Using the Ski Boots Gear Guide

USINGOUR SKIBOOTS PAGES

We’re here to make your journey in buying new ski boots as comfortable and hassle-free as possible, helping you to get the perfect fit that will take your skiing to the next level. We carry a massive ski boot range, and our SUREfit trained fitters and 5-Step Fitting System make finding the perfect pair really straight forward. Over the following pages, we organise the boots in easy-to-understand silos... by gender, and by foot width or volume. Alpine boots come first and then Backcountry boots. Each boot’s specific fit and performance characteristics are called-out in clear detail. So pour yourself a coffee and take a little tour through our ski boot range... there’s something there for every foot shape, ability and aspiration.

Custom Liner

Boot Flex

Custom Shell Power Strap

Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW

LEISURE SPORT PERFORMANCE

Custom Shell

Custom Liner

Boot Flex

130 Last Width 98-102mm

Power Strap 50mm

Volume Medium-Low

Boot Stats Performance Indicator

Sole Unit

ALPINE BOOTS

Alpine models are suited to the majority of skiers using a lift network to reach pistes and accessible off-piste.

CUSTOM SHELL

Certain models can have the plastic shell heated and moulded as part of the fitting process in store. Once the boot is heated, the inner boot is inserted and the foot is placed inside, allowing the shell to create a customised shape. The result is a better match to foot shape and evens out the pressure for a more comfortable fit and better control. CUSTOM LINER

All adult boots that Ellis Brigham stock use custom mouldable inner boots. This means they can be heated in store to soften the foam, then cooled whilst the foot is inside, personalising the fit. The result is an even, all-over pressure, improving both comfort and performance. BOOT FLEX

This relates to how much effort it takes to bend (flex) the boot forward. Boots with high flex numbers are stiffer, meaning they are suited to skiers with all or some of these characteristics: fast and aggressive style, better skilled, heavier weight. They feel precise, driving skis extremely efficiently. Less stiff boots perform well at slow and medium speeds, they make it easy to control skis, and are comfortable to use. LAST WIDTH

This gives a useful indication of the amount of space inside the boot. It relates to the width in millimetres of the boot at its widest point, across the forefoot area. The stated width is for a size 26.5 MP (cm) ski boot. POWER STRAP

They help to close the boot and keep the shin in contact with the tongue of the liner. Generally, the bigger the strap the better it is at retaining the leg’s movement. Therefore, it takes more effort to use the boot, which will suit advanced skiers better. VOLUME

This gives an overall impression of the space inside the boot and the type of foot it will fit best. How the soles of ski boots interact with ski bindings plays a fundamental role in the binding functioning correctly. There are two sole unit types used in our alpine ski boot range and it is important to understand how they interact with ski bindings: ALPINE. Unless indicated otherwise, all the models in our Alpine Ski Boots range come fitted with Alpine standard sole units (DIN ISO 5355). This is a standard that ensures, when new, the sole unit is compatible with DIN ISO standard Alpine bindings (boots with these soles will also fit into GripWalk branded and MultiNorm/Tour bindings). GRIPWALK. The last few years have seen boot brands work on creating sole units that are safer and more comfortable to walk in, resulting in GripWalk. Look for the GripWalk icon on the boot pages to see the models using this new technology. These soles have more tread for increased traction and a rocker or curved effect on the sole that makes walking feel less restrictive.

A boot with a GripWalk sole needs to be used with a GripWalk-specific

binding (or a MultiNorm/Tour model) for the release mechanism of the binding to function correctly. All of our current adult Alpine bindings are GripWalk compatible.

However, older models of Alpine bindings are unlikely to be compatible

with GripWalk boots. Many of the Alpine boots that have GripWalk soles fitted will also have DIN ISO 5355 Alpine soles either in the box or available as a spare part, should you want to use a specific GripWalk boot with an Alpine binding.

CUSTOM MADE FOOTBEDS OFFER

Save £20 on Custom Moulded Insoles when bought with full-priced ski boots.

SUREfit Custom Performance with Stabiliser £75

SUREfit Custom Premium+ £75

ADDITIONAL BACKCOUNTRY SKI BOOT FEATURES

BACKCOUNTRY BOOTS

Backcountry boots suit a diverse range of skiers that share the desire to explore further. They all have a hike mode and are compatible with backcountry or touring bindings. These boots have some extra key features compared to alpine models.

K2 Mindbender 120

Custom Shell Custom Liner

Flex

120

Range of Motion

50° Last Width 98-104mm

Weight 1675g Compatibility GW, MN, PinCert, Pin Volume Medium-Low WEIGHT

Measured in grams, shown for a half pair. Lighter boots will tend to be less tiring on the ascent, but may not be as powerful. RANGE OF MOTION

The Range of Motion describes the amount of movement in the cuff when the walk function of a boot is engaged. The higher the number, the more the movement, which should increase hiking and skinning comfort. COMPATIBILITY

For a boot to work correctly with a binding it must use an appropriate boot sole. DIN ISO standards refer to products that meet specific industry norms, to ensure they are compatible. The following describes the relevant binding types and the soles they work with. GRIPWALK (GW) bindings are very similar to regular Alpine models except they use differently shaped Anti Friction Devices (AFD) and work with Alpine and GripWalk boots. GripWalk soles fall under the Tour Norm DIN ISO 9523. MULTI NORM (MN) bindings can be Alpine or Backcountry in design and function; DIN ISO 9838 Tour bindings accept DIN ISO 9523 Tour boots and regular Alpine boots DIN ISO 5355. PINCERT bindings (sometimes referred to as Hybrid) are only for boots with specific inserts to accept the pins, they must also have a Tour or Alpine DIN ISO standard. This excludes some of the very lightest tour boots. PIN bindings are only for boots with specific inserts to accept the pins, this can include some of the very light boots that fall outside Alpine or Tour DIN ISO norms. Alpine DIN ISO 13992 Alpine standard bindings take boots conforming to DIN ISO 5355 for Alpine boots. The parameters are tight and most touring orientated boots will not fit Alpine bindings.