Sports (Oct 2013)

Materials, Designs and Standards Used in Ski-Boots for Alpine Skiing

  • Matteo Moncalero,
  • Marco Nicotra,
  • Martino Colonna

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/sports1040078
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 4
pp. 78 – 113

Abstract

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This review article reports the recent advances in the study, design and production of ski-boots for alpine skiing. An overview of the different designs and the materials used in ski-boot construction is provided giving particular emphasis to the effect of these parameters on the final performances and on the prevention of injuries. The use of specific materials for ski-boots dedicated to different disciplines (race skiing, mogul skiing, ski-mountaineering etc.) has been correlated with the chemical and physical properties of the polymeric materials employed. A review of the scientific literature and the most interesting patents is also presented, correlating the results reported with the performances and industrial production of ski-boots. Suggestions for new studies and the use of advanced materials are also provided. A final section dedicated to the standards involved in ski-boot design completes this review article.

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