Ski boot considerations for the performance skier

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

I have been fitting boots since 1975. This was a very good video. Deb presented good information without getting too technical. Number one point she made was go to a boot fitter if you are looking for a professional performance fit not a salesperson that gives you boots to try on. In my experience most skiers buy a boot that is one size too big. Many skiers do not like their toes to touch the front of the boot. Wear the type of ski sock that you normally wear. You should try boots on with footbeds that cradle your heel and support your arch and foot in a neutral position. Once the foot is on the boot you can kick the boot back or I like to lift the liner up several inches and push it down and backwards. Buckle the second buckle from the top first. This helps push and lock the heel back. Do the top buckle and power strap. Then the lower buckles. Stand up and push forward, knees over your toes hips over your heels. Your toes should just graze/touch the front of the boot. Deb is correct when she said the fit should be very snug in a new boot. They pack out with use. The closer the shell is to your foot the quicker it controls your input to the ski. There is much more to determine a good fit and an experienced Boot fitter will be able to help you if you take their advice. Think of going to a Taylor that custom fits your clothes not an off the rack fit.

[@drawspanish]

Awaiting Yayy

[@dimitriosgreek1458]

You should have your own outdoor TV show. FACTS.

[@bernproductions1]

As a boot fitting shop, this information is used daily. Thanks for sharing.

[@YAOZYVIDEO]

The fit of your ski boots can make a huge difference in your skiing. Thanks for another helpful video!

[@jerryhicks2566]

Love your videos! My wife will be getting new boots at Christy’s Gondola Square this December. We were both lucky enough to get to ski with you last season. Hopefully she will get a fitter with big ears!

[@bobl1769]

Good points overall, particularly on boot stiffness. Buy stiff if you are flexible, buy flexible if you are stiff. If you ski in cold weather, take note that plastics get stiffer when very cold. If a boot is too soft, you’ll be working hard to stay upright, as you can’t rest on your shins. If too stiff, you’ll have trouble making short turns, skiing powder and in bumps. Buying too large a boot may cost you a broken ankle or a ruptured Achilles tendon in a bad fall: your foot will partially yank out of the boot before the binding sees the load and releases. By then, your ankle will be broke, your achilles ruptured or both. You’ll be in horrible pain, unable to move and, after surgery, in a cast for manybweeks, all because you thought you should let comfort guide you.

[@Micheal-Ireland]

Dear Deb, I just watched your 1984 Olympics Giant Slalom Gold Medal runs and a tear started streaming down my face to think of and witness your passion and drive and commitment and your joy and success! Thank uou for the inspiration! 🥲

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@davidporeilly1]

Thanks for these thoughts Deb. I agree with all your ideas. As a boot fitter with more than 3000 pairs to my name and over 30 years I will be bold enough to add one. Stability: Most people benefit from a custom footbed. Shape - You hinted at the fact that a boot fitter will deal with that by helping choose the right shape. Which leaves us with (working from the bottom up and from the foot out): Stability, Shape, Stiffness and Size as the 4 cornerstones of a good performance fit. BTW I enjoyed watching your win in 1984 many times at ski shows working for a manufacturer.

[@4065winchester]

Thanks Deb. This dovetails nicely with the recent ankle flex video.

[@bhansen52]

Thanks Deb for sweet and simple advice. Keep it going!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great!!! You got it.

[@n-da-bunka2650]

Good to see your input on this subject. I am searching for new boots for this race season. I still weigh around 210 but now that I am inching up on 60 I figure I should step down to something like the Redster WC130 as I figure that should still be firm enough for this old dude. The challenge here in the southeast is finding a good boot fitter. I might have to take a trip up to Stowe with a buddy of mine to visit one of the real pros. LOL-ish

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Yes, she is right on point. Couple weeks ago I’m seating at 5he only ski boots lab in Revelstoke and got almost disgusted how the boot fitters at the plac3 we’re only interested on selling their boots…… yes, how sad they were bs customers!

[@sandraredmond4812]

I am 61 and a decent skier. Looking to improve to be more comfortable on steep runs. Have had my old boots for years and feel my foot sliding so am shopping for a new pair. I have a Morton’s neuroma on one foot that can be depilating if i am not careful. I also have a high instep so I find the rossingnol fit well as they have a taller toe box than most which helps. Options are either the pure pro heat 100 with a 100 last and a 100 flex and the built in boot heater or the pure elite with a 98 last and 120 flex. Any thoughts on this? I want a performance boot so i can improve my skill level and feel more connected to my skis. But also need to worry about my foot and dont want to be in something that is too stiff for me. My old boots were a 100 last 110 flex but are totally packed out. I appreciate any comments you might provide. Love your channel. Thanks :)

[@felisaaero]

Where and how do you find a good boot fitter? Recommendations or specific questions we should ask to find out?

[@strawberryshirt87]

Thank you Debbie, that hat such valuable information.👍

[@coreymclernon]

Great advice! I wish I could get people to watch this video before coming into the shop I work at! 😅

[@TheBeingReal]

So true that BOOTS are the #1 on equipment. In my experience, most ski boots are ‘sold’ by the lastest hire at the store. They’ll pick a boot so it is comfy in the store and of course match color to your outfit or skis. 😂 There are a lot of self professed boot fitters too. Most want to sell you a footbed. Took me years and numerous boot folk to finally get one that knows what they are doing. Truely a game changer on skiing with the right boot, fitted correct...including canting.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you. Good stuff

[@darrenmassey435]

Most of the time when a skier thinks their boots are too stiff it is do to the fact they are to big which does not allow the skier to flex the boot properly. A skier that uses tipping movements should stay away from rotary boots instead should use lateral boots. Dodge ski boots probably make the best custom fit ski boots in the world. Down load an app then take 3 pictures of your foot to produce a 3 D image of your foot the carbon fiber shell will then be custom made to your foot. The lateral stiffness if memory is correct is something like 10 x stiffer then plastic As far as boot alignment goes a few things to consider feet inside ski boots with proper foot beds inside ski boots shell without liner, Feet ski width apart narrow if you want to ski with balance & performance. Align cuffs so space on both sides of leg are equal, Then angle the soles of boots if needed. Warning a lot of shops do alignment & have no idea what they are doing as one boot fitter will align a boot for a skier & take that same skier & boot to another shop & the set up is totally different. Skiers that use active rotary do not need as stiff a boot because it does not matter if the boot is soft laterally as the ski is not up on as high an edge. A soft flexing boot has softer lateral stiffness. A lighter ski boot will allow a skier to ski in better balance as the skier can kick their feet back quicker in transition. If a ski boot that is soft not allowing support will put the skier in the back seat as the skier will be scared to get forward if their is no support. A stiff boot allows for lightening quick for/aft adjustments.

[@sandratessem9980]

Thanks great video

[@kristenlane9359]

Great info!

[@zipperboy2008]

Almost hurt? Ha I go through about a week of skiing before I start to feel some relief. Mind you I am professional skier who’s in their boots 120+ days a season. I’m lucky if I get 2 seasons out of my boots. Anyone who wants to take their skiing to next level must get a fitted boot.

[@perakojot6524]

Nice general video. I have however a bit specific question. As powerful expert skier I am unfortunate to have quite wide feet. I can't fit into anything below 104mm last even with shell fitting and anything below 120-130 flex is way too soft. And I can't find high flex boots that are wide enough. What to do?

[@bonnaud_dowell]

hi, I personally have wide feet (105) and found the Salomon X Pro 130 good (after custom shell heating etc). They are being replaced by the S/Pro range for 2019/2020 (with a new shell which lightens them) and hope they remain as great going forward. perhaps worth a shot? w.

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Pera Kojot I agree with the person who recommended the Salomon x-Pro custom shell which will expand from 100mm out of the box up,to 106mm when heated according to our Salomon sales representative. My recommendation is to find a professional boot fitter that will work with you to find and custom fit your new boots. Finding one will depend on where you live or where you ski. Major ski areas or Resorts usually have this type of professional service. Also ski shops that sell lots of race skis and gear would also be a place to look for experienced boot fitters that custom fit race boots. Heating up the Salomon custom shell is not complicated for a shop with boot fitters that do this often. There may be other boots that can be customized so it should not be a problem.

[@bonnaud_dowell]

thomas medeiros salomon’s own website product description says 106 - works for me at anyway. Agree needs to be done properly. I’m so happy with mine and ski pretty aggressively and don’t like food sloshing about

[@perakojot6524]

@@bonnaud_dowell Thanks for suggestion. I didn't know Salomon has high flex and wide boots that can be easily customized. I will try them for sure. Other brands usually have boots that they claim are custom fit both shell and liner, but usually after heating them up differences are minimal, i.e. 102mm becomes 103 etc.

[@bonnaud_dowell]

Pera Kojot :) glad that my painful search may help you too. I don’t understand why there aren’t more.. wide feet doesn’t mean we all want low flex!

[@thartrun1987]

Hi Deb! I'm a PSIA cert 3 ski instructor in Telluride. I'm focusing on RMT training and bought a Lange RS 130 lv last Feb. I took a plug out of the boot so it supposedly should ski like a 120. I found that boot last season to flex to my liking and really enjoyed it. Have just finished up PSIA Fall training (officially two days on snow now) and I feel like the boot is too stiff compared to last season. I'm a light guy, 150 lbs. I saw you ski in a 110 flex. Was wondering your thoughts on me playing around with the plugs again to get the boot ski softer or should I continue to ski the boot as is until I feel like my legs are underneath me again? I definitely agree with your statements on wanting more of a range of motion but I don't want the boot to be too soft. Appreciate your feedback! Also I would love to clinic with you at some point! Cheers. - Tim

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

HI Tim, a this point are you still able to make the boot softer without cutting plastic? if so I would go for it. No reason not to experiment. You are a young guy, lots of skiing left in your career. explore. often things can be counterintuitive but we never know when. I say go there and let me know how it turns out.

[@thartrun1987]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong thanks Deb! I’ll keep in touch. I removed the bottom plug so the boot should be 12% softer than 130. Was thinking about wearing the boot around the house and maybe doing some squats with free weights to work on my strength. This was my first summer in four years not to do a back to back winter. While that made my feet happy I think I need to work up my ski strength again.

[@thartrun1987]

Also I just bought the blizzard hrc and my first thoughts are it’s really fun. Holds a great edge and has a lot of energy. I think the slightly shorter turn radius will make it really versatile. I think I saw that the hrc was your daily driver. Do you ever train on a sl ski and if so what benefits do you get from that?

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Excellent.

[@mattsmith1185]

Hey Deb-I’ve been on my fitted boots for two seasons and they now feel more loose. Is that normal and do I just go get the liner and foot bed refitted??

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I skied in a properly fitted boot for 4 seasons and it never felt too big. If your boot is feeling loose now wonder if it is just too big....?

[@tlougee]

You can also try using a thicker sock. Smartwool and other companies make socks with various amounts of cushion and I find switching to a thicker one can make a big difference once your boots start to pack out.

[@mattsmith1185]

Thanks Deb and Todd. I am now thinking I got fitted by a boot “salesman” and not from a fitter...and I’ll try the thicker sock!

[@MrDogonjon]

The old issue of what feels good in the shop sucks on the slopes. If I don't grunt putting them on and whine just a little I know they will not ski for me. Recreational boots have thick, warm comfy liners that feel great in the shop. Race boots have thin cold liners that never feel good ever except when you are in high energy skiing then you are a force of nature. A good fit gives you intimate control over the boot, ski and snow under your edges. Once you experience the effect of a good fitting boot you will never look at snow the same way again.

[@TheBeingReal]

Sounds like the boot is too big! Trying to ‘fill’ the boot with socks, etc is just a band-aid and deminishes performance. If you are using all the buckle up to get them tight now: boot is too big.

[@garthly]

I have had very bad experiences with extremely boastful boot fitters.

[@franciscooper4771]

Loving your videos Deb, thank you. Returning to the slopes after a long break this winter; my boots will not be coming with me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3mkg3yOr7Sdnq8. New boot time!

[@zukacs]

I've never met a boot guy where I felt that he cared if I got into correct boots or not :(

[@bonnaud_dowell]

Super video. I love my boots, and would echo my experience match your tips. I must say in all your videos your communication is to beautifully clear. Clear, without a hint of arrogance etc. Thanks

[@gspice71]

Thanks Deb! I was just discussing buying new boots and you hit on all my key concerns. 👍🏻

[@TailHappyTV]

Thanks Deb! Good info!

[@sir_bumpalot]

My bootfitter took my used Full Tilt Classics and made some improvements instead of selling me a pair of new whatever. But people tend to laugh because of that boot, but only till they watch me skiing. I just love that Raichle boot since i was a racer in younger times.

[@darrenmassey435]

Skis with integrated bindings are all over the map for delta angles. Before buying skis with integrated binding you should try the skis on in the store to see how the delta angle effects for/aft balance to check to see if your forced to have all your weight on your heels or toes instead of centered. Would check the full range of motion from the squat position to that of less bend in the knees of a standing position. If you buy a more up right boot with a binding with a negative delta angle your not going to ski well. Most skiers never check this & the sales clerk will most likely have no idea what your talking about if you ask them the delta angle. If you want to play it safe your better off to go with a flat ski & put a binding on with no dead spot for release & put on a binding that protects the ACL For boots I would stand in ski boots in ski stance then tip on & off both edges. When tipping the boots that have the edges leave & contact the floor @ the same time are better then the boots that have one edge leave or contact the floor sooner then the other boot.

[@mark3ttrad3r40]

Apex boots seems good!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ok

[@romand123]

Deb, do you have any canting work done to the soles of your boots? I use to race and coach (about 15 years ago) and was pretty sold on the practice when paired with a stance assessment. But for everyday skiing, I’m not sure if it’s something I’d benefit from. Be interested to hear what your thoughts are on the topic. Love your videos!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I do not have canting work done on my boots because of my alignment. for me it is not necessary, I am lucky. For some it is necessary, it all depends. I dont think this is very helpful because the info is not specific to you. It all depends on the individual.

[@MrDogonjon]

Most canting adjustments on the cuff of the boot will allow a 2 degree adjustment inward and out outward. generally enough for a normal functional stance. Only if your foot was mangled in a car wreck or deformed from birth defect would you need to make such a drastic mod to the boot sole. Often bad technique leads to falling backwards, excessive twisting and torqueing the foot inside and against the boot shell leading to podiatrist and orthopedic visits from boot related pain and accidents caused by lack of control.

[@brenc6874]

Thank you for hitting on this topic! Looks like I'll be demoing more skis and focus on boots! Precise breakdown, thank you!