All the gear, no idea: Ski Boots
If you’re reading this, I can only assume that you have booked on to the trip or you’re kicking yourself for not getting on to the maddest trip of the year. The whole idea of these blogs is that over the next few weeks I’ll be going over some of the key pieces of clothing or equipment you can take to Alpe D'Huez.
For the first effort, I thought I’d tackle what many consider to be one of the most essential pieces of kit you can buy if you’re planning on skiing more than just one heavy uni trip, Ski boots.
We’ve all had those nightmare experiences with rental boots where they are way too big or thousands of years old, so surely now is the perfect time to get your own personalised and moulded ski boots.
With the right pair of boots not only can you feel more comfortable whilst skiing, you can then begin to focus more on improving your ability on two sticks.
Avoid researching too much
One of the biggest mistakes people can make when they first look into buying boots is assuming that if they research every single brand to have ever made a pair of boots that they’ll find the perfect pair for them. Of course having a bit of a look into the process may be helpful in understanding what goes into getting boots, but this can end up with you having your heart set on a pair of boots that may be completely wrong for you.
Your best bet when “researching” ski boots is to simply find out where the nearest ski shop is in the local area. Fortunately for everyone in UOC Snow we have not one but two ski shops on our doorstep, with one of those being current sponsor Sail & Ski.
Go into store with an open mind
As I’ve already gone over in the last section, going into overdrive with the research online can lead to you getting your heart set on a pair of boots that more than likely won’t be right for you. The best thing you can do when buying ski boots is to go in store willing to take on the expert advice of the boot fitters and trust that they intend to find you the best boots for you. The whole process can take up some time so give yourself around an hour and a half to two hours spare time to get this sorted out, it will certainly be worth it in the long run.
Be honest about your ability
There’s no point going in and saying you can shred like the late great Shane McConkey if you’re just about getting yourself down in one piece at the dry slope in Stoke. The more honest you are about your ability the easier it will make things for the boot fitter to find you a suitable boot. Also provide as much information as possible on anything like poor circulation in your foot or history with rental boots.
A pair of ski boots is an investment
A major issue with people going to buy ski boots is that they don’t understand that it’s rare you’ll pick up a good pair of boots for primark prices, especially during peak season. For the right pair of boots expect to be paying anywhere between £200-£350, and before you think to close this article and ditch snow forever, think of the investment you’re making. A good pair of ski boots with the right care can last you a number of years and providing you go on at least one ski holiday a year and have occasional trips to indoor/dry slopes, it breaks down to a very cheap but very worthwhile purchase.
Don’t forget that with membership with UOC Snow you’ll get discount on every purchase too at Sail & Ski!
What to expect when you first try boots on
Ski boots initially can feel uncomfortable, and that’s because the position you’re in when skiing is unnatural and therefore may not feel right. For those of you expecting your ski boots to feel like ugg boots, that is why specialists like Sail & Ski will ensure they get you in the right boot for your foot shape to maximise comfort. Should you feel any unusual discomfort adjust the boots accordingly with the help of adjustments to the liner or shell, or footbeds if necessary.
Bedding in your new ski boots
Once the fitting is finished and you have your brand new pair of ski boots, they’re going to need a few sessions on the hill bedding them in. This is to allow for the boots to begin to mould to the shape of your feet and allow yourself to become more comfortable with the flex of the boot. If you keep at it before you head to the Alps then by the time you’re hitting that first run you should be feeling very little discomfort.
Useful tips
You’ll definitely be told this when you get fitted, but always make sure that you go from the top down when buckling your boots up. This allows you to move your foot further into the boot and into the heel pocket once you have the first two buckles done. Moving your foot further back into the boot will also give you more space upfront for your toes which for many is a constant issue.
Always wear thin ski socks in your new boots. You might think that chucking on thick socks will keep your feet cosy on the slopes but this will actually cause the boots to feel uncomfortable due to the extra padding from the socks. Most ski shops sell light cushion ski socks that will still keep you warm and allow for your boots to fully mould to your feet.
The most important thing to remember when buying ski boots, is that they are going to be your own boots, unique to your foot shape and tailored exactly to your shredding needs.
Check in next week for more on the gear to make your trip even more gnarly ✌🏽
Check out Sail and Ski at http://www.sailandski.co.uk/acatalog/Ski_Boots-p1.html
