Bike:
Bike:
Winter Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fit Telemark ski boots?
Selection:
The easiest way to choose the proper Tele boot is to consider where and how you’re going to ski. A skier who descends low-angled backcountry slopes may demand a different boot from one who’ll be carving on the steeps at a resort. See the following section for particular boot categories and then come in for some advice from our staff backcountry aficionados.
Note to AT Skiers: As of the 06-07 winter season, we do not stock AT-specific boots. The AT bindings we sell are compatible with both standard-issue downhill ski boots and their lighter weight AT-specific cousins.
Fitting:
Bring your ski socks with you to the store. Unless you have extremely poor circulation, we recommend sizing your boots while wearing a thin, lightweight synthetic sock. Telemark boots are well-insulated and a bulky sock can lead to an imprecise fit; it can also actually make you colder by compressing your foot and slowing blood flow. If you are planning on wearing custom footbeds, please bring them with you because they can dramatically alter the boot fit. Spend at least 10 to 15 minutes walking around with the boots on, dropping into various Tele stances; if you breeze through the fitting you’ll have no chance of detecting the uncomfortable spots before they set upon you at the slope. All the Tele boots we stock have excellent heat-moldable liners that really conform to your foot and ankle shape. It takes a boot-heating machine to get them to the proper temperature without burning and we perform this service for free if you purchase boots from us (it takes 30 - 40 minutes total).
Footbeds:
We carry reinforced replacement footbeds by Superfeet and advocate for their use in almost all of the boots we sell. Whether or not they are right for you depends on the fit of the boots in question, the shape and integrity of your arch and any history of foot problems you may have. By supporting the arch, these aftermarket insoles allow all of your energy to be transmitted directly through the boot to the ski. The lag time between weight application, pronation (the natural collapse of the arch) and finally response from your ski is eliminated. This is a good thing for any skier. Your heel and forefoot should not slip in a properly-fitted pair of ski boots, and footbeds can often correct fit issues if you are between sizes in a boot you've taken a liking to in addition to improving the fit of a boot that is the correct size. We have a bin of pre-trimmed try-ons, so we can allow you to feel the difference.
