Bootfitting Guide Page 6 - Break-In & Fit Re-Work
By Christian Denis of Elite Feet, November 11, 2000

Break-In & Fit Re-Work

Once the right boot is purchased, you have some type of enhanced arch support and your alignment has been checked, it's time to go get out on the mountain and go skiing. Take your first day relatively easy - do not crank down your boot buckles. This is a common error. If you are in the right size boot, you should not need to crank your buckles very far.

While you are skiing, think about where your boots are bothering you and whether or not the condition is improving over the course of the day. If something is really bothering you, go in and have the shop where you purchased them take care of it - you do not want your feet to become too sore since what takes me minutes to fix may take your foot days to heel. Be patient - only about 10% of the people who purchase new boots can ski them out of the box with no custom fitting.

Once you have a comfortable pair of boots, your skiing experience will be much more enjoyable. Go out and have some fun - I know there is nothing you would rather be doing than ripping turn after turn on the face of a big, white mountain. Remember, boots are the vital link between you and your skis. Millimeters of play in your boot can mean inches of play at the tip of the ski.

<<<BACK

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6

As co-owner of Elite Feet at the Squaw Creek Resort - one of the country's premier bootfitters - Christian Denis solves ski boot problems for thousands of skiers every year and is in constant contact with boot manufacturers, professional freeskiers and top racers.