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The way that your ski boot fits, supports, and holds your foot and ankle is vitally important to the foundation of your ski experience. Essentially your boots transfer energy from your feet, to your bindings, and subsequently to your skis. If your ski boots do not fit properly you’re asking for a world of trouble. Select boots that are sized too large and you will end up working certain leg muscles more than necessary, resulting in cramps and increased fatigue. Select boots that are sized too small and your feet will hurt badly…very badly. To avoid all of these potential issues it is crucial that you take the steps necessary to get the right ski boots from the start. It is our goal with this sizing guide to provide you with the information necessary for you to make the right sizing decision.
- How to Determine Your Boot Size
- Mondo Point Sizing
- Width
- Video Tutorial: How to Select the Correct Size Ski Boots
- Video Tutorial: How to Select a Ski Boot
- Video Tutorial: Differences Between Ski Boots
- Buying Guide | Ski Boots
- Size Chart | Ski Boots
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How to Determine Your Boot Size
The most common question that people will have when buying ski boots, especially those purchasing for the first time, is, “how do I determine what my size is?” Well, if you aren’t a skier who already knows his or her ski boot size, there is a simple technique that you can use to determine the proper size for you. First, you will need a piece of cardboard that is large enough for your foot to fit on, both length and width wise. You can also use a pad of paper of a piece of cardboard is not available. You will also need a pen or marker, as well as a tape measure. If you have a tape measure that offers you a centimeter measurement on it, it is suggested you use that.
To determine your ski boot size, get a friend to trace your foot on to the piece of cardboard or paper while you are standing on it. Then take the tape measure and measure from the tip of the foot to the heel. This measurement will be used to determine your boot size.
Ski boots are sized on the Mondo Point size scale, which is in centimeters. If you used a tape measure that offered a centimeter display on it, you can simply take this measurement and you have your boot size in Mondo Point. However, if you measured your foot in inches, you will want to take this measurement and multiply it by 2.54. This will give you your boot size in Mondo Point (centimeters). To see this process in action, please review the video below on How to Select the Right Size Ski Boots.
As mentioned in the previous section, ski manufacturers use a sizing system known as Mondo Point to size boots in a universal measuring system. Mondo Point is a European measurement for shoe sizes that is measured in centimeters. To determine US sizing from Mondo Point, simply add the first and second digits together, and then add the decimal point (you will need to add 1 to your calculated result to convert a US men’s size to w women’s size). For example, a boot that is sized as a Mondo Point 29.0 would be calculated as 2 + 9 + .0 = 11.0. Thus a Mondo Point 29.0 is a men’s 11.0.
One special point of note here, once you reach a Mondo Point size 30.0, this calculation will begin to fall apart unless you alter your formula to add 9 to the result. For example, a Mondo Point 31.5 would need to be calculated as follows: (3 + 1 + .5) + 9 = 13.5. Without the addition of 9, your calculation would end up as 4.5, which would definitely be too small for an individual looking for a 13.5.
In addition to the length that was measured above, you will also want to account for the width of your foot. Manufacturers do a great job of creating different lines of boots to satisfy all different widths, so you typically will not have to worry about finding a boot that will fit both length and width. Most people will know whether their foot is narrow, normal, or wide based on the shoes that they buy. If you know that you have narrow feet, you will want to look for boots that have a width ranging from 98 - 102mm. If you have normal width feet, you’ll look for something in the range of 100 - 104mm. For wide feet, look for boots with a width of 104mm or above.
It is important to compensate for both length and width because people have a tendency to buy ski boots too large. This is because the boot is initially tried on, people feel like the boot is too tight. You want to avoid going larger than your shoe size because the padding that is in the boot is what makes it feel tight initially, but as you wear and use the boot, the padding with condense down and offer you additional room. If you buy too large from the get-go, you’ll end up with a very sloppy boot.
A good fitting ski boot should be comfortably snug and not sloppy. You should be able to wiggle your toes but not have slippage of movement from side to side or forward to back.
Video Tutorial: How to Select the Correct Size Ski Boots
There a number of differences that exist between men’s and women’s ski boots, particularly when it comes to sizing and fit. And while there are women who do choose to purchase men’s ski boots, there are some distinct advantages for a woman when they decide to choose a women’s specific ski boot.
The most notable difference exists with the height of the boot. The cuff on a woman’s boot is significantly lower than a man’s boot and this is because of the position of the calf muscle on a woman’s leg. The position of the calf muscle is lower on a woman’s leg and thus having a lower cuff will create a more correct fit, and be more comfortable.
Additionally, the heel design on women’s ski boots is more narrow than a men’s ski boot. This is done to address the anatomical differences that exist between a woman’s foot and a man’s. This is important to consider when you are a woman looking for a comfortable fitting ski boot.
Finally, the construction of the liner in a woman’s ski boot is different. They are typically thicker to help keep the feet warmer, which will also play a significant role in fit and comfort. For more information on the differences between men’s and women’s ski boots, please review the video below.
Video Tutorial: Differences Between Mens and Womens Ski Boots
The process of achieving the best fit is rather difficult to do unless you have the boot on to try right? Certainly true, which is why we are providing you with some post-purchase “how-to” for your ski boots in this section. If you’ve followed the steps for determining your size, you should be good-to-go with the following sections that discuss fit.
Once you have received your ski boots, and before you begin trying them on, remove the liner from the shell by unbuckling the boot fully and pulling on the back cuff of the liner until it slides out of the shell. Next, put your foot in the boot’s shell and push your toes up until they touch the front of the boot. Then look to see how much space is between your heel and the back of the boot. You’re looking for 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of space, and even less if you are a racer or very high performance skier who likes a very tight fit. If you have more than that, you probably have a boot that is too large. This process, known as shell fitting, is another good way to make sure you will have the correct size boot before hitting the slopes.
If you have conducted a shell fitting as outlined above, slip on the liner while it is still out of the shell. If you have not removed the liner from the shell, do so and then slip it on your foot. Your toes should just feather the fron the of the liner (NOTE: this assumes that your foot has stopped growing; a little growing room for kids is fine). Next, look at how the liner is shaped compared to your foot. If any part of your foot is pushing hard or stretching out the sides of the liner, you may have a boot that is too narrow. If the liner fits properly, put the boot back together. This can be a little tricky, but it helps if you put the boot shell on a hard surface. Insert one hand into the liner (making a fist), while using your other hand to spread the shell as you push down hard with the liner.
While we won’t spend a lot of time on socks here, we will say that it is important that when you are sizing for your ski boots, whether tracing your foot as described in earlier sections of this guide, or when trying on your ski boots after you’ve purchased and received them, to have the socks on that you will be wearing when on the slopes. This is a small, but very important aspect of ski boot sizing that can make the difference between a comfortable, accurate fit, and a miserable, sloppy boot.
- Video Tutorial: How to Select a Ski Boot
- Video Tutorial: Differences Between Ski Boots
- Buying Guide | Ski Boots
- Size Chart | Ski Boots
Tags: Sizing Guides, Ski Boots
