Ski Boot Trends of 2012
A review of the new concept of ski boot design in 2012
2012 was a particularly inspired year for ski boot design and innovation. Anything that can help improve your heli skiing in our eyes is a good thing, especially in the all important boot area. Lets take a closer look at some of the top things about boots from this year.
The most innovative award must have to go to Fischer for developing their new Vacuum technology. Try to imagine not only having moldable inners to create that perfect fit with your feet, but an entire moldable shell. This is basically what Fischer has released, with growing rave reviews throughout the season.
The new plastic it uses is able to soften at relatively low temperatures, allowing for the customers to slip into a waiting boot, place their feet into bladder like vacuum seal, which in turn pressures the heated plastic to mold to your contours.
Not only do your feet get the perfect fit but your lower legs and shins benefit also. We think this is a great idea, especially for cant-reliant skiers, and can't wait to see what other companies come up with in competition next year.
Modern skis and evolving techniques have previously been ahead of the ski boot market. This season however, manufacturers seem to have caught up, and designed a range of features complying with modern methods.
Exaggerated upright cuffs combined with a smaller ramp angle, on the floor of the boot, enhance the balance underfoot. Also this forces a taller, more aggressive, yet less loaded leg angle. All in all, a more secure foot and heel position really has seemed to help with fore-aft balance.
Flex and stiffness measurements have had a rehaul by a few companies adding even more precision into your boot customization.
As well as the known boot flex index number that you may use, have you heard about tongue numbers or dynamic performance codes?
The former, from Full Tilt, run like traditional flex index numbers, the higher the stiffer, and so on. The latter was introduced by Nordica and challenges not only your perceptions of boot stiffness but also the quality of flexion through what they call ‘rebound' and progression' scores.
We'd like to really test these out thoroughly before we claim to know the effectiveness of them, but it seems like another great idea.
It's not just the guys that saw improvement in the production of top end ski boots this year, with more than plenty of girls' offerings receiving awesome reviews. Better fitting boots, and stances borrowed from the men's world of upright positioning and forward leaning stance angles, is to thank for the improvements.
Just a few of the improvements made in the fitting department include removable spoilers, lowered heights, flared cuffs and more secure fitting heels.
For those ‘chicks' that are at the top of their game, a wider range of flexes offers even more customable ability. And last but not least, all these boots are now looking even better than ever.
2012 was a particularly inspired year for ski boot design and innovation. Anything that can help improve your heli skiing in our eyes is a good thing, especially in the all important boot area. Lets take a closer look at some of the top things about boots from this year.
The most innovative award must have to go to Fischer for developing their new Vacuum technology. Try to imagine not only having moldable inners to create that perfect fit with your feet, but an entire moldable shell. This is basically what Fischer has released, with growing rave reviews throughout the season.
The new plastic it uses is able to soften at relatively low temperatures, allowing for the customers to slip into a waiting boot, place their feet into bladder like vacuum seal, which in turn pressures the heated plastic to mold to your contours.
Not only do your feet get the perfect fit but your lower legs and shins benefit also. We think this is a great idea, especially for cant-reliant skiers, and can't wait to see what other companies come up with in competition next year.
Modern skis and evolving techniques have previously been ahead of the ski boot market. This season however, manufacturers seem to have caught up, and designed a range of features complying with modern methods.
Exaggerated upright cuffs combined with a smaller ramp angle, on the floor of the boot, enhance the balance underfoot. Also this forces a taller, more aggressive, yet less loaded leg angle. All in all, a more secure foot and heel position really has seemed to help with fore-aft balance.
Flex and stiffness measurements have had a rehaul by a few companies adding even more precision into your boot customization.
As well as the known boot flex index number that you may use, have you heard about tongue numbers or dynamic performance codes?
The former, from Full Tilt, run like traditional flex index numbers, the higher the stiffer, and so on. The latter was introduced by Nordica and challenges not only your perceptions of boot stiffness but also the quality of flexion through what they call ‘rebound' and progression' scores.
We'd like to really test these out thoroughly before we claim to know the effectiveness of them, but it seems like another great idea.
It's not just the guys that saw improvement in the production of top end ski boots this year, with more than plenty of girls' offerings receiving awesome reviews. Better fitting boots, and stances borrowed from the men's world of upright positioning and forward leaning stance angles, is to thank for the improvements.
Just a few of the improvements made in the fitting department include removable spoilers, lowered heights, flared cuffs and more secure fitting heels.
For those ‘chicks' that are at the top of their game, a wider range of flexes offers even more customable ability. And last but not least, all these boots are now looking even better than ever.