Boot fitting - A perfect ski boot
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Boot-fitting expert Fabian-Stiepel from Bründl Sports talks about shoes, feet and why the ski is not the most important thing when skiing.
What ski boot fitting options are available?
1) The simplest option is to heat the shell in a special ski boot oven to mold the soft plastic to the leg or foot. There are differences in the material used by various manufacturers, as some materials allow for more moldability than others. Some only allow for a change of 1-2 mm, which in many cases is simply insufficient to solve certain problems.
2) The most common bootfitting method currently is to address specific problem areas. This initially involves analyzing and identifying problem areas or zones.
These are marked on the foot or the shell. Using a hot air gun, the shell is heated to the correct temperature. The boot, including the liner, is then put on, closed, and held in the correct position until the cooling phase is complete. This technique is suitable for most commercially available ski boots and is performed on an outpatient basis.
3) The use of printing presses is also possible, but usually takes longer.
4) Due to their thicker shell, racing boots can also be sanded down at pressure points. This is not possible with lightweight boots such as touring ski boots. With conventional models, sanding down the shell would only be possible in the heel area, as these also tend to have a thinner shell wall.
5) The liners are pre-molded by the manufacturers using a 3D process. The shape corresponds to an "average foot," which means that your own foot may differ from this average of all feet measured by the manufacturer. After the first or second day of skiing, you should notice if any problems arise. A heat process is also used to adapt the ankle pocket of the liner to your ankle. The ankle is taped to create more space in the corresponding area.
What ski boot problems do you encounter most often?
Shin : For 90% of customers, the fit in the cuff area is too loose. This causes poor pressure distribution in the shin area and thus also creates potential for friction. The tongue of the shoe should ensure even pressure from the ankle joint to the end of the tongue. There should be no gap of more than a hand's width between the calf and the shell.
Little toe – medial malleolus – scaphoid : Problems in these areas often occur together. The cause is an inward rolling of the lower leg/ankle joint. This creates pressure points on the medial malleolus and scaphoid, and simultaneously on the opposite side at the little toe. The solution is often the use of an orthotic insole to prevent pronation, the inward rolling of the ankle and scaphoid.
Are there dangers or negative consequences if you ignore shoe problems?
Bone spurs can develop at pressure points on the bony structures. The little toe becomes enlarged and causes increasingly significant problems in ski boots. Pressure points and friction can lead to blisters and, in the worst case, inflammation, which can mean the end of the season. Ski boots that are too small can cause problems such as bruising of the toenails due to constant impact.
What mistakes should you absolutely avoid when buying ski boots?
Don't buy shoes that are too big: sluggish power transmission, chafing, and "swimming" in the shoe should definitely be avoided.
Don't buy shoes that are too stiff: High flex isn't necessarily better. The stiffness of the shoe must match your skill level and intended use.
The sole length should be kept rather short. A precise fit is important for power transfer and overall comfort.
Buying ski boots isn't something you do on a whim. You should plan at least an hour for buying ski boots.
What else do you think is important regarding this topic?
Ski boots are a skier's most important piece of equipment; if they don't fit, even the best skis are useless. The boots form the connection between the body and the skis. It's better to invest an extra 200-300 euros in the boots and save a little on the skis than the other way around.
Furthermore, you should make an appointment with a good boot fitter to have your shoe properly bent.
Comments