Bootfitting

The Boot Pro’s ski boot fitting experts take pride in being able to identify and accommodate each customer’s unique biomechanical imbalances.

How to Choose Ski Boots

Skier Type

Experience, age, physical fitness, previous injury, years skiing are just some of the things that factor into "skier type". You know yourself best and can decide where you fit into the spectrum of skier types. Knowing your skier type will help direct a bootfitter to the best ski boot for you.

Beginner / Intermediate

Prefer slower speeds, cautious skiing on smooth slopes of gentle to moderate pitch.

Intermediate / Advanced

Prefer a variety of speeds on varied terrain.

Advanced / Expert

Prefer faster speeds, fast and aggressive skiing on slopes of moderate to steep pitch.

Size

Be sure you buy the correct size ski boot! Many people make the mistake of buying a boot that’s roomy and comfortable to walk in when first put on the foot. A snug fit is what’s needed for performance and control and, ultimately less stress on the body. There are many factors that contribute to a properly fit ski boot.

Choosing the Right Size

First, have your foot measured before buying a new boot.  Next, check the “shell size” by removing the liner and making sure there’s about 1” between the heel and the back of the boot.

Ski Boot Sizing

Ski boots come with a variety of sizing references; Mondo Point, Euro, US, UK in both men’s & ladies and the fit of the boots will vary within each size.  Watch the adjacent video for a lesson from Shon on what these sizes mean. You can also view this quick reference guide on sizes.

Proper Fit

It’s not only the size of the boots that matter when determining a proper fit.  The width of the toe box (known as the “last”), the forward flex of the boot, the room in the instep and the shape and height of the cuff are all equally important.

Last

Last refers to the width of the plastic shell at the toe area known as the “toe box”. This corresponds to the width of the forefoot. Narrow feet typically are better suited to a narrow lasted boot while a wide foot fits better in a wide lasted boot. Some boots are even made to accommodate extra wide feet with special expanding materials built into the shell at the widest point of the foot. Below is a general guideline to Lasts however, they differ depending on the boot, whether it's a men's or ladies boot and the manufacturers interpretation of last.

Narrow

Average

Wide

Flex

The flex rating of a ski boot corresponds to the degree of forward movement that the boot will yield when the skier bends the knees and applies pressure when turning. Generally, the more aggressive the skier the stiffer the flex should be to support the force applied when skiing fast. The skier’s weight, height and the range of motion of the foot can also be factored in when choosing the flex of the boot.

Flex Rating

Beginner - Intermidiate

60-80
Flex Rating

Soft Feel
Intermediate - Advanced

85-100
Flex Rating

Medium Feel
Advanced - Expert

110-120
Flex Rating

Stiff Feel
Expert - Race

130+
Flex Rating

Very Stiff Feel

Cuff Shape

Ski boots have varying cuff shapes. Depending on the shape of your lower leg some boots will have cuffs that are more appropriate for you. Also, men’s and women’s cuff shapes vary significantly as women’s calves extend lower down on their legs than men’s. Cuffs can be adjusted laterally and should be done by a qualified bootfitter.

Bootfitting at The Boot Pro

Dr. Joel S. Segalman Wrote:

"Hey Shon and Matt,

Thank you very much for getting me properly fitted to the new boots and skis. As a podiatrist, I understand all the biomechanical complexities of proper fitting boots and you managed to get my personal situation completely under control with the canting, orthotics and heel lift. My skiing was vastly improved immediately and very comfortable after all the modifications performed. I also appreciated the time you took to help diagnose the problems, your expertise in managing and caring for my particular situation and done very professionally in an extremely friendly environment. I promise to send ALL my skiing patients with biomechanical problems to see you! Have a wonderful, happy and healthy new year. Thank you."

Boot Fitting Services

Boot Fitting Specialists 6

Liners

There is a variety of ski boot liners that can be retrofitted for a custom bootfit such as heat moldable, lace up and foam injected.

Custom Footbeds

Custom footbeds are your foundation in the ski boot.  They provide support where you need it and prevent your foot from moving around inside the boot.  Critical to comfort and performance.

Stance Analysis & Balancing 2021 at The Boot Pro in Ludlow, Vermont 7

Stance Analysis

“Stance Analysis” is a broad term to describe the process of determining what modifications to equipment are needed to balance an athlete.

Applying lifter to ski boot

Lifter Installation

When an irregular stance has been determined, adding lifters to the sole of the ski boot can put the skiers stance back to neutral.  Lifters add  degrees of height to one side or the other to correct the skiers imbalance and achieve a flat ski on snow.

Stance Analysis & Balancing 2021 at The Boot Pro in Ludlow, Vermont 4

Planing

The opposite of adding lifters, planeing shaves a minute amount of the plastic from the sole of the boot to change the angle to compensate for a skiers imbalance.

Boot Fitting Specialists 4

Shell Stretching

If you have a sixth toe, a bony ankle, a bunion or any other foot protrusion or just need a little more room in the toe box we can heat the plastic shell of the boot and stretch it with our special tools providing relief in just the right spot!

Heat Molding of Customizable Shells

Many ski boots are now made with special plastics that allow for reheating and shaping to the skiers foot.  Special ovens and accessories make it possible for us to custom mold certain ski boots to  accommodate a skier’s foot irregularities.

Liner Modifications

Liners can be modified to relieve pressure points, fill small gaps between the foot and the boot or prevent unwanted vertical movement of the foot inside the boot.  Methods include: heel lifts, L pads, tongue modifications, precision cutting and taping etc.

Custom Liners

Some problems can most effectively be solved by using a custom liner such as a foam liner or an Intuition liner.  Customizing this type of liner requires the skills of one of our experienced bootfitters to execute.

Boot Fitting Specialists 5

Heater Installation

Never have cold feet again when you ski!  Add a heating element to your ski boots and you’ll be warm and comfortable all day long.  Have one of our technicians install the elements on the insole of the boot and give you instructions on effective use of the heating system.

Booster Strap Installation

Booster straps are multipurpose.  Whether it’s to tighten the upper cuff to hold a racer in place at high speeds or to hold the cuff back from over flexing for the hyper flexible skier, booster straps are a handy way to improve performance.

Buckle Repositioning & Replacement

Sometimes a buckle would work better if it were a little closer or farther away from the closure.  We can quickly and easily make that adjustment with our tools while you wait.  If you lost a buckle on the hill, it’s likely that we have one just like it in our collection of buckles and we can replace it in minutes.