Boot shells come in a variety of shapes and widths. Boots that are too small can be very painful. If boots are too large, turning forces or balancing movements are not as effective; these boots dampen the responses from body to ski and from ski to body. Te fit should allow the entire bottom of the foot to spread out and be in contact with the insole in the liner. If the skier’s foot has side-to-side movement within the boot, it is too wide. Te cuff is equally important, as it should fit closely, transmitting movements of the lower leg to the ski. Te optimal boot flex is determined by the skier’s weight, ability level, and skiing speed. Boots are designed to resist movements and transfer energy to and from the skis. Tey must also allow the skier some unimpeded movement, permitting dynamic balance. Boots that are too stiff can restrict fore/aft movements and inhibit balancing movements, while boots that are too soft provide little support and decrease the effectiveness of movements and pressure transfer to the skis. Skiers should check that the flex they select allows them to move in the same fore/aft and flexion/extension ranges they use while skiing. Te higher the flex number (90, 100, 110, 120, etc.), the stronger/stiffer the boot will be. One company’s 100 may flex like another company’s 110, so test each boot and don’t assume they will be alike. Te cuff’s forward lean, combined
with the bootboard (zeppa) angle, affect fore/aft balance and the hip position over the foot. Ideally, the skier should stand balanced over the center of the foot. Changing the boot’s forward lean changes the angle between the lower leg and the ski, which can move this balance point either fore or aft. Many boots come with detachable shims, which can be added at the top of the back of the liner to move the balance point forward, or removed to move the balance point farther back.
Cuff adjustments are designed to change the lateral alignment of the cuff to more closely match lower leg shape,
FIGURE 5.9: The forward lean of the cuff and the ramp angle of the bootboard are critical factors for a balanced stance.
FORWARD LEAN
RAMP ANGLE
and adjust for a bow-legged or knock-kneed stance. Te more centered the lower leg is in the boot cuffs, the more natural the stance and the more responsive the skis will be to lateral movements.
Skiers may use the insoles that come with their boots or replace them with footbeds that boost the comfort and performance of the boot. Custom footbeds are underutilized but can be well worth the investment, as they can provide comfort, stabilize the foot in a neutral position, and enhance performance. Te varieties range from off-the-shelf, pre-molded insoles (for people with fairly normal feet) to custom-made footbeds that help balance the foot from side to side and aid alignment issues. Good footbeds last a long time and are usually transferable from one pair of boots to the next.
78 PSIA ALPINE TECHNICAL MANUAL
TheSnowPros.org
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