How to choose children's ski boots?
When choosing ski boots for children, there are many factors to consider. In addition to comfort and convenience, the child should feel safe in such shoes. Today, many well-known manufacturers are creating ski shoes for children, taking into account all the necessary features and precautions. But first you need to deal with the question - how do such boots differ from standard winter models?
Peculiarities
Ski boots are significantly different from the usual shoes that we use in urban environments. The difference lies not only in appearance, but also in the basis. When a person first uses such shoes, there is a feeling that the shoes are cramped or small in size. But this is far from being the case, because the main purpose of all ski models is to securely fix the legs.
The same applies to children's models, in the creation of which manufacturers take into account comfort and safety at the same time. A feature of the boots is the presence of only one clip. This fixation option is provided in ski shoes for the youngest children who are going through the initial stages of training.
Other features of the boots include:
- high level of comfort;
- the child's leg is securely fixed thanks to a high-quality mechanism;
- dense and stable materials are used to create shoes;
- children's models are presented in a variety of colors.
Just looking at the appearance of ski boots, you can understand how they differ from ordinary shoes. Such models are not designed for urban conditions, but they are ideal for skiing on the slope. During the descent, the child feels stable thanks to a secure fit.
How to choose the right shoes for your child
Basically, most of today's children already at the age of 4-5 years old learn to ski. Visiting resorts in the mountains, you can see a child in full "combat" equipment. And this is the right decision on the part of the parents, since security is one of the most important points.
As for the choice of a suit for skiing, here special attention should be paid to shoes. It should not hamper the movement of the child on the slope, interfere with him, or cause discomfort. Many parents choose shoes "for growth", as the baby gradually grows up, and adults have no desire to spend money on new shoes next season.
Such a decision is the main mistake, because the child will not only not be able to learn to stand on skis, but the descent will become a real problem for him. The boots will simply hang on the leg, which creates discomfort and a complete lack of fixation. Ski shoes must match the size and physical data of the child. Therefore, if parents do not want to spend money on a new purchase next season, it is best to use rental equipment.
Optimal ski boot stiffness
Another important factor is the stiffness of the shoe. It is worth immediately explaining to the child that the shoes should securely fix the leg.Basically, for many children, while trying on shoes, it seems tight, which makes it difficult to choose the best option.
A suitable boot stiffness index for a child is approximately 60-80 Nm/deg. Parents need to know this before going to the store.
Most wanted models
When choosing shoes for a child, special attention should be paid to the brand. It is best to give preference to reliable and experienced manufacturers.
Roces
One of these is the Italian company Roces, which specializes in the creation of boots, skates and even roller skates.
The main advantage of products from this brand is high quality. The company is engaged in the creation of professional footwear.
As for children's ski boots, they are distinguished not only by their attractive appearance, but also by the maximum reliability of the bindings. Shoes are designed for children from 8 years old. The basis uses a stable material, the fastening mechanism consists of two clips and more.
Atomic
Another popular ski shoe brand is Atomic. Manufacturers present shoes not only for adults, but also for children. The design of the shoes uses a combination of several shades, which looks quite attractive. Atomic produces models for legs of any shape, and specializes in creating not only professional types, but also products for beginners.
At the heart of children's shoes there is a high-quality lining that provides warmth and comfort while skiing. To create the upper part, stable plastic is used. Basically, the mount consists of two clips.
Technica
Another undoubted leader is Techica.The brand has been creating collections of ski models for a long time, and has already managed to win its recognition in the world market.
The company also specializes in footwear for children. Basically, the boots are designed for a school-age child, since the fastening mechanism involves the use of more than two clips. The design combines several bright colors, which looks quite impressive.
How to choose shoes by size
To choose the right shoes for your child, you can use a special dimensional grid. Such schemes are presented in large numbers on the Internet. The store where you are going to buy shoes can help with the selection of the size.
A prerequisite at the time of purchase is fitting. Ideally, shoes should be matched to your child's foot size. Ask your child if the shoes are crushing him.
If you go to the store without a child, or order shoes using the Internet, you must first take measurements from the baby’s foot. To do this, you can use the old proven method of how to determine the size - using cardboard and a pencil. The child's leg must be circled along the contour without interrupting the line.