Boot size?

If your foot is 27.1cm in length, then you need to be in a size 27 or 26 (there are no half sizes in ski boots, meaning it does not matter if you buy a 27.0 or 27.5). You are getting shin bang because your foot and leg are literally twisting inside the boot as you ski. Getting a new liner won't fix anything, you need new boots.

onenerdykidIf your foot is 27.1cm in length, then you need to be in a size 27 or 26 (there are no half sizes in ski boots, meaning it does not matter if you buy a 27.0 or 27.5). You are getting shin bang because your foot and leg are literally twisting inside the boot as you ski. Getting a new liner won't fix anything, you need new boots.

i must have measured wrong. I'm a size 11 foot and i out grew my old boots witch were size 28

liam.haslam1i must have measured wrong. I'm a size 11 foot and i out grew my old boots witch were size 28

Super generalization here, but a size US10/euro44 = mondopoint 27, US11/euro45 = mondopoint 28

The only way to know if a boot is the right size for your foot is to do a shell check- remove the liner from your boot, step into the shell (with a thin ski sock on), slide your foot to the front of the shell so your toes just barely touch, and measure the space behind your heel.

1cm = high performance (race) fit
2cm = normal
3cm = too big, wrong size

What do you have?

liam.haslam1i must have measured wrong. I'm a size 11 foot and i out grew my old boots witch were size 28

If your 29's are too big, a size 28 in the same boot will definitely fit. The issue is that different boot companies often size their mondos (i.e. 28, 29, etc) differently compared to the actual boot sole length (BSL) which is measured in millimeters. Also, recommended mondo size based on shoe size is often too big. Many companies suggest their mondo sizes based on shoe size, with the recreational skier in mind, but high performance skiers need as tight a fit as comfortably possible. For example, my shoe size is 10.5 or 11, which would almost always be recommended as a 28 or 29 boot, but I need a 27 for a proper fit.

The bottom line is that you should always try on a boot before you buy it, unless you are very familiar with a boot's sizing. You can pretty much ignore your shoe size. The best way to fit a boot is to take the liner out, put your foot in the shell, slide your foot to the front with your toes just touching the front, then have someone slide their hand down the back of the shell and use their fingers to see how much space is between your heel and the back of the shell. A proper fit is somewhere between 1 and a half and 2 fingers. Any more than 2 fingers is almost always too big. Any boot fitter should be able to tell you whether or not a boot fits you based on this method.

onenerdykidSuper generalization here, but a size US10/euro44 = mondopoint 27, US11/euro45 = mondopoint 28

The only way to know if a boot is the right size for your foot is to do a shell check- remove the liner from your boot, step into the shell (with a thin ski sock on), slide your foot to the front of the shell so your toes just barely touch, and measure the space behind your heel.

1cm = high performance (race) fit
2cm = normal
3cm = too big, wrong size

What do you have?

i got about 2cms, maybe its my boot, ill just return em and try another brand

powderwhorIf your 29's are too big, a size 28 in the same boot will definitely fit. The issue is that different boot companies often size their mondos (i.e. 28, 29, etc) differently compared to the actual boot sole length (BSL) which is measured in millimeters.

Just an FYI - just as companies can differ in their mondopoint sizing, BSL does not indicate how a boot fits. BSL simply tells you how long a boot is on the outside, without any indication of how long the last is. For example, note the BSL of the following size 26 mondopoint boots:
Atomic Hawx Magna = 309mm
Atomic Hawx = 305mm
Atomic Backland = 288mm

All of these are size 26 mondopoint (meant for a foot that is 26cm long), but have greatly different BSLs due to plastic thickness, not last length.

The only way to know if the boot is the right size is to do a shell fit, as you noted. But try to stick to centimeters as not everyone has the same thickness fingers.

liam.haslam1i got about 2cms, maybe its my boot, ill just return em and try another brand

Ok, so the length-wise size is probably right, but the last shape (width & volume) is probably wrong.

You don't necessarily need to try a different brand, just a different last shape. Brands will make boots that are super narrow, normal narrow, medium, medium-wide, wide, and super wide. Almost every brand does this. So just because one boot model from Brand-X doesn't work for your foot shape, it doesn't mean that you should discount all boot models from Brand-X.

Go to a reputable boot-fitter, have him/her assess your foot shape, and try on what he brings out.

liam.haslam1i got about 2cms, maybe its my boot, ill just return em and try another brand

What boot exactly are you wearing?

powderwhorWhat boot exactly are you wearing?

fulltilt droppies

onenerdykidOk, so the length-wise size is probably right, but the last shape (width & volume) is probably wrong.

You don't necessarily need to try a different brand, just a different last shape. Brands will make boots that are super narrow, normal narrow, medium, medium-wide, wide, and super wide. Almost every brand does this. So just because one boot model from Brand-X doesn't work for your foot shape, it doesn't mean that you should discount all boot models from Brand-X.

Go to a reputable boot-fitter, have him/her assess your foot shape, and try on what he brings out.

i heard i can stuff my liner/boot with shit like sponge or foam? could this potentially be a fix?

liam.haslam1i heard i can stuff my liner/boot with shit like sponge or foam? could this potentially be a fix?

When you get shin bang while being in the right size boot, it is 90% of the time due to not having a supportive footbed. Without one, your foot & ankle & shin will naturally move and twist in the boot causing lots of discomfort in the shin area. So, step 1 is make sure you have a supportive footbed.

Step 2 is take up excess volume, which a boot-fitter can do with foam padding (depending on the area). If you have too much space width wise, then you should probably get a narrower fitting boot. With that said, the Dropkicks have a very thin liner and getting a thicker liner (from FT) can easily remedy that excess volume problem.

But do step 1 before step 2.

liam.haslam1i heard i can stuff my liner/boot with shit like sponge or foam? could this potentially be a fix?

onenerdykidWhen you get shin bang while being in the right size boot, it is 90% of the time due to not having a supportive footbed. Without one, your foot & ankle & shin will naturally move and twist in the boot causing lots of discomfort in the shin area. So, step 1 is make sure you have a supportive footbed.

Step 2 is take up excess volume, which a boot-fitter can do with foam padding (depending on the area). If you have too much space width wise, then you should probably get a narrower fitting boot. With that said, the Dropkicks have a very thin liner and getting a thicker liner (from FT) can easily remedy that excess volume problem.

But do step 1 before step 2.

Exactly. See a boot fitter first. You don't necessarily have to buy anything from them, a consult should be free. If you really need a thicker liner though, I would suggest the High Volume liner from Intuition. All of the FT Intuition liners are quite thin walled.

onenerdykidWhen you get shin bang while being in the right size boot, it is 90% of the time due to not having a supportive footbed. Without one, your foot & ankle & shin will naturally move and twist in the boot causing lots of discomfort in the shin area. So, step 1 is make sure you have a supportive footbed.

Step 2 is take up excess volume, which a boot-fitter can do with foam padding (depending on the area). If you have too much space width wise, then you should probably get a narrower fitting boot. With that said, the Dropkicks have a very thin liner and getting a thicker liner (from FT) can easily remedy that excess volume problem.

But do step 1 before step 2.

sick,thanks for the help.

If you can I'd go to your ski shop and see if there is a boot fitter. He will help you find size, width, and flex for what you want. If not then there are a few less reliable but reasonable caculators online if you look them up

onenerdykidSuper generalization here, but a size US10/euro44 = mondopoint 27, US11/euro45 = mondopoint 28

I'm sure this is a typo since I know you know your stuff, but 27=size 9 US and 28=size 10 US.


Either way, OP, your boots are probably two sizes too big.

ThaLoraxI'm sure this is a typo since I know you know your stuff, but 27=size 9 US and 28=size 10

However, your post would be correct if you are talking about women.

Im like a 10.5 shoe size, so I got a 28.5, seeing as what matched up with FT's sizing chart and maybe going up a size to grow into them.. A year later and they are still to big for me, even with all buckles to the tightest settings. I feel that a smaller, tighter fitting boot would be much easier to ski in, especially park. I can feel my feet sliding around in my boots when ever I move in a fast motion (basically all of park skiing) MORAL OF THE STORY: Go smaller than you think

you never wear the same size boot as you shoe size. NEVER! Im at tight 12 or 13 depending on the shoe maker and rock a 27 shell, size 9 boot. Granted I wear my boots much tighter than most people, I just dont want any movement in my boots.

ThaLoraxI'm sure this is a typo since I know you know your stuff, but 27=size 9 US and 28=size 10 US.


Either way, OP, your boots are probably two sizes too big.

It's one of those "is it the size of the boot or the size of the foot that goes in the boot" kind of questions ;)

In my experience, generally speaking, a US 10 foot will go into a 27 (size 9) boot yielding a 2cm shell check.

onenerdykidIt's one of those "is it the size of the boot or the size of the foot that goes in the boot" kind of questions ;)

In my experience, generally speaking, a US 10 foot will go into a 27 (size 9) boot yielding a 2cm shell check.

Trew. Unless they're a gaper and can't handle a performance fit.