DO YOUR SNOWBOARD BOOTS FIT..?
The Fit of your boots is probably one of the most important aspects of your
whole riding set-up, not only is it a matter of comfort but also one of
control. An ill-fitting pair of boots will slaughter your feet after a whole
day on the slopes and will also reduce the response and performance of your
board. If you think about it, the boot is the key interface between yourself
and the board, it's the bit that transfers your input into response. If
you have a problem with that interface then information will get lost en
route and as a result, the data at the sharp end (the board) will not correspond
with the input you downloaded. This will manifest itself in slow response,
the inability to hold an edge all the way through the turn, and sore feet
and tired legs.
To help achieve the ultimate in boot fit, we have introduced the SureFit
programme into the TSA. This unique boot-fitting programme allows our fitters
to understand each individual's foot characteristics and to recommend the
ideal boot and fitting process to enable you to achieve the perfect fit.
Our boot fitters will assess your feet looking for areas that may cause
discomfort, or alternatively, compromise performance. Once we have made
this assessment, we will discuss which products we feel best suit your needs
in respect of fit, performance and use.
After you have selected your boot, our fitters will ensure that they give
you the ultimate fit for both comfort and performance. To achieve this,
our boot fitters have access to the most advanced Custom Fit equipment available.
Moulding ovens, custom foot bed machines* etc allow us to tailor the boot
liner to your feet, reducing unwanted pressure points and optimising the
fit of the boot for all day comfort without compromising response and control.
* Custom foot beds attract additional cost of £29.99
BOOT PERFORMANCE
It wasn't long ago that the characteristics of a snowboard boot varied
massively between freestyle and freeride. A freestyle boot used to be
super soft, little more than a pumped up trainer, whilst a stiff freeride
boot was a reinforced walking boot. Thankfully those days have gone and
lines between freestyle and freeride have become blurred. With riding
becoming more technical and boots becoming increasingly more advanced,
most boots now offer performance designed for the whole mountain. As with
choosing a board, selecting the right boot is equally important. There
is no point choosing a super stiff boot if you are a relative beginner,
they will be too responsive and will end up causing fatigue as you struggle
to ride them. Equally unsuitable is a soft boot if you are looking for
high speed performance and response. It will be slow to initiate and will
be unstable through the turn.
To help with your selection, we have rated the boots for stiffness in
both the forward flex and the lateral flex. This will help you choose
the ideal boot for your given style of riding.
FORWARD
FLEX
The Forward Flex is the driving power of the boot. A stiff flexing boot
will offer quicker response and turn initiation, whilst retaining more
control throughout the duration of the turn. A stiff flexing boot needs
to be ridden hard as they can be somewhat unforgiving and a little twitchy
when riding a little more relaxed. 1 = Soft, 10 = Very Stiff.
LATERAL
FLEX
The Lateral Flex has two criteria that you need to take into account.
The first of these gives an indication of how forgiving the boot can be.
A softer Lateral Flex will reduce the likelihood of hanging up when riding
undulating terrain. It will give you the equivalent of softer suspension
in a car and will absorb the undulations. The downside is though it will
react slower and will reduce the amount of energy transfer when loading
the nose or tail when riding aggressively. The second is the amount of
lateral movement for freestyle riding. Some freestylers prefer a softer
lateral flexing boot for increased ability to tweak. This is becoming
less important as manufacturers are now giving a controlled lateral flex
for tweaking without compromising response. 1 = Soft, 10 = Very Stiff.
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