Did you know why it takes so long to find the perfect boot that fits your foot? It’s because your snowboard boots are the most vital piece of your snowboard riding experience. Suppose you didn’t know that by now, now you do. They are the connecting point between your snowboard and you. They provide you the power you need to keep your snowboard in control and maintain a balance throughout. Along with this, boots provide you the comfort and warmth needed to survive the harsh winters.
So, if you want to be at the top of your performance and enjoy snowboarding out in the cold, you need to know how to heat mold snowboard boots. Let’s look at how to heat snowboard boots in the comfort of your home.
How to Heat Mold Snowboard Boots to Fit
There are various types of boots available in the market. Some come with a heat-moldable liner in them and others without them. Whatever type of boots you have, you need to heat mold accordingly. If your boots don’t have liners that can heat up to provide the warmth needed, then chances are they’ll get ruined if you try.
The benefit of a heat-moldable boot is that they provide the perfect personalized fit, which gives you extra power, comfort, and control over your snowboarding experience. The boot molds around your foot while warming, allowing you to fit comfortably in it and allows you to get the exact shape.
It is great because it reduces your risk of injury. The boot fits perfectly, leaving no space for your ankle to move. Thus, no chances of injury to your ankles or knees. It is also helpful for those with ankle issues since it is a brace that gives you warm support around your foot.
The Procedure
Start by finding out whether your boots are intended to be heat-molded or not. If you’ve bought boots that can be molded, then there’s no risk in getting started right away. However, if you are unsure, it’s best to ask the people at the shop where you purchased the boots from then end up running your boots.
There are different types of boots. Some are designed in a way that they take heat from your feet and mold accordingly. At the same time, others are supposed to be molded with direct heat to get soft and form correctly.
It is essential to know both ways of getting your boots to mold properly. If you have a boot that self-molds, then you need to follow these basic steps:
- Start by putting on your snowboard socks.
- Stand straight and place your foot directly into your boots.
- Lock your foot in the boot securely and tightly.
- To begin the heat molding process, you can wear your shoes at home to warm up before your snowboard or wear them directly while snowboarding.
- It can take a while for you and your foot to get used to the boot as these aren’t like your regular boots.
- Once you get the hang of it, you too will notice how much of a difference it makes to your entire snowboarding experience.
If, on the other hand, you have boots that require direct heat, then these steps are to be followed to make the process easier:
- Wear your snowboard socks.
- Take out the boot liner from inside the snowboard boot.
- Take your hairdryer and plug it in.
- Use the hairdryer to heat the boot liner. So, switch it on and insert the dryer into the liner so that it starts to warm up.
- Heat the liner until you can see it becoming flexible and soft. Be cautious as not to burn the liner by overheating the liner too much. Keep a check every few seconds.
- Once you are satisfied, insert the liner back into the boot.
- Now place your foot inside the liner.
- Secure your boot as per your liking.
- Walk around in the boots for a few minutes to see if they feel fine.
- You should now feel like you’ve fully shaped liners.
- If you don’t feel like your boot liners have formed the way you wanted them to, you can heat them again by repeating the steps mentioned above.
Warnings
While there advantage and many benefits to heating molding your snowboard boots, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- Never leave the hairdryer unattended. If it’s on or inside the boot liner, make sure you are there to monitor.
- If the liners have become hot, don’t place your foot into the boot; allow it to cool down for a while.
- If you heat the liners too much, there are higher chances that you will ruin them.
Our Final Thoughts
Heat molding your boots has made it so easy to combat the harsh winter weather and enjoy your snowboarding experience to the max. Nevertheless, if you are still a little unsure how to heat mold your boots or don’t know whether they can be heat molded, then it is best to ask the snowboard shop where you purchased them. However, it is not necessary to have a boot that has a heat-moldable option to go downhill. Your regular boot liners will work just fine if you follow proper instructions on heat molding them.
