What role does shell modification have in the fitting of your ski boots?
As everyone knows (or at least should know), ski boots are far from normal footwear. So, they should be subject to very different expectations in relation to the finer details of form and fit. After all, ski boots serve the highly specialised purpose of connecting a skier’s feet to their skis, and transferring energy effectively between those two points.
Achieving the right fit for your own pair of ski boots, then, really will be crucial if you are to achieve your best performances and enjoy yourself while out on the slopes.
You might have recently acquired some ski boots that you like, only for it to have become apparent that there are aspects of the boots’ fit you aren’t entirely happy with. Maybe they feel a bit too tight or a bit too loose, or maybe the arch support isn’t quite what you were hoping for?
If the above sounds like your situation, you may have heard about dedicated ski boot shell modification services, and wondered what role they could play in resolving issues like the above that might have arisen with your ski boots.
So, let’s take you through some of the things you need to know.
A ski boot fitting appointment with us will help ensure the perfect fit
It is, of course, impossible for any given pair of ski boots to represent an exact match to your foot shape “straight out of the box”. They are, instead, designed and developed on the basis of an ideal, average foot shape that no human being actually has.
This is why dedicated ski boot fitting services, like those that Ski Exchange can provide, are so important. When you join us at our Cambridge ski store for your ski boot fitting appointment, you can expect us to take you through the various crucial aspects of ski boot fitting.
A typical appointment with us will last for around two hours, although – given that every session is different, depending on the individual skier’s needs – it may be wise to allow for around three hours.
Your ski boot fitting appointment with Ski Exchange will begin with a comprehensive assessment process, which will enable us to gather data in relation to such matters as your foot length and width.
We will then use this information to choose a supportive footbed/insole from our range of custom and prefabricated options. From there, we will be able to proceed to the selection of several boot options that represent a good match to your foot shape and volume.
Ski boot shell modification is a key part of our broader ski boot fitting service
A critical aspect of our ski boot fitting appointments is the process of checking the shell, as we will want to be sure that your foot fits within the shell satisfactorily.
Once we are happy with this, we will be able to finally put your boots on your feet for the first time. With the boots being unmoulded at this stage, we will take the time to identify any possible problem areas, prior to the heat moulding of the liners and the shell to your feet.
This is the point at which some well-judged ski boot shell modification is likely to be required. The boots will need to thoroughly cool so that the heat moulding can fully set. Once this is done, we will be able to carry out shell adjustments, and do any fine-tuning to the fit that may be required. For instance, there might be need for mechanical stretches for bone spurs and bunions.
Other key processes at this stage may include cuff rotation for alignment, as well as the use of fit tuning devices like calf spoilers, heel wedges, and volume reducers.
The final boot alignment stage might not be necessary for every skier. However, some of those who join us for an appointment end up being highly appreciative of the difference it makes to their ultimate ski experience.
Why wait any longer to confirm your ski boot fitting appointment with us?
When it comes to as specialised a process as ski boot shell modification, we are sure that you will only wish to invest your time, effort, and money into a boot fitting appointment with a highly trusted provider of this service.
Sure enough, Ski Exchange isn’t merely renowned within the UK for ski boot shell modification expertise – we are among the highest-regarded ski boot fitting specialists in the world. So, please don’t hesitate to secure your own appointment with us online today, which will enable you to achieve that optimal fit all the sooner.