BALANCEing Ski Boot Pain & Ski Performance

Skiers have a love-hate relationship with their boots putting up with a seemingly endless cycle of problems – often fixing one to create another. Solutions to these problems however, can be closer than you think.

Having worked throughout the ski industry over the last decade, it’s no longer a surprise to see what people will put up with when wearing their least favourite boots and one of their favourite times of the year. Skiers have a love-hate relationship with their boots but why do we put up with this seemingly endless cycle of problems – only to fix one but often create another. Solutions to these problems however, can be closer than you think.

The Boot Fit

Just like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, there are certain foot types that just don’t want to fit into ski boots comfortably. That’s not to say you shouldn’t ski but rather emphasises the importance of getting properly fitted for the most appropriate pair of boots. Just as every brand of running shoes has a different width, depth and last (to which the straightness of the sole is determined) so too does every ski boot. To recommend one boot based on its specifications just wouldn’t suffice as it will not work for everyone. The key here is to get fitted by experienced staff at a reputable skiing retailer that will recommend the best fit based on your technical skiing ability.

The ski boot is the interface between your body and the skis - the better the fit, the greater the response and turn. Rental boots are often soft, flexible and roomy – all of which do not make for a good skiing platform but will not force the rental staff to convince the occasional skier of the ‘proper’ fit. Correctly fitted ski boots are generally not incredibly comfortable but they are meant to be tolerable. So where’s the Balance?

Your ski boots should:

• Fit snugly – The tips of your toes should touch the front when standing up straight and they should slide back just enough to relieve pressure on your toes when in the ‘ski position’.
• Allow for adequate knee flexion
• Not allow your heels to move freely
• Not require you to ‘buckle down’ hard on the clips, and
• Not cut the sensation off to your toes.

Boot Alignment and Arch supports - Why are they so important?

I hadn’t been in the ski industry long when a colleague discussed the benefits of a ski orthotic within the ski boot itself. And it makes complete sense. You can choose a great ski boot to match your technical skiing ability but what happens when the foot moves unnecessarily within the boot? That ‘technical’ fit will be lost. By minimising any additional movement within your ski boot, less energy and force is wasted to hit your edges and ultimately leads to greater reaction times and tighter turns.

Whether it’s improved skiing performance or pain prevention that you’re after, our BALANCE Ski Orthotics are designed to suit every level of skier and will correct your alignment and re-distribute the plantar foot weight bearing forces within your ski boots.

Common Ski Boot Problems that we treat include:

• Lateral forefoot compression (Crushing of the 4th and 5th toes against the outside of the ski boot)
• Medial ankle irritation (Pressure of the ski boot on the inside of the ankle resulting in fragile / raw skin)
• Dorsal midfoot pain (Crushing of the highest point of the arch against the top of the ski boot)
• Arch pain
• Shin bruising
• Calf pain
• Numb / Cramping toes
• Poor turning to one side (Difficulty in hitting downhill edge on one particular side)

What is a BALANCE Ski Orthotic?

After each skier is assessed in and out of their ski boots a BALANCE Ski Orthotic is prescribed and designed to suit the specific needs of the individual skier. The devices are then milled upon a 3-D model of your foot and are fitted at a separate appointment within seven days of your initial appointment.

Book an appointment with Mick Habgood either by calling 02076272308 or via our contact page CLICK HERE