion much easier if you are walking to and from the lifts. Hike & Ride boots can then be even more lightweight and specialised. This is ideal for long touring trips or offer outstanding downhill performance for more Freeride skiing. It depends on the intended end use of the product.
On the Alpine side, the pinnacle here are very stiff race boots used on the World Cup or the Olympics. The stiffer ski boot helps cope with the forces racers encounter when traveling at speed through turns. All in all, there are many different boot options depending on what they are needed to do. From comfort and ease of walking through to high-speed performance and variations of all in between.
Technology in the best ski boots
A: The technology in ski boots changes year on year. Advances in plastics make them lighter, stronger and heat moldable & liners become warmer and with a better foothold. Manufacturers are able to now make different parts of the boot have unique characteristics; a race chassis on the bottom with heat moldable on top; dual plastic injected into the same area to give a soft area for pressure points; liners have areas that can be ground to shape the leg/ foot and many have neoprene toe boxes to keep feet warm and to allow for individual foot shape.
They do get better year on year as designers are able to use new and better materials and advances in manufacturing. 3D printing has allowed brands to experiment quicker with concepts and bring production molds to market much quicker than even 2 years ago. It is a very dynamic area.
What are the prices like?
A: For adult ski boots prices range from about £225 to £525. Again it depends on what the end user is for the boot and what sort of features people want from their products. Some boots are made of carbon fibre, while others have heaters and batteries already installed. Some have Hike & Ride features, while others are made to be molded on specific vacuum machines. The more expensive boots offer lighter weight material, and more formed liners. But again, the most expensive boot may not be the boot for your foot and needs.
Ski boots are the physical link from the body to the ski. The finer points of contact through the footbed and liner allow for the finesse and performance of the skier to shine. Taking the time to talk and work with a boot fitter will pay dividends to your skiing pleasure and your holiday experience.
For more information on all ski and snowboard gear, visit our Gear section.
December 14, 2024
