Ski boot comfort: I may have found my holy grail - Nordica HF series.

Sports and Hobbies
1
After years of suffering with my old ski boots, this year I decided to finally get a new pair. There is ironically no logical reason that I didn't get a new pair in the last few years, I just kept forgetting about how uncomfortable and hard to fasten they were until I put my ski boots on, and then I would spend the day cursing them and then promptly forget about it by the time the next weekend came. Ahem.

Anyway, I was having a look around a couple of stores when I went into Migros Sport X and tried on a pair of these babies, the Nordica HF PRO 120 (GW) https://www.nordica.com/global/en/me.../hf/hf-pro-120

Holy. Crap. Nordica have apparently "re-introduced and refined" an opening and closing mechanism from years ago where the boot opened from the back using a level, meaning you can do it hands-free or with a pole. It is, for me, a game changer in comfort.

It is ridiculously easy to fasten and unfasten using the rear lever, which can be seen in this nice video here where a guy goes through each model. Not only are they super easy to open and close, but they also walk excellently due to the added freedom of movement when unfastened.

I admit that I have yet to ski in them, but I am very optimistic as they feel very comfy and supportive. The sales lady advised me to give them a try a couple of times before considering getting them heat moulded, as apparently you shouldn't heat mould them unless you have discomfort as it does cause wear on the liner.

Migros SportX have a 20% off deal at the moment so I got them for 480chf (reduced from 599chf) https://www.sportxx.ch/de/p/49547722...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

They do also have a 110 model for 399chf (reduced from 499chf) but it doesn't have a power strap, so if you get that one I would advise buying a power strap separately as the guy in the video suggests https://www.sportxx.ch/de/p/49547612...?selectVariant

There are also of course ladies versions available https://www.sportxx.ch/de/s?q=Nordic...lecht%3AUnisex

For those like me who have wide feet and want something sporty and supportive, yet comfortable and easy to get out of, then I highly recommend going to try a pair on. I will report back when I ski on them.

2
Whoa, a blast of the 80's! https://profeet.co.uk/rear-entry-ski-boots-are-back/

It's been a while since I tried Nordicas, but historically the pain points were foot last (narrow fit) and ankle/shin pressure points. I wonder how these will fit ankles.

Good that you got the 120 with straps, and you may even want to aftermarket an extra strap, as the typical problem with rear-entry boots is lack of forward stiffness and control. If this is still the case, you gain comfort, especially when walking, but lose performance. Then again, materials have improved and Nordica seems to be past their heavy-boot phase. I'd be curious to hear how they do on snow.

3
For me it’s all about a good boot fitter as I have wide wonky feet. I got a new pair of the Tecnica Cochise last year and my second pair that fit like a glove. It’s worth it’s weight in gold paying a few hundred extra for a boot fitter if I compare to the agony I suffered in the past. If u have normal feet then no big deal taking a chance online or a migrosX but doesn’t work for my wonky feet.

4
I think that the vast majority of people don't need a dedicated boot fitter with the focus that modern boots put on comfort with heat-moulding capabilities, but yes if you have 'wonky feet' or other 'special requirements' then clearly it pays to do it.

5
Yes, but the comfort fitting is just one aspect. Custom insoles to optimize canting will do a lot for comfort, as well of course as performance and even safety.

6
I'm sure that of course they will improve things, that's what you pay hundreds for at boot fitting shops, but it's not 'necessary' in performance boots that are already comfortable.

7
The point is that you can get insoles made for about 80 CHF in a good shop (avoid fancy resorts and cities where price will be double). These will last pretty much a lifetime. The tech will adjust the cuff anyway to get alignment. Decide later if you need comfort fitting, but you are set either way, and any fitting will not throw off your balance.

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Update: I have now skied in these boots a few times and wow... the level of comfort compared to my old boots is just astounding and I didn't even have them heat moulded. The quick release "clam shell" opening mechanism is a breath of fresh air and has taken a lot of the pain out of fastening and unfastening boots and can be quickly done no matter what gloves you are wearing. I am still figuring out what the 'perfect' settings are, but finally for the first time in years (admittedly self-inflicted) I can ski all day in relative comfort.

I will explore an alternative footbed too as my foot is not so high so there is a bit of room above it even on the tightest settings that a higher footbed would likely improve.

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Great info, pantouf guru. Alpine boots are the bane of my existence, I have regularly switched boots over last 3 seasons due to pain - it's always the left one for some reason. Meanwhile my cross country boots are a dream

Someone suggested freestyle boots but I think they would lack the necessary support/give for an intermediate skiier like myself

I do notice that however 'comfortable' they can feel on fitting, 3-4 hrs of skiing is when the pain eventually kicks in

If these current iterations don't work, I will give these a try as I have been buying used only

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Foot pain in ski boots is often, but not always, due to poor ski technique and skiing 'fighting' gravity, skiing with weight too far back, with ankles not bending well and or sufficiently. Makes your feet shoot forwards and causes pain. So perhaps something to check here too.

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Ski boot pain is because ski boots are instruments of torture.

Me and my OH are instructors and therefore hopefully our technique is pretty good. We have both had years of boot issues, tried and failed with many brands and many modifications. We both finally discovered only Salomon boots suit our feet (and we both have very different feet).

We skied every day in winter for decades and it took many pairs of boots to get the right ones (obviously once you’ve bought them you persevere). God knows how recreational skiers ever find the right boot.

12
20 years ago I spent a snowy day in Davos trying on new ski boots. It took all day to find a pair that were both a very tight fit and comfortable.

I tighten up my Head "RS100 World Cup" boots in the ski room in the morning and take them off again in the evening. Painless secure skiing all day. I even leave them tight at lunchtime.

Worth spending a day trying on dozens of boots.

I dread the day they need replacing!!

13
Next time buy two pairs so that when the first run out you have another pair waiting.

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Totally, that is why I wrote 'often' - as I have noticed the problem with many UK friends.

I have got HEAD boots too, bought in Arosa many moons ago, and with custom made insoles made in Colorado. Got 1 leg significantly shorter than the other after a car accident when I was young and a smashed femur- and 2 artifical knees. Love them <3 (the boots!)

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I had been using a pair of tecnicas with a similar experience for over 20 years. No pain whatsoever. I had sometimes tried to find newer ones but the closest I ever got was "these might be ok". Anyway they finally broke due to age this year so I went to a rental place in the hope that they had some tecnicas so I could finish the holiday. They didn't but I tried on a few again which might have been tolerable but then I tried a couple year old model Head nexo lyt and they fit like a glove. Got back home and went around a few stores and couldn't find any close even in the same brand so I ordered them online. They have a roomy toe box and a narrow ankle area and offer liner molding, shell molding, liner ankle injection. I struggle to get them on but once they're on they're (almost) perfect. I think many ski boots get rejected simply because people can't get them on in the store.

I think a lot of people don't realise you can get boots which will be comfortable all day. Not helped when people go to a rental place with few options. You shouldn't have to worry about technique to avoid pain either. Generally speaking if you've got narrow feet you go for a sportier version (narrow last/low volume) and if you've got wide feet you'll have to go for a less sporty version (wide last/high volume) (or have the boots stretched). Try on every single pair of boots that you can find. By the way the half mondo sizes are the definitive size. a 27 size boot is a 27.5 size boot with a thicker footbed.

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Indeed might be the case, especially since it is recurring in same leg & area but I do find they never seem 'comfortable' even on initial fitting - only tolerable

17
I was always taught by boot fitters that as the lining compresses with time, and to the shape of your foot, boots have to be quite/very tight when new. Also advised to wear thin ski racing socks at first, to avoid excess compression of liner. Mind you, I like to know what my feet are doing, and I wear thin well fitted socks always. But if ever my boots started to feel a bit 'loose' - I could wear slightly thicker socks.

And for the Brits here- never ever never- wear those awful cheap ski socks with the square foot that bunch up- or as so often with beginners, 2 pairs!!!

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Boots shouldn't be uncomfortable almost no matter how bad your technique is. If they're too big then bad technique can cause problems but good technique won't make them smaller. Imagine putting your foot in an empty boot shell and someone filling it up with a warm thick foam. That's how boots should feel - totally secure but with no pressure points or point shin pressure (but with room to wiggle your toes). You might only ever achieve that after heat molding if there are some small pressure spots.

After having a lot of trouble finding a boot that fits myself I appreciate that it can be very difficult or seem impossible to find a boot. In the extreme case people pay a lot of money for full custom boot and liner fitting.

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If they are 'just right' and you ski with the weight on the back of your feet, it will make them too small, as your feet will go forwards and push your toes into the front of the boot. Put weight forwards and flex your ankles and knees, and the heel will be pushed back and the boots will feel great. Honest!

The reason why you have to do this (weight forwards and bend ankles) when you clip your boots up and put powerband on. This was explained on several advanced ski trips I have been on with top senor BASI coaches.

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It's all true about weight distribution but if your foot moves significantly with forward/back lean then they're too big/loose. If your foot doesn't move a lot but you find your toes hitting the front when leaning back then they're too small.

Boots that are 'just right' should not allow such movement so that you can press your toes on the front. Honest!