A boot fitter measures and assesses a customer’s feet, weight, and posture to select the best boot for their needs. They can learn on the job or through training programs and use techniques like stretching and grinding to make adjustments for comfort. Communication with the customer is essential, and adjustments can be made for greater comfort and fit.
A boot fitter is a skilled professional who typically fits skiers but can adapt his skills to suit people for boots or skates. The fitter determines foot size, weight bearing needs, and the mobile or rigid appearance of a customer’s feet and ankles. Height and weight are also considered before he chooses the proper boot for a customer. A good boot installer will choose a boot that fits well with minimal modifications.
An installer can learn on the job as an apprentice to a master installer or can participate in an installer training program. Introductory and associate courses are offered by these programs, and many graduates of these programs are found working as boot fitters in ski shops. Fitters will learn techniques for stretching and grinding boots and learn about posture analysis. Sales and customer service techniques are also learned. Tossing footbeds is a skill a new master boot fitter will continually use in their job as a boot fitter.
Communication with a customer is essential in the startup tuning process. To establish a relationship with the customer, the installer will ask a lot of questions about skiing habits. Gathering as much information as possible to understand the individual’s skiing habits is the goal. An installer will measure bare feet and feet again with socks on. Measurements will be taken while sitting and standing to assess weight support, posture and balance.
Boot installers select the type of boot that best fits the customer’s needs. Small adjustments can be made for greater comfort and fit after choosing the correct boot. Major adjustments are usually reserved for an après-ski visit if the customer has complaints. A fitter can also make beds to support the customer’s feet inside the boots. These special orthotics are precisely molded to each foot’s specifications and will keep the feet positioned correctly inside the boots.
One adjustment that may be necessary is to flatten the bottom of the boot soles and plates. This is sometimes necessary because the soles of boots are twisted in the manufacturing process. If the customer feels pressure on the sides of the feet, the center of the beds can be raised by the installer.
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