Adjusting ski boot tilt, specifically canting (lateral tilt), helps align your lower leg and boot properly over your ski, improving edge control and comfort. Based on standard procedures, this typically involves adjusting screws on the boot cuff.
Steps to Adjust Ski Boot Canting
Adjusting the lateral tilt or canting of your ski boots usually involves a simple process using the canting adjustments found on the side of the boot cuff. The following steps outline a common method:
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Prepare Your Boots:
- Put on your ski boots as you normally would for skiing.
- Ensure all buckles are fastened securely, and the Velcro power strap is tightened.
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Locate and Loosen Adjustment Screws:
- Identify the canting adjustment screws, typically located on both sides of the boot cuff near the ankle pivot.
- Using a 3mm key, carefully loosen these canting screws. You don't need to remove them, just loosen them enough so the cuff has some lateral play.
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Assume Skiing Stance and Flex:
- Stand with your feet positioned as wide apart as you would naturally when skiing.
- Flex forward into your skiing stance 3 to 5 times. This allows the boot cuff to settle into the correct alignment based on your leg shape and stance relative to the lower shell.
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Tighten Adjustment Screws:
- While maintaining your skiing stance and ensuring your feet do not move laterally, have a friend carefully tighten the canting screws again.
- Tighten them firmly but avoid over-tightening, which could damage the boot.
Understanding Canting
Canting adjusts the angle of your boot's upper cuff relative to its lower shell and base. The goal is to ensure your lower leg is perpendicular to your ski when you are standing in your natural stance.
- Why Adjust? Variations in leg and ankle anatomy (like bowlegs or knock-knees) can cause you to pressure one edge of the ski more than the other when standing flat. Correct canting helps you stand neutrally over your skis, allowing for balanced edge pressure and easier carving.
- Professional Help: While basic adjustments can be done at home, getting your canting checked and adjusted by a professional boot fitter is highly recommended. They can use specialized tools (like a canting board or alignment gauge) to determine the precise correction needed for your unique biomechanics.
This process, focused on canting, helps ensure your boots support your body in a balanced position over your skis.
