Ski boot
Encyclopedia
Ski boots are specialized footwear
that are used in skiing to provide a way to attach the skier to ski
s using ski binding
s. This ski-boot-binding combination is used to effectively transmit control inputs from the skier to the snow.
Ski boots were originally made of leather
and resembled standard boots. As skiing became more specialized as a form of recreation, so too did ski boots.
Boots intended for downhill use (Alpine, Randoneé, and Telemark) are generally composed of a hard plastic shell with a softer foam liner to provide warmth and comfort. Concerning liners, a thick soft liner will be more comfortable and provide more insulation while thinner, harder liners provide more precision. Comfort has been improved in recent years by the use of conformable linings (usually heated to fit) which allow an otherwise stiff liner to be molded to the foot and comfortably accept a large variety of foot shapes. Shells come in various degrees of stiffness; beginners typically like a softer and more padded boot, while more advanced skiers generally prefer a stiffer boot with a thinner liner. Softer boots are able to be flexed with less pressure applied to the cuff making them a good choice for lighter or less aggressive skiers and translates into a more forgiving ride. This quality is also desirable when efficiency and comfort during touring is a concern. Softer boots are often lighter as well due to thinner shell material; a desirable quality when touring as well. Increased boot stiffness generally translates into more precise energy transmission from the skier to the ski. It also provides better support for increased g-loading during high-speed turns, and heavier skiers. Stiff boots however are often less comfortable and heavier than their softer counterparts.
-Boots which are too soft for a skier will not feel sufficiently responsive, and will over flex during high-performance skiing.
-Boots that are too stiff for a skier will transmit unintended control movements to the skis, and will not flex sufficiently in varying terrain or during normal intensity skiing.
Front-entry Ski Boots: "Front-entry" boots are the primary boot of choice for performance-oriented skiers. The high, rigid cuff provides excellent power and control transfer from the skier to the binding. Buckles across the shin, instep and forefoot provide much adjustability and control in fit, and due to the rigid cuff, lateral boot stiffness is generally very good. Forward-flex is varied depending upon intended use, but ranges from easily flexed beginner/intermediate boots to extremely stiff boots intended only for racing.
Rear-entry Ski Boots: This is the simplest and cheapest type of ski boot and is good for beginners. They offer ease in entry and exit by unbuckling an independent hinged cuff at the rear of the ski boot. Opposed to racing versions, the simple versions of this type of boot however does not adjust to fit across the front of the foot, often resulting in a poor fit and considerable "slop" in the forefoot area. These boots were very popular until the late 1990s due to their economy and ease of use. Top of the line models of rear-entry boots came with extensive adjustment possibilities and excellent performance. Bill Johnsson won the olympic gold medal in down hill for the USA in a pair of rear-entry boots. Recent improvements to front-entry and mid-entry boots, primarily in the areas of comfort and ease of entry/exit, have diminished their popularity, though the mid-range models remain very common as rental boots.
Mid-entry Ski Boots: These combine many of the strengths of both rear-entry and front-entry ski boots. While still adjusting via buckles across the forefoot and shin, the rear cuff of the boot is allowed to hinge back slightly to allow for a larger opening and thus an easier entry to the boot. In this way it provides the convenience of wearing of rear-entry ski boots, while at the same time offering much of the performance and versatility of front-entry ski boots. Mid-entry ski boots are recognizable by a wide-opening cuff which opens to the front and to the back.
Shell modification: When the boot is physically stretched to allow for specific feet.
Telemark: Telemark refers to a specific technique for making downhill turns on Nordic equipment. This has resulted in highly specialized equipment designed for better performance in a downhill setting. Until 1992 Telemark boots were basically heavy leather boots with the front of the sole adapted to the 75mm Nordic Norm. Since then plastic boots have become more and more common and now make up almost all Telemark boots. Plastic allows for a laterally stiffer boot while still allowing freedom of flex at the ball of the foot through the use of bellows. Boots intended for more cross country travel generally have a lower cuff, softer flex and lighter weight. Boots specialized for downhill use have higher cuffs, stiffer flex and heavier weight. Telemark boots are almost always equipped with a rubber sole.
Footwear
Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet, for fashion, protection against the environment, and adornment. Being barefoot is commonly associated with poverty, but some cultures chose not to wear footwear at least in some situations....
that are used in skiing to provide a way to attach the skier to ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
s using ski binding
Ski binding
A ski binding is an attachment which anchors a ski boot to the ski. There are different types of bindings for different types of skiing.-Universal designs:...
s. This ski-boot-binding combination is used to effectively transmit control inputs from the skier to the snow.
Ski boots were originally made of leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
and resembled standard boots. As skiing became more specialized as a form of recreation, so too did ski boots.
Boots intended for downhill use (Alpine, Randoneé, and Telemark) are generally composed of a hard plastic shell with a softer foam liner to provide warmth and comfort. Concerning liners, a thick soft liner will be more comfortable and provide more insulation while thinner, harder liners provide more precision. Comfort has been improved in recent years by the use of conformable linings (usually heated to fit) which allow an otherwise stiff liner to be molded to the foot and comfortably accept a large variety of foot shapes. Shells come in various degrees of stiffness; beginners typically like a softer and more padded boot, while more advanced skiers generally prefer a stiffer boot with a thinner liner. Softer boots are able to be flexed with less pressure applied to the cuff making them a good choice for lighter or less aggressive skiers and translates into a more forgiving ride. This quality is also desirable when efficiency and comfort during touring is a concern. Softer boots are often lighter as well due to thinner shell material; a desirable quality when touring as well. Increased boot stiffness generally translates into more precise energy transmission from the skier to the ski. It also provides better support for increased g-loading during high-speed turns, and heavier skiers. Stiff boots however are often less comfortable and heavier than their softer counterparts.
-Boots which are too soft for a skier will not feel sufficiently responsive, and will over flex during high-performance skiing.
-Boots that are too stiff for a skier will transmit unintended control movements to the skis, and will not flex sufficiently in varying terrain or during normal intensity skiing.
Alpine
Alpine Ski Boots have rigid soles and attach to the ski at both toe and heel using a spring-loaded binding. The interface between boot and binding is defined by ISO 5355. Because of the bindings, they forgo rubber soles in favor of hard plastic for better safety and precision. There are three basic types of ski boot which vary in the way the ski boot closes around the lower leg: rear-entry, front-entry, and mid-entry ski boots. Ski boots use the Mondo Point Sizing system, which is based on the metric system.Front-entry Ski Boots: "Front-entry" boots are the primary boot of choice for performance-oriented skiers. The high, rigid cuff provides excellent power and control transfer from the skier to the binding. Buckles across the shin, instep and forefoot provide much adjustability and control in fit, and due to the rigid cuff, lateral boot stiffness is generally very good. Forward-flex is varied depending upon intended use, but ranges from easily flexed beginner/intermediate boots to extremely stiff boots intended only for racing.
Rear-entry Ski Boots: This is the simplest and cheapest type of ski boot and is good for beginners. They offer ease in entry and exit by unbuckling an independent hinged cuff at the rear of the ski boot. Opposed to racing versions, the simple versions of this type of boot however does not adjust to fit across the front of the foot, often resulting in a poor fit and considerable "slop" in the forefoot area. These boots were very popular until the late 1990s due to their economy and ease of use. Top of the line models of rear-entry boots came with extensive adjustment possibilities and excellent performance. Bill Johnsson won the olympic gold medal in down hill for the USA in a pair of rear-entry boots. Recent improvements to front-entry and mid-entry boots, primarily in the areas of comfort and ease of entry/exit, have diminished their popularity, though the mid-range models remain very common as rental boots.
Mid-entry Ski Boots: These combine many of the strengths of both rear-entry and front-entry ski boots. While still adjusting via buckles across the forefoot and shin, the rear cuff of the boot is allowed to hinge back slightly to allow for a larger opening and thus an easier entry to the boot. In this way it provides the convenience of wearing of rear-entry ski boots, while at the same time offering much of the performance and versatility of front-entry ski boots. Mid-entry ski boots are recognizable by a wide-opening cuff which opens to the front and to the back.
Shell modification: When the boot is physically stretched to allow for specific feet.
Nordic
Cross Country: Cross country boots, like all Nordic equipment, attach to the ski usually only at the toe of the boot and are allowed to flex at the ball of the foot similarly to a normal shoe or boot. Cross Country boots generally use one of four attachment systems; NNN (New Nordic Norm), 75mm Nordic Norm ("three-pin" binding), d-ring, or SNS (Salomon Nordic System). A new Salomon Pilot binding is now widely used for racing because it uses two connection points so that the skier has more stability and control over the ski. As these boots are intended for travel over generally flat terrain, they are optimized for light weight and efficiency of motion.Telemark: Telemark refers to a specific technique for making downhill turns on Nordic equipment. This has resulted in highly specialized equipment designed for better performance in a downhill setting. Until 1992 Telemark boots were basically heavy leather boots with the front of the sole adapted to the 75mm Nordic Norm. Since then plastic boots have become more and more common and now make up almost all Telemark boots. Plastic allows for a laterally stiffer boot while still allowing freedom of flex at the ball of the foot through the use of bellows. Boots intended for more cross country travel generally have a lower cuff, softer flex and lighter weight. Boots specialized for downhill use have higher cuffs, stiffer flex and heavier weight. Telemark boots are almost always equipped with a rubber sole.