Member of the Month

abjectwoe
May, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

How bad do loose ski boots affect performance?

profile picture
Yung_Jimmy
Posts: 342 - Karma: 554
I never got my boots fitted properly and they're pretty loose, to the point where my heel moves about an inch up whenever i butter and sometimes when I ski switch. Other than that I don't think it hurts my ability too much but I can't tell since I haven't been in tight boots in 2 years. How much does it really matter? I'm probably going to get new boots at the end of the season regardless.
8 years ago
8 4
profile picture
Mingg
Posts: 14049 - Karma: 50,976
I've found that in any conditions except for groomed snow, it fucking sucks. It definitely depends on how your boot fits and how hard you're trying to ski but It can make skiing pretty sketchy. For me my boots are too wide/packed out so my foot shifts side to side sometimes which is not fun and it feels like I will obliterate my ACLs rather easily.
8 years ago
2 0
profile picture
a_burger
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 21,143
When I got new tongue liners for my Full tilts I had pretty bad heel lift and couldn't really butter, plus I got blisters if I skied switch a lot. I'd also just slip out on rails randomly towards the end of the day when the boots loosened enough. Had to buy some shorter cables and with a snugger fit it is definitely better.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Park_Ranger
Posts: 3825 - Karma: 8,635
Fitted boots are obviously going to be more comfortable, but they also play a big part in injury prevention. You do not want your foot to be moving around, that will increase the likelihood of breaking said foot, ankle, tearing Achilles tendon, tearing acl, breaking leg, etc.

Get your boots fitted.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Rparr
Posts: 5761 - Karma: 49,156
Guys I lost my liners so I've been skiing in just the boots all strapped up. This should be ok right? I even turned my dins up to 18 to make extra sure
8 years ago
9 2
profile picture
DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,297
Proper fitting boots make a huge difference. I went from something loose to 98mm last boots that actually fit and the difference was incredible, especially with fat skis. Much more control and spins/tricks in general are easier.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
Yung_JimmyI never got my boots fitted properly and they're pretty loose, to the point where my heel moves about an inch up whenever i butter and sometimes when I ski switch. Other than that I don't think it hurts my ability too much but I can't tell since I haven't been in tight boots in 2 years. How much does it really matter? I'm probably going to get new boots at the end of the season regardless.


Dude.... properly fitted boots are probably the most critical thing in skiing.

Its the one piece of equipment that you shouldn't ever screw around with, try to save money or compromise in any way... if you ask me.

Even if you have to throw out your boots and just buy new ones at full retail its worth it. The right boots are a total game changer.
8 years ago
2 0
profile picture
Yung_Jimmy
Posts: 342 - Karma: 554
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Unfortunately I can't buy new boots at the moment, so is there anything I could put in my boot to try and make it work for now? I definitely don't want to wear 2 pairs of socks and besides that an extra insole is all I could think of.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
hippy_killa_
Posts: 68 - Karma: 30
there's plastic heel stabilizers that you can buy at most ski shops for around $10 that go on the outside of the liner around your heel to create a slightly tighter heel lock, not the best solution, but if you're looking for a cheap fix it might be worth a shot
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ljackstar
Posts: 114 - Karma: 233
Yung_JimmyThanks for the feedback everyone. Unfortunately I can't buy new boots at the moment, so is there anything I could put in my boot to try and make it work for now? I definitely don't want to wear 2 pairs of socks and besides that an extra insole is all I could think of.


Nothing is going to be the same as getting fitted boots. You can try and bring your current ones into a shop and see if they can adjust them, but any other stopgap you try is gonna pale in comparison to properly fitted boots. They are the absolute most import piece of ski gear you own.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 3170 - Karma: 28,780
Yung_JimmyI never got my boots fitted properly and they're pretty loose, to the point where my heel moves about an inch up whenever i butter and sometimes when I ski switch. Other than that I don't think it hurts my ability too much but I can't tell since I haven't been in tight boots in 2 years. How much does it really matter? I'm probably going to get new boots at the end of the season regardless.


Fitted boots are the most important part of your gear. Until this year, I skied on used boots that I found online, or at the thrift store. They would fit, but never well, but I managed to ski. I bought my first pair of new boots, and got them fitted, and it makes so much difference. Like going from jacking off to actual sex. Your feet don't hurt, and stay warm, and you have much better control of your skis. When you start upgrading from budget rental-type gear, boots should be the first thing you buy.
8 years ago
1 0
profile picture
lilpaesano
Posts: 25 - Karma: 53
Your ski boots should be tight enough to the point where you can't feel your leg and circulation is cut off. You don't want to go on a jump and fly out of your boots
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
Yung_JimmyThanks for the feedback everyone. Unfortunately I can't buy new boots at the moment, so is there anything I could put in my boot to try and make it work for now? I definitely don't want to wear 2 pairs of socks and besides that an extra insole is all I could think of.


Go to a boot fitter. Try to find the most legit boot fitter in your area, and ask them what you can do.

These guys are artists with boots. It'll still cost you some bucks, but it will get you as close as is humanly possible to working with what you've got.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Lucky_julian
Posts: 40 - Karma: 454
A loose boot can lead to catching an edge and catching an edge can lead to u the skier getting seriously injured and your binding could possibly break which can be extremely costly. Bottom line is it's extremely importiant to do up your boot and if you don't it can end up quite costly
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847
As others have said, this is a big deal. Boots are by far the most important thing in skiing. If you are moving around it will definitely affect your performance. In big mountain where you need to be pressuring the tongues of your boots to perform sliding around will just kill you. If you get your boots fitted it will completely change the way you ski. So yes, it definitely affects performance.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
FishChowder
Posts: 244 - Karma: 222
I haven't had a chance to get out on my new boots yet but I do know that after getting fit for this pair, they are two sizes smaller than the pair I had been skiing on for the last decade that I bought at a generic sports store without being professionally fitted. I am dying to get out and see the difference myself.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
brett_fisher
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 10,519
my opinion un less you'r feet are in any way different/not normal don't get a fit other then size.
ive never been truly fited i know my feet work well with full tilt and i dont slid around in any way
8 years ago
0 3
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 4:12AM