There aren\u2019t a lot of jobs in this world where a happy customer will hug you. But it happens at Sporting Life \u2014 it happened to Wesley Landman when he customized a pair of boots for a woman who thought her skiing days were over due to foot issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sporting Life\u2019s boot fitters have never met a foot that couldn\u2019t be made to be supremely comfortable and happy in a ski boot. These experts understand the anatomy of feet and, more importantly, how the foot and leg interact with a modern ski boot. Their services are available to anyone at Sporting Life stores across Canada \u2014 and it\u2019s the same level of service they provide to Canadian athletes. No matter their abilities on the slopes, any skier will find more pleasure and comfort \u2014 and be able to spend more time on the hill \u2014 from having their boots custom fitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn experienced boot fitter will be able to assess your needs and foot type and take the path of least resistance when it comes to selecting the right brand and model,\u201d says Chris Powers, who works at the Ottawa store and coaches for Alpine Canada. \u201cFinding the best initial fit will require less modification and ultimately save you time and money and enhance your experience.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not just problem feet that need TLC. Sporting Life\u2019s boot fitters are trusted by national and provincial Alpine and Ski Cross athletes to help them maximize their performance at competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe learn from their feedback, and it makes us better boot fitters. It\u2019s especially motivating to see athletes reach and surpass their goals and we take a great deal of pride in the service we provide to them,\u201d Powers says. \u201cThe junior skiers coming to our shop have access to the same service as a World Cup skier but tailored to their stage in development. Seeing gear I\u2019ve worked on perform at the European Cup and World Cup is a dream come true and I\u2019m just glad these amazing athletes are not held back by their gear and can perform to their potential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Assess the foot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Never stray from the basics, says Powers. The first step is a thorough examination of the feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMeasure the length and height of every foot and identify what type of foot the customer has and how it will react and change shape in a forward, weighted position,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This assessment, says Landman, is done before he\u2019ll even think about which brand or model of boot to recommend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll have a long look for spurs, a super long toe, a bunion, etc. And then, I find out how often they ski. Are they past the blue run, or do they ski like hair on fire? Weight is a factor, it determines flex,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Choose the boot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBeing in the correct size of boot is the most important choice you will make \u2014 and since the boots will pack out and change with time, it can be difficult to make the right decision,\u201d says Powers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe sit down and talk about what they need,\u201d says Predojevic. \u201cWhat level skier they are, is it a race boot, or more comfort for freeride? We get them to take shoes and socks off, take a good look at their feet. Boot models come in all sizes and forms. A lot of people come in and say \u2018I want this\u2019 \u2014 and I might have to say, \u2018I can\u2019t sell you those!\u2019 and I give them two or three options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steering customers away from the wrong boot is as important as choosing the right boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 3: Customize the footbed\/insole<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The correct insole, says Powers, is key to the quality and longevity of the fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur Sidas custom-fit stations allow our boot fitters the flexibility to use different techniques with the custom insoles to stabilize or increase cushioning depending on the foot,\u201d he says. \u201cThe majority of customers will benefit from a custom insole and report warmer and better fitting boots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone wants a proper foot bed in the boot, so we\u2019re either going to trim to fit or do a custom mould fit,\u201d says Landman. \u201cThis is an integral part of the boot fit, otherwise the foot is bouncing around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 4: Adjust if needed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs the fit goes along, I’ll look at the foot without a sock on, and mark out the problem spots, say, a bunion, with lipstick,\u201d says Landman. Then he\u2019ll have the customer put their foot in the boot without the liner to see if the lipstick transfers to the boot. This highlights a point of contact, which he can then adjust by heating the boot with a heat gun or in an oven, and then press the problem spot out. If more space is needed, boot fitters will use a Dremel tool to grind out the plastic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 5: Fine tuning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing is certain, feet change over time. The team at Sporting Life is always there to revisit a customer\u2019s boots over time. Landman likes to nail the fit on the first visit, but says sometimes a second visit for fine tuning might be required after the customer has spent some time on the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have pads and different densities of foam we can cut out and make shapes, then glue them onto the liner,\u201d says Landman. \u201cThis can take up some volume and affect the shape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n DATE YOUR SKIS, MARRY YOUR BOOTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n No joke, a skier\u2019s relationship with their boots should be intimate. You should fall in love with your boots, and that\u2019s a lot easier when you have someone to help with the matchmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Says Landman: \u201cWhen someone tells me that they were told that \u2018you\u2019re the guy to go see,\u2019 it makes my day. There\u2019s the trust too \u2014 a boot fitter makes your ski shop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHAT TO EXPECT AT A BOOT FITTING SESSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t buy online, as you have no idea how a boot is supposed to fit,\u201d says Landman, who works at Sporting Life in Toronto. \u201cNinety percent of folks on the hill have boots that are too big.\u201d It\u2019s a misconception, he says, that athletic equipment should ever feel uncomfortable. In fact, ill-fitting equipment can cause permanent physical damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because everyone\u2019s feet are different, not to mention their skiing style, says Landman: \u201cThere is very rarely a \u2018Cinderella\u2019 fit.\u201d Adjustments are almost always needed to enhance comfort and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feet change over time, too, due to age, accidents and the vagaries of life \u2014 so getting to know the customer is vitally important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf someone tells me they\u2019ve had three kids,\u201d says Anya Predojevic, who works at the Burnaby store, \u201cthey probably need new boots, as your feet change during pregnancy. Age makes arches weaker. A broken toe will affect comfort. People don\u2019t realize there are different widths and instep heights, and so many ways to customize. And then they’re in shock that it’s so comfortable!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Come and get ski & snowboard ready so you can live your best Sporting Life from the top of the mountain this season!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sporting Life\u2019s boot fitters have you covered \u2013 and that truly is a comfort. There aren\u2019t a lot of jobs in this world where…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":14454,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[870],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","post-item","post-even"],"yoast_head":"\n