How to Determine Whether Your Child's Ski Boot Fits

Because most ski boots are clunky and uncomfortable compared to shoes, finding children's ski boots that fit can be a Herculean task.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Children's Ski Boots
• Children's Ski Clothing
• Children's Skis
• Ski Boot Power Straps

1. Have your child wear ski socks when trying on ski boots.
2. Let your child put the boot on as an initial test. First make sure all the buckles, straps and Velcro fasteners are completely undone. If your child doesn't complain, you're off to a good start.
3. Have your child take the boot off.
4. Remove the liner. You'll get a better idea of how close toes are to the end of the boot with a soft liner. If the liner doesn't detach, loosen all the buckles with you child's foot still in the boot. Slip your index and middle finger into the back of the boot near your child's heel. The space available to your fingers should translate to the space left in front of your child's toes.
5. Make sure that there is some space beyond the toes within the boot. Kids need some extra space to keep their feet warm. Also, extra space may allow your child to get more than one season's wear from the boots.
6. Ask your child to wiggle his or her toes to get an idea of tightness and space.
7. Listen to what your child says about the fit and comfort.

Tips & Warnings

• The liner compresses when it's placed in the boot shell. So if the liner fits snugly on your child's foot outside of the shell, there's a chance the fit will be too tight when the liner is installed.