One thing I just can't grasp, if everyone benefits from having a snug fitting boot which equates to good reaction time, why wouldn't everyone want a stiff - say 130 boot since it offers better reaction time the stiffer it is? Will a beginner and intermediate skier struggle with a stiff boot? Why would you want a non-stiff boot? What advantage is there to being able to bend the boot easier for a beginner? Thanks for all the great explanations!
Getting the boot right is the hardest part of a ski gear package. A good boot-fitter is worth their weight in gold. Where I live in the NY Metro burbs there are mostly boot salespeople not boot fitters. A good foot analysis that accounts for more than just length, but width size (boot last) and boot volume. A good fitter will take the time to do a shell fit and also measure heel to instep perimeter (heel cup corner to heel cup corner while foot is in a Brannock measuring device). I had an area ski shop boot salesman try to sell me a boot with a 100mm last for my 105mm wide higher volume foot and tell me width doesn't matter in a boot it can be adjusted...
100% correct on why people need to see a boot fitter. Those people know the boots, and what type of foot, fits each one. When it comes to your foot shape, the width is also in correlation to the length of your foot. You can have a 105mm width foot, but if it's longer, that would be an average width for your foot. If you foot is shorter, then it would be considered wide. Keep in mind the advertised last is based off a 26.5, and when you go up or down a size, the boot becomes wider or narrower by 2mm. So if you were put in a 28.5 boot, the last would be closer 104mm.
Hi there, thank you for the amazingly detailed educational content- I have learned a lot! Do you by any chance have a boot fitting shop? Or can recommend one in Vancouver/whistler BC 🇨🇦
Maria D.D Hey there! Thanks for the praise. I Really appreciate it. Yes, heated foot beds do exist, but they are expensive. A good pair starts around $200.
You may not have the desired reaction out of your boots. Essentially you may not be able to turn as quickly, or have complete control of yours skis while going faster. That’s if your boots are way too soft.
Hi, I need an opinion, I bought junior boots, 260mm lengh, flex 60, this is my second season of skiing. What is disadvantage od junior boots? There was great difference in price.
The biggest disadvantage to having a Jr boot is the fit. Almost all Jr boots will be narrow, only have one shell shape, and sit lower on your leg. Meaning, you wont get much support, especially when you become a stronger skier. They generally don't have a lot of adjustability, so you're stuck with how they fit/ buckle up, mainly around the calf area. There are some Jr boots that bridge the gap between youth and adult. They will have a larger shell, and come in stiffer models. Most Jr boots top out at $200, while adult boots start at $200.
Hi there. Thanks for the video. I’m new to skiing and have rented gear till now. I have a wide foot at 115mm and 280mm in length. I weight 250lb. Could you recommend a suitable boot as I’m struggling to find a wide enough boot.
Hi Craig, I would recommend the Nordica Cruise 120. Now it has a starting last of 104mm, and at 280 boot length, it will be 108mm wide. With the width of your foot, you will need it punched out. I would highly suggest going to a proper ski shop and speak to a boot fitter to have the boot blown out. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.
Hey there! It depends on what your foot is shaped like. For example, I have a low-ish arch, so i don't need a lot of support. I use superfeet, because they cradle your heel, more then supporting an arch. If you have a mid to high arch, the Sidas Winter 3D footbeds work well for most people. They also have a flash-fit model, which shapes to the bottom of your foot by heating them up. Some shops only sell one brand of footbeds. I suggest seeing a boot fitter to match your foot with the right footbed for you. Hope this helps.
I’m looking to buy boots but I’m only 15 and know I’ll probably grow out of them so I don’t want to spend a lot of money on them and I’m 6’5 with a size 15us and I’ll be ski racing so I am wondering if you know of a good boot to get for not as much.
I would highly suggest going to a ski shop and seeing if you can order a pair in that size. It's difficult to recommend a boot, not knowing if sizing is available. Good luck.
Hello, I just got skis, now that I have those should I bring them to a ski shop to find what boots/bindings to get? Are only certain boots compatible with certain bindings, and same for skis? Thanks!!!! Good video btw
Anonymous RUclipsr, you’ll have to get new bindings mounted at a ski shop so might as well look at/ get boots at the same time. For the most part, any standard alpine boot will work with an alpine binding. You just have to make sure if you have a gripwalk sole, you use a gripwalk compatible bonding. The shop you go to will sort that out for you.
@@MountainVibes thank you so much for your advice! i wanted to know because I am kinda poor and didnt want to be forced to buy $600 boots at a store. ive been looking at $100-$150 boots on evo.com. thanks again, goodluck!
If someone forces you to buy a $600 pair of boots, they’re not doing their job. I would suggest getting fitted for a proper pair in a shop though, but you don’t have to break the bank at the same time. Just mention you’re on a budget.
I was hoping you could help out a guy from the Midwest. I love to ski and get to hit the slopes for one or two trips a year at 3-4 days each. I am an intermediate skier who is wanting to start to move outside of groomers and feel like I am throwing away money by continuing to rent skis. From what I hear, I should buy my boots from a shop and then I could possible get skis online. How do I find a good shop/fitter? How much time should it take to get fitted? Since I in the middle of the corn field, there are zero shops close to me. For a very average, 5'8" 170 male who has zero knowledge base, where should I start in terms of flex. Thanks for any advice.
Hi Andrew! Tough one... Where do you go on your trips? I'd assume there are reputable ski shops where you go. I would stay away from big box sport stores just because they may not have a boot expert, just someone who can sell. Flex is just a general guideline. There is no standard for rating a boot. For example, Nordica boots seem softer than the number shown on the boot compared to other brands. For you, based on your stature, I'd suggest starting with a boot with a rating of 100. If you feel you can flex it too much, bump up to 110. The higher the flex rating, there expensive the boot becomes due to the materials. Without seeing the shape of your foot (wide, narrow, high or low instep, arch type) its hard to suggest a single type of boot. A good boot fitter will put all of these into account before selecting a proper boot for you. Brand wise, Tecnica, Dalbello, and Nordica make great fitting boots for different foot shapes.
@@MountainVibes Thank you so much. I usually stay close to the front range of CO. Winter Park is where I go most often. Thank you so much for the help!
Hi Mountain Vibes. I have had problems with foot pain while riding on the tow rope at my local park for long periods of time. (basically standing for 2-3 hours at a time) And I was just wondering if instead of paying the $40+ dollars for the ski boot specific footbeds I could just buy some men's boot support insoles as a substitute. Thanks for he help.
Hey Andy, Yes, you can get away with putting another insole in your boots. Just as long as it provides the proper support for your foot. Anything will be better than what comes with skis boots.
I always thought that you buckle the bottom first and finish with the top buckle and not to tighten too much to allow flex while skiing. my right foot moves a little too much, I'll try your method next time out. but i was told by a boot fitter, that my shell is one size to big. ugh.
You lock your foot/ ankles in the back of the boot by keeping the top buckles tight. If you have them loose, your foot can slide back and forth. As well, y having them loose, the boot itself is not flexing easier, you let us just being able to move around, giving the illusion the boot is flexing easier. The boot stiffness should be appropriate to your stature and skiing ability to allow it to flex with your body.
Hey Akshay, sorry for the delay. I would recommend something with a flex of at least 100. Maybe even 110. Just make sure you're able to flex the boot in the shop. If it feels too easy to flex, go up in stiffness, or vice versa. Now assuming you have a wider foot, a Tecnica Ten.2, or a Dalbello Panterra should be a great fit. It all depends on what is available at your local shop.
Well, you'll need to factor in the shape of your foot (instep height, width of foot, etc), as well as your skiing ability. Just based on your stature, I'd start with something around 110 flex rating. With your body size, you should be able to flex that with relative ease. Size would probably be 28.5 Hope this helps.
Hey there, Start with an 80 flex, and see how it feels. Make sure you are able to flex it though. Although you are an aggressive skier, if the boot is too stiff, you will be working too hard, and potentially not have the best control. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions.
Hey Mountain Vibes! I'm very bummed about my boots and skis because they just aren't for me AT ALL. I'm 15 and not strong and my stuff that i bought are so different for me and they aren't good for me. My skis are very stiff and they get caught in the snow and my boots are stiff and heavy. I'm more a cruiser or a park skier more than a carver :/ Unfortunately i can't afford any new stuff so i gotta stick with stuff that i can't use.
Hey Litly, That's unfortunate that your gear isn't working out. Have you tried selling it online, or at a gear swap, or to friends? Where did you get your gear? Just curious... If you continue to use your gear, you can eventually grow into it, but it may take a while. I'd say try and sell your current gear and look into buying used skis. See a proper boot fitter in your city/ town to gage what is a proper boot for you. Best of luck.
12 years of skiing and i have only just now learned how to buckle my boots properly
This video is a must for every skier, it's Incredibly informative and it's delivered in a very clear and concise form!
Thanks so much!
One thing I just can't grasp, if everyone benefits from having a snug fitting boot which equates to good reaction time, why wouldn't everyone want a stiff - say 130 boot since it offers better reaction time the stiffer it is? Will a beginner and intermediate skier struggle with a stiff boot? Why would you want a non-stiff boot? What advantage is there to being able to bend the boot easier for a beginner? Thanks for all the great explanations!
He made a video about ski boot stiffness :) released recently
It's great to see someone who backs-up his claims with reasons! Thanks for taking the time to teach!
This video is very helpful. Good job
As a custom bootfitter, this is a great basics video good job. PS, should do one on shell fit/liner fit as well.
Getting the boot right is the hardest part of a ski gear package. A good boot-fitter is worth their weight in gold. Where I live in the NY Metro burbs there are mostly boot salespeople not boot fitters. A good foot analysis that accounts for more than just length, but width size (boot last) and boot volume. A good fitter will take the time to do a shell fit and also measure heel to instep perimeter (heel cup corner to heel cup corner while foot is in a Brannock measuring device). I had an area ski shop boot salesman try to sell me a boot with a 100mm last for my 105mm wide higher volume foot and tell me width doesn't matter in a boot it can be adjusted...
100% correct on why people need to see a boot fitter. Those people know the boots, and what type of foot, fits each one.
When it comes to your foot shape, the width is also in correlation to the length of your foot.
You can have a 105mm width foot, but if it's longer, that would be an average width for your foot. If you foot is shorter, then it would be considered wide.
Keep in mind the advertised last is based off a 26.5, and when you go up or down a size, the boot becomes wider or narrower by 2mm. So if you were put in a 28.5 boot, the last would be closer 104mm.
Hi there, thank you for the amazingly detailed educational content- I have learned a lot! Do you by any chance have a boot fitting shop? Or can recommend one in Vancouver/whistler BC 🇨🇦
I'm at West Coast Sports in Kits.
Thank you for posting this helpful video!!
Hey, i loved your channel, i wanna buy boots with you!! Does it exist warm foot beds? I'm jst getting to know the sport better. Great channel!
Maria D.D Hey there! Thanks for the praise. I Really appreciate it. Yes, heated foot beds do exist, but they are expensive. A good pair starts around $200.
@@MountainVibes is it possible to go buy gear with you?
Thanks for the info. As one progresses, is there any real disadvantages of skiing in a pair of boots which is too soft?
You may not have the desired reaction out of your boots. Essentially you may not be able to turn as quickly, or have complete control of yours skis while going faster. That’s if your boots are way too soft.
Hi, I need an opinion, I bought junior boots, 260mm lengh, flex 60, this is my second season of skiing. What is disadvantage od junior boots? There was great difference in price.
The biggest disadvantage to having a Jr boot is the fit. Almost all Jr boots will be narrow, only have one shell shape, and sit lower on your leg. Meaning, you wont get much support, especially when you become a stronger skier. They generally don't have a lot of adjustability, so you're stuck with how they fit/ buckle up, mainly around the calf area. There are some Jr boots that bridge the gap between youth and adult. They will have a larger shell, and come in stiffer models.
Most Jr boots top out at $200, while adult boots start at $200.
@@MountainVibes Thank you so much for answer!
Are-we supposed to remove to original sole from the boot liner before putting a Sidas sole inside?
Ideally, yes. Unless you need to eat up some volume in your boots.
Hi there. Thanks for the video. I’m new to skiing and have rented gear till now. I have a wide foot at 115mm and 280mm in length. I weight 250lb. Could you recommend a suitable boot as I’m struggling to find a wide enough boot.
Hi Craig,
I would recommend the Nordica Cruise 120. Now it has a starting last of 104mm, and at 280 boot length, it will be 108mm wide. With the width of your foot, you will need it punched out. I would highly suggest going to a proper ski shop and speak to a boot fitter to have the boot blown out. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.
What kind of footbed would you recommend? Do you have a special brand you would recommend?
Hey there!
It depends on what your foot is shaped like.
For example, I have a low-ish arch, so i don't need a lot of support. I use superfeet, because they cradle your heel, more then supporting an arch.
If you have a mid to high arch, the Sidas Winter 3D footbeds work well for most people. They also have a flash-fit model, which shapes to the bottom of your foot by heating them up.
Some shops only sell one brand of footbeds. I suggest seeing a boot fitter to match your foot with the right footbed for you.
Hope this helps.
I’m looking to buy boots but I’m only 15 and know I’ll probably grow out of them so I don’t want to spend a lot of money on them and I’m 6’5 with a size 15us and I’ll be ski racing so I am wondering if you know of a good boot to get for not as much.
I would highly suggest going to a ski shop and seeing if you can order a pair in that size. It's difficult to recommend a boot, not knowing if sizing is available. Good luck.
Hello,
I just got skis, now that I have those should I bring them to a ski shop to find what boots/bindings to get?
Are only certain boots compatible with certain bindings, and same for skis?
Thanks!!!! Good video btw
Anonymous RUclipsr, you’ll have to get new bindings mounted at a ski shop so might as well look at/ get boots at the same time.
For the most part, any standard alpine boot will work with an alpine binding. You just have to make sure if you have a gripwalk sole, you use a gripwalk compatible bonding. The shop you go to will sort that out for you.
@@MountainVibes thank you so much for your advice! i wanted to know because I am kinda poor and didnt want to be forced to buy $600 boots at a store. ive been looking at $100-$150 boots on evo.com.
thanks again, goodluck!
If someone forces you to buy a $600 pair of boots, they’re not doing their job. I would suggest getting fitted for a proper pair in a shop though, but you don’t have to break the bank at the same time. Just mention you’re on a budget.
@@MountainVibes thanks for the advice!!!
I was hoping you could help out a guy from the Midwest. I love to ski and get to hit the slopes for one or two trips a year at 3-4 days each. I am an intermediate skier who is wanting to start to move outside of groomers and feel like I am throwing away money by continuing to rent skis. From what I hear, I should buy my boots from a shop and then I could possible get skis online.
How do I find a good shop/fitter? How much time should it take to get fitted? Since I in the middle of the corn field, there are zero shops close to me. For a very average, 5'8" 170 male who has zero knowledge base, where should I start in terms of flex. Thanks for any advice.
Hi Andrew! Tough one... Where do you go on your trips? I'd assume there are reputable ski shops where you go. I would stay away from big box sport stores just because they may not have a boot expert, just someone who can sell.
Flex is just a general guideline. There is no standard for rating a boot. For example, Nordica boots seem softer than the number shown on the boot compared to other brands.
For you, based on your stature, I'd suggest starting with a boot with a rating of 100. If you feel you can flex it too much, bump up to 110. The higher the flex rating, there expensive the boot becomes due to the materials.
Without seeing the shape of your foot (wide, narrow, high or low instep, arch type) its hard to suggest a single type of boot. A good boot fitter will put all of these into account before selecting a proper boot for you.
Brand wise, Tecnica, Dalbello, and Nordica make great fitting boots for different foot shapes.
@@MountainVibes Thank you so much. I usually stay close to the front range of CO. Winter Park is where I go most often. Thank you so much for the help!
Hi Mountain Vibes. I have had problems with foot pain while riding on the tow rope at my local park for long periods of time. (basically standing for 2-3 hours at a time) And I was just wondering if instead of paying the $40+ dollars for the ski boot specific footbeds I could just buy some men's boot support insoles as a substitute.
Thanks for he help.
Hey Andy,
Yes, you can get away with putting another insole in your boots. Just as long as it provides the proper support for your foot. Anything will be better than what comes with skis boots.
Thanks for the response
I always thought that you buckle the bottom first and finish with the top buckle and not to tighten too much to allow flex while skiing. my right foot moves a little too much, I'll try your method next time out. but i was told by a boot fitter, that my shell is one size to big. ugh.
You lock your foot/ ankles in the back of the boot by keeping the top buckles tight. If you have them loose, your foot can slide back and forth. As well, y having them loose, the boot itself is not flexing easier, you let us just being able to move around, giving the illusion the boot is flexing easier. The boot stiffness should be appropriate to your stature and skiing ability to allow it to flex with your body.
@@MountainVibes Ok, i appreciate your feedback. I guess i should have a softer flex boot, i will try your advice next time i ski.
Wow you are a pro explaining things Thanks
Thanks Steve! I like think it's what I do best...
what kind of boot would you recommend for a 250 lbs beginner male??????
Hey Akshay, sorry for the delay.
I would recommend something with a flex of at least 100. Maybe even 110. Just make sure you're able to flex the boot in the shop. If it feels too easy to flex, go up in stiffness, or vice versa.
Now assuming you have a wider foot, a Tecnica Ten.2, or a Dalbello Panterra should be a great fit. It all depends on what is available at your local shop.
hey there. hopefully you get this... can you re-post your comment about getting boots? i accidentally deleted it :( thanks.
what is your reccomendation for a 6ft tall with 190lbs male, size 10.5 -11
Well, you'll need to factor in the shape of your foot (instep height, width of foot, etc), as well as your skiing ability. Just based on your stature, I'd start with something around 110 flex rating. With your body size, you should be able to flex that with relative ease. Size would probably be 28.5 Hope this helps.
What if I am very agressives but I am 12 and I am 38 kg do you recommend a boot with 70 flex or 80 flex
Hey there,
Start with an 80 flex, and see how it feels. Make sure you are able to flex it though. Although you are an aggressive skier, if the boot is too stiff, you will be working too hard, and potentially not have the best control.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask more questions.
Tnx
@@MountainVibes i am 2 years old and i weight 250 lbs, what do you recommend?
Great video!
Hey Mountain Vibes! I'm very bummed about my boots and skis because they just aren't for me AT ALL. I'm 15 and not strong and my stuff that i bought are so different for me and they aren't good for me. My skis are very stiff and they get caught in the snow and my boots are stiff and heavy. I'm more a cruiser or a park skier more than a carver :/ Unfortunately i can't afford any new stuff so i gotta stick with stuff that i can't use.
Hey Litly,
That's unfortunate that your gear isn't working out. Have you tried selling it online, or at a gear swap, or to friends? Where did you get your gear? Just curious... If you continue to use your gear, you can eventually grow into it, but it may take a while.
I'd say try and sell your current gear and look into buying used skis. See a proper boot fitter in your city/ town to gage what is a proper boot for you.
Best of luck.
Ok i will try to make those things happen thanks for the tips!
Great info! Thanks!
Briliant
thanx
Mondo failed me as a beginner.