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Step 1: Sole Survival

Fall Line

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

If you’ve already got a custom footbed (and you should), the first thing to do, of course, is replace the factory insole. That’s the beauty of a custom footbed: It’s a one-time investment that can be transferred through two or more pairs of boots. Next, determine whether your new boot has adjustable arch-height. Some boots have assemblies that raise or lower the arch with the turn of a screw; others have removable inserts. Experiment to find what feels best. “You want nice, even arch-support,” Gleason says. Some boots also come with heel-lift wedges, or shims. “If you have extra space over the top of the foot or a problem getting forward, changing the height of the heel helps.” Women especially can benefit from added lift. The shim usually snaps into place beneath the insole.

Behind the Scenes of Our 2023 SKI Test

Testing skis and winter gear is hard work (just ask our boot testers)—but someone's gotta do it.