Some people don’t break in their new ski boots before skiing. Do you know what happens? Often it is complaints of how their ski boots are tight and they can’t ski for a full day. We’ll teach you our process and ways to break in ski boots so you aren’t in the same situation.
What Is Breaking in a Ski Boot and Why Should You Do it:
Ski boots are not like running shoes. They need time to conform to the shape of your feet, as well as to break in the materials so they are comfortable and provide good support. People are often familiar with breaking in running shoes but ski boots have an inner liner that takes longer to break in.
Failure to break in your ski boots can lead to discomfort and even injury.
New ski boots should be broken in before hitting the slopes because they are often stiff right out of the box. A broken-in ski boot will have more flex and will be less prone to giving you sore spots when riding on your first few days with the new boots.
Let’s get into a few ways to break in your ski boots, including two fast ways to comfort with new boots.
4 Ways to Break In Ski Boots
It doesn’t take much time to break in ski boots and is much simpler than you think.
Here are four ways to break in new ski boots.
- Wearing your ski boots around the house without socks – Put them on in front of the TV and get into skiing position. Do a bit if walking on your carpet. 3-5 hours is usually plenty to break them in and it doesn’t cost a dime. It will pay off on your first day of skiing when your feet don’t hurt.
- Putting on a thin ski sock and wearing them in the house – Similar to the first method, you can go one step further and put on a thin ski sock while breaking them in. Again 3-5 hours is often plenty to get them forming enough to your feet.
- DIY heat molding the boot liner – This method is a bit more labor-intensive but you can break in the boots quicker. Heat up uncooked rice in the microwave and then pour it into a ski sock. Put that sock into your boot for two minutes. Then put your feet in and strap in like you normally would. This will help have the boot liner take shape to your foot. This whole process can take less than an hour.
- Professionally molding the ski boot liner – One service a lot of boot shops offer is professionally molding ski boot liners for your boots. If you don’t mind spending a bit of money then it can be one of the best and quickest ways to have a ski boot fit your foot. The professional service will use foam inject boot liner molding. This can take a bit of time to break in but you’ll be sure to get a great fit in your boot with little pain.
Is Breaking in Ski Boots Necessary Before Skiing?
Most people don’t even think about breaking in their ski boots before skiing. Ask the staff at a ski shop and you’ll get mixed reviews if you should break them in before skiing. Some will tell you to just do a few light sessions on the slope while other salesmen will tell you to break them in at home.
A lot of ski boot salesmen at the resort will tell you that you don’t need to break them in so they can make the sale but you’ll see on the tag of many brands that they advise to wear them a bit at home before going on the slopes.
If you are buying a new pair of ski boots, be sure to try them on at the store and have the salesperson adjust the fit for you. Once you get home, be sure to loosen the straps and flex the boots in all directions.
What Happens If You Don’t Break In Ski Boots Before Using
Your ski boots are one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll wear on the mountain. A properly fitting boot is the difference between riding a full-day session or sitting in the lodge and ending early.
A few things can happen if you don’t break in your new ski boots:
- You can get blisters on the heels, toes and bottom of your feet
- Ankle pain is common in new ski boots that haven’t been broken in
- Your calves might feel too tight
- You might have to end your day early on the slopes due to being uncomfortable
The dangers of not breaking in your ski boots aren’t something to be ignored. Especially if you plan on paying over $100 for a day of skiing and can’t ski all day. Take the time and break in your boots properly.
Final Thoughts
Breaking in ski boots can be a frustrating process, but with a little patience and the right techniques, it can be a lot easier. The main thing to remember is to take your time. Don’t try to wear your new boots for an entire day right away.
Start by wearing them for just a few hours at a time and gradually increase the amount of time you spend in them. This will help your feet get used to the new boots and minimize the chances of developing blisters.
In addition, you can help speed up the breaking-in process by using some simple techniques. Pick one of the four above and you’ll be a step ahead of someone who doesn’t break in their new boots before skiing.
