How to Buy Ski Boots

Even if you ski only a few days per year, there's no substitute for good boots. Proper fit, appropriate level of stiffness, and comfort are essential for a great day of skiing. If you've been renting ski equipment, at least consider buying boots. Although the initial purchase price can be high, they last for years and provide a consistent foundation for improving your skills. Spending the time to find a skilled boot fitter will pay off every day you enjoy fun, pain-free skiing.

Instructions

1. For alpine or downhill ski boots, have a stiff plastic shell designed to hold your foot and ankle firmly in place. For the best performance, buy the smallest boot you can comfortably wear and use only one thin synthetic sock. All boots expand in size slightly after you have worn them several times.

2. Plan on spending at least an hour with a skilled boot fitter, and try on many different boots. A bargain boot that doesn't fit is no bargain. As you move up in ability, you generally want a stiffer (and more expensive) boot designed for faster, more aggressive skiing. If you're a beginner or an intermediate, you don't need this stiffness unless you're of above-average size.

3. For cross-country ski boots, get boots that provide ankle and heel support, but still allow your toes some freedom of movement. Because you will be lifting your heel as you ski, the boot needs to be comfortable as you bend your foot. Check to see that the sole is laterally stiff, meaning that you can't wring the boot like a dishrag. Plan on wearing one pair of medium-weight socks. For racing, weight matters, and lightweight boots cost more.

4. For telemark ski boots, first, decide where you will spend most of your telemarking time. A telemark boot used to be just a heavy-duty cross-country boot. Now it looks more like a downhill boot, with some important differences. If you only go to downhill areas, get a tall, stiff boot. If you prefer touring the backcountry, get a shorter, lighter boot for easier and faster ascents.

5. As with alpine boots, spend time with a qualified boot fitter and experiment with different telemark boots. A properly fitting boot holds your heel firmly yet allows your toes to move around even with the sole flexed. It should fit snugly around your calf without crushing your foot. All telemark boots expand in size slightly after you wear them several times. Your toes should never hit the end of the boot. A standard telemark boot measures 75 mm across the front of the sole, and all 75-mm boots fit all 75-mm bindings.