Cross-country Skiing - Ski Boots
As essential as the skis are for the game, other crucial things also hold utmost importance. Skiing is a game that is majorly managed by foot. Thus, boots are an extremely critical piece of gear. Needless to mention, no matter how selective you have been for the skis, if the boots aren’t up to the mark, then skiing is no fun.
In skiing, boots not only comforts the leg but also acts as protective gear to the lower leg and ankle while they balance the ski. The function of the boots is tricky in skiing, and this is why they are relatively harder and less flexible than regular shoes.
Components of Cross-Country Skiing Boots
The skiing boots' primary function is to transfer force into the skis. Therefore, they are designed in a way that the ankle remains less flexible, and the lower section of the foot gets to manage the ski. By adding stiffness in the ankle region, the boots become hard to walk. They can’t be treated as regular boots. Also, even well-fitted boots can be uncomfortable as there is excessive pressure on the feet and legs.
The sole of the ski boots is made in a way that can sit firmly on the skis.
Liner : The soft boot layers present inside the boot are known as liners. The modern-day liners come with heat activators. The material used for liners come with these activators. These moulded liners can provide great comfort to the foot.
Insole : The footbed or insole is the platform on which foot rests. The ski boots come with replaceable insoles. These insoles are often customized by the athletes and replaced after buying.
Shock Absorbers : The footboard of the shell has different materials to reduce the vibrations and shocks transferred in the foot.
Women’s leg is different from men’s in many ways. The size of the foot has substantial differences when it comes to men and women. The placement of calve muscles is lower and shorter; also, the ankle is thinner. Therefore, the ski boots are specially designed for women with extra soft plastic and warmer liners.
