How do I get my ski boots to fit better?

Question

I bought new ski boots last year and was clearly not given the advice I should have. I have size 10 1/2 to 11 feet and I was sold size 29.5 boots. They fit very well around my calves, however I seem to have to much space to move my feet around inside the boot. Would buying an insert help? I am a fairly aggressive skier, have Rossi Salto entry level boots (intend to buy new ones in a year or two, but need a fix to get me through until then). The buckles around the foot are very easy to lock (hardly any pressure needed) and I basically need to get a tighter fit around that area. I am finding it hard to transfer control to my ski's when I get more aggressive.

Answer 1

I would go to your local ski shop and ask them to put more cushion in it, it will take up more space and make it more comfortable.

Answer 2

Yes the fit is affecting your skiing ability that much. Adding more socks is a poor stop gap measure that might work but only for a while. Take your boots, yourself and some money to the shop where you bought the boots, if you got them 2nd hand go to the best ski specialty shop near you and have them fit the boots to your foot. Add foot beds and if the boot is loose, have the liner removed and add more material between the liner and the shell. It depends on how large the shell is whether it can be a reasonable fit. One way to tell if the boots are loose or too big is to remove the liner and put your foot in the liner and check the toe length. You should have about 1/4 inch to the end of the boot with your heel all the way back in the liner. Follow the shop suggestions. Even if you do not want to change boots, it may be necessary. Another way to check for loose boots is to skate with your skis on across a flat area and feel the ski in the air, if it wobbles, the boots are loose. Good luck.

Answer 3

This is a tough problem. It's easy to make a too-small ski boot bigger, but virtually impossible to make a too-big ski boot small enough to be right. If you went to a reputable shop, I'd suggest you return and demand to exchange the boots for a pair that fits right. If they're not willing to re-fit the boots and accept an exchange then I wouldn't shop there anymore. Then sell your too-big boots on eBay and start over. http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=rossignol+salto

Here's a photo of what can happen to your big toes if your boots are too big, especially if you get more aggressive. Yuck! http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakob/169931737/

Here are some tips on how to fit your boots properly. This is nowhere near comprehensive enough, but it's a good starting point. http://www.bootfitters.com/custom_boot_fit_tips.htm

In order to find a reputable shop, I'd call Footloose Sports in Mammoth Lakes, CA for a referral. http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=21229920 They're one of the best boot fitting shops anywhere. Also, Ski Center in Washington DC has some of the top fitters on the east coast. (I used to worked there doing custom boot fitting.) http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=12396071

If you just can't deal with starting over with new boots, the best way to deal with this is to insert thin shims under the entire footbed (between the liner and the shell) that will take up some of the volume of the shell. You can get these from a good boot shop or maybe a shoe store. I'd get a few for each foot and experiment to see how much room you can take out of the shell before it starts getting too tight. You want it to be a little tighter than you'd expect -- boot liners "pack out" as you ski them so you'll only be getting more room in there.

Lastly, replace the stock insole that came with the boots (what your foot rests on inside the liner) with a $25 Superfeet insole. http://www.superfeet.com/activity/skiing.aspx This is a good idea no matter how bad your boot is fit.

Good luck!

Answer 4

not all is lost young grasshopper. to start where are you from? you want to start by looking up www.surefoot.com. i used to work for these guys in utah. they have 17+ stores around the world and all they do is boots. if one is not close to home, you need to find someone who makes decent orthodics. always start with orthos. this will help stabalize the foot in the boot. once stabalized you can start adding pads to take up space. make sure the pads are shaved along the outside so you don't get any pressure points. this may take a few trips to a ski shop so don't get impatient. next time you need boots though, think Surefoot.

Answer 5

There is some good advice here http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Equipment#Ski_Boots

It may be too late, unfortunately.

If the buckles are too loose, on many boots it is possible to adjust the position of the buckles. As the previous answer says, it is well worth going to a ski shop with a good bootfitter to see what they can do.

Answer 6

All ski boots suck, it's the way they are.