Effect of Compression on Thermal Comfort of Ski Boots

The effect of compression on the thermal comfort of ski boots has been evaluated comparing the temperature in the toe area of two ski boots with a 10% difference in internal volume, during simulated skiing in a climatic chamber at -10 °C for 60 minutes. The results obtained indicate a more consistent skin temperature decrease (9.15 ± 1.35 °C) using the ski boot with the reduced volume configuration with respect to that observed using the correct volume configuration (2.99 ± 1.10 °C). The most consistent temperature decrease and the feeling of cold discomfort have been ascribed to the restricted blood circulation caused by compression. This effect was proved by the fast temperature increase when the compression was eliminated extracting the liner from the shell after 20 and 50 minutes of test.