People often make mistakes when buying a new pair of ski boots. Too bad, because the wrong ski boots can really ruin your winter holiday. To avoid this, we made a list of the most common mistakes people make when buying ski boots. So next time you go to the store, you can come home with a pair of boots that fit well, both in terms of size and ski level. Afterwards, it's just a matter of waiting to try them out on the slopes.
Buying ski boots is not something you do in haste. You have to try on different models, and that takes some time. Not taking enough time is just one of the many mistakes people make when buying ski boots. Many people choose new boots based on their design, go for a comfortable fit or refuse to seek advice from a salesperson or specialist. The result? Ski boots that don't fit properly, resulting in cramps or painful feet while skiing. Something you want to avoid at all costs next time you go skiing! As we want you to avoid ending up with the wrong pair of boots, we prepared an overview of the most common mistakes when buying ski boots.
Of course, you want to look nice while skiing. You can do this splendidly with a nice pair of ski trousers and a jacket. But do not rely on looks when buying your ski boots. The boots that match your outfit might not match your feet and/or ski level at all. So get your feet measured and ask the salesperson or specialist to recommend the boots most suitable for you. It won't be a disaster if their colour won't match your outfit.
One of the most common mistakes when buying ski boots is that people go for ski boots that "fit comfortably". Ski boots should fit your feet well, and let's face it, shoes made of hard plastic can hardly be comfortable. So purchasing comfortable boots often results in ski boots that are too big and/or wide. Consequently, your feet are too loose, making it harder to transfer the movements to your skis. So you have to work even harder to make a turn.
A good salesperson will always ask you what your skiing level is, as this has a lot of influence on which shoes are suitable or not. Be 100% honest about it. If you've been skiing one week a year for ten years, you don't have ten years of experience but ten weeks. That's quite a difference. So always reveal all the information, or you might end up with ski boots that don't fit your skiing level.
Another common mistake when buying ski boots is coming home with ski boots that are too stiff or too floppy. Skiing level is not the only thing that plays a role here, but also your height and weight. Taller and heavier people skiing for the first time will already need a stiffer ski boot than a short beginner. So be honest about your skiing level, height and weight, and listen to the salesperson's advice.
Good ski boots are an investment that will last for several seasons. So always go for a pair that fits well rather than one that is cheap. You can always tell the salesperson your budget, although it won't guarantee that you'll go home with the most suitable ski boots…
While skiing, you'll most likely be wearing ski socks. One would therefore consider it logical to try on new ski boots with the right socks. However, in practice, nothing could be further from the truth. People show up wearing ankle socks, and some ladies even in skirts and tights. Fortunately, you can borrow a pair of ski socks in many shops, although they might not be the freshest. Plus, your ski socks might be slightly thicker or thinner. So always bring them along when trying on new ski boots.
This is a common mistake when buying ski boots. Fitting ski boots in your skinny jeans is almost impossible because you can't roll them high enough. As a result, you have to tuck them into your boots, leaving you with all sorts of annoying pressure points. It's better to wear training pants or jeans that you can roll up above the knee.
Above, you have already read that a ski boot must fit properly. Have your feet measured and try on different models. But if your toenails are too long during fitting, the ski boots that could fit well might still feel too small. So always trim your toenails before buying ski boots!
Not taking enough time for the fitting is also one of the most common mistakes when buying ski boots. Don't expect to be out of the store in five minutes. To find the right shoe, you have to try on several different models. On top of that, you always have to try a pair on for a while before you can tell whether they fit well or not.
Tip: take your skis with you so you can have them adjusted to your new boots straight away.
Another common mistake when buying ski boots is that your boots don't match your type of skis. Buying a pair of freeride shoes won't be useful if you have racing skis. Racing shoes would - obviously - fit your skis better. A stiff ski requires a stiffer shoe, and vice versa. So remember to tell the salesperson the type of your skis, provided you already own a pair.
Want to buy ski boots? Get advice from a specialist, also known as a boot fitter. These people know their stuff and can propose a selection of different boots for you to try on based on your answers to a few questions. Once you have a pair on, they will ask follow-up questions about how well they fit, whether you have pressure points and so on. The goal is to find a shoe that suits you best. As you can see, finding good ski boots can be a lot easier with help.
Don't think that you can just quickly order your ski boots online. If you do, you can only rely on the information stated on the website and miss out on the advice of the seller or specialist. Moreover, you won't be able to compare different ski boots. Our advice is never to buy ski boots online, even if the price is very attractive. What you can do is try the boots in the shop first and then order them online. But then, provided the price is similar, you can also purchase them on the spot.
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
