Most equipment gurus will tell you that your ski boots are the most important part of your setup. Having boots that fit properly and understanding the “ins out outs” of wearing them will make or break your day on the hill. So how can you be sure that you’ll be comfortable in your ski boots all day long? We asked Steve Cohen, CEO of Masterfit Enterprises, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the subject, for his pro tips on putting on ski boots.
Cohen co-founded Masterfit Enterprises in 1998 when he was Executive Editor of Ski Magazine. Today Masterfit is a part of America’s Best Bootfitters, a trade group of snowsports shops specializing in boot fitting. Cohen shared with us insights and recommendations for getting your boot fit right. See his tips below.
How To Put On Ski Boots
What to do before putting on ski boots
Wear only one thin pair of ski specific socks. Contrary to popular belief, thicker socks or multiple pairs of socks don’t keep you warmer. The best sock is one made from the right material such as a merino wool. This fabric is insulating and moisture wicking so when you start to work hard your feet stay warm and dry. Additionally, you don’t want to put anything else in your boot. That means no powder cuffs, no in-the-boot pants, no toe warmers. Any small wrinkle or extra fabric has the potential to create a pinch spot and lead to discomfort.
Ski boots are easiest to put on when they are warm. It’s best not to leave them out in a cold car or garage the night before you want to go skiing. That plastic is very temperature sensitive. The cold will cause them to stiffen up, making them extremely difficult to pull on. It’s best to keep them inside a warm house the night before you go or next to your car heater on the ride up to the mountain. Be mindful that the temperature sensitivity goes both ways and if you keep them directly next to a fireplace or indoor heater the plastic can warp. Room temperature is best for storing and a slightly warm boot will always be the easiest to slip on.
How to put on ski boots
It may be a no-brainer, but put them on one at a time. Let’s start with the right foot. Unbuckle all the buckles and make sure they are resting off to the side of the shell and can’t accidentally re-engage with the ladder. Flex both flaps of the innerboot wrap away from each other to help open the throat of the boot a bit for easier entry. Then put the right boot on the ground between your feet. Put the left boot to the left side but keep it close by.
Standing in a slightly crouched position, hold the tongue strap with your right 2-3 middle fingers and pull it up and slightly to the outside while sliding your foot down and firmly into the toe box. Put your left thumb inside the front of the cuff liner at the 11 o’clock position with the other four fingers on the outside of the shell to help stabilize the boot. Insert your foot slightly tilted to the inside and push down. The ball of your foot and arch should seat first, followed by the outside of the foot. Pull up on the tongue a few times while wiggling your foot to make sure it’s sitting properly on the insole. Make sure the tongue is sitting properly over the instep and shin, inside the flaps of the liner. Now make sure the shell overlaps are properly aligned. Then repeat for the other boot.
Buckling order seems to be a matter of personal preference. I know expert skiers who start at the top and work down; others that start from the bottom and work up; and still others who start at the instep buckle and work up and down. I prefer starting with the lower toe or instep buckle. The instep is the key hold-down section of the foot. You’re more than halfway home if the instep is secure. Whichever way you choose to proceed, find the macro setting on the ladder that seems like it will secure the boot snuggly but comfortably. Latch the buckle into the closed position. Now snug up the Velcro or Booster Strap at the top of the cuff.
You will know exactly which rungs to engage on the ladders after skiing your boots a few times. Release the buckle and try the next rung on the ladder if you find the fit too tight or too loose. Now it’s time to make the macro-adjustment so you obtain the perfect combination of hold-down and comfort. Spin the buckle clockwise to make the throw shorter (tighter) or counterclockwise to make the throw longer (looser) until you achieve a comfortable but snug fit with the buckles latched.
How to make sure your ski boots fit properly
A good fitting boot should hug the foot and lower leg everywhere but not so tightly that it hurts anywhere. If your foot is moving excessively in any direction, the boot is too loose and it will make it more difficult to control your skis and will lead to abrasion and impact injuries. If it’s so tight it hurts anywhere, then see a professional bootfitter to get it looked at. Every foot is shaped differently, and well-trained bootfitters have the skills and special tools to make modifications to maximize your boot’s comfort, control, and performance. The key to a well fitting boot is achieving a sense of consistent, uniform pressure throughout the entirety of your foot.
How to get out of your boots
Find a chair. Relax for a minute, because you’re likely exhausted. Unbuckle all buckles on both boots and again position them so they can’t accidentally re-engage. Again, let’s start with the right boot. Standing up in a slightly crouched position, grasp the liner strap with the 2-3 middle fingers of your right hand. Place your left thumb inside the 6-7 o’clock position on the cuff. Place the other four fingers on the outside of the cuff. Push down with your left hand at the same time you are gently pulling the tongue up and to the outside. Your foot should pop right out of the boot.
Caring for your ski boots
Dry your boots after every day of skiing. They will last longer, plus they will smell less. You should remove your liners from the shell and your insoles from the liner, and especially if you’re skiing the next day. Most skiers are too lazy or don’t know how to easily re-insert liners into shells, so they just don’t do it. If that’s you, then invest in a boot dryer. However, do not use a hair dryer or heat gun. They get too hot and can damage boot components (especially custom footbeds). Even a fan blowing room temp air into the liners helps with the drying process.
At a minimum, place your boots overnight in a warm (not hot) location, such as near a wood stove or fireplace, and hope that they dry overnight. Wet boots invariably lead to cold feet which leads to a miserable ski day. Also, make sure to clean all mud and dirt off the shell, especially the anti-friction binding interfaces, with a damp cloth.
When your ski boots are not in use for extended periods, latch all the buckles of your boots to light fit tension so the plastic shell retains its ideal shape. Store your boots in a cool, dry place, especially over the summer. Do not store your boots in a hot attic. It’s a good idea to lubricate the buckle hinges and screws a few times a season. Spray dry silicone on the bottom of the boot shell to keep the plastic from drying out, and particularly at the binding anti-friction interface.
How to resolve heel lift and relieve pressure points
There are many things that can lead to heel lift and pressure points. Your best bet is to go see a professional bootfitter. While I of course have some bias, I recommend professional bootfitters who have trained at Masterfit University and is a member of America’s Best Bootfitters. The shops that are part of this trade group network are among the best in the world. They all have fit technicians who have received elite level training.
The bootfitters at these shops have the tools and knowledge to help you select the best boot from the get-go and make the modifications necessary to maximize comfort and performance. A well fit boot is a long-term investment. It can easily last five seasons with normal recreational use. Too many skiers buy “bargain boots” or get something sight unseen online and are invariably unhappy with the fit or performance. They try to get some value out of it and ski it for two or three seasons before getting disgusted and try again. Why not get it right the first time.
See more tips in the following video from boot expert Larry Houchen.
June 19, 2025
