Discovering the best pair of ski boots for the size and shape of your feet is a priority for the potential skier. The ski boot is made of a tough outer shell to provide support to your foot while the soft liner inside of the shell offers warmth and luxury comfort.
The ski boot is constructed with a ‘front-entry’ overlap which is afforded security through the use of several buckles.
It is easy to get carried away when faced with strikingly eye-catching ski boots, highlighting attractive designs and appealing colors. However, these visual aspects of your potential ski boots are unimportant in your search for perfection.
The main element which you should focus your search on is how the ski boots fit and how they help your performance. A specialist ski boot-fitter will ensure that all of your comfort and performance needs are met, so it is wise to utilize their expertise.
Related; Salomon Quest Ski Boot Review.
Flex
Consider the flex index of your ski boots, highlighting their flexibility. When considering the flex index, remember that the higher the number then, the stiffer the boot. Conversely, the lower the number, the less stiffness is present within your ski boots. What impact does the flex have on your skiing performance and enjoyment, however?
However, it is important to remember that the amount of flex which you should look for in a ski boot is highly dependent upon the level of your ability.
A flex index of 80 for men and 70 for women highlights a soft flex in the ski boot which is perfect for beginner skiers. It may be more difficult to progress when wearing soft flex ski boots, however, due to the difficulties experienced to control the slopes.
A higher flex index of 85 – 105 for men and 70 – 80 for women indicates a medium flex. Medium flex ski boots are much better for the more experienced skier who enjoys higher speeds and sharper corners while aiming to confront steeper grounds.
A greater flex index of over 110 for men and over 85 for women highlights a stiff flex, perfect for confident, aggressive skiers who exude confidence. Such advanced-level ski boots may offer shock absorption for tough landings, providing stiffness in particularly critical areas where there will no doubt be a high energy transfer.
Mondopoint Scale
When preparing to purchase ski boots, you should ensure that they fit correctly and that means measuring your feet properly. A scale called Mondopoint is used to measure the length of your feet in centimeters by completing these steps:
● Place the back of your foot against the wall
● Point your toes outwards
● Measure the distance from the end of your toes at their longest point to the wall
● Find the length of your foot in centimeters
● Therefore, if your foot length is 27 cm, then your indicated Mondo size is 27
● For the best results, wear a thin pair of socks.
This method is much more effective than merely converting your standard shoe size to the Mondopoint chart. Once you have found your Mondo size, make sure to try a pair of ski boots on as there can be inconsistencies across brands.
You should also take into consideration that after you have worn your new ski boots several times, the ski boot liner may decompress and there may be more available space inside of your boot than when you first bought them. This is particularly important for beginner skiers.
As well as finding the length of your feet you should also consider the width of your feet and whether you need a narrow, medium or wide pair of ski boots. The width of the ski boot can be determined by measuring across the forefoot, encompassing the metatarsal heads. A wider ski boot may also include additional volume across the whole interior.
In addition to finding the best fit of ski boot, you may also want to consider the type of liner found inside of your ski boot outer shell. There are three main types of liner which offer different prospects to your skiing experience.
A non-moldable liner is less supple than some options and possesses padding in order to support your feet. A thermoformable foam liner is able to utilize the heat of your foot in order to accomplish a custom fit. A custom moldable liner, however, expends artificial heat to attain a custom fit once again.
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