How to choose the correct size of alpine ski boots and what is MONDO POINT system?

The mondopoint system is used to classify ski boots by size, in the following article you will learn what the system is and how to properly measure the size of your foot so that you can select the ideal ski boot.

ADULTS:

Stand back against the wall and measure the size of your foot in cm from heel to toe. Round the final result to the nearest 0.5cm (for example 26.3=26.5, 28.7=29 or 26.8=27). Dont forget, if you tend to use thicker socks please add 0.5-1cm to your measurement.

CHILDREN:

If you happen to have wider or longer feet than average do not hesitate to contact us at info@mardosport.com and we will help you select a ski boot thats right for you. The following chart is a useful tool for converting standard international shoe sizes to the mondopoint system.

FLEX INDEX (BOOT RIGIDITY)

Boot rigidity refers to the degree of effort required to bend the boot forward It is usually indicated by a scale ranging from soft to very stiff and marked with a standardized flex index number. The scale ranges from 50 (soft ) to 130 (very stiff) This number is usually printed on the side or on the sole of the boot.

Recommended flex index of mens ski boots:

Begginer – Recommended flex of 50-90
Advanced – Recommended flex of 70-110
Expert – Reccomended flex of 100-140
Racing – Reccomended flex 130+

Reccomended flex of lady's ski boots:

Beginner – Reccomended flex of 40-80
Advanced – Reccomended flex of 60-100
Expert – Reccomended flex of 80-120
Racing – Recommended flex of 110+

Terrain, speed and type of snow you are skiing in all play a role in determining the correct boot rigidity. Professional freeriders and big-mountain skiers tend to choose soft boots while top downhill racers tend to choose even softer boots. Variable snow conditions and steep terrain are more suited to softer boots while hard, packed snow with a smooth surface (such as a groomed racing slope) and ski styles that produce pressure on the toes are more suited to harder boots.

Personal preference and physical ability are also significant factors Physically able beginners might find that a semi-rigid or fully rigid boot works better for them while more experienced skiers may have a preference for softer boots. Likewise your height and weight must be considered when choosing a boot with the correct flex index.

Someone who is shorter and lighter may find it difficult to bend very rigid boots while someone who is taller and heavier may find that softer boots bend too much and will prefer stiffer boots even if they are just a beginner skier.

CUFF SHAPE

Shape of the cuff is another important consideration when picking ski boots.

The height and shape of the boot cuff is particularly important for women (as they tend to have lower seated ankles than men) and in particular those with a wide ankle profile. Most ski boots tend to have an adjustable buckle which can change the shape of the cuff.This feature is particularly useful if the cuff is too tight. Many manufacturers offer ski boots for women, designed specifically for women with larger and lower set ankles. Likewise, almost all manufacturers include adjustable buckles on their ski boots to further customize the boot fit to your particular anatomy.

ACCESSORIES

Ski boots feature many accesories to improve performance, increase comfort and ease of use. Many are related to boot customaziblity but tend to vary from model to model

Insoles
These are removable, soft insoles which protect the foot from the rigid outer boot.Insoles take some time to adjust to the skiers foot, so while a boot may feel tight during fitting it will loosen up after a few days of skiing. Some ski boots offer fully customisable thermal insoles which need to be heated up and then moulded to a skiers foot to get the perfect fit. These thermal insoles will maintain their shape even in cold temperatures.

Power Strap
This refers to the velcro strap located on the upper portion of the boot cuff (some manufacturers use a solid buckle instead of velcro). Upon adjustment, this velcro strap functions to improve energy transfer and control and serves as another aid in boot customization. The tightness of of the power strap is a matter of personal preference and ski style and you should not be afraid to experiment with different strap settings.

Micro-adjustable buckles
Micro adjustments extend or shorten the boot buckles in a way that allows you to truly customize and fine tune the rigidity and fit of your boot. Clockwise rotation will tighten the ski boot cuff while counter-clockwise rotation will loosen it

Cuff angle adjustment
Many boots offer skiers the option to adjust the boot cuff angle such that it corresponds with the angle of your foot. This adjustment may be important if the standard cuff angle setting is such that it places undue force on the outer or inner edge of the boot. Cuff angle adjustments usually require the loosening and tightening of boot screws using a hex (Allen) key.

Rear spoiler
Removable spoiler located on the rear part of the boot between the inner sole and outer shell. It increases forward lean of the leg by a few degrees and serves to fill the gap between the skiers leg and outer shell of the boot. This may be important for skiers with thinner legs and those who simply prefer a more aggressive forward lean. The spoiler is attached by screws to the outter shell or to the inner sole via velcro.

Interchangable outer sole
Some boots offer the option to swap out the outer sole, usually between downhill skiing and alpine ski touring configurations and vice versa. Changing the sole can affect the compatbility of ski bindings and therefore it is prudent to ensure that your particular ski binding is designed for interchangable soles.

Walk-mode lever
Many ski boots offer the option of being used in a bound (downhill) or loose heel (walking) configuration. Flicking the switch will adjust and loosen the lean of the boot thus giving you a bigger range of motion while walking This function is mainly used in alpine ski touring.

Canting
Allows the top of the boot to adjust side to side in such a way that adapts to your natural stance. Proper canting adjustments requires specialzied tools and familiarity with ones natural ski stance. Canting adjustment has either a single or double configuration.