Winter Frequently Asked Questions

What is "mondo point" sizing? What boots come in European sizes?

Ah, the lack of standardization in standardization. This is why, when you look at the side of a boot box (or any shoes that are marketed internationally), you’ll see three or four different size measurements that basically express the same virtual size nobody can quite agree on exactly. But what is the reason for this, you ask? Apparently our present-day sizing methodology dates back to 1324 and involves a sticky situation with King Richard II, a group of rankled tradesmen and the number of barleycorns in an inch.

UK: 10.5 US: 11 Mondo: 29.0 EUR: 45

Basically what these printed numbers tell you is that you have to try the boots on, unless you trust in a antiquated scheme based solely on the length of some temperate grain.

Alpine, telemark and snowboard boots are fitted through the Mondopoint system, where the size represents the length of the foot in centimeters. Go metric. Thus, if you grab a box printed with 29.0, you’d better have feet that measure around 29cm. Though this idea—introduced sometime in the 1960s in Austrailia to combat the aforementioned stupidity—seems to be level-headed and fair, it has not gained wide acceptance beyond ski boots for no good reason. Luckily there exisits a carefully guarded formula, handed down by generations of ski shop employees, to convert a Monopoint size into the corresponding and more familiar US size: Simply add the first and second digit together, and then add the decimal point (finally add 1 to that result to convert a US Men’s size to a Women’s).

Mondo 29.0 2+9+.0 = 11 Men’s 11
Mondo 26.5 2+6+.5 = 8.5 Men’s 8.5 +1 = Wms’s 9.5

If you get to size 30 though, it all falls apart unless you alter your formula by adding 9 to the result:

Mondo 31.5 (3+1+.5)+9 Men’s 13.5

Nordic ski boots are typically sized through the European system, because after all, nordic skiing originated somewhere over there and most all of the equipment is manufactured outside of North America. No handy conversions here, because it is also based on King Richard II’s folly and fancy.

What can you do to help? Support your local metric foundation. Weigh yourself in kilograms and ask for cheese at the deli in 2mm slices. Come up with a metric way to keep time. And don’t use American allen wrenches on bicycle bolts unless you want to strip them out.

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Bike: Johnny's 10 Bike Tips Local MTB Rides Ski & Board: How-To Waxing Guide Winter Ski/Board F.A.Q. 06-07 Ski Gallery		Winter Frequently Asked Questions back to FAQ What is "mondo point" sizing? What boots come in European sizes? Ah, the lack of standardization in standardization. This is why, when you look at the side of a boot box (or any shoes that are marketed internationally), you’ll see three or four different size measurements that basically express the same virtual size nobody can quite agree on exactly. But what is the reason for this, you ask? Apparently our present-day sizing methodology dates back to 1324 and involves a sticky situation with King Richard II, a group of rankled tradesmen and the number of barleycorns in an inch. UK: 10.5 US: 11 Mondo: 29.0 EUR: 45 Basically what these printed numbers tell you is that you have to try the boots on, unless you trust in a antiquated scheme based solely on the length of some temperate grain. Alpine, telemark and snowboard boots are fitted through the Mondopoint system, where the size represents the length of the foot in centimeters. Go metric. Thus, if you grab a box printed with 29.0, you’d better have feet that measure around 29cm. Though this idea—introduced sometime in the 1960s in Austrailia to combat the aforementioned stupidity—seems to be level-headed and fair, it has not gained wide acceptance beyond ski boots for no good reason. Luckily there exisits a carefully guarded formula, handed down by generations of ski shop employees, to convert a Monopoint size into the corresponding and more familiar US size: Simply add the first and second digit together, and then add the decimal point (finally add 1 to that result to convert a US Men’s size to a Women’s). Mondo 29.0 2+9+.0 = 11 Men’s 11 Mondo 26.5 2+6+.5 = 8.5 Men’s 8.5 +1 = Wms’s 9.5 If you get to size 30 though, it all falls apart unless you alter your formula by adding 9 to the result: Mondo 31.5 (3+1+.5)+9 Men’s 13.5 Nordic ski boots are typically sized through the European system, because after all, nordic skiing originated somewhere over there and most all of the equipment is manufactured outside of North America. No handy conversions here, because it is also based on King Richard II’s folly and fancy. What can you do to help? Support your local metric foundation. Weigh yourself in kilograms and ask for cheese at the deli in 2mm slices. Come up with a metric way to keep time. And don’t use American allen wrenches on bicycle bolts unless you want to strip them out. back to FAQ