Ski Boot tweaks

I am an intermediate skier that goes on reds comfortably, and go on a black with a bit of a squeaky bum. The kind of level of skiing that you look for a route somewhere that does not have a black run as the only way to go. Or get on a slope then realise those red poles are in fact black and get that sinking feeling....

I am sure some of you can relate to that!

So now you know I am no expert, comes my question. I have my own boots, with orthotic soles (suffer from fallen arches). That is the biggest tweak I have. Is there anything else I should be looking to do? I know nothing will turn me into Franz Klammer but anything that will help (either psychologically or physically) is a bonus

I am sure there will be tips to stop me having tight boots, loose boots, cold feet....

Does everyone change the tightness of their boots at the bottom of their first run? :roll:

Hi Iceman,
I have my own ski boots and orthotic insoles as well :D

I put my boots on as loosely as I can whilst still able to walk in them, in order to get from the boot locker room and up the ski lift to wherever I'm actually going to start ski-ing. And then I tighten them, but not really tight tight for the first run. When I'm back up the top again for the start of the second run I tighten them a bit more but not so much that they feel uncomfortable.

And when I stop for lunch I loosen them as well and do them up tight again for the first run of the afternoon.

I think everyone has to find what suits them and their boots, but I have seen plenty of ski instructors doing the same as me. And I don't get any pain in my feet, shins, or calves by taking these simple precautions.

If I'm going down a really scary icy black run I make sure they're extra tight, and if I'm going down an easy blue run I might loosen them off a bit.

You also have to remember to do your boots up at night, when you leave them in the boot locker room - I find this very hard to remember when I come in exhausted after a busy day of ski-ing.

I found getting fit and doing specific ski exercises for a couple of months before I go ski-ing had the greatest effect on the standard of my ski-ing as it improved my strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. I was very surprised to learn that the better skier I became the fitter I had to be!

Ally

Iceman.
I find that skiing the first run of the day with my boots as loose as possible, ie almost undone is the way to kick off. Then do them up a little tighter at the end of the first run, but always leaving the 3rd buckle from the front ie over the top of the ankle, as loose as possible as this adds to comfort and flexing. The top of the cuff is the important one for steering so it needs to be pretty snug, and the 2 on the top of your feet are the ones that will make life as easy or as difficult on the slopes as you allow them to. Hence why I start really loose, and then do them up after first run. I usually find i dont need to touch them all day by using this technique.

Once you understand your boots you will know how tight to clip them, I do them up first thing then don't touch them all day, Not even lunch time. :thumbup:

I have had my boots for about 3 years and am having the feeling that they are like some women(different every day!)

It sounds like there is no 'right or wrong', just what feels right. When I go down a particularly icey/difficult bit I do ratchet up my boots - maybe because in my head tight boots = tight hard skiing? Alternatively it stops the brown stuff dripping into my boots!

I have Salomon X-wave boots - they have a power strap, 3-D buckles, custom liners, orthotics.

There is a canting 'thing'. What is that? There is no flex adjustment like (hard, soft, etc)

What is this canting?

Iceman wrote:I have had my boots for about 3 years and am having the feeling that they are like some women(different every day!)

It sounds like there is no 'right or wrong', just what feels right. When I go down a particularly icey/difficult bit I do ratchet up my boots - maybe because in my head tight boots = tight hard skiing? Alternatively it stops the brown stuff dripping into my boots!

I have Salomon X-wave boots - they have a power strap, 3-D buckles, custom liners, orthotics.

There is a canting 'thing'. What is that? There is no flex adjustment like (hard, soft, etc)

What is this canting?

The canting is for people who like me have a bow in both or one of their legs so it helps to get the ski flat on the snow other wise I would be skiing on the edges.

With me having fallen arches I tent to drop my feet inwards. Would that affect my stance at all? or do skis tend not to flex inwards?

Iceman wrote:With me having fallen arches I tent to drop my feet inwards. Would that affect my stance at all? or do skis tend not to flex inwards?

Iceman, if you think your boots might need a tune up, go see a fitter, it's much easier than an internet guessing game )

Wickers, if your canting is under the sole, then it can be set up to give you an >< correcting your stance and giving you a flat ski. Otherwise, if it's around the cuff area, then it aligns the cuff to the shin, more comfort, more power and no shin rubs.