Ski boot fitting is an art form combined with a little bit of science and some engineering dashed on for good measure. If you are looking to make the most of your time on the slopes it is worth searching out a dedicated bootfitter and visiting them in person.
A good boot fitter will be able to watch you walk in the door and already pick up on key components of your biomechanics to help them find the perfect fit. With a quick look at your feet they will be able to narrow down the boot style based on your length, width, heel size, instep height and overall volume.
“They will help save time, energy and money in trying to get a good fit out of the wrong boot for your foot”
Armed with this knowledge they will help save time, energy and money in trying to get a good fit out of the wrong boot for your foot. But, if you’re short of the Jedi-like skills of a bootfitter, here are some handy features to look out for to get the best fit.
Performance vs Comfort
Part of the mystery of ski boot fitting is that even with all this knowledge and experience it is only the customer who can really know what a good fit is for them. Along with individual feet everyone will have different perceptions of comfort and performance. It is this trade off that is worth considering before heading to get a new pair of boots.
At one end of the spectrum is a performance fit ski boot; this is a boot fit that will be focussed on transferring maximum feeling, control and power between the skier and ski. To gain such a fit you might be expected to sacrifice some form of comfort unless you have the rare perfect shaped foot for the boot.
