The skiing and snowboarding season is in full swing, and thousands of Minnesotans hit the slopes each and every day. These winter activities are a great way to have some fun during the cold winter months, but since it’s such a seasonal hobby, people don’t always have all the right equipment. This is especially true for kids and teens, whose equipment from last year may no longer fit their growing bodies. To help with this, we put together three tips you should keep in mind when buying ski or snowboard boots to ensure you’ve found the proper fit.
Buying The Right Ski Boots
Ski and snowboard boots are specifically designed to protect your foot and ankle during your downhill adventure, so always be sure you’ve found one that fits properly. Here are three tips to ensure you pick out the right boots.
1. Secure Spots – You rely on your feet and ankles to maneuver your board and skis as you traverse down the mountain, so you need them to be secure in your boot. If they are moving around, you won’t have as much control. Three spots you always want to make sure are immobilized in your boot are you heel, instep and the ball of your foot. If you notice that one area is slightly mobile while the other areas are secure, consider investing in a different boot or try orthotic inserts to immobilize the important areas of your feet.
2. Let Your Toes Breath – Although you want your heel, instep and the ball of your foot to be immobilized in your boot, you want to have a little room at the front of your boot so you can wiggle your toes. This helps to ensure you’re getting enough circulation in your foot. If you are unable to wiggle your toes or your feet start to go numb after being in the boot for some time, it’s a sign that those aren’t the right fit for you, and you should find another boot.
3. Snug Lacing – Whether your boots tighten with plastic straps or laces, you’re going to want to aim for a similar snugness. You want to tighten them so there is some minor pressure on your shinbone. This will help secure the aforementioned areas of your foot in the shoe, and it will keep snow from getting inside the boot. Similar to the above point, you don’t want to tie them too tight such that your feet go numb, so find a healthy middle ground.
