Boot Flex
How stiff a boot do you need? Boot manufacturers use a flexibility number to measure stiffness but there is still no industry standard for flex. In general the higher the number, the harder it is to bend your ankle joint inside the boot. A stiffer boot transfers more power to the ski. And generally the higher the flex, the more features a boot will have. For these reasons, skiers often buy a stiffer boot than they actually need. And this is a problem: if you can’t torque your boot, you can’t drive your ski properly. Ability, weight, height, aggressiveness and type of skiing/conditions all play into finding your ideal flex number. A good bootfitter can help figure it out. A rough guide goes something like this:
MEN
Below 85: beginner and intermediate skiers, lighter and shorter, slow speeds, groomed snow.
85 to 105: intermediate to advanced skiers and heavier and tall beginners, moderate speeds, mixed conditions.
105 to 120: advanced and lightweight experts, all speeds, all conditions, freestylers.
120 and above: experts, heavy and tall advanced skiers, higher speeds, all conditions, racers.
WOMEN
Below 70: beginner and intermediate skiers, lighter and shorter, slow speeds, groomed snow.
70 to 85: intermediate to advanced skiers and heavier and tall beginners, moderate speeds, mixed conditions.
85 to 100: advanced and lightweight experts, all speeds, all conditions, freestylers.
100 and above: experts, heavy and tall advanced skiers, higher speeds, all conditions, racers.
