Custom Replacement Ski Boot Liners

01
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The Problem Is in the Liner

Head RS 80 Ski Boots with factory liners removed. Mike Doyle, Photo at Surefoot, Killington, VT

If you ski regularly, chances are that your ski boot liners will wear out after a year or two. The factory-installed ski boot liner represents the manufacturer's best effort to create a boot that will fit as many feet as possible as comfortably as possible. This usually means that layers of liner material are built up in the hollow areas based on the average foot. Unfortunately, this construction has a definite skiing life span: All liners will eventually wear out. Solve the problem by replacing your old ski boot liners.

02
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Factory Liners Compress

Factory Boot Liners. Mike Doyle, Photo at Surefoot, Killington, VT

The problem arises when skiing pressures compress the liner material, which actually molds the layering material to the individual foot. It does feel good — until the material starts to compact. "Powder," a magazine for skiers, explains:

"Stock liners' performance and fit vary between manufacturers, and they typically pack out fast because, at least to some extent, they are built to feel good in the store. Their customization options are also limited unless they're a Vacuum or Memory Fit product. But hey, they come with the boot at no extra charge."
03
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The Solution: Foam Injection Liners

Prepping the Feet. Mike Doyle, Photo at Surefoot, Killington, VT

Injectable liners have been around for many years. However, the original custom injection boots had liners that only fit that boot. In other words, if you wanted custom injected boots you had to buy that boot; you couldn't use your old boot. The material was a basic silicone that was forced in until it filled the boot and overflowed out a vent. When it was done, it took almost superhuman effort to get in and out of the boot.

The solution is to replace your old liners with foam-injection liners. "Foam injection casts your foot to the boot by injecting foam into the liner — filling every nook," notes "Power" magazine. 

04
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Fits Like a Glove

Injecting the Foam. Mike Doyle, Photo at Surefoot, Killington, VT

When you place new foam-injection liners into your boot, they may feel a bit tight at first, but your feet will feel normal pretty quickly as the liners form around your foot. That's because technology has allowed for newer and better liner material, as Start Haus, a blog for skiers, explains:

"Liners have improved by leaps and bounds in the past decade; an injection molding process has replaced over padding and cutting away a material that is disturbingly similar to the material that is placed under a carpet before instillation. The injection molded foam has far more anatomical shape than previous materials so it fits out of the box far better and will stand the test of time better than ever."
05
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Ski Boots Are Better Than New

As Good as New (or Better). Mike Doyle, Photo at Surefoot, Killington, VT

Once the new liner material has a chance to set, you'll have no trouble taking your boots off or putting them on. In fact, the finished liners will stay pliable and can still be pulled out of the boot — they are that flexible. The new injected liners will provide just enough pressure to keep your heel down, without you even thinking about it.

So, when your old liners compact or wear out, don't replace your boots. Just insert foam-injected liners and you'll be skiing the slopes comfortably in no time.