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| Everyone laughs at my rear entry boots. Why should I change them? |
"I know loads of skiers who swear by their rear entry boots although they
tend to like just cruising around and are not looking for high performance.
Having said that, it is true that most skiers would benefit from the modern
four buckled boots. The modern boot offers a more personalised shape as
the shell is wrapped around the foot which then gives you more precise
control over your skis."
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| Do ski boots make a big difference to the way you ski? |
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"Your level of skiing can be affected greatly by the fit and ability level
of your boots, as well as the level of your boots. If they hurt too much,
you won't be able to apply the pressures required to carve your turns
effectively and every lump and bump in the piste will be excruciating.
If the flex of the boots is too soft, you won't be able to support the
forces required to ski at a higher level.
Always try to buy a boot that matches your ability but also gives you
room to progress. And finally make sure you don't buy them too big, because
after a few days or weeks, the liner packs down and you can be left with
sloppy buckets. Boot fitters can usually expand a boot, but it is nearly
impossible to shrink one."
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| What kind of ski socks should I be using? |
"Ski socks are very important. When you ski, your feet sweat a great deal,
even when it's cold. Modern sock technology means that moisture can be
wicked away from the skin and drawn up your calves to the top of the sock,
which keeps your feet dry and warm.
Good quality socks also cushion your feet against hot spots and blisters, but are generally finely woven and thin. Thick, cheap non-technical socks are not recommended; neither is
wearing more than one pair."
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| My boots hurt - what can I do? |
"There are a lot of things that a specialist boot fitter can do to help
alleviate boot pain. Footbeds, custom liners and blowing out the shell
are some possibilities.
But the best thing you can do is go to your nearest ski shop with an experienced boot fitter. Be prepared for it to take some time - even days. If you see someone at home, it will save precious ski
time, but if you have it looked at in a resort, you can really feel what
is happening when you ski.
It's a personal choice and, as long as you are patient, things can usually be improved dramatically."
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| What can I do if my boots are too loose? |
"When you buy boots, they should feel very snug in the shop. Liners can
pack down by as much as 20% after you have used them for a few weeks or
less.
It is very difficult to make a boot that is too loose fit well,
although foot beds and custom liners may help to a certain degree. The
best advice I can give is just make sure you buy a snug fitting boot to
start with."
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| How can I avoid getting cold feet? |
"Cold feet can be the cumulative effect of many problems and not a lot
of fun. I've listed below a few things that you can do to help avoid numbness:
- Only wear one pair of socks at a time (preferably a technical pair).
- Use a clean pair of socks or wash your socks each day to maximise
the wicking of moisture away from your feet.
- Don't have your buckles too tight.
- Ensure your boots are dry at the start of the day. You can take your
liners out at night to dry them out but don't put them on the radiator,
especially if you have footbeds.
- Get some footbeds, good footbeds aid circulation and give an increased
supply of blood to the foot.
- As a last resort for extreme temperatures or for regular sufferers
try some Hotronics. These are not cheap but do the job, as long as you
remember to charge the batteries."
Email your questions:
If you have any more questions on anything to do with boots that we
haven't covered here, email Jim at bootdoctor@ifyouski.com
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