161: The Ski Boot Special (How to choose ski boots, custom insoles, boot fitting)

A Ski Boot Special: we look at types of ski boot; how to choose a ski boot; whether you should have them fitted or moulded; plus some of the gadgets that work with them.   Iain was joined by the ski boot experts Colin Martin from Solutions4Feet and regular equipment expert Al Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com. Intersport Ski Hire Discount Code Save money on your ski hire by using the code ‘SKIPODCAST’ at intersportrent.com, or simply take this link for your discount to be automatically applied at the checkout. SHOW NOTES Colin skied at Kuhtai on the SIGB Ski Test  Listen to Al talking about the Ski Test in Episode 91  TSP is sponsored by Les 3 Vallées - the largest ski area in the world  Val Thorens is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter You can now book holidays to Les 3 Vallées directly via their their website  World Cup races in Solden and Zermatt were cancelled  Mia Brookes took 9th and Kirsty Muir 7th in the Big Air in Chur  Listen to our interview with Mia Brookes in Episode 158 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RMQJmpiBnhw Robin Shah reported on his first turns in Verbier, which as he predicted opened last weekend https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1590343660310495233 Dave Burrows from Snow Pros Ski School reported from Glacier 3000  The Warren Miller film tour ‘Daymaker’ starts later this month  Iain is hosting the Brighton screening on Friday 02 December https://twitter.com/theskipodcast/status/1585952522459648001  Love this quote: “Like a wand in Harry Potter, the ski boot chooses your foot” Touring boots cost more because a patent has to be paid to Dynastar every time Iain had his custom insoles created for him at Profeet  Go for thin ski socks, recommended brands include Falke, Teko and Smartwool  Don’t buy your ski boots on the basis of colour: “They’re tools not jewels”  Iain spoke to Professor Henrik Bjursten about his new VPECS innovation The Carv device fits into your ski boot and gives feedback on your ski technique, visually via the app or in audio via Bluetooth Ted Ligety is their new ambassador (and can give you ski advice!) Feedback  Please send us your feedback on social @theskipodcast or email [email protected] Chris Exall:  “Hope you don't mind a minor correction [re Episode 101]. Though they were often referred to as ‘parablocks’, but in fact they were called ‘parablacks’. The reason was that the inventor was called Gunther Schwartz. They were partly to stop skiers crossing 'the sharp ends' but they were widely used in World Cup speed events because they had the effect of dampening the ski and filtering out vibration. Marker developed their own version which had a weight suspended by springs, it was intended as a more active 'suspension' for ski racers, though the thing weighed a ton. The earliest ones were simply plastic boxes but the last version was a spring loaded coat hanger wire affair which stopped your tips crossing but folded flat if you tried to uncross them”   BobinCH (snowheads): "Gethin on Solden in October [Episode 159] was an interesting listen" Richard_Sideways (snowheads): "Nice podcast as usual" Elements.biz: "Super interesting conversations [in Episode 160]. Thanks for the ongoing sustainability focus" Gareth Harvey: "Thanks for the snowboard episode" Judy Mathews: "Really enjoying your podcast. I have only just come across it recently & wish I did some time ago, but I have plenty to catch up on when driving or running." As Judy says there are over 160 episodes to catch up with. We'd love to hear how you listen to the podcast - commuting, in the gym, or at work. If you enjoy the show, why not review us as it helps other people find us. We have 88 reviews on Apple Podcasts, 74 are 5-star reviews - and if you leave a comment we'll read it out on the next episode. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast