Speed... Because hundies matter
The clock doesn't lie, and the winning margin can be down to a few hundredths of a second. Ski boot considerations, for hard snow, heavily angled, knife edge precision come down to generating energy while maintaining body position. Smooth is fast, efficiency generates speed, momentum down the fall line wins races. Balance and power are paramount. These are lower volume, stiffer flex rating, solid shell, more aggressive pitched boots. The whole boot can be torn down and built back up within millimeters of your exact foot shape. Each foot shape is carved into thick plastic with various methods... grinding, heat stretching, and cutting away parts of the internal mold. A low volume custom footbed is added that ensures lateral movements transfer directly to the ski. Angles of the upper cuff and inner boot board are carefully adjusted to match the range of motion in your lower leg joints, and support the entire joint chain. Liners are thin and firm, but enable direct transmission of power. Lateral balance is measured and adjusted through cuff alignment and boot sole canting techniques.
Soul... The journey is often the reward
Big mountain, side country, backcountry... it really never mattered what the industry calls it. To you, it's a great way to experience the mountains in winter. Your gear choices are complex but simple. You must have comfort, warmth, ease, low weight and snow feel, for extended time frames. But, when it's time to reap the rewards, you need power and reliability. Boot considerations for this class involve pin pointing the trouble spots before they arise. Allowing the foot to move, breath and articulate, but never loosing the hold and connection to your ski. Footbeds need to support foot flex, have some cushioning aspects, but keep the natural shape and direct the lower leg drive of an active ankle. Liners usually have custom heat molding materials and must stay connected to you even while hiking and skinning. The stakes are higher that far out of area, and any small irritation or inefficiency is unacceptable.
Style... The master of you're own domain
Freeskiing, big mountain jib, park and pipe have kicked the next generation of ski lifers into full swing. Every day the sport evolves, every day you accomplish something personal. The ski/boot/binding package is meant for versatility... an extension of your brain. Mobility and reaction drive new technique. Spin, air, tap, redirect... all new functions for your gear. Boot design is more neutral, the stance flatter, flex patterns softer, angles more upright. This, combined with closer to symmetrical ski camber profiles and larger sweet spots allow multiple planes of complex movements. Adjustments are made for flex, upper cuff heights, lower leg and ankle contact for support and energy drive. Shock absorbing materials are crucial to surviving that off axis landing position. Boots for these athletes apply to a whole new set of fit and function rules. But, the pilot's feel on snow, is what matters!
