If in doubt use a softer flex to prevent pain and practices better technique before using stiffer ski boots.
Ski boots stiff vs soft.
Ski boot flex is indicated by a number ranging from 50 very soft to 140 very stiff.
I hard boot will hold back skill improvement way more than a soft boot will hurt an advanced skier.
The higher the number the stiffer the boot.
If you have to ask you are probably better off getting a softer boot.
Very stiff racing boots can be uncomfortably rigid for general use.
Soft boots create a more free flowing experience and are meant for riders looking to seamlessly float from one feature to the other.
Usually through trial and error but with some guiding parameters.
Soft skis don t go as fast as stiff skis but being easier to turn makes flexible skis more versatile than stiff skis.
Skiers who ski hard or who ski more than just a few days a year may desire a stiffer flex boot both because of the higher quality of materials as well as durability and ski ability of the boot.
Some boots offer features such as shock absorption for landing jumps or slamming bumps.
If you think your shoes are too soft you can always bolt them.
Stiff boots on the other hand create a more aggressive posture that forces skiers onto their toes.
Most advanced level boots combine multi density materials to make boots stiff in critical areas of energy transfer but soft in other areas.
Lightweight short and beginner skiers should start with softer flexes while larger taller and more aggressive skiers can use stiffer flexes.
While the softest skis are popular only with beginner skiers most recreational skiers non racers choose a ski somewhere in between stiff and soft.
Stiff vs soft flex.
Stiff boots are for slalom racing softer boots for bumps parks and trees.
A boot needs to be stiff enough to support the skier s tall neutral stance the too soft boot will collapse under the weight and leverage of the skier creating too much bend in the knee and resulting in smoking quads.
All ski boots are made with varying amounts of forward lean which can be calculated by measuring the angle of the upper cuff to the base of the ski boot and subtracting the delta angle which is the ramp angle of the boot board inside the boot.