Obtaining a correct boot fit requires addressing several issues. We begin our boot fits by taking five distinct measurements from your foot. We look at the length, the width, the circumference of the forefoot, the circumference of the mid foot, and then finally a heel wrap measurement. We combine these measurements, analyze them, and then synthesize them to develop a mental picture of the volume of your foot. Through this volumetric sizing, along with our expert's vast knowledge of our boot inventory, we are able to begin to build a boot portfolio for you. The next step is determining your foot/leg alignment and stance orientation. To do this, we will take a look at your foot/leg from both the front (anterior) and rear (posterior). The posterior view is typically much more helpful in determining your natural alignment. If you take a look at the image below, you'll see three types of alignments found in the ankle joint. We HIGHLY recommend adding a custom molded footbed to your ski boot. This is not a money grab, this is not a way to "upsell" our customers. The footbed of a ski boot has zero support. Ski boot design has come a very long way in the past 10 years, but the footbed of a ski boot is still manufactured with the notion that the customer will have a footbed fitted to them and their boot. Secondarily and perhaps more prominently, individual foot arch heights and lengths, metatarsal head issues, neuromas, bunions, and styloid issues can all be helped with the fitment of a properly molded custom footbed. In most cases for recreational skiers, a properly molded and posted custom footbed can alleviate almost all alignment issues in the foot/ankle area. There are cases in which full leg stance alignment issues arise that a footbed cannot address. In those cases we look at a canting analysis that will help us determine if we need to adjust the angulation of the boot itself through planing or the ski/binding interface with shims. Once we determine the volumetrics of your foot, deal with any alignment issues, and make concessions for any hotspots or protrusions, we move to getting your foot in some boots. This is where your input becomes invaluable. While we as boot fitters know the whys, the hows, and the who's, you have to tell us the what's. What does your foot feel once it's in the boot? Proper detailed communication with your boot fitter is the single most important factor to boot fitting. If you can't tell us, we can't fix it. Typically, we try to narrow down a fitting to three boots. Emphasis on try. We like to say that if we can't nail it down in three boots, either we're not doing our job properly by choosing the wrong boots, or you're not doing your job properly through lack of communication. Trying on too many boots can confuse the issue and muddy the waters so much that you leave knowing less about what you want in a boot than you did when you came in. Once we come to a consensus on a boot, we then begin to work on any boot liner or shell modifications that may be necessary. It's rare that a boot fits perfectly off the wall, so be prepared to give us time to make those adjustments during the fitting process. Shell stretching and grinding, Zeppa (boot board) modifications, buckle and bail adjustments, and liner forming are all typical during a correct boot fit. We carefully choose our boot brands and models according to specific fits, ability to manipulate the boot, varying volumes, and design functionality. We like to make sure that the boots we choose are in line with the theory in which we as boot fitters adhere to. While we carry the three top selling boot brands in the world with Salomon, Tecnica, Dalbello, HEAD, and Rossignol we also do extensive research each year to see if there are any newer, lesser known brands that meet our criteria and standards. We also work exclusively with Boot Doc brand footbeds and fitting systems. Through more than 18 years of fitting boots and working in the ski industry, we've found that Boot Doc's comprehensive fit system and technologies are the best in the industry. Their advanced products and fitment devices give us the tools we need to properly, accurately, and successfully get you into a great fitting boot. Stop in and let us get you set up in a new fit!