[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October of 2022 and has been updated.]
Zip yourself into a better Fit
It’s a disappointing fact of life: stock ski boot liners don’t always do it for us. Stock ski boot liners typically have a much shorter lifespan than the shells they come in, and don’t offer much in the way of customization. Enter: custom liners. Some of the best in the business are ZipFit ski boot liners, designed by core skiers up in Aspen, Colorado. A good chunk of our staff and bootfitters ride in ZipFits, and we’re here to share why they’re our favorite.
Ultimate customization to your feet and your boot
If you were to explain why ZipFits are so special in one word, it’s cork. ZipFit liners set themselves apart by using cork as the bulk of the liner. Compared to foam traditionally used in liners, cork holds its shape and volume over time and use. Foam packs out quickly (some faster than others), creating pockets of space where your foot can move around. Once your liner starts to pack out, that movement can cause blistering or hot spots that are quick day enders.
The cork customization comes especially handy for getting the perfect heel lock in your boots. When skiing, a good heel lock increases the responsiveness of the boot and your overall comfort. Nothing is worse than railing bumps with sloppy heel hold. The heel lock could feel solid in the shop, but it’s usually one of the first things to pack out in a liner. With solid, supportive cork, and the ability to add more or less depending on your foot shape, ZipFits provide the best heel hold out there.
Sloppy heel lock is like kryptonite to aggressive skiers, especially those with smaller feet. It’s challenging to find a boot that fits properly if you have particularly narrow feet or heels. While it’s always good to start off in the best possible shell you can, ZipFits offer a great solution for folks who consistently struggle to find boots that can support their skiing.
I’ve skied about 220+ days in my ZipFits. I decided to take the leap after chatting with a few other believers and after struggling to find a boot to hold my heel how I wanted. My wider forefoot and a narrow heel and tried everything from downsizing to adding layers of foam to stock liners. I also struggle with circulation so tend to have cold, cold toes. My first few days in ZipFits really changed things for me. The heel hold is incredible and I can still wiggle my toes (seriously, my heels can not move in them at all).
I went from having to take mandatory breaks during my ski days because of foot pain, to being able to stay on the hill all day without issue. When I do take a break, I look around and notice all of my friends having to unbuckle their boots to let their feet relax. Not me, I sit happily with warm toes even though my boots are snuggly buckled.
—Annabelle C.
They last forever (literally)
ZipFits are no cheap add-on, but they make every penny worth it. Each one is handmade in Italy with classic Italian quality control and attention to detail. The combination of long lasting cork and quality construction all create a liner that will last you hundreds of days. Hundreds of days could sound like eternity to some. For folks who hit 50+ days a year, this makes a big difference in how long boots last you.
The ability to re-mold the liners to different boots or if your feet change furthers their lifespan. If your favorite shell finally busts or you decide to try something different this season, you can trust in your customized ZipFits to provide a reliable fit every time you go skiing. For example, you could have switched to ZipFits to add volume and security to a high volume shell. If you pick out a new shell that naturally fits more snug, the volume you added can be removed. Endless customization.
By my best calculations, I’ve skied in my ZipFits at least 550 days. I noticed right away that the cramping I had been feeling in stock liners went away, which I attributed to my heel being much more locked down. The lace feature in the liner helped lock down my heel on my small foot (22.5, with very narrow heels). Aside from heat molding the liners and putting my custom footbed in them, I haven’t had to make any adjustments over the years. I’ve used my ZipFits in 3 different alpine shells, a pair of alpine touring shells, and tele boots.
—Sam W.
Not just for aggressive skiers, but for anyone who loves cozy boots
While we’ve talked about the impressive heel hold ZipFit offers, the custom cork can make a difference for folks whose feet always hurt in ski boots. Some folks have bunions, calcium deposits, or bones sticking out. We’ve seen it all. Ski boots aren’t made for our beautifully unique feet, so these little features often cause hot spots while we’re skiing. Some of those things can be fixed with shell modifications (like punching or grinding), but depending on the location, those customizations can be tough to make directly into the rigid plastic of the ski boot shell. The cork molds to those shapes during the initial mold and as you ski, giving you the perfect amount of support. Not too loose they cause rubbing and hot spots, but enough space those bone spurs can live their best life.
To top it off, with the cork liner holding you in the perfect spot, you don’t need to have your toes crammed against the front of the boot. ZipFits give you ample space in the toe box, with a merino wool lining. Imagine your toes in a perfect, cozy slipper while skiing. That’s what they’ll feel like in a ZipFit liner.
I am a big fan of my ZipFits already. I got about 30 days in them last season. The biggest thing that I noticed was how tight the heel pockets are. I have bone spurs/calcium deposits that make it challenging to ski all day in my stock liners. The adding cork to lock my heel in and molding the liner to my foot provided my feet with relief. The amount of customization you can get from a ZipFit liner can literally change your skiing and change your day.
—Andrew
What about other custom liners?
There are several other custom and aftermarket liners out there. Atomic offers their Mimic Professional liner (found stock in the Hawx Ultra Professional ski boot) as a standalone product, which uses a quick foam injection process. Intuition liners are also popular, using a blend of closed cell foam designed to maximize the lifespan and support of the foam. No doubt about it, both these liners are a huge step up from the stock liners in your boots. Depending on your budget and what you’re looking for, these could be a great choice. But, ZipFit liners are the only ones using cork as a majority of the build. Despite a steeper price point, nothing matches the long lifespan and customization cork and the ZipFit liners offer. Take it from us, we love ’em.
Want to dive deeper into boot fitting? Make an appointment to visit the shop and chat with one of our experienced boot fitters, or study up on why boot fitting is so important.
