How to buy ski boots
Boots are the most important purchase a skier can make, but unless they are a perfect fit they end up being an expensive mistake.
The most common error people make when buying boots is opting for a pair that are too big, according to Damien Sudres, an expert boot fitter. Sudres, who has equipped the French national downhill racing team and now works in Sanglard in Chamonix, France, says boots that fit like a glove in the shop will almost certainly be too large after a couple of days skiing.
"Ski boots are not supposed to feel like slippers," he says. "They should feel quite snug when new, because the lining will become compressed after a few days skiing, making them up to one shoe size bigger." To get the right size, make sure your toes just graze the end of the boot when you stand upright. When you bend your knees, your foot will pull back from the end of the boot. A good fitter will measure your bare foot inside the shell of the boot, with the lining taken out. They should take into consideration the volume as well as the length of your foot and your level of skiing.
Buy in the UK or in resort?
It's a good idea to buy boots from a shop in a ski resort that offers a 'try before you buy' option, or at least a guarantee to swap them if they don't feel right after two or three days on the slope.
Understandably though many people don't want to waste precious hours of their holiday buying boots. After all, a good boot fitting service will take at least an hour and longer if you need the boots to be moulded to the shape of your foot. If you are buying in the UK, ask around for a recommended fitter. Lockwoods in Leamington Spa are among the more reputable boot fitters in the UK.
If you do have any problems with your new boots or any pain, go back to the shop. It might be possible to blow the shell to make them a bit bigger if they are too tight.
Extras worth the money
Consider buying a foot bed with the boot. They cost about £40 extra – not a lot when you think that an average pair of boots will set you back £300 – and they will improve the way in which you move the skis.
If you suffer from cold toes, consider buying thermal linings. These are a better investment than the more expensive battery-operated boot warmers and should keep your feet fairly toasty even in very cold weather. Wearing the right socks can make a world of difference to the comfort of the boot and the way in which you ski. Forget the thick fluffy numbers your gran bought you for Xmas, which can press on the veins, causing pain all the way up the calves. Invest in some technical socks, which are quite thin around the foot but with padded calves and shins. Smartwool are recommended.
A final word of warning: Never, ever buy boots in a hurry – even in an end-of-season, not-to-be-missed sale. Finding the right boots and getting that perfect fit takes time. If you rush it, you may end up regretting it.
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