Buying skis online can save you money, but getting the right fit is crucial for performance and safety.
With some simple tools and careful measurement, you can determine your accurate ski size from the comfort of your own home.
This advanced guide will teach you how to find your exact mondo point length, flex profile, rocker type, and other key fitting metrics to match your ability level.
Follow along to take the guesswork out of buying skis online and end up with high-performing gear tailored to your precise needs.
Why Fitting Matters More Than You Think?
Many skiers choose skis based solely on height and weight charts. While these measurements provide a starting point, your anatomy, skill level and preferences fine-tune the ideal setup.
Small variations make a dramatic difference on the slopes. Simply stand on improperly fitted skis to clearly sense the flaws.
Improper ski sizing impacts technique and safety. Overly long skis limit maneuverability while short ones feel unstable at speed.
Incorrect flex fails to properly transfer energy from your legs through the skis. This advanced guide details key custom measurements for your exact fit. Follow carefully to find skis that mirror your body and style. The precision takes guesswork and risk out of buying skis online.
Ski Fitting Goals
Our end goal is skis perfectly matched to your:
True mondo point length - Your height combined with anatomical factors like legs, arms and torso determine the ideal ski length. Measure precisely rather than guessing based on charts.
Flex profile - The optimal ski stiffness depends on weight, aggression, speed and skiing type. Dial this in rather than using a generic flex number.
Rocker profile - Rocker type and amount provide precision tuning for your distinct skiing needs and snow conditions.
Getting accurate values for these key metrics allows perfectly personalized sizing. Now let’s go step-by-step through the process.
Step 1: Find Your Mondo Point Size
Mondo point length represents the sole metric needed for boots. But for skis, it serves only as the starting point, not the final word on length.
Follow this process to accurately measure your mondo point rather than relying on height charts alone:
Stand barefoot against a wall. Stand tall with your heels, calves, back and head touching the wall.
Place a book flat atop your head. The goal is to transfer your exact height to the wall. Do not tiptoe or scrunch down.
Carefully make a light pencil mark at the book’s bottom edge. This transfers your height to the wall.
Use a tape measure to measure from the floor to the pencil mark in centimeters. Round this value down to the nearest whole centimeter. This is your mondo point size!
To cross-check accuracy, you can also:
Measure your regular shoe size and convert to mondo (men’s size minus 1.5, women’s minus 1.5).
Have someone record your height when standing against a wall with good posture.
With an accurate mondo point size in hand, it serves as the baseline ski length. But further refinement comes next...
Step 2: Adjust Length for Anatomy and Ability
Your mondo point alone does not determine ideal ski length. Factors like leg length, core strength and skiing style necessitate adjustments. Use this process to hone in on length:
Assess Your Leg to Torso Ratio
Those with longer legs relative to their torso require longer skis for optimal stability and control. Assess your anatomy:
Measure your barefoot height using the book flat atop your head against a wall method. Record in centimeters.
Then sit on the floor and fully extend your legs vertically against the wall with knees straight and feet flexed. Measure from the floor to the bottom of your heels in cm.
Next, divide your leg length by your full height. Refer to the table below to find your ideal modification:
Those with longer legs need slightly longer skis for optimal stability. Anatomical alignment improves technique.
Consider Your Strength and Aggression
Strong, aggressive skiers thrive on longer skis offering maximum stability at speed. Use the flex assessment next to determine your classification.
If rated as Strong/Aggressive, shift 2cm longer than your mondo point baseline. If Moderate or Conservative, make no length adjustments based on this factor.
Adjust for Skill Level
Highly skilled skiers use longer lengths for riding stability and versatility. But when just starting out, shorter builds fundamental technique without risking buckling on longer gear.
Use the table below to adjust up or down:
Add all anatomical and ability-based factors to find your ideal custom ski length. This dialed-in measurement provides the exact baseline when buying skis online.
Step 3: Match Flex Profile to Strength & Aggression
Ski flex indicates the stiffness and ease of bending. Assess your skiing style and metrics to choose appropriate flex:
Analyze Your Metrics
Heavier, taller and more aggressive riders need stiffer flexes for sufficient support and energy transfer.
Lighter and average height skiers often favor softer flexes for easy turning. Assess yourself:
Weight - Heavier skiers 160lbs+ normally ride 100+ flex, while lighter riders often prefer 90 flex and under.
Height - Tall skiers 170cm+ typically ride 110+ flex, while average height skiers often favor 90-100 flex range.
Aggression - Aggressive skiers charge harder, leveraging stiff flexes over 110, while mellower personalities often favor 90 range.
Use your classification across all 3 factors - weight, height and aggression - to choose your flex:
Choosing the flex class that matches your profile provides proper stiffness for support, responsiveness and energy transfer.
Step 4: Match Rocker Profile to Snow & Skiing Style
Rocker profile helps float over soft snow while camber offers max edge grip. Determine the ideal shape:
Assess Snow Conditions
Choose profile based primarily on your typical snow conditions:
Soft snow - Prioritize rocker shape to the ski tip/tail allowing easy float over powder.
Hard snow - Focus on camber profile for solid edge grip on hardpack or icy runs.
All conditions - Blend of rocker & camber provides versatility on diverse conditions.
Match to Skiing Style
Also consider tailoring rocker type to your distinct skiing style:
Powder - Deep rocker float for effortless flow through bottomless drifts.
Park & Pipe - Reduced effective edge via bi-directional rocker enables easy rotation.
All-Mountain - Moderate nose rocker combined with distinct camber zone centre underfoot allows versatility.
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