How to put on my ski boots

How to put on a ski boot? Getting into a ski boot can be tricky! But fear not there is a technique to make the whole process a lot more simple. So follow this step by step guide and you’ll have your ski boots on in record time.

Before you put your foot in your ski boot...

• Make sure your toenails are well-trimmed

• Make sure the boot is warm (ie. room temperature), not cold

• Make sure your thin, clean ski socks are pulled up high - no wrinkles!

How to get your foot into your ski boot easily

1. Undo all the buckles completely and open the boot wide

2. Stand up, with your boot flat on the floor (standing is much easier than sitting!)

3. Pull the tongue out of the boot, down towards the toes

4. Slide your foot in diagonally from the outside edge top, to the inside bottom

5. Take care that the tongue and liner are straight, not twisted to one side

6. Ensure that the two sides of the shell are on the outside of the tongue

7. There’s no need to stamp your boot on the floor, your heel will move into position when flex forwards

Is there a "best" way to do up a ski boot?

Yes! Here's how we recommend that our customers learn to do up their ski boots...

1. Do your top two buckles (on the shin)

2. Now pull the power strap nice and tight

3. Fasten the lower two buckles quite loosely (one finger is enough pressure)

   
   
   
   

Open the ski boot fully to help put it on more easily.

What if my ski boots feel too loose?

If your boots feel too loose, go up a notch or two on your top two buckles only. If you’re already at the highest setting, undo the buckle and twist it round a couple of times which shortens the stem or arm of the buckle. Now clip up again and see if that feels better.

NB: the two lower clips are for aiding you to get in and out of the boot, and to keep water out - they are not for keeping your foot still. If you over-tighten these two buckles you will put pressure down on your instep and cut of circulation, causing numbness, cold feet and a lack of control.  If you have to do up the bottom two buckles to their tightest setting, then the boots are probably too big for you.

If your ski boots still feel too loose around the sides of your foot, or your heel, come and ask one of our bootfitters for advice.

My ski boots feel too tight, what should I do?

When fastened, your ski boots should feel snug, but if you feel that they’re cutting off your circulation then try clipping the buckles one notch wider.

You may need to tighten them after skiing your first run if you feel you have a little too much movement and not enough control.

If you have pressure points, rubbing, blisters or numbness, do take some time to talk to a bootfitter as these problems can be quite easily adjusted and improve your ski experience.

• Contact us at The Boot Lab, Meribel

Boot Lab top tip!

Our bootfitter Joss says:

"Whilst walking around resort, keep your boots buckled up because a) it saves your straps and buckles getting kicked or caught on pavements - important for safety reasons! And b) it reduces the risk of rubbing and blisters if the foot is kept snug rather than moving around inside the boot."