When is it Time to Get New Ski Boots?
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced skier with years of experience, you will eventually need to make two important decisions: 1) determine whether your existing boots are fit to wear for another season and 2) how to choose new ski boots if they’re not. Neither of these are easy tasks, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Williams Direct Dryers is dedicated to helping skiers stay safe on the slopes, which means maintaining your boots and choosing new ones that is why our experts developed this quick guide to help you navigate the ups and downs of making a new ski boot purchase.
Is it the Insole or the Shell?
Many people think they need new ski boots, when it’s just the insole that has worn out. This can help skiers save hundreds of dollars on each purchase. If your boot feels loose no matter how much you tighten it, it’s likely a sign that your insoles have compressed too much and are no longer offering the support you need. This is especially true if you feel the heel getting packed out. This makes you work harder to control the skis, which is not ideal when you’re on the slopes.
If the shell itself needs to be replaced, you will typically notice visible signs of wear or functional problems, like wet feet after a run. Make sure your boots are thick enough to connect your ski stays to the boot. Thin soles could result in a sudden release while skiing. That’s one risk you don’t want to take!
Do I Have to Replace the Whole Shell?
The good news is that it’s relatively easy to find replacement toes and heels within the first few years that a boot is manufactured. After that, however, parts can be hard to find. We recommend ordering replacement toes and heels as needed to keep your boots in good condition. If there are bigger problems or the replacement parts are unavailable, it’s probably time to purchase new boots.
How Often do Ski Boots Need to be Replaced?
Most boots need to be replaced about every 125 days of skiing, although lower-end brands could yield only 70-80 usable days. There are a lot of factors which play into this, including your weight, where you ski, how often you ski, how hard you are on your boots overall, and how you care for your boots between runs. Never underestimate the power of proper maintenance when it comes to extending the life of your gear. Alpine skier Ingemar Stenmark, who has over 86 Olympic and World Cup victories, claims to have raced his entire adult career in just one single pair of ski boots.
Ways to Make Ski Boots Last Longer
There are so many ways to extend the life of your boots. Always use them as intended and try to avoid using them to walk on pavement, concrete or gravel. It might even be a good idea to invest in a good pair of Cat Tracks if you know that you’ll need to walk for any distance. Always wear good quality ski socks made from wool, silk or another synthetic material. Finally, develop a solid post-use care routine for your boots. Our wall-mounted ski boot dryers help ensure that the shell and liner are completely dry before their next use. They also eliminate 99.95 percent of bacteria and microbes, helping eliminate smell and leaving you with lower risk of bacterial or fungal infection.
How to Choose New Ski Boots
There are three things to look for when you choose new ski boots: size, fit and flex. These factors will apply to any new boot purchase, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advance skier. Read up on ski boot sizing before you start your shopping trip.
Be sure to visit a reputable ski shop that can help you choose a ski boot designed for your needs. Make sure they can also mold the liner to your foot to help achieve the best fit. Most skiers initially choose ski boots that are much too large. The goal is to choose boots that feel “too tight” at first because they will compress after the first five runs or so. At that point, they will feel more comfortable and you will have a much more enjoyable day on the mountain.
Benefits of New Ski Boots
Purchasing new ski boots comes with mixed emotions. While most skiers don’t want to spend several hundred dollars on boots, they typically come with new technology that increases comfort and helps skiers stay safe on the slopes. New boots are a great way to reward hard work or to prepare for a new ski season.
Don’t get caught off guard by ski boots that fall apart when you least expect it. Inspect your boots regularly and know the signs that indicate it’s time for replacements. Contact Williams Direct Dryers today to learn more about ski boot maintenance with our electric ski boot dryers.