When Should You Change Your Ski Boots?

15th December 2021 | Kisia Cove, PlanetSKI

Last modified on December 20th, 2021

Any keen skier should own their own boots. Many prefer to hire skis rather than own them, but your own boots are a definite requirement in our opinion at PlanetSKI. But when is it time to change them and where to go?

Like most of us of the fairer sex I have a soft spot for shoes, and the opportunity to add to my ‘shoe wardrobe’ is rarely, if ever, overlooked.

Only a woman knows the power of shoes and our relationship to them.

I love news shoes in any shape or form.

However, for me, this is not the same with ski boots.

My current pair is well over a decade old, bought out in resort at Surefoot in Verbier, Switzerland and I have not changed them since.

They may be completely out fashion and hoplessly out-of-date, but they have served me well over the years.

They are comfy, reliable and they do the job.

Image © PlanetSKI

I can ski in them, walk in them and keep them on at lunch, so why risk a change?

Simple.

They are now so worn they don’t click into the bindings well and though super comfortable my foot does wiggle around in them after all these years.

It really is time to get a new pair.

So, do I buy out in resort or here in the UK?

I opted for the later option and was advised Snow+Rock was a wise choice – good boots, good service and a good price.

And so I find myself in Snow+Rocks flagship store in Covent Garden with Ella.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

I resisted the temptation to say ‘I like the blue ones as they match my jacket” and decided to let Ella do her work and advise me.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

“Boots are the most important of a ski set up and it is so worth setting aside some time to get it right,” said Ella.

She measured and assessed my feet, checked my ski level/requirements and offered her professional advice based on her experience and expertise.

Rather than my choice of colour or any other fanciful criteria.

First it was the Salomon S/Pro 90.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

Then a few others.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

When shopping for shoes it is worth trying on a few pairs, and so too with ski boots.

We went back to the Salomon S/Pro 90.

Ella had been right first time.

They didn’t quite fit like Cinderalla’s glass slipper, but I knew instantly they were the ones for me.

They came in an £320 and were certainly not the most expensive – I had been offered the pair that Ella thought was most suitable for me.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

Here are the technical product details of the Salomon S/Pro 90:

Custom Shell HD Construction
Seamless liner
180 degree, 35 mm strap
Alpine ISO 5355 Sole
Calf adjuster
Riveted, over-sized pivot
Tool-free adjustment
4 riveted aluminium buckles
Medium width
Flex: 90
Weight: 1.62kg

Boots have changed a bit since I was last in Surefoot in Verbier more than 10-years ago.

For a start they have a camber at the front to make it easier to walk.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

And the soles have changed beyond recognition, and now offer more grip with specialist rubber soles.

No more tottering about on the ice (or coming out of après ski) expecting to go head-over-heels at any moment due to plastic soles with little adhesion.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

Another plus is when they wear out in one place the heel or the toe section can be unscrewed, and replaced without having to buy a new pair of boots.

Next it was a customised foot bed for that extra snug fit and added control.

They cost an additional £85 with a heel stabiliser.

“Custom footbeds are the direct link to you and your ski equipment. It is well worth creating a bespoke pair of footbeds for improved performance,” said Ella.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

Then the technical stuff took place in the workshop.

Ski boots at Snow+Rock. Image © PlanetSKI

With the a heel stabiliser added.

I tried them on and they felt snug, but a bit too snug in one place beneath my right toe.

“No worries, we can loosen that up a little bit,” said Ella.

A mark was made, the boot was warmed up and adjustments made.

They slipped on like a glove.

The whole process had taken a couple of hours and booking an appointment is necessary.

“If they need any adjustments after you have skied on them then just brings them back and we can make the necessary alterations,” said Ella.

I was planning to be skiing on them this week on a pre-Xmas ski to the Tirol in Austria, but sadly have been forced to cancel the trip.

Shame, as it would have been good to put my new boots through their paces.

In early January I hope to be in Norway before heading to the Aosta Valley in Italy later in the month.

I’ll let you know what my new Salomon S/Pro 90 ski boots are like.

I wonder if I’ll ski on them for as long as my old ones.

Right, time for a spot of shoe shopping in Covent Garden as I’m in the area, there are numerous gorgeous shoe shops and I’m certainly in the mood…

What You Need To Know:

See here for the full details of the ski boots offered by Snow+Rock.

Snow+Rock Returns Promise:

We want you to be happy with your purchase.

If you wish to return your goods, then you can do so by visiting one of our stores, sending the product to our refunds department, or by taking it to a Collect+ store within 100 days of receipt if you are an Explore More member.

Our standard return policy is 30 days of receipt.

Unwanted items should be in new condition, with the original packaging, labelling and with a Snow + Rock receipt.

A refund request will usually be actioned within 7 working days from receipt.

Please note, for unwanted items, you are responsible for paying all return postage charges.