I’ll take this in a size five. If buying ski boots were just that simple but it’s not. In fact, choosing the right ski boots can be a daunting task.
The first thing to realize is that ski boot sizes are not the same as regular shoe sizes. The second thing one must realize is that ski boots were meant for skiing not for walking.
They do not fit or operate as regular shoes do. The third thing to consider is that there are two main parts of a ski boot. The first part is the outer shell. The second part is the liner that goes inside the shell.
On that last note, when trying on ski boots, make sure that you try them on with a liner, as well as with socks that you plan to ski with. The liner will conform to your foot.
It isn’t solid like the outer shell of the boot. Ski boots only come in whole sizes. Half sizes are not available. Choose the size that will give you a snug fit, even if it isn’t necessarily comfortable.
Again, you aren’t buying a pair of house slippers. You are buying a ski boot, and that snugness is important.
If you are a beginner, you should consider renting ski boots to determine what size and brand works best for you.
As you become a better skier, you will find that the snugger the boot is, the better your performance is but as a beginner, you may not want that snugness.
Be aware that your boots will become a little looser as they are used. This is due to the fact that the liner inside changes shape because it is made of open-celled foam.
It takes three or four days of skiing to break in new ski boots properly. You may experience some discomfort during the break in period.
If you are planning to buy new ski boots for a ski trip, keep this in mind and buy them well in advance. You can wear them and move as though you were skiing a little each day to get them broken in before your trip.
On your feet, the boots should be very snug around the heel and foot, but your toes should have room to move. With your knees perfectly straight, and your body tilted, as it should be when skiing, your toes should just barely touch the liner at the end of the boot.
Before you replace your ski boot, determine whether it is the boot that needs replacing or the liner inside the boot. Ski boot liners can be purchased separately, and this will definitely save you quite a bit of money.
The liner will wear out long before the shell will, and often, the shell can be repaired if breakages occur so the shell should last a good long time.
If you are buying ski boots for someone whose feet are still growing, do not purchase boots that allow for room to grow.
You can purchase boots that are just one size too big for a child but do not go any size larger than that. With just one size, you can put enough socks on the child to make the boot fit right.
