The Science of Bootfitting

Aunika Skogen

January 28, 2022

Bootfitting is a science. Each foot is a unique recipe of measurements, and a good boot fitter, like a scientist, will combine that information to find your “sole-mate.” Ski boots are the most important piece of gear to invest in when it comes to ski equipment. And a great knowledgeable boot fitter will help build the perfect foundation for you to ski comfortably and efficiently all day. Nick Manely is one of those boot fitters. He’s been a boot fitter for ten years now, helping hundreds of skiing enthusiasts find their perfect match.

• Related: How To Choose The Best Ski Boot For You

First, an analysis of your foot is done based on measurements, including the length, width, instep, and volume of your foot. All of this information creates a unique recipe that influences what brand, flex, and style of boot will fit your foot, like a glove. Even your calf will impact how a boot will fit. Boots are the foundation of your skiing. Your ski day can be cut in half without proper support or fit.

The most important characteristic of a proper fitting boot is that it fits tightly enough to become one with your foot. Picture a bouncing basketball, like the ball your foot and boot capture and recycle energy generated by skiing. A good boot fitter’s goal is to find a boot that will become one with your foot to efficiently reuse that energy all day.

Since the boot and your foot will act as one, your skis will have a more precise reaction to movement, whether you’re carving up the groomers or ripping through a mogul field. By recycling the energy generated in each turn, your body will have to work less and be rewarded more. As a result, skiing will become easier as you will have a precise connection with your skis. Boots do not have to be painful – happy feet equals happy skiing. According to Nick, the perfect boot should be comfortably tight, just shy of a “Pink Floyd” boot, comfortably numb.

Nick explains how the most challenging part about fitting a boot is describing how a ski boot should properly fit and convincing the customer that it is their size. When a customer shoves their foot into a boot, and their toes immediately slam to the end, their first thought is it’s way too small. Because of this, 50% of boot fitting is purely psychological.

Footbeds also provide an essential amount of support no matter the arch. Even people with the flattest feet can benefit from a footbed, as it allows for support for your foot. With different options like custom footbeds customized to your feet or just drop-ins sized based on the arch, it can provide more natural support for your foot, allowing it to further become one with your boot.

Nick’s top 5 rules for a proper fitting boot:

1. 1. Make the boot one with your foot
   2. A complete surround sound fit; every part inside the boot should be touching the foot.
   3. Nothing should be in the boot except for your foot and proper fitting ski sock.
   4. Proper arch support; footbeds are necessary to build a solid foundation for your foot. Even those with flat feet need footbeds.
   5. Put the boot on when it’s warm. Don’t leave it in your car overnight the day before your trip or drive up to the mountain with it in the back of your truck.

There is a lot to account for when fitting a boot. But Nick recommends keeping KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid – in mind. Don’t overanalyze and trust your boot fitter. Most often, the first boot they bring out will be your perfect fit. They did a lot of “sole-searching” before bringing it out for you to try it on!

Posted from SnowBrains

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Treat ’em right: Five tips for taking care of skis during the off-season

May 18, 2020
by FREESKIER

You know how it goes: After milking the last turns of the season on some slushy, muddy melting patch of snow, you throw your dirty skis in the roof rack, drive home and immediately put them in the corner of the garage until next year. Onto the next thing…

Okay, that might have been an overstatement. Not everyone just chucks their skis somewhere in the backyard to swelter and sweat through the scorching summer months. But, beyond giving your skis a quick wipe-down and placing them somewhere temperature-controlled, there are a handful of other things you can do that’ll help your skis perform their very best come next winter.

To get the inside scoop, we consulted veteran shop technician, Derek Leidigh, who works at Powder7 Ski Shop in Golden, Colorado. Leidigh has been tuning and tinkering with skis for more than 16 years, and knows exactly what to do to keep your twigs looking and feeling like you bought ’em yesterday.

1. Get a summer wax

A thicker application of wax, a “summer” treatment keeps the P-Tex from drying out, which is a major source of issues when you start the the next season. Professionally-applied hot wax combined with some sort of storage wax protects the bases from drying out and also prevents the edges of your skis from being able to oxidize.

2. Fix any nicks, chips or gouges

Once you’re done skiing for the season—or even midway through the summer—it’s best to take a look at your skis and fix any issues that you see. Then, you’ll want to get the ski tuned and then protect it until next season. If you get a proper summer wax and tune, when you start the next season, all you’ll have to do is just pull your skis out, scrape the wax off and brush the bases to smooth the surface.

3. Store ’em in the right place

It may seem like common sense, but don’t put your skis in your garage, anyplace where it gets super hot or where they’d be sitting in direct sunlight. It’s better to house them in a shady area that doesn’t really experience high temperatures or big temperature fluctuations. If you have air conditioning and you live in a really humid climate, you might want to put them inside rather than outside.

4. Double-check your boots and bindings

Definitely take a look at your bindings and your boots to make sure that the AFD (Anti-Friction Device) on the binding and your boot soles aren’t worn out to the point where they might not function properly. If so, consider replacing those parts.

5. There’s always time to care for your skis

Bottom line: It’s never too late to give your skis some love. In the summer, you have all the time in the world. You’re not in a rush to go get your skis to make it up for when the resort opens on Friday. At Powder7, they found it was really effective for people to bring their gear into the shop in the middle of summer. That gives shop techs plenty of time to get the work done and everyone is a bit more relaxed about the whole situation.

Pro Tip: Visit your local ski shop, such as Powder7, and ask them for a summer wax. At Pow7, they’ll tune your skis, apply wax and get you ready for next season for $60. Feel like doin’ it at home? Click here for a full tutorial.

Posted from Freeskier.com

The post Treat ’em right: Five tips for taking care of skis during the off-season appeared first on Ski Federation.