Will Ski Boots Ever Change!!???!?

whoah, i don't know what happened to that post-- i guess it was from trying to load different pictures. Sorry
 
wow that formatting was really fucked up

but i think due to the way skiing is, it will be very difficult to get away from hard boots - control is vital from boot to ski
 
Here's a re-post:

Has anyone else noticed that basic ski boot designs haven't really

changed much over the last 30 years? Most of us are still riding in a

hard plastic shell with 4 buckles. there are a few variations like

SPK's and the raichle/ripcurl's, but for the most part-- ski boots just

aren't really changing. Look at how far snowboarding boots have come in

just 10 yrs., or for those who still keep up with the rollerblading

scene, boot design-- functionality, looks, and comfort-- has changed a

lot. I know the huge debate is that skiers need a super stiff boot that

can tighten down well, ad soft boots compromise the stiffness and

functionality. But there's got to be a way to keep progressing boots

toward a more comfortable, warmer and sicker looking design.

1192741136g-boot-quicktime.gif


Idea's that I've thought of that would make a sick boot-- semi-flexi

middle section of the sole, foe walking, that won't affect skiing

ability, layers of leather over the plastic shell to make it look more

like a snowboard boot or skate shoe... Does anyone agree with me about

this, or do you all love that 4-buckle plastic shell?

 
yea man Ive though alto about this. Liek ankle support on the side, with p-lastic, but then a softer materiel on the tounge/back for flex/comfort. obviously, it would be a race boot or anything, but i think it might be a cool thing to try.
 
Rather than have a Velcro power strap -- why not incorporate the ratchet system like a snowboard binding? Check the IL MORO by Dalbello for an example

 
well no pint in changing a good thing. Id rather have the ridged plastic then wearing leather shoes
 
I know you really aren't a designer, or thinking big picture, but with each suggestion you have to look at the ramifications and question why designs haven't changed drastically.

Ski boots will never get away from have a rigid structure. Because of how boots interface with skis and the angles and design involved with skis, boots must be stiff in order to A) perform well and B) prevent injury. When considering performance, you have to consider that having a softer boot, or a multi-piece shell design would require much more work on the part of the skier for far less precision. But most importantly ski boots are designed for safety. To make them softer with more flexible materials would means much more pressure and force/stress on ligaments and tendons in the ankle. Small bails would result in tearing all sorts of ligaments and could also result in more broken bones. You aren't comparing apples to apples when you analyze snowboard boots; the snowboard binding system secures the foot, not the boot, whereas in skiing, the opposite could not be possible with front to back movement whereas snowboard movement is lateral.

Also, your suggestion for leather or other coverings like snowboard boots would not work for a ski boot. Ski edges are sharp and pulling a mute too hard across or bailing and having your ski crash into your boot at high speeds would put huge gashes in it, resulting in damaged boots that people wouldn't want to wear within 5 days on the hill. The outer plastic is for a reason.

Anyway, I don't want you to stop thinking of ideas, but be aware of perhaps why boots haven't evolved significantly.
 
Dude... they wouldn't be responsive enough, or save. There are reasons they haven't changed. I think a soft shell boot like that would be similar to trying to ski down a hill with your boots undone. Not responsive, and too much give causing injuries.
 
Ya, i know there are a lot of mechanical aspects that i don't have enough knowledge on. I just want someone who does have that knowledge to try and come up with new innovations. but i guess you're right about the edges ripping up the leather.
 
bro you should put your ideas into action....if you patented an idea like that and it was successful....

all i can say is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ money in the bank son.
 
I don't want leather placed over my boots. It is a waste. My blades have it and they just wear out. Snow and leather get wet and make a boot heavier. Companies already noticed kids are swayed by "cool." Thats why half the park boots are white. Snowboards have soft boots because of the different torques their bindings create. I'm sure liners will become more comfortable and the 3 buckle rampage design may catch on. Also boots like the il moro or old rossi softs that have soft upper parts have potential to work with shinbang and comfort, but i don't see too much room for extreme change.
 
i guess ski boots are a balance between comfort and performance, if you can make a boot that does both rele well ill sure buy one
 
atomic already has a boot that flexes through the forefoot. it's called the Hawx

FYI ski boot molds are roughly $100,000 to make. that is per size. so if you've got a ton of money or a financial backer that is willing to invest nearly $1,000,000 in a very small portion of the ski market, by all means go for it
 
rossi made a soft boot a coupla seasons ago.. not sure if you can still get them, but they were aimed at recreational skiers just cruising

rossisoftlight3bronze.gif
 
yeah those boots actually really sucked...i had to use em for a few weeks and they were terrible, amazingly soft and no support if you dont just cruise on groomers...
 
istockphoto_1787319_old_ski_boots.jpg


Soft leather ski boots? are you kidding me.

Been there, done that, they sucked and the industry changed to stiff 4 buckle boots. A change for the better
 
i didnt buy the flexon hype until i tried a pair on. I have havent even ridden mine yet and ive allready noticed a difference in my skiing theyre that good! figure that out
 
how can u already notice a difference in ur skiing, when u just said u haven;t even ridden them yet?!
 
That boot you have the picture of looks really ugly. I think we should make the inside of boots more comfortable but most boots look okay. Like Salomon's boot that the pros were riding on last year looked so cool.
 
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but...

Atomic Hawk is a new boot out this year and it has a flex point under the ball of the foot. It flexes a minute amount and it is so it is easier to get over your toes. It relies on the elasticity in the heel piece of the binding to work. I don't think you would notice it walking. No real performance boot will have this. You need the boot to be rigid. You only see designs that affect outside of skiing comfort on gaper boots (soft boot [discontinued]) because it doesnt put performance first.

SPK pro has leather on it to make it look like a snowboard boot. We will see how those look at the end of the year from all the edge grinding.

Boot will not change so dramatically. They have been making boots for 100 years. They have been making snowboard boots for 30 years. Of course snowboard boots are going to change more in the recent past. However, I don't think they have changed as much as you think. Leather, soft, with laces? Still the same.

There are tons of things to make a boot comfortable. Complete customization from the shell to the liner to the foot bed. wireless boot heaters. the ability to step in without using your hands or even looking at the boot (try doing that in a snowboard boot that fits!)
 
i would feel so unsafe with boots like that. you have no idea how many times the plastic on the boot saves your foot from hard impacts. i dont even know either, but probably a lot
 
If it gets done properly I dont really care... a boot that fits is a boot that fits.

I have spk's, i think its neet that I only have 2 buckles... cause Im lazy and theyre easy to get on.

Ive held the spk pros this year... and that leather... for steez? is heavy as shit.

Im sure its a composite leather and wont hold alot of water... but that is something to think about.

would you compromise wieght for some boot looks?
 
get over the hard boots. true skiers love their boots and its the first thing i buy and the most important to maintain control and not cause injury.
 
There's a reason why the Rossi Softs are only recommended for groomers or situations where a lot of ski control isn't needed.
 
I just wish there was rubber on the bottom of them. Its fucking dangerous walking on slippery surfaces in ski boots. I've eaten shit so many times.
 
bring your boots into a good shop. they will be able to grind the sole down and replace it with a vibram (rubber) sole. you may have to bring in the sole for them. Basically a replacement workboot sole.

Take a look at the Helly Hansen ad out this year with all the atheltesbeside each other. Eric Hjorleifson is on the left. He has tecnica race pros that have a vibram sole put on them. The boots have also been cut and given an extra tongue so they will be more like the the SPKs and easy to get on. Crazy hybrids.
 
Haven't you noticed that theres a reason for everything? The main reason is because the design works and then there is the amount of money it would take to think up a whole new design. Just look at the Razor Genesys model, Razor keeps releasing it but with new colors. But there isn't much money in the rollerblading industry so I guess thats the main reason it really hasn't changed.
 
thats what i got...

very very sturdy and very comfy (considering its a ski boot)...

but realistically the design is not all that drastically different from any other...

 
I dont think you could ever make a soft leather boot like a snowboard boot stiff enough for skis. You'd be breaking ankles left and right. The only way I could see that working is if you changed bindings to add support like snowboards do but that would be a pain and a shitty idea
 
I am just sick of the lack of boots that have a solid strap that goes right between where the foot and the ankle meet. If that was locked down, that upper and lower could be looser with the same amount of control, and thus the boot would be more comfortable.

I really need to check out some Full Tilts.
 
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