Ski touring ski boots · Test magazine 2026
Tech talk with Dirk Rutschmann und Martin Kirmair, shooIQ / Sidas
Dirkrutschmann: CEO; Martin Kirmair: Head of Training · Print page 93
Tests, reviews and background on shooIQ / Sidas
Fit is essential for ski boots. How do I reach them?
Dirk Rutschmann: When it comes to fit, we talk about a triad of shoe, insole and sock. Many people accept skiing problems as a given. But it can be better! And not just in terms of comfort - but also for more performance and better blood circulation. When we measure feet on our scanners and show the data to customers on the screen, they see how different the right and left feet are, how the pressure is distributed, what special features their feet have - usually quite an aha experience! Our database then suggests the optimal shoe. The database includes scans of all common models from major manufacturers, which we create in-house. Here's the next surprise: most people wear shoes that are too big. The lack of fit is then compensated for by closing the buckles very tightly. But this in turn stops the blood circulation, which means you get cold feet. You can see how everything is connected here. That's why it's so important to seek advice from a trained specialist dealer. The next step is the insoles.
Insoles - aren't these for people who have foot problems?
Martin Kirmair: No, definitely not. The insole is the basis for individual adjustment. You have to imagine it like this: The anatomically arched foot lies on a completely flat plane in the ski boot and has hardly any contact. During sporting activity, the arch of the foot becomes tired and lowers. This has consequences for the body alignment, i.e. knees, hips, back. The insole is the link between the foot and the shoe: it protects against fatigue and injury, increases the fit and contact with the shoe and therefore also with the ski! The performance increases in proportion to the enjoyment of the activity, the foot freezes less, the buckles don't have to be set as tight.
What other fitting options are there?
Martin Kirmair: Many people forget a detail about the ski socks that can make a big difference. Functional materials ensure a good foot climate - this means moisture is drained away, cold and friction is prevented, and of course the foot sits better on the sole. Compression, seam- and thread-free constructions and reinforcements do the rest. The inner shoe itself can of course also be adjusted: We can foam or widen it individually. And even the shell can be changed, e.g. B. has a hallux that requires more space. That's already expert level. We train our retailers in our academies so that everyone can find the right shoe. We also work closely with ski boot manufacturers.
