Children's Ski Boot With Improved Walking Function

Abstract

A ski boot, comprising a ski boot shell and a ski boot sole, wherein the ski boot sole comprises a front end of the ski boot sole, a rear end of the ski boot sole, a lower side of the sole and a free upper side of the sole via which the ski boot sole protrudes forwards, backwards and/or laterally beyond the ski boot shell, wherein the lower side of the sole comprises a first bearing region for placing upright on a bearing plate of a ski binding, and a second bearing region for walking without skis, wherein a width of the ski boot sole in the second bearing region is larger than a width of the ski boot sole in the first bearing region.

Claims

1. A ski boot, comprising a ski boot shell and a ski boot sole, wherein the ski boot sole comprises a front end of the ski boot sole, a rear end of the ski boot sole, a lower side of the sole and a free upper side of the sole via which the ski boot sole protrudes forwards and/or backwards and/or laterally beyond the ski boot shell, wherein: (a) the lower side of the sole comprises a first bearing region for placing upright on a bearing plate of a ski binding, and a second bearing region for walking without skis; (b) the first bearing region is arranged in front of the second bearing region, which lies below the ball of the foot of a wearer of the ski boot, in the longitudinal direction of the ski boot; (c) the second bearing region is curved convexly downwards in the longitudinal direction on the lower side of the sole in order to facilitate a rolling-off movement when walking without skis; and (d) a width of the ski boot sole in the second bearing region is larger than a width of the ski boot sole in the first bearing region.

2. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the width of a contact area of the second bearing region facing away from the ski boot shell is wider than a contact area of the first bearing region facing away from the ski boot shell.

3. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the second bearing region on the lower side of the sole comprises a contact area for a rolling-off contact when walking without skis, and the second bearing region widens downwards in the vertical direction in order to increase the size of its contact area.

4. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the width of the ski boot sole is 622 mm in the first bearing region and/or the width of the ski boot sole is at least 65 mm in the second bearing region.

5. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein: the first bearing region on the lower side of the sole comprises a contact area for contact with the bearing plate of the ski binding; the second bearing region on the lower side of the sole comprises a contact area for rolling-off contact with the substrate when walking without skis; a first material forms the contact area of the first bearing region; a second material forms the contact area of the second bearing region; and the first material exhibits a greater hardness, measured as a Shore hardness, than the second material.

6. The ski boot according to the preceding claim, wherein the first material has a Shore D hardness of at least 45, and/or the second material has a Shore A hardness of at least 70 and at most 80.

7. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the ski boot sole has an overall length L from the front end of the sole up to the rear end of the sole, and an apical point of the second bearing region, in which the ski boot is placed on a level base plane when placed upright, has a distance a from the front end of the sole, wherein the ratio a/L has a value of 0.30.05.

8. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing region comprises a contact point or contact line in which the ski boot sole lies on the bearing plate of a ski binding in the first bearing region when the ski boot is held in the binding, wherein the bearing point or bearing line has a distance d of 377 mm from the front end of the sole.

9. The ski boot according to the preceding claim, wherein when a ski boot is placed on a base plane, a vertical distance c which the contact point or contact line of the first bearing region exhibits from the free upper side of the front end of the sole measures 171.5 mm.

10. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein when a ski boot is placed on a level base plane, a vertical distance b between the free upper side of the front end of the sole and the base plane measures 23 mm3 mm.

11. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing region comprises a contact area, which protrudes downwards as an elevation on the lower side of the sole, for contact with the bearing plate of the ski binding.

12. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein the ski boot sole comprises: a sole base connected to the ski boot shell; a portion for the toes and ball of the foot; a heel portion; and, on the lower side of the sole base, a front sole pad in the portion for the toes and ball of the foot and a rear sole pad in the heel portion.

13. The ski boot according to the preceding claim, wherein the front sole pad comprises the first bearing region and the second bearing region.

14. The ski boot according to claim 1, comprising a heel portion which features a walking area, for contact with the substrate when walking without skis, and a heel contact area, for placing upright on a rear bearing area of the ski binding, on the lower side of the sole, wherein a material having a first hardness forms the walking area, and a material having a second hardness, which is greater than the first hardness, forms the heel contact area.

15. A ski boot, comprising a ski boot shell and a ski boot sole, wherein the ski boot sole comprises a portion for the toes and ball of the foot, a heel portion, a front end of the sole, a rear end of the sole, a lower side of the sole and a free upper side of the sole which protrudes forwards and/or backwards and/or laterally beyond the ski boot shell, wherein (a) the portion for the toes and ball of the foot on the lower side of the sole comprises a first bearing region for placing upright on a bearing plate of a ski binding and, below the ball of the foot of a wearer of the ski boot, a second bearing region for walking without skis; (b) the first bearing region is arranged in front of the second bearing region in the longitudinal direction of the ski boot; (c) the second bearing region is curved convexly downwards in the longitudinal direction on the lower side of the sole in order to facilitate a rolling-off movement when walking without skis; (d) the heel portion features a walking area, for contact with the substrate when walking without skis, and a heel contact area, for placing upright on a rear bearing area of the ski binding, on the lower side of the sole; and (e) a material which forms the heel contact area exhibits a greater hardness, measured as a Shore hardness, than a material which forms the walking area.

16. The ski boot according to the preceding claim, wherein the first bearing region on the lower side of the sole comprises a contact area for contact with the bearing plate of the ski binding; the second bearing region on the lower side of the sole comprises a contact area for rolling-off contact with the substrate when walking without skis; a first material forms the contact area of the first bearing region; a second material forms the contact area of the second bearing region; and the first material exhibits a greater hardness, measured as a Shore hardness, than the second material.

17. The ski boot according to claim 15, wherein the heel contact area comprises multiple heel contact partial areas which are separate from each other in a plan view onto the lower side of the sole and are each made of a material having a hardness which is greater than the hardness of the material of the walking area, and wherein a first one of the heel contact partial areas is a middle heel contact partial area as viewed transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ski boot, a second one of the heel contact partial areas is a left-hand heel contact partial area extending on the left alongside the middle heel contact partial area, and a third one of the heel contact partial areas is a right-hand heel contact partial area extending on the right alongside the middle heel contact partial area.

18. The ski boot according to the preceding claim, wherein a rear end of the left-hand heel contact partial area and/or a rear end of the right-hand heel contact partial area exhibits a distance x.sub.4 of at most 30 mm from the rear end of the sole in the longitudinal direction of the ski boot.

19. The ski boot according to claim 17, wherein a front end of the left-hand heel contact partial area and/or a front end of the right-hand heel contact partial area has a distance x.sub.3 of at least 50 mm and of at most 60 mm from the rear end of the sole in the longitudinal direction of the ski boot.

20. The ski boot according to claim 17, wherein the heel contact partial areas each have a breadth w of at least 5 mm and at most 20 mm transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ski boot.

21. A sole pad for a children's ski boot, wherein the sole pad can be connected to a front region of the children's ski boot, and wherein a lower side of the sole pad comprises a first bearing region for placing upright on a bearing plate of a ski binding, and a second bearing region for walking in the children's ski boot without skis, wherein a width of the sole pad is larger in the second bearing region than a width of the sole pad in the first bearing region.

Description

[0090] The individual figures show:

[0091] FIG. 1 a view of a ski boot from below;

[0092] FIG. 2 a view of a sole region of the ski boot from the side;

[0093] FIG. 3 a view of a lower region of the ski boot from the front;

[0094] FIG. 4 a sectional view of the ski boot sole of FIG. 1, held in a ski binding, from the side;

[0095] FIG. 5 the side view of FIG. 2, with additional measurement details of the length and height dimensions of the ski boot sole;

[0096] FIG. 6 the ski boot of FIG. 1 in another plan view onto the lower side of the sole; and

[0097] FIG. 7 a plan view onto a heel portion of a ski boot, with measurement details of the length and width dimensions.

[0098] FIG. 1 shows a view from below onto the sole S of a ski boot 1, in particular a ski boot for children. FIG. 2 shows the ski boot sole S in a side view. The sole S is specifically embodied to improve walking in the ski boot 1 without skis.

[0099] The ski boot sole S consists of a sole base SB (FIG. 2), a front sole pad 2 and a rear sole pad 3 which are each arranged on the lower side of the sole base SB. In the example embodiment, the front sole pad 2 is formed separately from the rear sole pad 3, and each of the two sole pads 2 and 3 is connected separately to the ski boot 1, i.e. to the sole base SB, wherein the front sole pad 2 can be detachably connected to the ski boot 1 such that it can be exchanged for another sole pad, for example because of wear, damage or in order to adapt the ski boot 1 to a specific ski binding. The front sole pad 2 and/or the rear sole pad 3 can then each be screwed to the sole base SB by means of multiple fastening means 15, for example fastening screws 15.

[0100] Both sole pads 2, 3 exhibit a profile in order to ensure a firm grip when walking in the ski boot 1 without skis in snow or on an icy surface. The front sole pad 2 comprises a bearing region 4, which is a first bearing region as viewed from a front end 21 of the ski boot sole, and a second bearing region 5, wherein the first bearing region 4 is embodied between the front end 21 of the sole and the second bearing region 5 in the longitudinal direction X of the boot, i.e. the first bearing region 4 is formed in the region of the toes of the user of the ski boot 1 or slightly further back, and the second bearing region 5 is formed in the region of the ball of the foot.

[0101] The first bearing region 4 is designed to support the ski boot 1, which is held in a binding, on a bearing plate 11 of a ski binding 10 (see FIG. 4), while at the same time, the second bearing region 5 preferably does not contact either parts of the ski binding 10 or the ski itself. The second bearing region 5 is optimised for walking in the ski boot 1 without skis. When a ski boot 1 is placed upright on a level area (a base plane), only the second bearing region 5 of the front sole pad 2for example, only a point or line or area of the second bearing region 5lies on the base plane of the front sole pad 2. As described further below, the front sole pad 2 is shaped such that the user can roll off as usual in the region of the second bearing region 5 when walking in the ski boot 1 without skis. An intermediate portion of the sole S extending between the front sole pad 2 and the rear sole pad 3 can be designed to assist rolling off with one's foot when walking without skis, for example by enabling the intermediate portion to elastically deform, for example flex, during rolling off.

[0102] In the example embodiment, the portion between the front sole pad 2 and the rear sole pad 3 comprises reinforcing ribs 6 which are arranged transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the ski and spaced from each other. In the example embodiment, two reinforcing ribs 6 extending transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the ski are formed on the lower side of the ski boot sole S. In modifications, it is also possible for only one reinforcing rib 6 to be formed between the sole pads 2 and 3. In other modifications, however, it is also possible for more than two reinforcing ribs 6, for example three or four reinforcing ribs 6, extending transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the ski and axially spaced from each other, to be formed on the lower side of the ski boot sole S. Forming one or more reinforcing ribs 6 on the lower side of the sole can improve the grip of the ski boot when walking in snow and slush.

[0103] The lower side 22 of the sole is vertically retracted in the intermediate portion as compared to the heel portion and the first bearing region 4 and second bearing region 5, such that when the ski boot is held in the ski binding and therefore fastened to the ski, it is not in contact with the ground in the intermediate portion. When placed upright on a base plane, the ski boot is likewise not in contact with the base plane in the intermediate portion.

[0104] As can be seen in FIG. 1, a width B1measured transverse to the longitudinal axis Xof the front sole pad 2 is smaller in the region of the first bearing region 4 than a width B2measured transverse to the longitudinal axis Xin the region of the second bearing region 5. A contact area 51 of the second bearing region 5 which lies on the base plane or on the ground is therefore wider, thus increasing the level of safety when walking without skis. The profile of the front sole pad 2 can have a concave shape in a width direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X and can for example be indented in a middle region. In order to increase or further increase the width of the contact area 51, the profile of the second bearing region 5 can be embodied such that at least individual parts of the profile are elastically deformed when a weight is applied from above, thus further increasing the width of the contact area 51. The pressure of the weight of the wearer of the ski boot can then for example elastically deform at least the lateral peripheral regions of the sole pad 2 outwards, i.e. away from a central longitudinal axis of the ski boot 1, transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the second bearing region 5.

[0105] The second bearing region 5 can consist of or comprise a relatively soft material which for example exhibits a Shore A hardness of between 70 and 80. The first bearing region 4, which should exhibit no or only very little elastic deformation, can be formed from or comprise a material which exhibits a Shore D hardness of at least or more than 40 or at least or more than 45 and preferably at least or more than 50. The first and second bearing regions 4, 5 are preferably formed from one or more plastics. Materials, or at least proportions of materials, other than plasticsuch that for example glass, ceramics, metalfor the first bearing region 4 in particular and, although less preferred, for the second bearing region 5 are however not excluded but rather also encompassed by the scope of the invention. The second bearing region 5 can then for example consist of a thermoplastic polyurethane, i.e. TPU.

[0106] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of a lower part of the ski boot 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the ski boot 1 placed upright on a horizontal base plane. The ski boot sole S has a free front end 21 of the ski boot sole, comprising a free upper side 23 of the sole, and a rear end 31 of the ski boot sole, likewise comprising a free upper side of the sole. The free upper side 23 of the sole and the free upper side of the sole at the end 31 of the sole are used for clamping the ski boot 1 by means of a ski binding. Sole retainers of a front jaw and sole retainers of a rear jaw of the ski binding can then clamp the ski boot 1 downwards, via the free front upper side 23 of the sole and the free rear upper side of the sole, against the respective bearing area of the binding and thus against the ski. The lower side 22 of the sole is substantially formed by the front sole pad 2 and the rear sole pad 3, which in the example embodiment are two separate sole pads 2 and 3 which are also not connected directly to each other but are rather axially spaced from each other by the retracted intermediate portion. In the example shown, both sole pads 2, 3 have a pronounced profile which improves the grip of the ski boot 1 or, respectively, the ski boot sole S when walking without skis, as compared to ski boot soles with no profile.

[0107] The front sole pad 2 comprises the first bearing region 4, which features a contact area 41, and the second bearing region 5 which features the contact area 51. In modifications, the first bearing region 4 can comprise only a contact line or one or more contact points, instead of a two-dimensional contact area 41. The contact area 51 is understood to be the area on the lower side of the second bearing region 5 which rolls off on the base plane during a natural rolling-off movement when walking in the ski boot. When merely placed upright on the base plane, the contact area 51 of the unburdened ski boot, which is placed upright and only exerts its own weight, can be almost linear or even punctiform, in particular if the contact area 51 is formed by rib-shaped or nub-shaped protrusions on the lower side of the ski boot sole S.

[0108] In order to facilitate the rolling-off movement, the second bearing region 5 of the sole pad 2 is convexin the example, rounded outwardsin the longitudinal direction X on the lower side. This does not conflict with the fact that a concave curvature in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the boot can be embodied in the same region.

[0109] The second bearing region 5 or, respectively, the contact area 51 has a distance a from the front end 21 of the sole, at an overall length L of the ski boot sole S, wherein the overall length L is measured between the front end 21 of the sole and the rear end 31 of the sole. The distance a is the distance between an apical point or apical line of the contact area 51 and the front end 21 of the sole. A ratio of the distance a to the length L preferably has a value of 0.30.1, preferably 0.30.05 and particularly preferably 0.30.03, i.e. the position of the ball of the foot or the contact point of the front sole pad 2 is 30% of the length L of the ski boot sole S short of the front end 21 of the ski boot sole, plus or minus the corresponding tolerances. If the length of the sole is 217 mm (a children's boot), the contact area 51 will thus for example be 65 mm5 mm short of the front end 21 of the sole.

[0110] FIG. 3 shows the sole region of the ski boot 1 of FIG. 1, in an axial view from the front. The profile of the front sole pad 2, the first bearing region 4 and at least the front part of the second bearing region 5 can again be seen. The second bearing region 5 or, respectively, the profile in the second bearing region 5, i.e. the silhouette of the second bearing region 5, is convex transverse to the longitudinal direction X, i.e. in the plane of the figure, in relation to the base plane. If a weight is applied which acts on the sole S from above, an area of the profile which contacts the base plane can be increased in the second bearing region 5 due to elastic deformation of the profile, if the latter can be elastically deformed.

[0111] In accordance with the invention, the width or a maximum width B2 of the second bearing region 5 is larger than the width or maximum width B1 of the first bearing region 4. The width or maximum width B1 can then be predetermined by the corresponding standard and measure 622 mm, while the width or maximum width B2 has a value of at least 65 mm or at least 66 mm, for example 67 mm. Values over 67 mm are less preferred but are likewise encompassed by the invention.

[0112] The contact area 41 of the first bearing region 4 is exposed on the lower side 22 of the front sole pad 2. It is thus a contact area 41 which protrudes downwards as an elevation. The contact area 41 can protrude beyond the region of the front sole pad 2 immediately adjacent to the contact area 41 on the lower side 22 of the sole, in particular by at least 0.5 mm.

[0113] The contact area 41 can be formed by a contact structure which is formed from a material, for example a plastic, which exhibits a greater hardness, measured as a Shore hardness, than a material which forms the second bearing region 5 and/or the entire remainder of the front sole pad 2. The two materials having a different hardness can in particular each be a plastic, wherein the plastic which forms the second bearing region 5 or which expediently forms the front sole pad 2 except for the contact structure mentioned exhibits a hardness which is for example in the Shore A range. The plastic which forms the contact structure featuring the contact area 41 exhibits a comparatively greater hardness, for example a hardness in the Shore D range.

[0114] In the heel portion, the ski boot sole S features a walking area 7, for contact with the substrate when walking without skis, and a heel contact area 8 for contact with a bearing area in the rear longitudinal region of the ski binding 10, on the lower side 22 of the sole. The rear sole pad 3 forms the areas 7 and 8 on its lower side, wherein the heel contact area 8 is formed from a material which exhibits a greater hardness, measured as a Shore hardness, than a material which forms the walking area 7. The heel contact area 8 can in particular be formed from the same material as the contact area 41 of the first bearing region 4. Otherwise, the rear sole pad 3 including the walking area 7 can be formed from the material which also forms the second bearing region 5.

[0115] The heel contact area 8 comprises multiple heel contact partial areas, namely a middle heel contact partial area 8m, a left-hand heel contact partial area 8l and a right-hand heel contact partial area 8r. In the example embodiment, the two outer heel contact partial areas 8l and 8r each exhibit a distance, measured transverse to the longitudinal direction X, from the middle heel contact partial area 8m. A partial area of the walking area 7 extends between the middle heel contact partial area 8m and the left-hand heel contact partial area 8l, and another partial area of the walking area 7 extends between the middle heel contact partial area 8m and the right-hand heel contact partial area 8r, respectively. The heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l, 8r are thus separate from each other and separated from each other by the walking area 7. In modifications, the heel contact partial area 8m can however also be combined with the heel contact partial area 8l and/or with the heel contact partial area 8r to form a contiguous heel contact area.

[0116] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the sole S in the axial region of the first sole pad 2, wherein the ski boot 1 is held in a ski binding 10. The ski binding 10 can comprise pivoting sole retainers, pins or other securing means known in the prior art, in order to hold the ski boot. The ski binding 10 comprises a bearing plate 11 which is arranged and shaped such that the sole S is supported on the bearing plate 11 via the first bearing region 4 or, respectively, the bearing area 41 when the binding 10 is closed. A wedge-shaped hollow space is formed behind the bearing plate 11 and delineated axially forwards by a rear end of the bearing plate 11, downwards by the surface of the ski or the binding 10 and upwards by the second bearing region 5.

[0117] FIG. 5 shows the sole region of the ski boot 1 in the same side view as in FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, the ski boot, i.e. the ski boot sole S, is placed upright on a level substrate, i.e. the base plane U.

[0118] Measurements which substantially follow from the applicable DIN ISO 5355 standard for ski boots, in particular children's ski boots, shall be briefly mentioned for the sake of completeness. Tolerance values are also mentioned in the standard which form part of the scope of the invention. Measurements which are outside the values predetermined in the standard and correspond to at most the value in the standard plus three times the tolerance are likewise encompassed, wherever other measurements or values or tolerances are not mentioned in the description.

[0119] The free upper side 23 of the front end 21 of the ski boot sole can in particular have a perpendicular distance b from the base plane U of 233 mm. This corresponds to the vertical distance which the apical point or an apical line or apical area region of the contact area 51 of the second bearing region 5 exhibits from the free upper side 23 of the front end 21 of the sole when placed upright on the base plane U with no load. A perpendicular distance c between the contact area 41 of the first bearing region 4 on the bearing plate 11 (FIG. 4) and the free upper side 23 of the front end 21 of the ski boot sole can in particular measure 173 mm or 16.51.5 mm. The contact area 41 of the first bearing region 4 which lies on the bearing plate 11 in the closed ski binding 10 can have a distanced of in particular 28 mm to 48 mm and preferably 30 mm to 44 mm from the front end 21 of the ski boot sole. When a ski boot 1 is placed upright on the base plane U, the lower side 22 of the sole can have a distance h of at least 5 mm from the base plane U, from the front end 21 of the ski boot sole up to and into the first bearing region 4, across a length of 4010 mm or 337 mm.

[0120] FIG. 6 again shows the ski boot sole S in the plan view onto the lower side of the sole, corresponding to FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the ski boot sole S can exhibit fluting on the lower side in the region of the areas which contact or can contact the substrate when walking without skis, in order to improve the grip when walking on a smooth substrate or in snow or slush. The areas which are fluted on the lower side are the contact area 51 of the second bearing region 5 and the walking area 7 of the heel portion as well as a front contact area which lies between the front end 21 of the sole and the contact area 41 of the first bearing region 4. In the heel portion, the fluted walking area 7 surrounds the two outer heel contact partial areas 8l and 8r laterally on the outside and also laterally on the inside, towards the middle heel contact partial area 8m. In the example embodiment, the fluted walking area 7 surrounds the two lateral heel contact partial areas 8l and 8r completely. Fluting, while advantageous, is only optional.

[0121] With respect to the contact areas 41 and 8 and/or the contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8r, it should also be noted that said contact partial areas are formed on the lower sides of plate-shaped or bowl-shaped contact structures and that these contact structures are arranged, for example embedded, in the comparatively softer plastic material which forms the sole pads 2 and 3 except for the contact structures.

[0122] The heel contact area 8in the example embodiment, the heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8rcan protrude downwards slightly, i.e. by a tenth or a few tenths of a millimetre, beyond the walking area 7 or instead be slightly short of the walking area 7. In advantageous embodiments, however, the heel contact area 8in the example embodiment, its partial areas 8m, 8l and 8ris situated level with the immediately adjacent area regions of the walking area 7. Favourable release properties on the one hand, and pleasant walking properties on the other, are achieved by appropriately choosing the area ratio between the walking area 7 and the heel contact area 8. The rear bearing area of the ski binding can comprise elevated bearing area regions in line with the division of the heel contact area 8 into heel contact partial areas, in accordance with their arrangement and/or shape, such that when the ski boot is held in the ski binding, only its heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8r are placed on the rear bearing area of the ski binding, i.e. are in contact with the rear bearing area.

[0123] FIG. 7 is a plan view onto the lower side of the heel portion. In FIG. 7, measurements for the positions of the heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8r and measurements for minimum dimensions of the individual heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8r are specified. The heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8r are each shown as elongated rectangular strips, wherein the rectangular strips each represent a minimum area for the corresponding heel contact partial area.

[0124] The heel contact partial areas can each for example comprise a breadth w, measured transverse to the longitudinal direction X, of at least 5 mm or at least 6 mm. Conversely, it is advantageous if the breadth w of the respective heel contact partial area measures no more than 20 mm or at most 10 mm. In advantageous embodiments, the heel contact area 8 as a whole exhibits a size of at least 5 cm.sup.2.

[0125] A front end of the middle heel contact partial area 8m can have a distance x.sub.1, measured in the longitudinal direction X, of for example at least 80 mm from the rear end 31 of the sole. A rear end of the middle heel contact partial area 8m exhibits a distance x.sub.2, measured in the longitudinal direction X, from the rear end 31 of the sole, wherein in advantageous embodiments, said distance x.sub.2 measures at most 37 mm or at most 30 mm, better yet at most 28 mm. The rear ends of the lateral heel contact partial areas 8l and 8r can exhibit a distance x.sub.4, measured in the longitudinal direction X, of at least 27 mm and/or at most 30 mm from the rear end 31 of the sole. The distance x.sub.2 is advantageously larger than the distance x.sub.4. The front ends of the lateral heel contact partial areas 8l and 8r advantageously exhibit a distance x.sub.3, as measured in the longitudinal direction X, from the rear end 31 of the sole, wherein the distance x.sub.3 is smaller than x.sub.1. The lateral heel contact partial areas 8l and 8r are advantageously shorter in the longitudinal direction X of the boot than the middle heel contact partial area 8m.

[0126] In advantageous embodiments, the heel contact area 8 exhibits a maximum width y, transverse to the longitudinal direction X, which is measured from the outer side edge of the left-hand heel contact partial area 8l to the outer side edge of the right-hand heel contact partial area 8r and can in particular measure at least 50 mm or at least 52 mm. The maximum width y can in particular measure at most 60 mm or at most 57 mm.

[0127] The heel contact partial areas 8m, 8l and 8r can be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis X of the ski boot 1. If the heel contact area 8 is formed as a contiguous contact area, by connecting the heel contact partial areas to form a contiguous heel contact area, then this contiguous heel contact area 8 is likewise mirror-symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis X of the ski boot 1 in advantageous embodiments. The details of a maximum width y and the distances from the rear end 31 of the sole also apply to a contiguous heel contact area 8.