The Right Boot for You

For most skiers and snowboarders today,
having a comfortable boot is imperative.
Whether you are just learning and new to the sport, or if you have mastered the technique of skiing and/or riding and have been at it for years, comfort in a boot plays an immense role to assure a pleasant day on the slopes. It is pretty simple, if you are comfortable in your boots you can ski or ride all day, but if you are not, your day can easily turn miserable. Over the past seven years of working in a ski shop, I have seen and helped numerous customers with comfort problems, and have encountered various
types of feet. Skiers and snowboarders have stopped by with broken toes, swollen ankles, black-and-blue bruises, shin splints, shin bite, bone spurs and more, all desperate to get back on the mountain. Not to worry, there are many things that can be done to help people with foot pain.

At Willi's, the boot technicians are trained to diagnose common boot problems as well as specialty custom fitting ski and snowboard boots according to an individual's foot structure. The majority of boot problems result from the outer boot shell rubbing the foot as the boot is flexed, aggravating the feet. This consistent pressure is usually because the foot is not positioned properly in the boot and may need to be repositioned. It may even be a result of not having the proper sock (believe it or not!). In many problematic cases, repositioning the foot inside of the boot can work wonders.

Sometimes, the only adjustment a customer needs is a "heel lift", a small wedge, placed under the
heel of the foot. A heel lift is designed to slightly raise the heel, adjusting the foot to a new position in the boot. They are extremely helpful to relieve certain pressure points in areas such as the ankles, toes, forefoot and where the top cuff of the boot hits directly beneath the calf muscle. Besides lifting the heel, which in turn lifts the leg for any upper-cuff problems, the heel lift will also pull the toes back from the front of the boot. This can open more room in what is called the "toe box" of the boot. The heel lift will also reposition your forefoot to a more accommodating, wider area of the boot, relieving painful side pressure.
"Boot shims" are a common solution to providing a more snug boot fit. A boot shim is a thin board installed beneath the existing footbed. This specialty piece raises the foot closer to the top of the boot and closes in on any extra room the boot may have. Keep in mind that boots are fitted precisely for optimum performance, any excess space creates 'play'; the ability of the foot to move around in the boot which, in turn, decreases the performance of a ski or board.

When custom-fitting boots, there are other procedures that are not so simple. These procedures are usually performed for the "not so average" foot like the ones listed above. In these cases, heating the boot and stretching the outer shell in difficult areas may be necessary. Most reputable ski shops are equipped with special presses and hydraulic pumps for this purpose.

One may shudder at the thought of cutting into the liners of a brand new boot, but that is often the best way to solve many comfort problems. For me personally, my boots were causing a lot of pressure on my anklebones. By pinpointing the pressure point, performing some surgery and removing some foam, the boot became very comfortable. I simply pinpointed my pressure point and marked my liner. Then I made a small square incision about one inch by one inch (about the size of my ankle). I pulled the foam padding from in between the outer (where I cut out) and the inner part of my liner without cutting through to the inside of the liner. It was just enough space for my ankle to extend without it touching or rubbing the wrong way, solving my problem. Remember, this should be done by a qualified, professional boot technician because mistakes are not covered under your warranty!

There are many ways to pad and build up liners. Donuts, C-pads and ankle pocket strips can be added to a liner to fine tune fit once the problem is determined. Heat Fit liners, now found in many boots, have
made their way into an affordable price range. These custom liners are heated-fitted before leaving the store. Once heated, the self-memorizing foam takes an impression of the lower cuff of the leg and foot. It conforms to the foot structure and it opens up any extra room where needed, customizing the boot.
Remember, the whole purpose in boot fitting is to have as close of a fit as possible without it hurting. Ski and snowboard boots are performance pieces and must be sized appropriately because every movement made with the foot reflects on the ski or board, affecting control. The correct fit to look for when fitting ski or snowboard boots is to have the tip of the toes touching the tip of the boot, when standing up straight. As the boot is flexed forward, the heel should slide back into the "heel pocket".
The salespeople at Willi's are among the best boot fitters in the nation. If you are having problems with an old boot or are in the market for a new one take the time to visit any one of the Willi's locations to have a professional evaluation. A proper boot fit will improve both your comfort and your performance on the slopes!).