Recently I sat down with Paul Polacek, master boot fitter at the Sign of the Skier.
As boots are the key to skiing – linking our legs with snow, I wanted to know the secrets to getting the best boot fit possible.
Paul has worked all over the world from Toronto to Austria, Czech Republic and New Zealand. Prior to working at The Sign he worked at Surefoot, a company specializing only in custom fitting ski boots. Paul’s favourite part of skiing, the freedom!
Sasha Gollish (SG): What are the first things you ask customers when they walk in?
PP: To determine what type of boot is the best starting point for a customer I ask a customer the same question an instructor asks to identify the level of skier they are – What terrain they like to ski? At what speeds do they ski? And finally how often do they ski?
The next step is to have the customer sit down barefoot where I do an analysis of the foot shape and size to help narrow down our boot selection to only the best options.
SG: What do you suggest to your customers for fit?
PP: I recommend to customers that a ski boot needs to be comfortably snug, holding the foot firmly in place while having an even consistent feel around the foot. A ski boot that is loose can be compared to sandals, they feel good when you are standing still but have you have ever tried to run in sandal? It’s painful, it’s sloppy and generally no good can come from it.
Overall, a ski boot when fitted properly should be comfortable, snug, wrapping firmly and evenly around the foot providing comfort, performance and control.
SG: Typically how long would you say boots should last?
PP: The life of a ski boot can vary greatly depending on the boot type and the way it has been fit. I think it is most important for skier to know when their boots need to be replaced. I find that if your foot is no longer being held in place or the boot feels different everyday you put it on then the liners have run out of life. Signs of wear on the boots can be easier to see such as the wear on the toe and heel of the boot.
SG: Basically what you’re saying is there is no one ‘best’ boot?
With a wide variety of foot shapes and sizes most boots need modification to attain the maximum amount of skiing pleasure, it really comes down to customer preference. In most cases we start with a boot that feels comfortably snug through 80-90 percent of the foot and too tight on the remaining 10-20 percent of the foot. From this point we support the foot with a footbed and create the necessary space to eliminate all areas of pressure.
Keep in mind that we can always make a boot bigger but we cannot make it smaller.
SG: As ski instructors what can we would you recommend we ask our students on hill about their boot fit?
PP: The most important thing for your students to know is that their boots should have a snug feel when they flex forward. It is normal to feel the front of the boot with your toes but it should not be painful when you ski.
