| sewing buttonSki boots are specialized footwear that | | | | typically like a softer and more padded boot, while |
| are used in skiing to provide a way to attach the | | | | more advanced skiers generally prefer a stiffer boot |
| skier to skis using ski bindings. This ski-boot-binding | | | | with a thinner liner. Softer boots are able to be |
| combination is used to effectively transmit control | | | | flexed with less pressure applied to the cuff making |
| inputs from the skier to the snow. | | | | them a good choice for lighter or less aggressive |
| Ski boots were originally made of leather and | | | | skiers and translates into a more forgiving ride. This |
| resembled standard boots. As skiing became more | | | | quality is also desirable when efficiency and comfort |
| specialized as a form of recreation, so too did ski | | | | during touring is a concern. Softer boots are often |
| boots. Currently, most ski boots fall into the | | | | lighter as well due to thinner shell material; a desirable |
| categories of Alpine skiing, Nordic or Randone?/Alpine | | | | quality when touring as well. Increased boot stiffness |
| Touring. These varying disciplines each use a | | | | generally translates into more precise energy |
| specialized type of ski bindings and as such, are | | | | transmission from the skier to the ski. It also |
| generally not interchangeable.follow suitBoots | | | | provides better support for increased g-loading during |
| intended for downhill use (Alpine, Randone?, and | | | | high-speed turns, and heavier skiers. Stiff boots |
| Telemark) are generally composed of a hard plastic | | | | however are often less comfortable and heavier than |
| shell with a softer foam liner to provide warmth and | | | | their softer counterparts. |
| comfort. Concerning liners, a thick soft liner will be | | | | -Boots which are too soft for a skier will not feel |
| more comfortable and provide more insulation while | | | | sufficiently responsive, and will over flex during |
| thinner, harder liners provide more precision. Comfort | | | | high-performance skiing. |
| has been improved in recent years by the use of | | | | -Boots that are too stiff for a skier will transmit |
| conformable linings (usually heated to fit) which allow | | | | unintended control movements to the skis, and will |
| an otherwise stiff liner to be molded to the foot and | | | | not flex sufficiently in varying terrain or during normal |
| comfortably accept a large variety of foot shapes. | | | | intensity skiing. |
| Shells come in various degrees of stiffness; beginners | | | | |