Ski boot fitting: Your guide to custom made boots

Your ski boots are the connection between you and the slope - and therefore crucial for your skiing enjoyment. Even the most expensive ski won't do you any good if your ski boots don't fit properly! They are necessary to transfer your power and movement impulses from your upper body and thighs to the skis. Conversely, if they don't fit properly, you won't be able to transfer your power optimally to the edges of the skis. The result is poorer performance on the slopes.

If your boots are too tight, they provide less warmth, are simply uncomfortable, and can result in reduced blood circulation to your legs and feet. In the long rung this can result in compression marks and later signs of fatigue.

If your ski boots are too big you will have less power transmission and control because your foot will start to slide back and forth. This can also cause skin irritation.

It's a good thing that most ski boots today can be easily customised to your individual foot shape. One of the most effective methods for this is a professional boot fitting.

A custom fit allows you to adjust your ski boots to the shape and size of your feet. Depending on the service, the process of "fitting ski boots" basically involves working on the outer shell, the shaft, the inner boot and the sole. Professional boot fitters use the latest methods and materials such as mouldable plastic, foam injections or thermoformable liners. By removing or adding material, a fit according to your anatomy of your feet is created. The RENTertainers take into account your skiing ability as well as your preferred riding style.

During a professional ski boot fitting, one of our INTERSPORT Rent specialists will measure your feet to determine their length, width and volume.

Custom made ski boots ...

• ... offer ultimate comfort for a full day on the slopes or in the backcountry.
• ... improve the power transmission while skiing.
• ... facilitate precise turns.
• ... are a practical solution for particularly wide or narrow feet or those with a high instep.

The trained eyes of our RENTertainers can usually recognise at first glance where the shoe is pinching. Pressure points on the feet and abrasion on the inner shoe are good indicators to determine the problem areas. These areas are then marked.

Our employees have several options for fitting ski boots. Depending on whether material needs to be added or removed the shell can be moulded in some way or another. The RENTertainer decides which technique will lead to success.

• Foaming: A customised inner boot is created by injecting material via some tubes into the inner boot while standing in the ski boot and waiting for the material to harden afterwards.
• Milling (sole): Optimisation of the stance angle for maximum power transmission and control.
• Milling (shell): Precise adaptation to special foot shapes or problem areas. The material is selectively removed.
• Heat treatment: In this process, the inner boot and the outer shell can be thermally treated. A ski boot that is too tight can thus be widened without removing material.

In addition to the four methods mentioned above, there are also other ways to a achieve good fit for your own ski boots. Under the subheading "How can you improve the fit of a ski boot without professional boot fitting?" we have listed some tips for you.

The costs of custom fitting ski boots are always in relation to the effort involved. In addition, there are different boot fitting techniques depending on the manufacturer. The price therefore vary depending on whether only the outer shell, the sole or everything needs to be customised. If you are specifically interested in having your shoes customised, it is best to enquire at your local INTERSPORT Rent shop. Our RENTertainers will tell you what options are available to achieve the perfect fit for your ski boots.

Many people think of ski boot fitting as a time-consuming process. Just because a professional ski boot fitting is possible doesn't mean that it has to be the first step. There are other ways and means to a perfectly fitting ski boot.

• Insoles for ski boots: Insoles are an underestimated upgrade for ski boots. Even the "standard insoles", which you can purchase additionally in INTERSPORT Rent shops are usually an improvement and provide more comfort.
  The next step up is individual insoles, which stabilise the foot and ensure even pressure distribution. They also make skiing more comfortable as they reduce the strain on your ankles and knees.
• Ski socks: Another factor is your own ski underwear, which includes ski socks. When choosing socks, pay attention to both the right material and the length. Ski socks made from merino wool, for example, absorb moisture effectively and keep you warm. You should pay particular attention to the length so that the sock cuff is high enough and no pressure points form. Depending on the manufacturer, there are also ski socks that have padded areas to prevent pressure points on your skin.
• Adjusting your ski boot: People often underestimate the possibilities offered by the boot's buckles. Even small adjustments to the shaft width, angle of inclination and canting ensure that your ski boots fit better. The result: Improved balance, a more dynamic stance and better wearing comfort for many hours.

A few tricks for a better ski boot fit:

• Don't stuff your ski underwear into your ski boots - this can lead to pressure marks!
• Don't over-tighten the buckles on your ski boots!
• Store your ski boots with the buckles closed so that they keep their shape during the summer break!

Tip: If you repeatedly have problems with the buckles on your ski boots, a model with the BOA fit-system may be a good alternative. A thin, robust wire is tensioned by a twist lock on the boot, allowing for fine, stepless adjustment to the foot. Unlike a multi-buckle boot, the pressure is distributed more evenly, resulting in greater comfort. You may even save yourself a boot fitting – just ask one of our RENTertainers on your next visit if you can try on a ski boot with BOA closure.

The duration of the ski boot customisation depends on the complexity. While minor adjustments can be completed in just a few minutes, more extensive changes take longer. Ask your local RENTertainers to find out what steps are necessary to get the perfect fit for your ski boots.

Although there are instructions on the internet on how to custom fit ski boots at home, our experts advise against this. Every ski boot is unique. The experts at INTERSPORT Rent both have the tools and the expertise to make these adjustments to ensure a better fit and performance.

In most cases, ski boots are only adjusted once they have been worn a few times. The reason for this is that it is not immediately obvious in the shop where the pressure points or problem areas are. Those areas usually reveal themselves when the ski bots have been worn a couple of times.