Discover how to extend the life of your ski boots and learn why they wear out!
For most recreational skiers, ski boots represent a significant investment. We demonstrate a willingness to spend a little extra money on ski boots because we depend on them for our safety.
But, how long do ski boots last? The answer may surprise you.
How Long Do Ski Boots Last?
The life of a pair of ski boots depends on their quality, how they’re used, and how they’re maintained. Generally, you can expect entry-level ski boots to last for 40 to 90 days of skiing.
So, if you ski for three weeks every year, your new ski boots should perform well for a few years. However, extensive use will shorten the lifespan of beginner ski boots.
Top-of-the-line ski boots can last for up to 200 days of skiing or more. Because they consist of high-quality materials and bear specialized designs intended for extreme use, premium ski boots can present a better value than the least expensive pairs.
On a dollar-per-day basis, high-end ski boots represent a smart investment if you don’t mind the upfront cost.
Why Ski Boots Wear Out
Ski boots wear out for a variety of reasons. When answering the question, “How long do ski boots last?” one must consider:
- Weather conditions
- UV Exposure
- Stress
- Excessive walking
- Improper Storage
Let’s go over each of these factors in turn!
Reason #1 Climate
It may sound funny to hear that climate plays a role in the wear-and-tear suffered by your ski boots, but it does. In fact, sometimes it can be too cold.
Skiers have reported several instances of ski boots exploding into countless pieces due to extremely low temperatures. But, the change in climate over the lifespan of the ski boots can have a major impact as well.
Moving your ski boots from a warm climate to the snowy mountains and back again wreaks havoc on the plastic shells. Every time you take your ski boots on a skiing trip, the plastic contracts in the cold weather.
Likewise, your ski boots expand once you come back down the mountain. All of that expansion and contraction puts a lot of stress on your ski boots.
Reason #2 Excessive Walking
Like all high-performance footwear, ski boots experience unnecessary damage when used outside of their primary purpose.
All skiers try to limit the amount of walking in ski boots, especially in places without a thick blanket of snow.
However, we all catch ourselves walking around in our ski boots more than we should. The result is a decreased lifespan for our boots.
Reason #3 UV Exposure
Ultraviolet light causes a lot of damage to ski boots over time. Excessive exposure to UVs turns your ski boot shells to become brittle and fail.
Plus, UVs also cause sun rot, decreasing the lifespan of your liners. When not in use, try to keep your ski boots out of direct sunlight to minimize the harmful effects of UV light.
Reason #4 Stress
Ski boots take a beating over the course of their lives. As you weave your way down the mountain, forward and lateral forces applied to your ski boots weaken the shells after several seasons of use.
For advanced skiers, the stress becomes even more severe. Further, the more a skier weighs, the shorter the lifespan of a pair of ski boots due to added stress.
Reason #5 Improper Storage
Improper storage can destroy a pair of ski boots in a matter of days. With every use, the liners of the ski boots get wet and require proper drying. If dried insufficiently, the liners can grow moldy.
If overdried from a direct heat source, the liners can warp and never fit well again. Skiers should air-dry their ski boots rather than using a hairdryer or placing them too close to a fire.
Signs That You Need to Replace Your Ski Boots
Eventually, a skier’s boots will have seen their final run. Some skiers don’t mind using ski boots past their peak.
However, everyone needs to know when to call it quits on their old pair of ski boots. Let’s take a look at some of the most common signs that you need to replace your ski boots.
Sign #1 High Flexibility
If you’ve progressed as a skier, you may wish to start using high-performance ski boots, which tend to offer less flexibility. All ski boots become at least a little more flexible with time, but novice ski boots experience this phenomenon to a higher degree.
Skiers looking to up their game may wish to replace their current ski boots with more rigid, top-end ski boots.
Sign #2 Damaged Shell
A damaged shell may serve as the most obvious sign that you need to replace your ski boots. Cracks and breaks in the shells of your ski boots represent a significant injury hazard.
Skiers should perform a visual check on the shells of their ski boots before each use. If you notice a crack, play it safe and purchase a new pair.
Sign #3 Worn Heel or Toe
With regular use, the heels and toes of ski boots see some of the most wear-and-tear. This can cause an improper fit with the skis, resulting in an increased risk of injury.
In some cases, the heels and toes can become rounded, creating a loose fit with the bindings. In other cases, damage to the heel or toe may interfere with a skier’s ability to click-in.
Sign #4 Poor Fit
If the liners in your ski boots have become too compressed, they may no longer fit your feet properly.
This can cause anything from a minor annoyance to chronic foot pain. Purchase new ski boots if you can’t find replacement liners that work with your current ones.
Ways That You Can Extend the Life of Your Ski Boots
Eventually, all ski boots need repurposing. But in the meantime, you can extend the life of your ski boots by making smart purchasing decisions, performing regular maintenance, and attaching certain accessories that offer protection.
Let’s explore some of the ways that you can extend the life of your ski boots.
Buy Ski Boots with Replaceable Heels and Toes
Many pairs of modern ski boots come with replaceable heels and toes. The ability to swap out old heels and toes for new ones can extend the like of your ski boots for years.
If your current boots won’t click in properly or the fit suffers from the rounding out of your heel or toe, the option of buying replacement parts can save users the expense of buying a new pair.
Buy Ski Boots with Welted Soles
Skiers who can admit that they walk around in their ski boots too much can purchase boots with welted soles. Welting involves attaching the sole to a welt (a strip of durable leather surrounding the outside of the boot) versus the lining.
It’s a construction method that may involve stapling or stitching, but both methods help prolong the life of your soles.
Welted soles offer added durability when walking on rugged surfaces because there’s less chance of tearing or separation.
Plus, welting can also protect ski boots from damage that occurs even when the boots are used for their intended purpose.
Use Cat Tracks While Walking
Even the most well-constructed ski boots will succumb to excessive damage caused by walking around the ski resort. If you know you will need to walk around town in your ski boots, consider purchasing cat tracks to protect them.
Cat tracks are detachable rubber soles that you can place on the bottom of your ski boots, protecting your investment and making it easier to walk.
Hi there! Do you have an expert tip on how to extend the life of ski boots? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add your suggestion during our next update!
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