Thermoforming – customizing ski boots
Getting the “old” boot back in shape for the new season
Winter is just around the corner. Lukas Irmler has been waiting for months for the cold to return, and with each passing day, the anticipation of snow keeps growing.
“It’s definitely time to bring my skis in for maintenance, check my airbag backpack, update my avalanche transceiver, and pull my ski boots out of their hibernation in the basement. Looking back at last season, I was actually surprised to realize that my beloved F1 LT had already covered more than 100,000 vertical meters. My training for the ‘Everesting’ challenge and a few long ski traverses last winter really left their mark. Still, the boot actually looks to be in pretty good condition, I think, as I take it off the shelf in the basement. I love the lightness and freedom this boot gives me on the ascent. But, thinking back to the last tours of last season, it was obvious on the descent that the boot had stretched a bit. It no longer fit my foot as perfectly as it did at the beginning, and I always wanted to tighten the BOA system more than was possible. Maybe it’s time for a new ski boot, I wonder…?”
Simon Schachenmeier, my trusted mountain sports advisor and owner of Bergsport Schachenmeier in Miesbach, told me, however, that I don’t necessarily need to buy new boots just yet: there’s still something that can be done thanks to the process of thermoforming ski boots and insoles. This way, the “old” boot can be brought back into shape and customized again.
That sounds perfect to me, because the boot itself is still in good condition—it’s just the fit that could be improved. Another option, had the liner been too worn out, would have been to replace only that part.
The advantages of thermoforming
The main advantage of thermoforming is that the liner is not only stretched and adapted to the shape of the foot, but it also regains some volume, so the boot fits better in the shell again. In my case, though, that alone wasn’t enough, so insoles were added. These reduce the internal volume of the boot, making it snugger once again, but above all they ensure better power transmission to the ski. Altogether, this results in a perfect fit for my F1 LT.
The in-store test
My excitement for snow grew immediately just by putting my boots back on, even if only in the sports shop and not yet on the slopes. After heating the liners, you need to insert the insoles and, of course, wear ski socks, then stay in the boots for at least 10 minutes in a downhill stance—the dreams of the next powder turns come naturally.
The difference is noticeable right away. Snug and closely wrapped around my foot, it already feels so much better. I can hardly wait to take my F1 LT out again and I’m honestly glad that it’s so simple to restore the perfect fit, making it possible to look forward to many more great tours.
Lukas Irmler
