How "snug" is snug supposed to be?

A snowHead

When it comes to ski boots, that is.

Had no idea about skiing/boots when I first bought my Rossis a few years ago. To be fair, not much has changed. wink

but at least now I'm aware that my boots are too big (when I'm in good form, my toes disengage from the front by at least an inch and my heels ride up by about the same) - I suspect they're hampering my technique. This season I'm going to see about a proper fitting and that much is obvious.

My problem is this: I've skied so long in my current boots I wouldn't now know what a "properly" fitted boot feels like. A vague "yeah, feels all right" is soooo vague that it's a waste of his and my time even talking. So when the boot-fitting bloke asks "how does that feel", what key comfort-factors am I supposed to mention so that he knows whether the fitting's correct?

Puzzled

A snowHead

Manda,
For me, it is snug if you can wriggle your toes but thats all.
And no heal lift whatsoever in the shop.. In time the linings will settle down a bit
which can be compensated by tightening up a bit more but movement of an inch is useless.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Manda, the rough guide is, as I understand it: in forward clip boots your toes should just touch the front of the boots when standing normally, as you press forward your toes should retract enough to give you room to wiggle your toes freely, the boot should fit tightly all round your foot without any single pressure point. There should be enough room to get a finger or twos width between your heel and the boot with the inner removed. I doubt whether you'd even know if the boots were fitting correctly without wearing them for at least 30 minutes or so, an hour would be better but you probably need to make an appointment with a boot-fitter to get the sort of time you need.

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Manda, This'll be one of those 'How long is a piece of string ?' questions. You need the advice of a good boot fitter, and it will depend on what feels right for you.

I have very narrow, shallow feet - and I like a close fit. So close, that with the last two pairs of boots, I've had to start them of without socks. I've also had the toe box pushed out a couple of times. Having said all that, my current pair are as comfy (to me) as the slippers I'm wearing at the moment. When I bought the last pair, I could just do the buckles up on the loosest setting, since then I've had to move them to get a tighter fitting.

When you try boots on, go with a (very) thin pair of ski socks, and remember that the liner will pack out in time. Getting a good fit takes time and patience. Good luck ! snowHead

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All the rossis i tried were far too narrow. Maybe this gave a false 'snug' feeling when trying on, and hid the front/back fitting?
My fitter even told me that the rossis would not fit, but recommended that I try a pair just as a comparison. To get one that was right F/B they crushed my feet sideways.

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I got new boots this season. They put me in boots a full size smaller than my old boots. However, compared to my old roomier boots they made me ski several times better. Cool

I was told I need to unlatch them every time I got up the chair lift to let the blood flow back into my feet so I can ski longer in them but I can't be ar5ed doing that every time so 4 hours skiing per day it is! Confused

My conclusion is that I think that when boots are snug, you ski better in them (if they are fitted by a decent boot fitter who knows when they're fitting you properly) but then it's a trade-off since you might need them adjusting more initially and they're not as comfortable as they would be if they were slightly looser. Puzzled

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Thanks guys.

ski, yeah, I know. wink

but thought I'd try anyway to get a feel for what's commonly expected!

Problem for me is that while a bootfitter will do all he can to get the right fit, he's not the one skiing in my boots and no-one else knows exactly what my feet feel. For example, I think my current boots are comfy. Which is not necessarily the same as saying they're properly fitting. And David@traxvax says that as you press forward your toes should retract enough to give you room to wiggle your toes freely - which is sound advice. But exactly HOW freely is freely? Are we talking "splaying toes thru their full range of motion in all directions?" Coz that's what I'd call comfy bu it's probly too loose in terms of boot performance.

Do you see what I'm getting at?

I guess ski that it really is a matter of string-length - in the sense that I'll keep trying different boots/sizes, and skiing in them, until I get to the smallest possible one that is still comfy enough for me.

After all it is free

Snowy, ah ha. So is it fair to say I should expect to find properly fitting boots comfortable when I'm actually moving down the slope, but a bit LESS comfortable when I'm standing around in them?

andy, yeah, I've heard the same about Rossis, which helps explain my current problem. I have wide UK size 4 feet, which are very nearly club across the toes (it's true - all my toes are the same height!). Apparently Salomons are best for my foot shape, but in the end I'll go with whatever brand/make fits.

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Manda, It's a hard one ! Trying on lots of different boots, and different sizes is probably a good start.

As far a toes go - I can (just) feel the front of my boots when I'm leant right back - also when landing some jumps (ouch!). My toes don't go sideways so can't tell you about that.

For me the big things are - 1) A custom made innersole - IMHO it's just not worth buying boots unless you do this too, and 2) THIN socks - mine are Smartwool ones.. your feet don't get any colder, and you'll get a much better fit. 3) Boots should take some time to bed in, so don't expect them to be comfy right at the start - if they are, they'll be too big ! Evil or Very Mad

You have stated

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Manda,

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If your toes butt upto the front of the boot whislts standing it may encourage you to make sure you get forward in them whilst skiing. You will not be able to splay your toes but you can widen them a bit. Any old socks will not do and you should use the same sort, ie thickness. Some of the specialists socks are just so comfortable.

But your toes don't want to be going black. You can have the toes blown out..or anywhere else on the boot. I'm lucky I've not had to do this but most of my friends have the 'custom' fit and blown boots.

You should only really have to undo your boots at lunchtimes, not on every lift..!!

And I should say that two of my ski buddies have the most 'horrendous' foot problems, one has broken feet due to too much judo and the other with ill-fitiing football boots. Both have great fits now so you should be able to get around this

You know it makes sense.

ski, yes darn it - skiing can't be fun AND easy or it'd be too easy!. snowHead

JT, good point! Like I said, I'm not entirely sure what a snug fit "should" feel like, so your comment is helpful. At present, my toes have so much space that when I stand, my big toe has to crawl (what feels like) miles if it's to touch the front of the boot again - which isn't at all like your description!

BTW I wear proper thin skiing socks. 2 seasons back I had custom footbeds moulded in resort, which did wonders for my skiing.

The trick for me now is to recognise what a good fitting boot feels like!

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Manda,

Snug is feeling enclosed but not tight

A snowHead

Manda - it really is worth the effort of trying loads on - especially the ones recommended for your foot volume.
Like you - I had boots that were miles too big and didnt realise until recently. Getting smaller boots has made a huge difference to my skiing. (I wouldnt say I'm good - I'm just a lot less bad!!)

It doesnt seem to be just the length that matters - but the space e.g. above the top of the foot as well. For example - Salomon 22 were the right length for me - but my foot swam in them volume wise - and i had to do the buckle on the tightest even when new - so that seemed all wrong.
Ended up with Rossy 22.5 coz they were lower volume.

I tried pairs on with the liners removed to check the shell size (foot not touching the shell anywhere and no more than 2cm space at the back - and then with the liners in.
Mine now.... When I put them on there is a very snug fit - can wiggle toes just about.
They do feel very tight to start with when not skiing -and I'm afraid I take every opportunity to loosen them - when on a chair lift etc and at coffee.
I think they will start to loosen as the liners squash a bit.

Snow and Rock were very good. They have a guarantee where if you take them back without skiing on them you can change them.
I started off buying a pair of Lange - walked round my lounge for a few days in them - was excruciating - so took them back and changed them for the Rossys.

Good luck!!

A snowHead

Manda, I've had 4 pairs of boots in 3 years - trying to find a good fit. The boots I have now feel snug when I put them on - like a man holding your feet with warm hands. I can wiggle my toes up and down. I can't feel the ends of the boots when I'm standing, but because the boots fit well my feet don't move forward in them. You don't want them tight across your arches either, as this will make your feet ache(across the balls). I did have a pair of boots in which I could feel my toes at the front. This was because I have narrow/low volume feet and the correct size for me felt too big. Don't confuse 'small' with 'snug'. I ended up having foam injected boots. I can ski all day in them. I loosen them at lunchtime, but that's all. After 3 weeks skiing in them, I found I had to tighten the catches a notch or two. hth a bit.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Manda, Is someone else posting in your name Toofy Grin

What an excellent question. It is an unfortunate fact that most questions/responses about 'ski boots' entail comments such as 'Trust an Expert' , 'Do it in Resort' , 'S & R' , 'Profeet' or similar.

I am 'Beginner' like you. I know enough to recognise the importance of boots to the skiing experience but then I hit the 'Fog'. I struggle with the concept of knowing what a good fit 'feels' like so that I can say" YES ..well done". I've bought 2 pairs of boots in the first season and have no idea if they are 'good' , 'bad' or 'indifferent'. Please noone suggest that the 'feel' or 'hire' is an option as they have no relevance to understanding what helps you know that after the 'expert' has done his business you have invested wisely ( and hire boots by definition are not personalised).

I think it is time the ski industry started being obejctive about perfomance/suitability of equipment. Too much is left in the ether ....

So how does Manda KNOW she has a good fit? What is her checklist AFTER the guru has performed ?

(with apologies to Jayne and Erica who are trying to do exactly what I have suggested and she is looking for.)

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eEvans, Do you remember the Clarks fitting machine in their shoe shops? They X-rayed your foot inside your new shoe so that your Mum could tell whether there was enough room in them. You could tell whether the shoe was long enough and wide enough for your foot shape. Then they banned them. I heard it was because of X-rays and cancer (although my dentist X-rays my mouth every 3 years or so Puzzled

) so perhaps that's not true.

But - wouldn't that machine be a great idea for ski boot fitting? No guesswork involved

.

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eEvans, Everyone's feet are different, so every fit will be different. For me the difference came when I had my 1st pair of footbeds made. When I put on my skiboots, my tootsies tell me they're home, every contour is correct. I do have a little trepidation about having new boots fitted for this winter as it took me ages to get comfy in the old pair. For me the adjustments are normal. I will be heading off to Profeet as soon as poss, I want it right 1st time. BTW I know a skier who is still in rear entry boots, with no footbeds, never gets sore feet, and can't see what all the fuss is about.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

WFTH .. and the more ? Or is Manda 80% there?

Maggi Unfortunately I am of an age where your shoe-fitting and class were synonymous. i.e your shoe fitting and class were defined by the newspapers your shoes were stuffed with - my Mam (a social climber) stuffed mine with the 'Morning Star'.

But what a brilliant suggestion !!!!!!! Anyone want to market it ?

After all it is free

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eEvans,

I am also "of an age" Shocked

and class where the choice was school shoes, wellies or sandals - trainers hadn't been invented Shocked

. Newspapers! You were posh! Cardboard more like!

Regarding the Clarks machine - I was the Mum not the child rolling eyes

.

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eEvans,

You know it makes sense.

rob@rar.org.uk, New boots. I work on a plastic slope, so by the time the liners have worn, the toes and heels will have gone to - and no my boots don't have replaceable ones !
rolling eyes

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

eEvans, You're quite right . I don't believe that any boot fitter out there can put his hand on his heart and say 'Those boots are perfect for you.' You are not going to know if they fit correctly until you ski in them. They may feel perfectly fine in a shop, but hellish on the mountain. In future, I will always buy boots in a ski resort, where you can try them on the slopes and then take them back if they hurt.

A snowHead

erica2004 writes

Help!!

How "snug" is snug supposed to be?

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