A properly fitting ski boot is essential for skiers with diabetes. Choosing a ski boot that provides your feet and ankles with enough support and flexibility can help relieve foot conditions associated with diabetes such as poor circulation and calluses. A custom-made orthotic device, or boot insert, also can help you ski comfortably all day. Consult your doctor before attempting to wear ski boots.
Complications
As a diabetic, you are especially susceptible to complications in your feet such as nerve damage, or neuropathy. Neuropathy can cause pain or be painless --- leaving you unable to feel pain in your feet, such as the pain from cold temperatures, blisters and other injuries that can occur when skiing. You also can experience poor circulation due to the hardening of blood vessels in your legs and feet. In addition, diabetes increases your risk of developing calluses and ulcers on your feet as well as your risk of having deformed feet and toes -- which makes choosing a well-fitting ski boot vital to your comfort and health.
Fit
Wearing a good-fitting ski boot can help prevent circulation problems and injuries to the feet of diabetics. Select ski boots that fit snuggly, but not too tight -- tightly fitting ski boots, in combination with a cold environment, can further restrict the blood flow in your feet. Likewise, ski boots that are too loose allow for a great deal of movement and can result in blisters, strains and injuries. Boots that fit well must be snug enough to hold your feet, ankles and heels in place, but relaxed enough to allow room for flexibility in the heal area, reports FootPoint Sports Clinic. In addition, your toes should barely touch the front of your ski boots. To determine a good-fitting ski boot, alternately kick your heels and toes against the ground: if your foot move backward or forward, your boots are likely too loose.
Orthotics
Orthotic inserts for ski boots can help accommodate the foot deformities, corns and calluses commonly observed in people with diabetes by providing support and reducing friction while skiing. Many higher quality boots come with thermal liners that heat up and surround your feet with expanding foam for comfort. Although expensive, you also can get a custom-molded ski boot insert --- made especially for the structure of your feet -- to help you ski safely and painlessly. Consult your podiatrist, or foot doctor, regarding the best custom-made orthotic device for your foot.
Recommendations
Before attempting to purchase ski boots, consult your doctor regarding any special diabetes-related accommodations you may need. In the December 2002 issue of "Podiatry Today," certified pedorthist Ben Wax generally recommends buying comfortable and flexible "soft boots" by Rossignol, Nordica, Salomon and Dolomite. Podiatrists also recommend wearing a warm pair of smart wool or acrylic-fiber socks inside your ski boots to keep your feet dry. Get toe heaters, or small battery-operated disks, placed directly under your toes in your socks or orthotic inserts to provide an all-day heat source. In addition, bring your socks, toe heaters and your orthotic inserts to the ski boot store to ensure the proper fitting of your ski boots.
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