Bootfitter's Notes- How to Easily Take Ski Boots On and Off
If you've ever had a bootfitting appointment with us, you know our fitters are meticulous. From measurements and mobility tests, to custom footbeds, canting and alignment... their expertise ensures a great fit! This season we have welcomed so many new skiers to the sport, and had the pleasure of fitting their first pairs of non-rented boots. With that in mind, we want to go back to the basics to address some of the often unspoken techniques that make our lives a little easier.
A very common question this year has been "How do I put my boots on/take my boots off? It takes so long and can be painful... there must be an easier way!" Well, there certainly is a technique to it, and with some preparation and gear you can make things even easier. Read below, or check out the video tutorial!
Step 1: Boot storage is important. Be sure to always buckle your boots in storage so the cuff retains its shape.
Step 2: Make sure your boots are warm. As Alexis mentions in the video, 70F or warmer is a must, as it softens the boot plastic and makes it more pliable. We highly recommend using a heated boot bag such as our Kulkea Thermal Trekker or Snow Eagle Pro, as they are designed for this specific purpose. Both of these bags have wall and car outlets, making it easy to pre-heat the boots at home and keep them warm all the way to the mountain. Do keep in mind that overheating a boot can cause punches to "bounce back," or custom insoles to lose their shape, so the medium heat setting is a safe bet.
Step 3: Once the boots are warm and pliable, you may opt to use Slide-On boot spray. This silicone spray reduces friction between your socks and the boot liner, and can be helpful if you have limited ankle mobility.
Step 4: Point your toes and step into the cuff of the boot. Grasp the tongue of boot and pull it to one side. With your free hand, pull the other half of the boot away from the tongue. This will open up the ankle area to allow your foot to slide in. Weight your foot, pushing your heel down into the boot.
Step 5: Buckle the top buckle and flex forward a few times. This will push your heel into the back of the boot and give your toes some room. Many people's first instinct is to pull up on the tongue, but resist that urge. Instead, push it down and wiggle it a bit to ensure its not pinched by any plastic layers. Buckle up and get to skiing!
To take your boots off: Unbuckle everything and push your hand against the rear of the boot (where your calf normally touches). Flex forward, pushing your knee towards the ground. Relief! Slide on your hot-pink Croc's and loudly exclaim that snowboard boots would be much more comfortable (it's tradition).
We hope this helps!