Lateral boot strength

Lateral boot strength is a measure of how a boot transmits your edging efforts into edging the ski, and how the boot helps hold the ski on edge under the load or forces of a turn. Because ski edges are offset from the center line of your leg (unlike an ice skate) when you tip the ski on edge, it will try to tip back off the edge. The modern alpine ski boot allows you to hold the ski at a high edge angle, at high speed. Boots vary in the degree that they help you to hold the ski on edge. Some boots have more ability to help edge hold - we term these lateral boots, or boots with high lateral strength. Other boots have less edge holding ability - we term these rotary boots. Numerous design features contribute to the lateral strength of boots, including the stiffness of plastic; how high the inner boot extends up into the cuff; the connection between the inner boot and cuff; the connection between the lower boot and the upper inner and cuff; the ramp and forward lean of the boot; and the direction that the cuff flexes. When you are holding a ski on edge against the forces of a turn, if the cuff of the boot flexes inward, it will tend to diminish your edge angle. If the cuff flexes straight ahead or slightly outward, it will tend to hold the ski on edge. The relative hinge position determines the direction that a boot will flex. The Carvex boots tend to flex outward, so they will help you to hold your skis on edge. Thus, we term them lateral boots.