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How to Actually Put on a Ski Boot at the First Attempt

Oct 1

3 min read

Weird question? Or somewhere we've all been, in the boot room trying desperately to force stiff boots onto already aching feet?

Putting on ski boots is arguably the worst part of any ski trip. Once your feet are in the boots, its arguably okay (provided they don't rub or blister throughout the day).

But trying to get them on? A fight to the death against the titans, sapping every last ounce of energy from you before you've even hit the slopes.

Honestly, its the reason I drink ... a second cup of coffee each morning, just to get through this part.

So here are my top tips to making sure your boots goes on first time and as easy as possible.

1. Make Sure the Boots Are Warm

Hopefully you will have been able to have the boots sat on blowers or at the very least indoors somewhere before it comes round to putting them on.

But sometimes that isn't possible. Maybe they've had to sit outside or in a cool room to dry off, or have been sat in the boot of your car on the drive to the hills.

If that's the case, make sure you bring everything inside somewhere warm - either in the footwear of your car by the heaters, into a cafe, or just into your room, to warm up before having a go.

Warm ski boots = soft ski boots, making the process easier.

There's a reason ski racers will bury their boots in snow before starting a race - it helps stiffen them up!

2. Undo All the Clips And BOAs

Simple, right? The trick here is to move them out of the way and ensure they stay that way - they have a nasty habit of clicking back on and its not until 5 minutes of fighting later that realise what's been holding you back from greatness

3. Pull the Tongue Forward And Out

Obviously you have to pull the tongue of the boot forward.

But by pulling it out and sideways, you maximise the space available to you to get your foot in.

And by 'sideways' I mean out - if your putting your left boot on, pull the tongue out and to the left. Right boot? You can do the maths ...

4. Make Sure the Foot Goes in Straight

This is the biggest problem that so many people, myself included, have when putting on ski boots.

If your foot is twisted or not lined up with the line of the ski boot, it will not go in. It's that simple.

Make sure you are stood up, and there is a nice straight like from your toes, along your foot, up the ankle and shin and to the knees, and that this lines up with the boot. Anything off this line and you're not getting this boot on.

5. The Only Thing in a Boot is One Sock and One Foot

We're way past the age of two pairs of ski socks to keep your feet warm - they just eat up valuable space (in the wrong way) and actually cause more blisters.

One pair of thin compression socks is much better, encouraging blood flow to your feet and toes.

There is also no time or room for leggings, the powder cuff, or even your ski pants in your boot.

One sock. One foot. 'Nough said.

6. Tightening the Buckles and BOA

Once the boot is on, flex it a couple of times to make sure the heel is slotted back into the heel pocket, and the foot is generally in the right place in the boot.

Then start tightening the BOA and buckles. Do all of them up a little bit first, just like you would when tightening a set of bolts.

Flex a couple more times to really make sure everything is locked in, the finish tightening everything up.

Start with the buckles or BOA on the foot, then finish on the cuff (the bit of the boot around the shin and calf).