Ski boots are a very important part of your ski gear. The performance of your pair of skis hugely depends on the ability of ski boots to accurately transmit your muscle movements.
The basic functions of ski boots are protecting your feet from injury and translating your body movements into ski movements. Ski boots need to have a firm inner padding to keep your feet comfortable and a stiff outer shell for the most efficient control of the skis. Ski boots come in three basic styles – rear-entry, front entry, and mid-entry. These terms refer to the way the boot closes around your foot. Each style has certain advantages.
Rear-entry boots
Rear-entry boots are the easiest to use. At the back of each boot there are one or two flaps, which close with buckles. These boots are comfortable and uncomplicated, but they don’t provide the same level of support as the other styles. Rear-entry boots are usually fairly inexpensive and are suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers.
Front-entry boots
Front-entry boots provide the top level of control and support. They have a higher support for the lower calf than either rear-entry or mid-entry boots. This support can be used to shift your center of balance over the ski for different types of skiing conditions. These boots are attached with four buckles that hold feet firmly in place.
Mid-entry boots
Mid-entry boots combine the best of front and rear-entry boot styles. They are easier to put on than front-entry boots. These boots offer more support than rear-entry boots. Mid-entry boots are a good choice for intermediate skiers. More experienced skiers will better appreciate the performance advantages of front-entry boots.
Parts of a ski boot
Most ski boots have a stiff plastic outer shell that allows to transmit the body movements to the ski in the most efficient way. The interior of the boot is made from firm foam – this allows for a certain amount of “give” in order to be comfortable, but does not let the feet to have too much movement inside the boot. The foam and the outer shell provide protection against impacts.
Boots adjustments
Some boots have adjustment mechanisms for the amount of support used for various conditions. If you need special control over how the boot fits your feet and lower legs, look for a pair of boots with these features.
Flex or the amount your ankle can bend – more flex translates into more movement. For better control in high performance conditions you need to have relatively little flex. This adjustment can also be used to compensate for the flexibility of the boot in various temperatures.
The forward lean adjustment changes the angle of the boot cuff. This together with the ramp angle – the angle of the inner sole of the boot – allows you to vary your center of gravity.
Lateral upper-cuff adjustments are useful for people with angled lower legs. This can be used to make the boots more comfortable for those who are bow-legged or knock-kneed.
Buying ski boots
When trying on boots, take care that they don’t pinch or cause pain. The inner boot should provide even pressure over all areas of your foot. Always try boots with the socks you normally use when skiing. Don’t wear regular socks as the feel and fit will be much different.
Let the salesperson how the boot feels – he or she is likely to be very familiar with the qualities of various brands and should be able to point you to a better fitting pair.
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