It's Time to Ditch the Rear Entry Ski Boots!
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It's Time to Ditch the Rear Entry Ski Boots!
As part of my job working for Skis.com, I answer a multitude of questions each week from people looking to upgrade their equipment. A question about rear entry boots, combined with an outing at the annual Retro Day at Boyne Mountain Resort, got me thinking... how many of these people are actually still skiing on this equipment?
While riding the chair with my boyfriend, his dad, and some of his dad's ski buddies we attempted to spot the most outrageous and now often considered dangerous ski equipment we could. The consensus was that most of the equipment on the the hill that day was older than I am. Now its one thing to don a neon one-piece for a day of debauchery, but if you are still using rear entry boots, straight skis, or Cubco Bindings... Please make your way to the local ski shop and make an up grade. You'll thank me later!
Rear Entry Ski Boots
I will admit, that it took my father over 25 years and a whole lot of convincing to give up his Rear Entry Ski Boots. Over the course of my career as a boot fitter I have convinced more people that I ever should have had to, to throw out the Rear Entry Ski Boots and try a new pair. While many customers, my father included, have met me and my co-workers with resistance it is a life changing decision all skier should make.Please watch the video below about some of the amazing features of new ski boots, as well as information about how the improved fit of new front entry ski boots can improve your skiing technique.
Safety Concerns of Rear Entry Ski Boots
Many rear entry ski boots and some early generation front entry ski boots were being developed in the 1980s and early 1990s. At this time the manufacturers were doing a lot of experimenting with plastics technology in order to come up with the best solution for the intense thermal stresses a ski boot is put through, i.e. under direct heat on the floorboard of the car on the way to the resort, and then directly out into subzero temperatures for a long day on the slopes. As with any technology we have made significant improvements in the last 20 years which helps to greatly reduce a common problem with older ski boots - explosion or cracking. That's right, due to the design flaws in the older plastics they are breaking down at a rapid rate. The best case scenario for a boot exploding or cracking like this, is when you are putting it on in the lodge or if you accidentally drop it. However, more and more people who insist on skiing their old boots are experiencing this plastic explosion problem on the hill. This obviously could be quite serious depending on how and when the boot breaks. www.Skis.com
New 2012 gear is already hitting the www.Skis.com warehouse. Check out the website and start deciding what new boots you just have to have.
Retro Style vs. Gear Snob
I'm sure some of you reading this lens are still hanging on to your rear entry ski boots because they are "comfortable" or they were expensive when you bought them 25 years ago. On the other hand some of you may be avid Ski Magazine readers and live for the Gear Guide to come out every fall. Here's your chance to sound off and express your opinion about ski equipment.
How often do you replace your ski equipment?
I'm a bit of a gear snob and have all of the latest and greatest in ski equipment.
MonsterJack says:
Every season... I am a super lucky girl! :-)
skier_chick says:
I end up getting new ski boots every two years. And I've been getting a new pair of skis every year to expand my quiver... I'm now rotating between three pairs of skis - race, all-mountain twins, and freestyle twins.
I might consider buying some of those parabolic shaped skis someday.
Pastiche says:
I haven't upgraded my ski gear for more than 10 years ... but I haven't hit the slopes more than a few times in that decade either.
Scott_1 says:
Still using my original gear. After reading this I am totally stoked to go gear up with some new digs!
catbehaviors says:
I have never been skiing, but want to someday. I was out at the mountain yesterday, and it really made me think I should get into skiing soon. You have some really helpful tips, and I will be sure to get the new versions whenever I get skis!
Blessed by a SquidAngel. 0:)
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aesta1
Jan 12, 2012 @ 8:55 am | delete
- This is really useful info.
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MonsterJack
Mar 31, 2011 @ 1:23 pm | delete
- That girl in the video looks really cute!
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