Microclimate in ski boots--temperature, relative humidity, and water absorption.
Ski boot quality is determined by mechanical properties and comfort. Comfort is strongly affected by cold feet. The purpose of this study was to determine the microclimate in ski boots. Climate chamber tests with five male subjects and field tests with two male subjects were conducted. Temperature and relative humidity were measured using four sensors placed on the foot and one on the liner. Absorbed water in liners and socks was measured with a precision balance. The subjects gave subjective ratings for comfort. The toe sensor temperature dropped below 20 °C at an ambient temperature of 0 °C, -10 °C, and -20 °C. Relative humidity values at the foot were as high as 78% in the climate chamber and 93% in the field. Water absorption in socks and liners ranged from 4 to 10 g in the climate chamber and 19 to 45.5 g in the field. The results reveal the importance of keeping the feet and in particular the toes warm during skiing. One possible improvement may be to construct the liner so that sweat and melted snow are kept as far away as possible from the foot. Liner material with high water absorption capacity and hydrophobic socks were suggested to prevent wet feet.
Centre of Technology of Ski and Alpine Sport, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: patrick.hofer@uibk.ac.at.
Patrick
P
Hofer
Centre of Technology of Ski and Alpine Sport, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: michael.hasler@uibk.ac.at.
Michael
M
Hasler
Institute of Textile Chemistry/Physics, University of Innsbruck, Höchsterstraße 73, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria.
Gulnara
G
Fauland
Institute of Textile Chemistry/Physics, University of Innsbruck, Höchsterstraße 73, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria.
Thomas
T
Bechtold
Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Centre of Technology of Ski and Alpine Sport, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: werner.nachbauer@uibk.ac.at.
Werner
W
Nachbauer
D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012775:Shoes / Q000009:adverse effects; D012865:Skiing; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
Foot relative humidity; Foot temperature; Ski boots