Boot Fitting & Monodopoint Chart - Al's Ski Equipment Barn
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Boot Fitting

Boots are probably the single most important purchase you will make when it comes to purchasing ski equipment. The boot must be comfortable, fit well and be properly suited to the type of skiing you do. It is recommended that you spend a little more on boots and get the features that will benefit you the most.

Sizing Of Boots

Sizing of boots is extremely confusing to most people. Most boot companies now size their boots using the Mondopoint sizing system. The concept behind the Mondopoint system is to have a uniform sizing system that would be universal, where presently there are several different systems including US, European, and United Kingdom. Our Mondopoint chart will help you in your conversion to the Mondopoint system.

A simple conversion method for you to change Mondopoint to US sizing is to take the numbers to the left of the decimal point and add them together, the number to the right tells you if it is a half size. Example: Mondopoint 27.5 would convert to 2 + 7 = 9, .5 = 1/2 - The result is 9 1/2. If the mondopoint size is 30 or greater to start with, add 9 to the final size. Example - 31.0 converts to 4, 4 + 9 = 13. This gives sizes in men's US sizes. To convert the size to ladies you would add 1 to the whole US size. Example - Mondopoint 27.5 would be Ladies 10.5 because there is roughly one size difference between Men's and Ladies sizes

How Should Boots Fit?

A ski boot should hold the foot firmly but comfortably. Toes should be close to the end of the boot especially when foot is first placed in boot, but not bunched. You should be able to wiggle your toes. Your heel should have a snug fit in the "Heel Pocket" with minimal movement when boot is flexed forward.

How Do I Determine If The Boot Is A Proper Fit?

First test your boots with appropriate socks. You should use a ski sock, they come in various thickness which is a personal preference...two pair of socks are not recommended.

Next place your foot in the boot and buckle the boot lightly. Flex in the boot, by this we mean making the boot bend by flexing at the knees causing the upper cuff of the boot to bend forward, you should feel pressure on your shin while doing this. This will force your heel back into the heel pocket where it should be and will be when you are skiing. Do this several times to insure you are completely in heel pocket.

Now stand in the boots upright..your toes should be near or brushing the end of boot. When you flex forward and hold that position, your toes should move off of the end, this is the proper fit.

To determine if the shell is the proper size, remove the liner from shell. Place your foot in the empty shell and slide your foot forward till your big toe is touching the end of shell. You should be able to place a 1 1/2 to 2 fingers behind your heel and the shell. This is the proper shell size.

Don't buy boots too big - they could cause you pain and possibly injury.

How Do I Custom Fit My Boot?

Custom fitting refers to making the boot match your foot more exactly. An experienced boot fitter can help you with this through the use of pads and footbeds. Many of the better boots on the market presently have liners that can be heated which expands the liner and then sets around the foot as it cools. Many have liners that will form with use to your foot. Footbeds can also help the fit and comfort of the boot. They place the foot in it's natural position, increases circulation, and reduces fatigue by supporting foot and joints properly. You can purchase simple footbeds that you trim and fit for Under $40 that will greatly increase fit or have custom footbeds made.

When Should I Replace My Boots?

Boots don't last forever... The plastic that boots are made of is effected by UV light and Hydrocarbons and can become brittle and break. Liners wear out and your foot moves too much in the boot limiting your skiing and often causing pain. Rear Entry boots don't offer proper lateral support for our new shape skis. Soles, both toe and heel, wear and could effect proper release from bindings. A visual inspection of these areas should be made often.

Mondopoint Conversion Chart

How To Use This Chart: Ski boots are sized using mondopoints. Simply find your shoe size from the other columns and then read across to the second column to find your ski boot size. All ski boot sizes on our site are listed in mondopoints.

8 15 25 7 -----
9 16 26 8 -----
10 17 27 9 -----
11 17.5 28 10 -----
12 18.5 29 11 -----
13 19.5 30.5 12 -----
13.5 20 31 13 -----
1 20.5 32 13.5 -----
2 21 33 1 -----
3 21.5 34 2 -----
4 22 35 3 5
4.5 22.5 36 3.5 5.5
5 23 36.5 4 6
5.5 23.5 37 4.5 6.5
6 24 38 5 7
6.5 24.5 38.5 5.5 7.5
7 25 39 6 8
7.5 25.5 40 6.5 8.5
8 26 40.5 7 9
8.5 26.5 41 7.5 9.5
9 27 42 8 10
9.5 27.5 42.5 8.5 10.5
10 28 43 9 11
10.5 28.5 44 9.5 11.5
11 29 44.5 10 12
11.5 29.5 45 10.5 -----
12 30 45.5 11 -----
12.5 30.5 46 11.5 -----
13 31 47 12 -----
13.5 31.5 47.5 12.5 -----
14 32 48 13 -----
14.5 32.5 48.5 13.5 -----
15 33 49 14 -----
15.5 33.5 50 14.5 -----
16 34 51 15 -----
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