Why Boot Fit Matters Most for Ski Touring
Backcountry Guide
Why Boot Fit Matters Most for Ski Touring
Touring advice from the shop on the Mountain Road in Stowe, Vermont
At the resort you can kick your boots off at lunch. On a touring day you climb, kick turn and ski in them for hours. Small problems you can ignore on the chairlift turn into blisters, cold toes and sore shins on the skin track. That is why we always start with boots.
What a good fit feels like
A well-fit touring boot holds your heel down as you climb and gives your toes room to stay warm. It lets your ankle flex in walk mode without rubbing, then locks down firmly for the ski down. On steep Stowe terrain, that downhill support matters. It should feel snug and secure, never painful.
How our bootfitters help
Our bootfitting team starts by getting to know you: how you ski, where you want to go and what your feet need. We measure, talk it through and find the boot that works best. If it is not perfect out of the box, we can customize it with liner heat molding, shell work and custom footbeds.
Already own boots that are not working? We can usually help with those too. Learn more on our Boot Rescue page, then call to book a time.
Bring the right things
Come in with the ski socks you actually wear, your current boots if you have them, and any footbeds you already use. It makes for a faster, better fit.
Gear from this post
Do not skip the footbed
A supportive footbed keeps your foot stable in the boot, which helps with comfort, control and warmth. On a single-digit Vermont morning, a boot that fits well keeps blood moving to your toes. Shop touring boots and telemark boots, then come see us at the Big Red Barn.
MountainOps Outdoor Gear
Questions about touring around Stowe? Stop by the Big Red Barn at 4081 Mountain Road or call (802) 253-4531.
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