Why Ski Boots Are More Important Then You Think

When it comes to any sport, having the right equipment is crucial to making sure you are able to perform at your highest level. Skiing is no different, and while many people believe that having the right skis is what makes the skier, it’s really all about the boots. Having the right boots won’t just help your performance on the mountain but it will also allow you to ski longer and more comfortably then you ever thought possible. 

For you older skiers, you may think it’s a right of passage to go years with uncomfortable boots where you need to fight through the pain every turn. This is no longer the case with new technology. There are multiple ways to ensure your boots fit correctly to your unique foot and trust us when we say you will notice the difference. Whether you haven’t skied in a long time or are just looking for your next pair, here are a few tips to help make your ski boot as comfortable and performance advancing as possible. 

Custom Liners

No matter if you are buying the most expensive boot on the market or on a budget, purchasing custom boot liners is a must when it comes to performance and comfort. There are two different technologies for custom boot liners that have become popular over the years. These being heat molding and foam injectable liners. 

Heat molded liners are definitely the less expensive of the two with a lot of boots these days having stock liners that are specifically designed to be heat molded. Pretty much any ski shop in the world has the ability to heat mold your liners and it is a quick and easy way for you to gain more support over your ankle, shin, and foot which allows you to have more support over your ski. What the heat is basically doing is helping speed up that break in process so the first time you slip into the liner it feels like the hundredth time. 

Foam injectable liners are a new technology that’s started to become a bit more popular these days. These can be found in a lot of higher end ski boots but you can also find them in customer liners for whatever boot you’re riding. Although a bit more expensive than a heat molded boot, you’re not going to find a better fit anywhere else. 

Custom Insoles

To go along with your custom boot liners, getting custom insoles can make a similar difference. Just as you can get custom insoles for your shoes, your boots shouldn’t be any different. Most ski shops have custom insoles that can be shaped directly to your foot so no longer will you have to worry about ending the day earlier because of aching feet. If you’re not able to afford custom soles try placing your normal soles into your liners. They may not fit as perfectly as you want but can still make a ton of difference.

Flex/​Stiffness

Flex and stiffness tend to be forgotten a lot of the time but can really make or break your performance depending on how you like to ski. Not knowing how skiing flex charts work while trying to buy a new boot could end up costing you lots of money so becoming familiar with it is a must. Best way to really figure out what kind of flex you prefer is to go to your local ski shop and try on a few different pairs to find out what feels right to you. Flex is different for every ability level so below is a helpful chart to put you on the right path.

Flex Chart

Boot Molding

Your boot liners aren’t the only thing that can be molded. Boot molding is something that’s been around for forever but has seemed to be getting more and more popular these days. For people with uniquely shaped feet this could be your lifesaver when it comes to your boots. Companies like Bootworks in Park City have a process where they boil the plastic shell of your boot in order to stretch and reshape the shell until it is exactly what you are looking for. Nothing says ski boot comfort better than a custom liner on top of a custom shell.

Picking the Right Rental

Now for those who are more casual skiers and don’t plan on buying their own pair of ski boots anytime soon. Don’t worry, our performance and high performance packages will allow you to find the exact feel and stiffness you are looking for. All while being delivered directly to your accommodations.