What Makes a Carbon Ski Boot Special?
Boulder Nordic & Cycle Sport Staff
Unlike many sports, users of varying abilities can enjoy a great deal of elite-level Nordic ski equipment. The carbon-chassis ski boot is a prime example.
There are several advantages to the use of carbon in cross-country boots. The strength-to-weight ratio of carbon makes these boots absurdly light, but that's just the beginning. One of the most remarkable traits of carbon boots is their ability to be flexible in the toe while remaining torsionally rigid. This means the boot will flex comfortably with your foot without sacrificing power transfer. The first time you ski in a carbon boot, you will be amazed at the stability and power transfer.
The current generation of carbon boots are comfortable, too! Recently, a customer told us how glad he was to get back into his S/Lab classic boots for the first time this season: "They're just so comfortable!" There are ways to customize nearly any boot, though we always recommend working with a knowledgeable boot fitter if you're modifying carbon boots.
One last tip: treat your carbon boots right and they'll take care of you, too. Minimize the amount of time you spend walking around in your carbon boots when possible. Parking lots, metal grates, etc. are unfriendly to light carbon soles. We recommend keeping your boots in their own bag until it's time to ski. We also offer "walking boot covers" to wear over the boots from the car to the trail. Also, don't kick your boot to remove snow from the sole. You will eventually crack the carbon this way.
You don't have to be pursuing World Cup and Olympic dreams to enjoy the best technology the industry has to offer!