The Boot Lab, Dry Drayton, near Cambridge
Custom ski boot fitting
A fitting at our Boot Lab is a proper assessment of your feet, not a guess at your size. One to three hours with one fitter, and a Comfort Guarantee that means you leave comfortable or we keep working.
£1 to book, redeemed against your fitting on the day.
-
1. Assessment
All good ski boot fits start with a thorough assessment.
- Foot length and width measured accurately, both unweighted and weighted
- Foot and ankle stability
- Lower leg biomechanics and ankle flexion
- A conversation about your current ability, goals and aspirations
Together these determine the best boot for you, on fit and on performance.
-
2. Custom Footbeds
Using that data we select a supportive footbed or insole from our custom and pre-fabricated range. A well-made footbed is essential to the best boot fit.
- Fills the volume under the foot inside the boot
- Stabilises and supports the foot
- Reduces fatigue and stops the foot spreading
- Improves alignment and power transmission through the lower leg
-
3. Custom Fitting
We select a couple of boot options that suit your foot shape and volume as well as your performance requirements.
- Shell checking, to double check the foot inside the shell
- First fit on. They will feel a little small at this stage, which is completely normal while the boots are unmoulded
- Any problem areas identified before we go further
- Liners and shell expertly heat moulded to your feet
-
4. Shell Modification
After the boots have cooled and the heat moulding has fully set, we make the final adjustments and fine tune the fit.
- Mechanical stretches for bone spurs, bunions and similar
- Cuff rotation for alignment
- Heel wedges, calf spoilers and volume reducers
-
5. Alignment
A speciality service where we "cant" the whole boot inwards or outwards to match your leg alignment.
- Not all skiers need it
- Makes the biggest difference for racers and ski instructors
- Worth doing if you have excessive alignment issues
Where it applies, canting can make an enormous difference to your skiing.
-
6. Comfort Guarantee
Every fit is backed by our Comfort Guarantee.
- Ski in them, and if anything is not right, bring them back
- We keep working on the fit until they are comfortable
- All fitting work required is covered
Before you book
The two minute check you can do at home
Ankle mobility has a large effect on which boots will suit you, and it has nothing to do with fitness. Some of the hardest fits we see are strong runners, who tell us their heel does not feel grounded. Usually the cause is a tight calf or Achilles.
2 minShow me the check
On a flat floor, in socks:
- Stand normally and look down at your toes.
- Flex your ankles and bend your knees until your knees block your view of your toes.
- Check your heels.
If your heels are flat on the floor, most boots will work with you. If you feel yourself rising onto your toes to get there, your ankle range is limiting, and it changes which boots are worth trying on.
It is not a problem, it is information, and it is the first thing a fitter should be checking. Bring the answer with you and we will start from there.
Inside The Boot Lab
Take a walk through the fitting room with our team before you visit.
Boot Lab services
Book your fitting
New boots start with the £1 fitting. It books your fitter and your time, and it comes off the price on the day. Everything else sits below.
Boot fitting questions
Do I need an appointment for boot fitting?
Do I need an appointment for boot fitting?
Fitting is by appointment, and booking means we can give you our full attention. We always try to accept walk-ins where possible, but at weekends you may have to wait.
How long does a ski boot fitting take?
How long does a ski boot fitting take?
Most boot fits take between one and three hours. We recommend allowing around two hours for your appointment.
What does the boot fitting service include?
What does the boot fitting service include?
A full assessment of foot length, width, stability and lower leg biomechanics, custom or pre-fabricated footbeds, shell checking, heat moulding of liners and shell, and any shell modifications needed to perfect the fit.
What is the Comfort Guarantee?
What is the Comfort Guarantee?
Our Comfort Guarantee covers all fitting work required. If the boots are not right once you have skied in them, bring them back and we will keep working on the fit.
Can you fit boots I bought elsewhere?
Can you fit boots I bought elsewhere?
Yes. We fit and modify boots bought anywhere, not just boots bought from us. Get in touch and we will talk you through the options.
Do I need boot alignment or canting?
Do I need boot alignment or canting?
Not every skier does. It makes the biggest difference for racers, ski instructors and anyone with significant alignment issues. We will tell you honestly during the assessment.
- 3 expert boot fitters
- 70+ years of combined experience
- 1987 fitting boots since
What skiers say about the Boot Lab
Find the Boot Lab
The map is loaded from Google, which may set cookies.
Where we are
The Ski Exchange, Unit 27Dry Drayton Industries, Scotland Road
Dry Drayton, Cambridge CB23 8AT
Fitting is by appointment. We always try to take walk-ins, but at weekends you may have to wait.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10am-6pm
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10am-9pm
- Thursday
- 10am-9pm
- Friday
- 10am-6pm
- Saturday
- 9am-6pm
- Sunday
- 10am-4pm
Hours change seasonally. Check before a long drive.