Buying new ski boots can be surprisingly complicated. Ski boot construction has become increasingly advanced over the years, and today's ski wear has so many features and options to choose from that just a few decades ago were nonexistent. Making the shopping process even more complicated is the fact that selecting the wrong boots for one's skis or ski style can not only ruin a trip to the mountain, but it can subject the wearer to all kinds of unnecessary danger and risks. But to make the quest for new ski boots go easier, here are some questions potential buyers should be asking themselves and ski boot suppliers:
The boot's forward lean or "ramp angle" gently pushes the wearer's lower legs forward and is the reason why most people can't stand up straight with their knees locked while in ski boots. Most of today's boots have a forward lean between 11 and 18 degrees (from the vertical point). A skier's forward lean is a personal choice, and it is a good idea to try out different degrees to find the most comfortable one.
This is the first question anyone should ask himself before looking for ski boots, and honesty here is key. While this may come as a surprise to some, there is a huge difference between ski boots meant for beginners and those meant for pros. The better suited the boot is to the skier's ability level, the easier it will be to improve and just generally have a good skiing experience.
This is another question potential buyers should be asking themselves. Even among those with years of experience on the mountain, skiing styles can very greatly. It is important for one to know if they are a cautious or aggressive skier, or somewhere in between. Skiers should also be able to tell ski shop sales personnel if they prefer going fast or taking sharp turns (or vice versa), as well as what kind of terrain they ski most often.
While more experienced people may be able to easily answer this question themselves, those new to the ski boot buying process may need the assistance of a ski shop employee. Unlike regular shoes, ski boots are measured on a different scale called "Mondopoint" or simply "Mondo". This scale is based on the length of a person's foot in centimeters. Fortunately, most ski shops can quickly measure someone's foot, and many even have conversion charts from regular shoe sizing to Mondo.
Size isn't the only thing to know when it comes to ski boots. There are three different types of "lasts" or type of interior boot fit. Boots with a narrow last are generally skinny from end to end, meant for those with narrow, often low-arched feet. Average lasted boots are best for most people, designed for average foot volume and width. Likewise, those with wider feet (and many with flat feet) will want to go for a wide lasted boot.
It is extremely important to understand the flex index rating for ski boots. Unlike fit (which merely refers to the boot's size and/or how well it will fit the wearer's feet), flex refers to how stiff the boot is. The higher the rating, the less bendability. Beginners will want something less stiff (a rating below 80 for men and below 60 for women), while experts should consider looking for a boot with a rating above 100 for men and above 85 for women. Flex ratings in between are best for intermediates.
Cuff shape determines how the boot will fit around the wearer's calf. Those with lower or bigger calves will want boots with a wider cuff shape, while others may prefer boots with an adjustable cuff.
Potential buyers will also have to decide how many buckles they want the boot to have, whether or not they want the boot to have a "walk mode" or extra traction for walking around resorts while not strapped into skis, if they want shock absorbers, and a multitude of other things. Professional boot fitters and most ski shop employees should be able to help buyers determine these answers.