Boots that fit

ATOMIC x BRÜNDL SPORTS

The most beautiful thing about winter?

To me: most definitely skiing. Is there anything better than drawing your tracks in long turns across the pistes? Sounds wonderful, but there is the annoying issue with the ski boots: After the first downhill runs, wearing the boots becomes painful. Not to forget the problem with cold toes. A BOOT FITTING can help. The boot is thermally, meaning through heat, fitted to my foot. With this, I have better hold and perfect support when it comes to power transmission. I also have less pressure marks and, in future, icy toes will be a thing of the past. Sounds good!

I am off to the Bründl Sports store in Kaprun. The experts there know everything about Atomic boot fitting. I have brought my ski boots, Atomic Hawx Prime 130s, along and I am excited. 

3D scan of the feet
Atomic Hawx Prime 130s
Atomic Memory Fit Oven

Inner boot, outer boot, socks: All fits nicely

The Bründl Sports team welcomes me with a cheery: “Ready for warm feet?“. The first thing I learn: Boot fitting is not a one-off solution. What is needed is a perfect and individual interaction between outer and inner boot, which are permanently adjusted according to my foot. With the help of Memory Fit (this is the name of the Atomic technology for thermal fitting), the boot ”remembers” my fitting, it memorizes my feet. 

Focus is not only on the boots; the socks are also important. The specialized sales assistant, Brian, advises against wearing thick cotton socks with the ski boots. “Perfect are thin compression socks“, he says. Wearing the right socks, we start with the first step.

#1 Scan

Using a 3D scan, my feet are precisely measured.

The “Boot Doc“, as it is called, detects the length, width and shape of the foot as well as the calf circumference, thus ensuring that all problem zones, for example a ganglion, are also recorded properly.

#1 SCAN

#2 Insole

What I still need for my complete package are insoles.

These are made to measure and provide support when I want to put more power on my skis: ”For power transmission“, says Brian of Bründl Sports.

#2 INSOLE

#3 Heating

Now my boot will feel the heat – in the oven.

Not any oven of course, but a special Atomic Memory Fit oven.

Temperatures of more than 100 degrees heat up the inner boot and – depending on model – also the shell.

#3 HEATING

#4 Adjusting the pads

In the meantime, the pressure and problem points of my feet are covered with special Memory Fit pads.

This will provide me with more leeway later on.

 

Good to know: With the help of the thermal adjustment with Atomic Memory Fit, the inner boot and shell can be made up to 6mm wider at the forefoot, and even 10mm wider in the upper area.

#4 ADJUSTING THE PADS

#5 Memorizing the shape

My boot is warm enough now and can leave the oven.

I slip my foot into my boot and the buckles are closed loosely.

Now the boot’s “memory“ comes into play because the material adjusts to the shape of my foot.

I stand very still; after all, the boot must memorise everything as precisely as possible.

#5 MEMORIZING THE SHAPE

#6 Cooling down

After the first few minutes have passed, a cooling pack is wrapped around my boots.

With my boots still in this boot pack, I stand and wait a further five minutes to ensure the perfect Memory Fit.

The shape of the foot remains in place after cooling down.

#6 COOLING DOWN

#7 OFF TO THE PISTES

I take my individually fitted boots, and off I go: the next downhill run is waiting!