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How to Choose a Ski Jacket: A Complete Guide. Alpine skiing, clothing, equipment, rules of conduct on the slope, safety, terms, alphabet How to choose a good ski suit

Such a snowy, such a dazzlingly beautiful winter! What winter fun can be more exciting than skiing? But for such a rest, you need the appropriate equipment.

A ski suit is not only a comfortable, warm and beautiful thing, but also, of course, technological. Modern ski suits are developed in laboratories and go through many stages of testing. However, not every ordinary mortal will understand all the fancy characteristics and mysterious signs on the labels. It is important to understand that the most expensive model is not always the best. In some cases, you will overpay for the design or for the brand, while the main qualities of ski clothing will not be at the highest level.

A ski suit is a whole set of accessories and clothing, the choice of which is strictly individual. This set includes: pants, jacket, thermal underwear, glasses and gloves.

If you go to the mountains in a fancy suit (pants + jacket), while putting on plain cotton underwear and a woolen sweater on your body, do not expect a good effect. A ski suit should not be extremely warm, its main task is to prevent the body from getting wet during active riding, and at the same time breathe. What happens if you wear wool and cotton under the bottom? You feel warm at first, but as soon as you get hot, your body starts sweating and these natural materials collect moisture. Then you cool down, but this moisture does not go anywhere, and as a result, a sharp temperature drop and a cold. For this reason, special thermal underwear has been developed from synthetic materials, the main task of which is to remove moisture.

What should you look for when choosing a ski suit?

Waterproof ski jacket

First indicator: water resistance. This indicator shows how much water pressure the product material can hold. This indicator is measured in millimeters of a water column (mm w.st.). The higher the number, the better.

A good ski suit has a water resistance rating of 10,000 (m.w.) and above.

Vapor permeability of a ski jacket

The second indicator is very important. It largely determines whether your skiing will be comfortable and long-lasting. The vapor permeability coefficient shows how much vapor a material can pass per day per square meter. Again, the higher this figure, the better the body will "breathe" under all this gear. Under heavy loads, the vapor permeability of a ski jacket should reach 20,000 g / m2 / day, with medium intensity loads - 10,000 g / m2 / day, but if you are a beginner, and no special loads are expected, then 5000 g / m2 / day will do.

What you need to know about membrane suits?

Ski suits with membranes have the best indicators of water resistance and vapor permeability. At the moment, there are 3 types of membranes: hydrophilic, pore and combined.

The first type works on the principle that in order for moisture to be removed to the outside, a sufficient amount of condensate must accumulate on the surface of the membrane. For this reason, the first type of suits are always slightly damp. However, this material is very durable and elastic; it does not require the purchase of a special washing shampoo.

Pore ​​membranes They work on the principle that microscopic holes (pores) allow steam to pass through, but not water. Such membranes work only at very low temperatures, but they do not work in the rain. Products with such membranes are very short-lived and require careful treatment.

The most modern at the moment are. They combine the best qualities of the first two types, but also disadvantages. Suits made of such material stretch well, wick moisture away, but at the same time do not work well in high humidity conditions. It is the third type that has the highest vapor permeability and water resistance and is ideal for extreme conditions. The prices for such suits tend to bite the most.

How to properly wash a ski suit with membranes?

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers write on labels on how to properly care for such expensive suits. But after two or three washes in a washing machine with powder, all the useful qualities of suits with membranes are simply lost. When purchasing a product, check with a sales assistant if it requires special care. As a rule, specialized stores sell special shampoos for washing products with climatic membranes.

The rule of three layers

Choosing a good suit (pants + jacket) is not all. Correct equipment assumes the presence of three layers, the first of which removes moisture from the body, the second prevents it from freezing, and the third protects against wind, snow and rain. We have already talked about the third layer, this is our costume. But what are the second and first layers?

The first obligatory layer is thermal underwear. It should be your size, in no case should it be free for you. It is better not to save on thermal underwear, it should be hypoallergenic and seamless, the material is polyester.

The second layer of equipment is insulation. It can be a variety of sweaters or vests made of synthetic materials. Tip: in some models of jackets, the insulation is part of the ski suit, it is better that the second layer is separate from the third.

This was an article on how to choose the right ski suit, I hope the information was useful to you!

(1 estimates, average: 5,00 out of 5)

When planning to spend a weekend in the mountains, everyone has the same question: how not to make a mistake when choosing a ski suit and shoes? This issue of equipment can be said to be the most important, because renting skis or snowboards in the modern world will not be a problem. But the choice of clothing must be taken with full responsibility and seriousness. After all, if the suit is chosen correctly, then the person will feel comfortable while riding, which means that the possibility of injury is significantly reduced.

Coming to a sports equipment store, we have a difficult choice. Ski jacket, shoes, and the rest - all this is presented in a variety of models, for example, different styles, quality, size and cost.

To understand which ski suit to buy, you need to carefully consider all of its varieties. Let's pay attention to the following:

  • Used for one season.
  • For frequent wear.
  • For professionals.

When considering a ski suit, pay attention to the following features:

  • All locks must be free from sticking.
  • The zipper should be closed with a flap, so there will be no blowing.
  • There should be as many pockets as possible.
  • The cuffs on the sleeves should be simple and simple to fasten so that there is no snow falling inside.
  • The inside of the collar should be made of a material such as fleece. This will protect your face from chapping.
  • The ideal option would be to purchase a RECCO suit. This sign is a reflector for emergency responders.

Ski suit shoes

The ideal shoe is ski boots. Choosing them is just as difficult as choosing a suit.
There are a couple of main rules that must be followed when choosing shoes.

  • Boots should ideally fit the leg, they should not press anywhere and dangle on the leg. In order to determine if this or that model is right for you, walk in it for a while. When lifting to toe, the heel must not detach from the insole.
  • The stiffness of ski boots is determined according to the riding style. For beginners, shoes made from a less rigid material are great. In such boots it is easier to switch from riding to walking and vice versa, and they also give freedom in the process of bending the leg in the lower leg. For professional skiers, stiffer shoe models are needed.

This classification is explained according to the skill of the skier. If the athlete is not a professional and specializes in descents from simple tracks, there is no need for him to purchase an expensive suit. But for true fans from difficult descents, everything in the outfit is important: size, material, quality, appearance.

To avoid negative consequences, you should carefully consider the choice of a suit, even the smallest defect can be dangerous. Before choosing a ski outfit and purchasing it, you need to figure out what it is for: for a long time, for professional training or just for walking? Understand the purpose, start considering the parameters by which the suit is selected.

How to find the right suit size

This issue affects both the selection of the style, design and material of clothing, as well as the size. To correctly determine the size, you need to use a measuring tape and take measurements.

The size of the jacket is selected using:

  • Shoulder Width Measurements.
  • Bust and waist.
  • Determination of the length of the sleeves.
  • Back length is determined by measuring the distance from the transition of the neck to the shoulder to the end of the material.

To select pants you should:

  • Measure the width of the belt - the circumference of the body in the navel area.
  • Measure the girth of the hips - at the highest points of the buttocks. If it is necessary to establish a half-girth, the existing result must be divided in half.
  • Measure the height of the waistband - from waistband to crotch.
  • Length measurements should be taken in the middle of the front of the trousers, from the last point on top to the last point on the bottom.
  • Step seam - along the inner side seam of the trousers, from the groin to the last point on the bottom.

One-piece jumpsuit or suit?

One-piece suits are often chosen by professionals. They are designed to make movement easy and keep you warm. The tailored cut of this garment can even add speed. This suit is full of various advantages. It is protected from water and protects from strong winds.

Split-type options are in demand among amateurs. This includes a jacket and trousers. This outfit can be worn even in the city. However, it is equipped with all the necessary technologies. Very often trousers and jacket are tied together with fasteners or laces.

The best brands of women's sportswear for winter

There are popular and quality brands. Let's take a closer look at them. The cost of expensive ski suits can reach up to 55 thousand rubles. They are intended for dangerous descents in various weather conditions.

The following brands are specialized in expensive ski equipment: Phоnix, Killy, Dеscеnt. They use expensive and good membrane materials. All seams are taped and the shoulders, elbows and knees are covered Cordura firms DuPont or Kevlar... This costume is designed for several seasons.

Various ski clothing brands use their own membrane materials, with different technology names. However, everything is practically the same.

Budget suits of decent quality and popular brands will not be cheap (from 10 thousand rubles)

Brands Forward, Columbia, Trеspаss, and others are focused on this outfit. A suit costing less than 10 thousand is not recommended to purchase. It is likely that the suit will be without a membrane with the simplest polymer processing. They may be water resistant, but most likely not breathable.

Video about the rules for choosing a women's ski suit:

Also interesting

When you look at alpine skiing in the collections of popular brands, your eyes literally run up: at least three dozen models are for adults only. It can be difficult even for an experienced skier to choose "his" pair of alpine skis, let alone a beginner. Find among all the variety "your skis" or at least reduce the number of options will help the main characteristics of alpine skis, which each manufacturer publishes both on the website and in the catalog.

How to choose alpine skis according to their characteristics

Alpine skiing radius

The radius of alpine skis, or more precisely - the radius of the side cutout, simply the "radius", and sometimes you can find the "radius of the arc", is measured in meters. A characteristic that determines how steep the turns will be, which are easiest to complete on such a ski. The smaller the radius of the cut (11 ... 13 m), the stronger the ski is tuned to frequent and fast turns, the larger this parameter (17 ... m), the more inclined such a ski will be to smooth turns. Of course, an experienced skier will be able to “drive” a ski with a large radius into a short arc, and on skis with a large cutout - that is, with a small radius of a cutout, he will pass a long arc. But this will require a little more strength and skill. This means that the pleasure of riding will be somewhat less.

This is not the most important of the characteristics when choosing. The lighter the ski, the easier it is to control, but at the same time it will be less stable to go in the direction set by the skier, it is easier to knock it off course. For beginners, this is useful - after all, the skiing speed is still low, and on skis that are easy to control, you learn faster. As experience grows, the speed of skiing also increases, more and more stable alpine skis with predictable behavior are required and on uneven snow - and the skis become a little heavier. Women's alpine skis are shorter and lighter, lighter bindings are installed on them, so that their weight is in the region of 4.5 - 5.5 kg / pair, men's skis are longer, more powerful and heavier, their weight is from 5 to 7 kg, you can find even more heavy models, especially for high-speed freeride.

Alpine ski width

Alpine ski width is measured in millimeters. The waist width of alpine skis is one of the key characteristics that determines the all-terrain performance of a ski. Waist width up to 73 mm is typical for models for skiing on prepared slopes. The narrower the waist, the faster the ski can move from turn to turn, change the direction of sliding on a hard slope. Waist widths ranging from 73 ... 75 mm to 85 ... 90 mm are the most versatile models ( all-mountain) for skiing on prepared slopes, and on broken snow, and on shallow virgin soil. The wider the waist, the better the ski floats in deep snow. Accordingly, alpine skis with a waist wider than 90 mm are chosen by those who hardly plan to ride on prepared slopes.

Alpine ski geometry

The geometry of alpine skis is given in catalogs in the form of numbers, for example 120/73/103 mm, next to the length of the skis is indicated - the size for which the geometry is given. The wider the toe is in relation to the width of the waist, the more readily the ski begins to turn. And the narrower the heel, the easier it is for the ski to slip. In other words, a ski with a geometry of 125/73/97 mm will "dive" into a turn faster, and it will be easier to "drop heels" on such skis than on skis with a geometry of 120/73/103 mm.

Shedding heels is a slang expression. This is a technique used to stop or change direction in the event of an unexpected obstacle, such as a skier falling in front of you. In this situation, the most natural movement is to put the alpine skis across the slope, for which the skis are released into slipping with the effort of the legs - they begin to slide sideways, and the heels of the skis slide more than the socks.

Alpine ski stiffness

The stiffness of skis is not standardized in any units, and you can compare the two models in terms of stiffness only with your own hands. In general, we can say that within the same ski line, the models for more experienced skiers are tougher, but you will have to compare with the models of other manufacturers either "manually", or, having studied the design of the skis, how many layers of metal are in each of them, what the core is made of and so on. The more layers of metal, the harder the ski, the wider the ski - the harder it is with the same design, and so on.

The distribution of stiffness for different skis can be different - some models are characterized by uniform stiffness along the entire length, as a rule, these are models for prepared slopes, while others (universal models and skis for freeriding - skiing off pistes) have softer toe and heel, and the middle part is noticeably tougher. The most powerful reinforcement is metal layers located below and above the core, or just below. Downhill skis with two layers of metal will almost always be more rigid than models in which one layer of metal is replaced by lightweight fiberglass or carbon.

How to choose alpine skis for height

Alpine skiing Rostovka

When choosing alpine skis by height, it is important to understand that in most cases a skier can ride several sizes, depending on how he likes to ski, the level of his technique, which slopes he prefers, what is the model of the recommended skis, etc. Alpine skiers try to use sizes close to the generally accepted ones. One of the reasons is that all men use alpine skis with a size of 165 cm for slalom, and all women with a size of 155 cm. The most common "psychological" sizes for piste skiing are: for men (weight 60-100 kg and height 160-190 cm): 165 cm for lovers of a short turn, 170-175 cm for a medium and large arc; for women (weight 40 - 80 kg and height 150-180 cm): 155 - 165 cm, respectively.

Subtleties in the selection of alpine skis by height

The shortening of the size by 5-10 cm should be taken into account: skiers specializing mainly in carving skiing (on well-prepared slopes), for skiing on short and gentle slopes, if your weight or height is less than the above, beginners, at the special request of the instructor, girls-vacationers who prefer careful and unhurried skiing.

The lengthening of the size by 5-10 cm from the main one should be done if: your weight, height is higher than indicated, you are going to ride on steep and long slopes, for carvers who prefer arcs of a larger radius and high speeds. The lengthening of the size by more than 5-10 cm from the main one is advised for those who ride in deep fluffy snow and for radical supporters of traditional technology (make sure that the geometry of the recommended models is also not too radical).

We wish you happy shopping and great skiing!

Before looking for specific skis, you need to decide what you plan to do on the slopes.

How to choose alpine skiing for the intended purpose

Carving or piste skiing (Carving)

Dynastar carving skis. evo.com

These skis are designed for skiing on ready-made ski slopes, allow you to easily enter sharp turns and ride with carving equipment - not on the entire sliding surface, but only on the edges (narrow metal strips along the edges of the ski, with the help of which turns are made).

Unlike racing skis, carving skis are softer and can be ridden with imperfect technique. Therefore, they can be chosen by beginners and those who prefer prepared slopes.

What to buy

Skis for professional racing (Racing)


Salomon racing skis. evo.com

These are special carving skis for slalom (SL), giant slalom (GS), super slalom (SG) and downhill (DH). The models differ greatly in geometry and features, are designed for athletes and cost a lot.

What to buy

Universal skis (All-mountain, All-terrain)


Universal skis Armada. evo.com

These skis are suitable for skiing on tamped slopes, and for freeriding on virgin lands, and for downhill skiing. Such skis are inferior to specialized ones, but their capabilities are quite enough for comfortable amateur skiing.

What to buy

Freeride skis (Big-mountain, Backcountry)


Salomon freeride skis. evo.com

These are wider skis for skiing on unprepared slopes. The increased width of the skis keeps the freerider on deep, fluffy virgin soil, and also allows jumping off the cliffs without sacrificing health.

What to buy

Park skis for freestyle (Park & ​​Pipe, Freestyle)


Park skis Moment. evo.com

These are skis designed for acrobatics and jumping from trampolines in special parks, passing mogul tracks.

Park skis are often twin-tip models with an equally curved toe and heel. In such skis, the freestyler can comfortably land after jumping from the springboard with both his back and face.

What to buy

Having decided on the purpose of the skis, you can proceed to the selection of a specific pair. In this case, several parameters must be taken into account: length, stiffness and radius of the side cutout.

We will not consider skis for professional racing, as they are selected in accordance with a specific sport discipline, and the pros do not need any recommendations. Better to focus on the selection of equipment for beginners and progressives.

Alpine skiing parameters

Length

The length of alpine skis depends on their purpose and the width of the waist - the narrowest point of the ski.

  • Carving, freestyle... To pick up carving or park skis in height, subtract 5-10 cm from your height.
  • Freeride... If you choose less wide skis (with a waist of 80 mm), subtract 5 cm from your height.If you are wider (waist from 90 to 110 mm), add 10 cm.
  • Universal... If you choose skis with a waist less than 85 mm, subtract 10 cm from your height. If your waist is more than 85 mm, a suitable length will be –5 to +5 cm for your height.

Rigidity

Rigid skis allow you to develop high speed without losing stability, including during turns. However, to ski hard, you need good technique.

Carving skis have greater longitudinal and torsional rigidity than general-purpose skis. This compensates for the centrifugal force that occurs at high speeds. If there is a lack of rigidity, it will not be possible to make a clear turn: the skis will break down to side slip.

The more weight, the harder the skis are needed to support it.

It will be more convenient for beginners and amateurs to ride soft skis, such as universal skis. They allow you to make mistakes in technique and provide a more comfortable ride. In addition, the harder the ski, the higher the price, therefore, for amateur skiing, it is preferable to choose soft ones.

As a rule, ski stiffness indicators are indicated on the product card or on the ski tag.

Sidecut radius

The radius of the sidecut (Sidecut) depends on the geometry of the ski. The larger the radius, the wider the arc your skis will follow.

Carving skis are divided into several types depending on the skiing style. Slalom ones have a short radius of 9–12 meters, which allows them to move in small arcs. Long-radius skis with indicators of 17-25 meters are designed for wide slopes and allow you to reach high speeds.

There are also medium radius skis with indicators from 12 to 17 meters. Due to the reduced radius, these skis obey better when cornering and, unlike long-radius skis, allow you to ski on rather narrow slopes clogged with people.

The radius of universal skis is 15 to 18 meters. This radius is suitable for those who are just mastering the ski slopes.

Due to the increased width, freeride skis have a large sidecut radius - about 20 meters. It is better to choose such models for trained skiers.

Alpine ski constructions

Now there are three main designs of alpine skiing and many mixed options.

The core of these skis usually consists of several layers of wood and synthetic materials and is reinforced with carbon or fiberglass mesh.

The core is closed from the sides with plastic walls, from the top - by a decorative strip, and from the bottom - by a sliding surface. Due to several layers of the core, the strength of the ski increases and the shock absorption increases.

Unlike Sandwich, such skis do not have side or decorative strips, and the core is closed by one monolithic structure that reaches the edges.

Cap provides lighter weight and more torsional stiffness to the ski, which in turn enhances handling. In addition, production is less costly, and therefore such skis are sold at lower prices.

Monocoque

This is the development of the Salomon brand, a one-piece composite body to which a sliding surface is glued. A core made of wood or lightweight synthetic materials is installed inside the body.

Skis made with Monocoque technology have high torsional stiffness and low weight, which provides stability when cornering and less sensitivity to uneven tracks.

Apart from these three designs, there are a large number of mixed designs. For example, Monocoque-Sandwich or even Cap-Sandwich, when the middle of the ski is made according to one technology, and the ends according to another.

Alpine skiing materials

Alpine ski cores are made from light wood, plain foam, or a combination of wood and synthetic materials.

Wooden cores perfectly dampen vibrations, provide good ski control and uniform elasticity along the entire length.

In cheaper skis, foam cores can be found. For example, the Cap structure is filled with lightweight synthetic foam. Foam does not provide the same stability and resilience as wood, but it weighs less.


Foam core. backcountry.com

The next layer is the braiding of the core made of composite materials. The stiffness of the ski depends on it to a greater extent. The braid is made of fiberglass, carbon and other fibers combined with epoxy resin. To increase the rigidity, the braid can be supplemented with metal plates made of light alloys, such as aluminum and titanium.

Combined materials are also used in the production of sliding surfaces. For example, polyethylene with the addition of graphite. Graphite reduces the electrostatic charge, due to which small ice crystals and dirt adhere to the sliding surface, while polyethylene ensures better retention of the ointment on the surface.

How to choose ski bindings

The choice of fasteners depends on several parameters.

1. Fastening standard. There are several binding standards that are suitable for boots with a certain type of sole:

  • Alpine Mounts... Fits ISO 5355 soles. This standard applies to most trail running shoes.
  • Frame mounts... In such mounts, the front and rear are connected by a frame. Due to this, the skier can not only ride with a fully secured foot, but also unfasten the heel to ski, for example, climb a mountain. Most of these bindings are ISO 9523 (Touring) compatible.
  • WTR (Walk to Ride)... Developed by Salomon. Bindings for boots with a higher WTR sole, equipped with a protector for a comfortable walk.
  • MNC (Multi Norm Compatible)... These bindings will fit any outsole standard: ISO 5355, ISO 9523 and WTR.

2. Elasticity of fastening... This is the maximum force at which the fastener will not open, but will return the boot to its place.

Carving ski bindings have little elasticity. It is enough to move the boot 1 cm, and everything will unfasten.

Freeride bindings are more flexible because they are heavily stressed when riding wide skis on unprepared slopes. To unfasten the freeride mount, the boot must move to the side by 2.5–3 cm.

3. Width of ski stop... A ski-stop is a metal bracket that is needed for braking if the ski is unfastened. It looks like two wires on the sides of the mounts.

The waist (narrowest point) of the ski should be narrower than the ski stop. Otherwise, you will not be able to put on the ski carrier.

If the brace of the ski stop is too wide, it will protrude far beyond the boundaries of the ski and cling to the snow when skiing. Therefore, select a ski mount only after choosing the skis themselves.

4. Features of fastening on the ski... Bindings are installed on skis in different ways.

  • With screws... This is the most reliable installation method. Downside: you can't use multiple skis with the same binding. In addition, the screws slightly disturb the structure of the skis, so if you want to change bindings, holes will remain from the old ones.
  • On a platform with holes... Some skis have a bindings platform. In this case, it is better to buy mounts from the same manufacturer: the platform holes will coincide with the mounts and you do not have to spend a lot of time on installation.
  • On a platform without holes... If a platform with no holes is attached to the ski, any mounts will fit it, since you will make the holes yourself.
  • On a platform with guides... For such platforms, special fasteners are needed, which are put on the rails, after which the screw is tightened. Such bindings easily change to fit the boot size, which can be useful if several people are skiing on the same skis.

How to choose sticks

1. Material... Poles can be made of aluminum or carbon fiber and fiberglass. When choosing models made of aluminum, pay attention to the numbers on the stick. For example, 5086 or 6061 is an indication of the alloy. The higher the number, the harder and more durable the alloy.

Models made of carbon fiber and fiberglass are lighter, stronger and more expensive than aluminum ones, however, they do not last forever: if you damage a stick made of composite materials with the sharp edge of the ski, it will quickly break under load.

2. Form... Sticks for normal riding are straight. For downhill slopes, such as giant slalom, curved. This shape allows athletes to remove the pole rings behind their backs during the descent, increasing aerodynamics.


the-raceplace.com

3. The size and shape of the rings... The rings at the bottom of the stick are designed to keep the stick from going deep into the snow. Freeride models have large rings to help the pole stick well on soft, fluffy snow. Poles for piste skiing are equipped with small rings that will not interfere and cling to the boots during skiing.

Some manufacturers make poles with replaceable rings for different riding conditions.

4. Stick length... This is the most important indicator.

To find the ideal length, turn the stick over and grasp it under the ring. If, in this position, a right angle forms between the forearm and shoulder, this stick is suitable for you. Some experts advise adding 5-7 cm to this length in order to take into account the immersion of the stick in the snow.

Put on your ski boots before choosing your poles: they will add a few centimeters to your height.

As for the lanyard (the strap that secures the stick to the hand), it is not advised to wear it. The ski bindings will automatically release your boots when you fall, but you won't be able to remove the lanyards from your wrists as quickly. And this is fraught with injury. Therefore, you can easily choose sticks without lanyards or cut them off after purchase.

What to buy

Parameters of ski boots

To begin with, we will tell you what characteristics ski boots have, and then we will figure out how to choose boots depending on your skiing style.

Rigidity

This characteristic indicates how much effort is needed to change the angle of inclination of the boot shaft. The harder the boot, the better the effort from your muscles is transferred to the skis.

Soft boots dampen the effort by flexing the bootleg. As a result, ski handling is reduced.

The stiffer boots you buy, the easier it will be to handle your skis.

However, hard boots have a drawback: while riding, they can rub your feet, cause pain and swelling. Therefore, beginners are not advised to buy boots that are too stiff.

Sole type

ISO 5355 standard. Most ski boots (carving and sport) have this standard soles.


ISO 5355 standard outsole.ebay.com

Touring (ISO 9523). Standard boot for ski touring or cross-country travel with ups and downs. These boots have a higher rubberized sole with deep tread. Sometimes shoes are sold with interchangeable overlays that allow them to be used with regular bindings.


Touring standard outsole. gearinstitute.com

WTR (Walk to Ride) is the standard for freeride boots that require special WTR bindings. Some of these boots can also be used with Touring bindings.


WTR standard outsole. lugaresdenieve.com

Shoe width

The width of the last is the distance between the walls of the shoe at its widest point. Should match the width of your foot. As a rule, this parameter is indicated on the boot, and you can measure your foot right in a store or rental: usually there are special rulers there.

There are boots with adjustable last width. They indicate a range, for example, from 100 to 150 mm.

Remember: in boots that are too wide, you will not be able to fix your feet well, so it will be difficult for you to control the skis while skiing. Therefore, it is better to focus on numbers and not buy shoes that are too spacious.

Thermoforming

It is the ability of the boot to conform to the shape of your foot when exposed to heat.


Inner boot made of thermoformed material. backcountry.com

In some boots only problem areas can be molded, in others the entire surface of the boot can be molded.

If the boots are marked Auto Fit, then they are thermoformed in the process of wearing, from the warmth of your feet. A few days of riding is enough for the auto-shaped boots to adjust to your needs.

Walk around the store for 10 minutes before buying boots. So you will understand whether your boots are shaking or not, they need thermoforming, or it is worth trying on others.

Custom Fit shoes are designed to be hot formed with a special hair dryer. Hot molding is done in the store after trying on, if it seems to you that the shoe fits in size, but presses a little in some place.

First, the boot is warmed up with a hairdryer for about 10-15 minutes, then you put it on, fasten the clips and stand for about 10 minutes. Then remove and leave for at least an hour until the material hardens in the desired position.

Warming

Ski boots are insulated with down, wool and various synthetic materials, such as hydrophobic insulation 3M Thinsulate.

Unlike natural materials, synthetic materials have the ability to wick moisture away from the body, so you won't skate in sweaty socks. In this case, they should also be made of synthetic material: it is better to leave cotton and woolen for other purposes.

How to choose ski boots for their intended purpose


evo.com

These boots will suit you if you are going to ride exclusively on prepared slopes and only for pleasure. That is, you will not work on speed and technique, set personal records and get out of the track to ride on untouched snow.

Carving boots come in different hardness. For beginners, boots with a stiffness value from 60 to 100 are suitable, for progressive amateurs - from 100 to 130.

When choosing boots, do not pursue softness and convenience: in the store you will be comfortable, but on the track, when the skis are poorly controlled, this advantage will not seem so significant to you.

The outsole of carving skis is equipped with heels made of soft material. This allows you to comfortably climb stairs or walk on the floor, for example, if you are going to relax in a cafe.