On this episode, I sit down with Heather Van Gilder, a Boulder-based boot fitter and board-certified pedorthist (25+ years), to answer one of the most common listener requests: what’s different about women’s boot fitting—and what actually matters for comfort, performance, and injury reduction? Heather blends deep shop experience with clinical pedorthics to demystify women’s vs. unisex boots, liners, and the step-by-step process she uses to get skiers dialed.

The focus of this episode is practical, women-specific boot fitting you can use immediately—from choosing the right shell and liner to simple at-home tweaks that improve warmth, reduce calf pain, and keep toenails intact (yes, really).

We talk about:

✅ Women’s vs. unisex boots: what’s real (narrower heel, scalloped/ lower cuff) vs. just labeling

✅ Calf cramping & numb toes: common causes (instep pressure, buckle placement, limited dorsiflexion) and fixes

✅ Warm feet 101: thin moisture-managing socks, not wearing ski socks in the car, and relieving lower-foot constriction

✅ Touring toenails: how to keep toes off the front (mid-buckle snug, technique, support)

✅ Q-angle & cuff alignment: internal adjustments before external canting—what really helps performance

If you’ve wondered whether you need a women-specific boot—or just a smarter fit—this conversation gives you a clear roadmap to ski stronger, warmer, and pain-free.

📌 Links & Resources Mentioned: