| Adjustments |
The following options may be available only on the top boots in a manufacturer's range. They allow you to customize your boots to fit your skiing style.
Before settling for a cheap boot, it might be worth investigating whether one of these features would change your life.
Beginners generally require none of these features.
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| Canting adjustment |
Knock-kneed or bow-legged skiers may find it hard to set their skis flat on the snow. A canting adjustment allows the sole of the boot to lie flat when you are in a neutral skiing position.
You can tilt the cuff of the boot towards the inside or outside until you find the optimal position; once it is adjusted, you do not have to alter the setting.
An old-fashioned way of achieving this was to use wedges, but unless you have a fairly pronounced geometry problem, the canting feature of a good pair of boots should be adequate.
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| Flex adjustment |
Your boots' stiffness at the ankle can make a surprising difference to your skiing.
A softer flex results in smoother, more flowing skiing; a stiffer flex is more precise but less forgiving.
With a stiffness adjustment, you can alter this at will.
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| Power strap |
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A Velcro fastening around the boot cuff permits a more positive fit around your calves and gives better control.
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| Custom-moulded footbeds |
Customised footbeds are strongly recommended for intermediates and advanced skiers.
These are heated up and moulded to the shape of your feet. They then fit into any boots, stabilising your feet and supporting your arches.
The result is superior control, elimination of pressure points and reduced fatigue.
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| Foam |
If you are very unhappy with the fit of your boot and have tried other options, it may be worth having your inners foamed.
Expanded polyurethane foam is injected under pressure into your boots as you wear them; it solidifies, taking the exact shape of your feet.
Foaming also offers unsurpassed control, but is expensive and must be carried out by an experienced technician.
Still not sure? Consult our boot doctor
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Normal morphology
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Knock-kneed
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Bow-legged
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| Forward lean adjustment |
Forward lean is the angle between your shin and the vertical with the boot closed. On some advanced boots this can be adjusted between 15 and 20 degrees.
In the late 70s it was thought trendy to use maximum forward lean but, with modern skis, a less extreme position works better (and is easier on the shins).
A forward lean adjustment allows you to experiment and find what works best for you.
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| Sole height adjustment |
Some ski boots boast an internal adjustable sole height.
Raising your foot can remove surplus space without your having to over-tighten the boot.
Lowering the sole gives better edge control (and colder feet).
In practice, a good moulded footbed eliminates the need for this feature.
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| Boot surgery |
There are a number of small modifications that can be made to a boot to improve comfort, such as adding or cutting out padding, increasing arch support or bending the shell.
This is especially helpful for those with localised problems such as pressure points, bunions, pronounced ankle bones or odd-sized feet.
If you are buying boots, the shop should offer you free fitting sessions - after all, you are spending a lot of money. Don't be shy about asking for advice on adapting your boots.
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