mlchael4

All ski boots can be improved upon with the right upgrades. With ski boots, the goal is to find the perfect fit for your foot and upgrades can be the best way to perfect a good ski boot. Many higher end boots come loaded with adjustable features designed to improve fit. Some of the most common features you’ll find today are micro-adjustable buckles, lateral cuff adjustment, flex adjustment, ski/walk feature, high performance and heat moldable liners, dual Durometer shells and built-in boot heaters.

Micro-Adjustable Buckles
It isn’t uncommon when buckling your ski boots that one notch on a buckle will leave your boot too loose, but the next notch leaves the fit too tight. Micro-adjustable Buckles are a wonderful upgrade that lets you spin the buckles to tighten/loosen them a smidgen at a time, allowing for a perfect fit between the notches.

Lateral Cuff Adjustment
Often mistakenly referred to as canting, most people aren’t perfectly straight-legged, but are either slightly bowlegged or slightly knock-kneed. Bowlegged skiers end up riding on the outside edges of their skis, and knock-kneed skiers end up riding on the inside edges. Your skis should always be riding flat, and that’s where the lateral cuff adjustment comes into play. Simply loosen the lateral cuff adjustment on each boot and get into a natural stance on a flat surface. A friend can then tighten your boots using the lateral cuff adjustment to make them lie flat on the ground. After this is done, your boots will be locked into place.

Flex Adjustments
Flex adjustments will be either a screw or a lever that allows you make the boot flex harder or softer, depending on the type of conditions you’re skiing that day. Some flex adjustments can be changed on the fly, while others require you to remove a screw and reinsert it a different way. The latter can be set and forgotten, or can be changed in the lodge during times of rest throughout the day.

Ski/Walk Feature
The ski/walk feature is usually found in better beginner and intermediate level ski boots. It allows you to walk more comfortably in your ski boots by releasing the upper cuff with the turn of a knob. The released upper cuff can now move freely, creating added comfort while walking.

Liners
Manufacturers use many different technologies in today’s boot liners. The more you pay for a ski boot, the better the liner will be. Better liners may include features like heat moldable functionality, stiffeners, more contoured lasts (the accuracy of the shape), materials that make it easier to get the boots on and off, fur, neoprene toe boxes, and more space age materials for a tighter and more comfortable fit.

Dual Durometer Shells
Durometer is a measurement of how hard or soft a material is. A Dual Durometer shell has stiff material on the sides and upper cuff of the boot shell, but softer and more pliable materials that wrap over the foot. This allows a higher performance or stiffer boot to also be comfortable.
Built-in Boot Heaters
Some boot models are pre-wired for boot heaters. These are a great way to keep your feet toasty warm on cold days. If your boot selection does not include heaters, they can be easily added to any boot.

Footbeds
The footbed is the removable sole within the liner of your boot. Typically this footbed is pretty flimsy. Manufacturers don’t include high-end footbeds, as they expect you to invest in a better fitting store bought footbed or get one custom made. If possible, go for the custom option. It will not only make your boots more comfortable, but will also lead to a more precise transfer of energy from your knees to your skis.

Custom Fit Boots
If all steps have been taken to ensure that a boot fits properly, but there is still some discomfort, custom boot fitting is the best choice. The most common reason for custom fitting is if there are pressure points or sloppy areas in the boot. Custom boot fitters can heat and stretch out shells and liners to eliminate pressure points, add foam to the boot to take volume out, insert heel hold devices, tweak the footboard, and plenty more. Most major resorts have ski shops that specialize in custom boot fitting. Typically you will want to do custom boot fitting at the hill itself because it is easier to feel a pressure point or other discomfort while skiing. After a few runs if you feel this discomfort, take the boot in to the shop at the hill to have it adjusted. You may need to bring in your boot a few times to get it just right.

__________________
Mike