How to Mold Snowboard Boots

Some snowboard outfitters and brands have begun offering moldable boots. These boot-liners are designed to conform perfectly to your foot, thus giving you a more comfortable and supportive boot. To heat mold your boots, the liners must be specifically marked and designed as "heat moldable." Also, this can only be performed with a special molding stove at an outfitter's store.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Heat moldable liners
Molding oven
Toe cap
Footbed

Step 1

Mold non-heat molding boots. Without moldable liners, you will need to mold your boots the traditional way. Essentially, this means wearing them until they feel comfortable on your feet. This process must be carried out before you use the boots on the slopes--otherwise, you will develop blisters and put yourself at risk for injuries. Wear the boots around the house for about 2 to 3 weeks before using them.

Step 2

Begin by removing the heat moldable liners from the boots. Do not put your outer shell boots into the molding oven. Speak with an expert at the outfitter if this is your first time molding boots. Normally, you will need to keep the liners in the oven for 15 to 17 minutes. Make sure to unlace or un-Velcro the liners (if applicable) before placing them in the oven--this will make them easy to slip on after they come out.

Step 3

Place the toe cap on your toes before you remove the liners from the oven. This will leave a bit of room for your toes once molded. It ensures that, while snowboarding, you will have a small amount of extra space for thicker socks. It also prevents your toes from being crushed against the toe of the boot while carving.

Step 4

Take the liners from the oven and quickly place them on your feet and lace or Velcro them. Make sure you lace or Velcro them so that they are both comfortable and snug--much like the way you would close them before snowboarding. Walk around the store or outfitter for at least 15 minutes. After about 10 minutes, put your outer shell boot onto the liners and walk around in the fully laced or Velcro-closed boot.

Step 5

Your boots are now permanently molded. Do not attempt to remold them if the process did not work to your satisfaction. You will run the risk of damaging the support structure in the liners.

Tips & Warnings

Make sure to add a footbed if you are molding your boots. This will give you the extra support you will need after molding the liners.

Article Written By DB Jenkins

DB Jenkins is a professional freelance content provider. He has been running a successful freelance business for two years, and contributes regularly to many publications. His articles have appeared in "The Portland Alliance," "Portland Monthly Magazine," "in\ur Magazine," and The Tallahassee Democrat and Chronicle. He has a bachelor's degree in English from Clark University.

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