Shin Pain in Ski Boots — and How to Fix it
Nobody wants to cut skiing short on vacation, but your shins are screaming at you! We feel your pain.
In skiing, we call it “shin bang,” and it’s an all-to-common complaint. Shin bang occurs when the angle of your tibia (shin bone) and the angle of your boot’s tongue do not match. Instead of pressure being evenly distributed like a memory-foam mattress, the shin makes contact only near the top of the cuff. Though bearable for a few hours, after a full day on the slopes, this can be downright painful!
Good news, there’s a fix!
A professional bootfitter can aleviate much, if not all of the pain by modifying the boot to support you correctly. Look for a certified MasterFit boot shop by searching bootfitters.com. If you live in the Midwest, a drive to Southeast Michigan is well worth the travel. You can schedule an appointment with a certified fitter by visiting sunandsnow.com/bootfitting.
What if you’re renting?
If there was ONE piece of gear you should absolutely own, it’s a pair of properly fit boots. That said, there are many reasons why some families choose to rent. If you are experiencing shin pain in a rental boot, here’s a quick troubleshooting guide to save your trip:
- Boots are too big — Switch out your boots for a pair that is at least one size smaller than your US shoe size. Your toes will feel crunched at first, but be patient! Once you buckle the shell and flex forward, your heel will move backwards into the pocket and your toes will feel fine. Toes SHOULD brush the front of the boot, and your shins will thank you!
- Foot sits too low in the boot — Grab some trail maps or cardboard from the cafeteria to craft a DIY heel lift, between 1/8–1/4" thick. Pull out the liner and install the lift inside the shell, ensuring it is positioned all the way to the back of the heel pocket. Add a piece of duct tape to hold in place, then squeeze the liner back in.
- Skinny calves? They don’t fit well in rentals. — If your rental boot has a velcro strap, tuck it BETWEEN the tongue and the plastic shell and tighten this before you buckle. It will seem funny at first, but it will snug the liner to your leg, closing the gap around your leg.
CALL THE BAT LINE — Store this number in your phone 734–663–9515
Sun & Snow’s bootfitters are on a mission to do whatever it takes to ensure ALL skiers are enjoying this sport to the fullest. They love nothing more than saving a family vacation by offering guidance over the phone. Seriously, it’s okay… Even if it’s a pair of rentals!
Once you’re home, set an appointment with an experienced bootfitter at your local specialty ski shop. They will address and evaluate your setup from head to toe, and can diagnose and correct just about any pain or discomfort you’re experiencing on the slopes.
Cheers!
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Rob Parent is the co-owner of Sun & Snow Sports, the most award-winning and advanced bootfitting lab in the Midwest. He and his team are proud to be consistently recognized as one of the industry’s best in North America. Located 30 minutes from Detroit Metro Airport, Sun & Snow draws skiers from multiple states to address their boot concerns and improve their enjoyment on the slopes.
