Boot Lab is back! This month we're tackling last width, the fit factor most people never even check. It doesn't get mentioned nearly as often as flex or length, but ask anyone who's had painful boots and it's usually the actual culprit.
What is ski boot last width?
Here's the bit most sizing charts leave out entirely.
- The internal width of the boot shell at its widest point
- Ranges from around 96mm (narrow) to 106mm+ (wide)
- A narrower last is closer and more responsive; a wider last trades some precision for comfort
Why does last width matter more than boot length?
This is the bit that trips people up most.
- Two boots in the same Mondopoint size can have completely different last widths
- Buying by length alone is the biggest cause of boots that look right on paper but hurt in practice
How do I know if I'm in the wrong last width?
Your feet will usually tell you within the first hour on the hill.
- Pinching across the widest part of your foot within the first hour: too narrow
- Foot moving inside the boot, or over-tightening buckles to compensate: too wide
- Neither improves with wearing in, plastic shells barely move
Can fitting fix the wrong last width?
Up to a point, yes, but there's a limit to what adjustment can do.
- Shell punching, footbeds and heat moulding can adjust fit within a last
- They can't fully fix the wrong last, starting with the right width means less correction needed later
Pop in for a proper width measurement rather than guessing from your last pair. Next month's Boot Lab covers liners and footbeds!