Ski boots are quite possibly the most complex, high tech piece of footwear that you’ll ever own. They perform a vital job day in and day out on the mountain. From connecting you to your skis, to keeping your feet warm and dry, to allowing you to rip groomers, moguls, park, and pow, your boots are a very important piece of equipment. That’s why it is imperative your boots fit properly.

Comfort Is Performance

It’s no secret that Full Tilt Boots are known for their comfort. They are the easiest boots to get in and out of on the market. But, there are more factors than comfort to take note of when trying on your boots.

1. Your boots should feel extremely snug when you first try them on. In fact, you should feel your toes touching the end of the boot. This may seem counterintuitive, but the more snug your boot feels, the more control you will have on your skis. Not to mention, when you are leaning forward in your ski stance, you toes will slide back from the front of the boot, relieving that pressure feeling.
2. Take note of the width of the boots. Ski boots come in different lasts (widths) to account for the different foot shapes of skiers. Do you know if you have a wide or narrow foot? In the case of Full Tilt you can get a boot with a 102mm last or a 99mm last. If you don’t know whether your foot is classified as wide or narrow we recommend trying on one boot for each last and determining which feels better.
3. You don’t want to be ‘swimming’ in your boots.  This is a slight re-iteration on the first point, but that’s how important it is to ensure your ski boots are not too big. If you can feel empty space in your boots, then they are too big. They may feel comfortable when you first try them on, but that will change once you start skiing. When you have room to move in your boots, you will have less control of your skis, and your feet will slide around thus causing you more pain than if you had a snug, secure fit.
4. Perform a shell fit. Remove the liner from the shell of the boot. Step into the shell and slide your foot all the way forward until your toes are touching the end of the shell. Now test how much space you have between the shell and your heel. For this, you can use the finger test. If you have more than 2 fingers worth of space between your heel and the shell, the boot is too big. If you have a 1-2 fingers width of space between the shell and your heel then the boot is a good size. Now perform the same test on the side of the boot, on both sides of your ankle to determine if the width is right for you.
5. Ensure you are in the right flex. Finally, you want to determine if you are in the right flex for your style of skiing. If you are a casual skier, you may want a softer flex. If you are an expert, hard charging skier, a stiffer flex is for you. Ensure you have the flexibility you need in the boot, and remember you can always purchase aftermarket tongues for your Full Tilt Boots. 

There are a lot of factors that come into play when finding the right ski boot. It is also important to note that over time, your boot’s liner will wear down thus giving the boot a slightly bigger feel. Just another reason to ensure you are getting a boot that is snug and secure on your foot, and not too big.