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Ski
Boots and Ski Shops - Some Useful Buying Advice
What are ski boots for? Why do we have to wear such gallumping things, heavy,
big and faintly ridiculous to walk in?
The ski boot is designed to hold us as firmly as possible to the ski via the release binding, in such a way that every body movement we make north of our feet will instantly transmit itself through to the ski. It must also make one or two compromises for the recreational skier with enough comfort to be worn all day and to walk in, and for some may even be used as a fashion accessory...
The
main pieces of a ski boot you should be aware of when you pay your first visit
to the
ski boot shop are the outer shell and inner lining. The important bits of the
outer shell are the cuff, which hinges on to the main part, and allows the shin
to flex forwards at the ankle, and the buckles. There are usually four of these
- two across the instep to hold your foot firm, and two on the outside of the
cuff to regulate the tightness round your shin. The inner lining usually has a
detachable insole that is very like the one in an everyday shoe.
The Ski Shop and Ski Boot Fitting
The ski boot fitter in a ski shop should hopefully be able to size your feet up - be accurate about your standard of skiing and be prepared to pay as much as you can for the best boots. Talk to a professional skier beforehand about the best make of ski boot too. Remember to put on the type of socks you are going to wear. Once the boot fitter has done the first two clips up across the insole, make sure that it your foot is held firmly. Your toes should just be feeling the end of the boot but not be pinched. Your heel should have no movement at all. The buckles have several settings and they can be adjusted. When the cuff buckles have been done up (these don't have to be as tight), make sure that the cuff pressure around your shin is spread evenly and comfortably.
Take
your time at this stage. Sit there with the ski boots done up. Stand up and bend
your knees to check that the forward flexing does not cause too much pain! Your
heels should not budge off the bottom of the boot but your toes are allowed to
have a little movement.
You can try walking around a little but don't be dismayed if the ski boots feel strange. You can always loosen the buckles for walking.
If your feet are a really odd shape and the sizes vary too much, you may have to consider foam injected ski boot liners that will form to your feet, but as a novice recreational skier there is really no need to go for them otherwise.
If you are skiing for the first time, I strongly advise rental ski boots. They will sometimes not be top quality, but they will save you a lot of money should you decide to give up.
Extracts from 'Secrets of Better Skiing' by Simon Dewhurst
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