Ski Boot Glossary

aussieskier Ski Bootfitting Glossary

Ski Boot Glossary

Ski boot terms can be confusing. With words like Cabrio, Canting, and Mondopoint, it's no wonder most skiers leave it up to bootfitters. That's why we've created this glossary to help you understand the lingo, and get you up to speed with all things ski boots.


BOA

  • An updated buckle system designed to replace the lower 2 buckles on ski boots. Using a strong cable and dial mechanism to tighten the boot, wrapping the shell around your foot, rather than cranking down with buckles.

    • Booster Strap

  • An aftermarket power strap which locks using a cam style buckle rather than velcro. It uses elastic over the front of the boot to increase performance and help prevent shin bang.

    • Boot Board

  • A component of the ski boot that the liner rests on. Either made of softer materials for shock absorption in freeride boots or harder materials for increased performance in performance/race style ski boots. In some ski boots the boot board may be ground down to allow for more overall volume (read: Space) inside the boot.

    • Boot Sole

  • The underneath part of a ski boot that would be in contact with the ground if standing. Some ski boots have replaceable or interchangeable heels and toes.

    • Buckle Ladder

  • The piece with notches where the buckle wire attaches to close the shell.

    • Cabrio Design

  • A ski boot that is a combination of three different parts of plastic. The lower around the foot, the cuff which runs up the side and rear part of the leg, and a tongue over the front.

    • Canting

  • Altering the angles of the sole of the boot. Canting is a complicated process usually only performed on the ski boots of high level racing skiers. Not something our bootfitters recommend pursuing.

    • Cuff

  • The part of a ski boot that goes up the leg.

    • Cuff Alignment

  • A feature on the hinge point of the ski boot that allows the angle of the cuff to be adjusted in or out. Usually cheaper boots will not have this feature, whilst high end boots will feature this on hinge points. Some boots may only have one point for adjustment. Cuff alignment can help bow-legged or knock-kneed skiers regain the feeling of a flat ski base on a smooth surface. Not something that our boot fitters recommend pursuing.

    • Custom Fit Shell

  • Technology present in Salomon boots allowing for the boot shell to be molded to your foot and leg.

    • Custom Footbed

  • An arch support custom made to match the skiers foot by a boot fitter to replace the stock liner, increasing comfort and performance.

    • Flex Index

  • The rating/stiffness/resistance a manufacturer gives a ski boot. The higher the number, the stiffer the ski boot. However there is no standardised test for flex and as such a 120 flex ski boot may be more stiff or soft than a 120 flex boot from another brand, or sometimes even a different model from the same brand.
    The better a boot fits, the easier it will be to flex.

    • Forward Lean

  • The angle that the upper cuff leans forward in relation to the lower part of the shell. A more aggressive (higher number) lean is usually associated with race boots. A less aggressive forward lean is associated with a more upright stance.

    • Flex Adjuster

  • A feature on the spine of some boots used to increase or decrease the flex index rating, making the boot stiffer or softer.

    • GripWalk

  • GripWalk (GW) is present in nearly all modern boots. Consisting of a partially rubberised and rockered sole with AFD plates on the heel and toe to improve the walking function and grip of a ski boot when not skiing. GripWalk boots are only compatible with modern bindings that accept GripWalk soles. Nearly all alpine bindings produced after 2020 are GripWalk compatible.

    • Hike/Walk Mode

  • A lever or function that unlocks the link between the cuff and the lower part of the shell to allow the ski boot to “flex” backwards, removing pressure from the calf when walking. It can also allow the boot to flex forward easier as well. This makes the boot easier to walk or skin in, and is seen on Hybrid, and Alpine Touring (AT) ski boots.

    • Hinge

  • The component of the ski boot which allows movement through the ankle joint. There is a hinge point found on the inside and outside of the boot, near the ankle.

    • Innerboot

  • See Liner.

    • Intuition Liner

  • A fully thermo-moldable aftermarket performance liner that uses a highly heat responsive foam to increase performance, warmth, and comfort.

    • Instep

  • The arched part of the foot between the toes and the ankle, including the top of the foot.

    • ISO23223

  • Standard norm for ski boots with Gripwalk soles.

    • ISO5355

  • Alpine standard norm for ski boots with flat toe and heel soles.

    • ISO9523

  • Touring standard norm for ski boots with a rockered sole.

    • Last

  • The internal measurement of the widest part of the boot in the forefoot. Measured in “mm” and referenced to a size 26/26.5. Boots under 98mm wide are considered narrow, 99-101mm is considered standard, and 102mm and greater are considered wide. The Last of a boot can also be referred to as the “Volume”; narrow boots are Low Volume, standard boots are Medium Volume, and wide boots are High Volume.

    • Liner

  • The foam structure that sits inside the shell and encompasses the foot. The liner provides insulation, breathability, and is what your foot feels when inside the boot.. All liners in the boots stocked at aussieskier can be heat molded, with some particular liners being more responsive to the process than others.

    • Memory Fit

  • Technology present in Atomic boots allowing for the boot shell to be molded to your foot and leg.

    • Micro-adjust Buckle

  • A buckle that is on a screw thread to shorten or lengthen its length. This provides precise adjustment in between the ladder options.

    • Mondopoint

  • The sizing system used for ski boots. Gives the length of a foot in centimeters.

    • Overlap

  • Refers to the most common design of ski boots. Features the lower part of the shell that houses the foot, and the cuff which overlaps and closes at the front of the leg to provide a secure fit.

    • Packed Out

  • When the foam liner inside a ski boot compresses. This usually happens over time and can be responsible for the fit of a ski boot feeling loose. Also referred to as 'packing out'.

    • Power Strap

  • A velcro strap around the top of the cuff that increases performance, helps to close the shell and secure the fit around the calf and lower limb. More expensive boots typically have a power strap that consists of a belt like mechanism, improving hold and power.

    • Prefabricated Insole

  • An arch support made to a predetermined arch shape intended to replace the stock insole that comes with the ski boot.

    • Rear Entry

  • A style of ski boot where the skier enters the boot through the rear of the shell.

    • Reference Size

  • The ski boot size manufacturers base technical information off. Typically the reference size is a 26.5.

    • Rockered Sole

  • A curved sole found on Alpine Touring boots. A rockered sole allows for a more natural gait.

    • Rubber Soles

  • A ski boot sole with rubber lugs for added traction and grip on hard snow and rocks.

    • Rear Spoiler

  • A shim that is placed between the cuff and liner. It can be moved up or down to give more or less support to the calf.

    • Shell Expansion

  • The process of expanding a shell using heat and pressure. This is performed by an experienced boot fitter to help match the shape of a shell to the skier and increase comfort. Sometimes called a “boot punch”.

    • Shell Fit

  • A way to assess the size of a ski boot shell. The liner is removed, and your bare foot is put inside the shell. A visual check of the space between your foot and the shell is made by the boot fitter.

    • Shell Grind

  • The process of grinding away plastic from the inside of the shell. This is performed by an experienced boot fitter to help alleviate pressure in specific areas on the foot.

    • Shin Bang

  • A sense of pain and discomfort through the front of the shin. There could be many causes such as ill-fitting boots or packed out liners.

    • side Country

  • Skiing just outside of the resort area boundaries, but still using the resort lifts.

    • Stock Insole

  • A thin piece of material underneath the foot between the foot and liner. The main purpose of the stock insole is to act as “packing material” to keep the bottom of the liner in shape until a proper insole or footbed is inserted as a replacement.

    • Spine

  • The part of a ski boot that runs down the back of the leg.

    • Stiffness

  • See Flex Index

    • Tech Inserts

  • Metal inserts on the ski boot found in the heel and on either side of the toe for use with low tech bindings such as the Marker Kingpin or G3 Ion.

    • Three Piece

    See Cabrio Design
  • See Last
    Volume can also refer to the measurement of your foot around your ankle and instep, and is used by a boot fitter to measure the difference between your foot length and overall foot size. Useful in understanding how your foot should fit in to the ankle/heel pocket of a ski boot.

    • Zipfit Liner

  • An aftermarket performance liner that is continually molding to the foot. Zipfit liners use granulated cork rather than foams to take the shape of the shell and foot.