by Stein, Eric's Son
Ski Boots
For every type of skiing there is a specific ski boot.
That means you can buy a skating boot, classic style boot,
telemarking boot, backcountry boot, and touring boot.
Boots have changed dramatically in recent years. It's
almost hard to get a bad boot now, where just the opposite
was the case 20 years ago. It's still important to get
a good fit, however, because nothing will ruin a ski trip
faster than a blister.
When buying boots you may be confused by the sizing system.
Most ski boots come from Europe and are sized according
to European standards. For example, a typical US mens'
size eleven is a size 46 in the European system. When
in doubt, ask the salesperson where you are buying the
boots for help in converting sizes. The other important
fact to keep in mind with respect to boot fit is that
men's and women's feet are shaped differently. Look for
a boot that is made on the last that is right for you.
Several boot makers make boots in women's sizes on a women's
last, but stores don't always carry them. They may, however,
be willing to order them, if you ask.
Fit should be loose in the toes, firm around the arch
and ball of the foot, and with no slippage at the heel.
Heel slippage is the cause of most blisters. Always carry
some moleskin for the first few days when you are breaking
in new boots. Heel slippage can sometimes be cured by
custom insoles, or placing a pad on the tongue of the
boot to position your foot snugly into the heel cup of
the boot. It used to be that you wanted to leave a finger's
width of room behind your heel when your foot was in the
front of the boot to give your toes enough room when the
boot was flexed. This is not as important, today, because
the new cross country bindings flex out in front of the
foot. Leaving this space is still good advice for those
who plan to use 75 mm three-pin binding.
All the new binding systems perform excellently, so concentrate
more on getting a good fitting pair of boots. Note, however,
that the new binding systems are not compatible. So, when
buying equipment, buy the boots that fit you best and
then get the binding system that fits the boot.
Touring boots that have high ankle cuffs are nice for
keeping out snow. Beware of plastized cuffs, however,
because they tend to crack after a few years. For really
cold conditions, you can buy overboots. Overboots are
like insulated socks that fit over your boots, but which
have holes in the bottom so that you can still step into
your binding.
The other thing to keep in mind is custom orthoses (footbeds)
that fit in your boots. Orthoses will adjust your boot/foot
fit and give you a much better connection to the ski.
They are especially helpful if you intend to skate. Boot
prices run from $100 for good touring and recreational
boots to over $500 for telemark racing boots.
