shoe_ski_review

Many barefooters use shoe skis to train for both basic and advanced maneuvers. While each skier
has his or her preferences, I will attempt to compare the most commonly used shoe skis in an
objective manner. I am not trying to sell any shoe skis, nor am I sponsored by a barefoot gear
manufacturer, so I hopefully I am unbiased in that respect. I have personally used all of the shoe
skis reviewed here, with the exception of the Ron Scarpa "full-size" shoe skis. In that case I relied
on the experience of a friend who had used them for this review.

Shoe skis are used by barefooters to simulate barefooting using slower speeds and fewer (or at
least less painful) falls. Safety is also a significant issue that more barefooters (as we get older ...)
are paying more attention. Joint injuries can occur in a fall where the shoe ski does not come off. I
can attest to this, having pulled a tendon and chipped a bone in a shoe ski fall where the ski did
not come off. My review of shoe skis is based on the premise that shoe skis that better accomplish
these objectives should be ranked higher than others. The criteria for review reflect these
objectives and are as follows:

1.        Simulation of barefooting - how similar to barefooting is skiing on those skis?
2.        Safety - do the skis come off easily in a fall?
3.        Speed needed - slower speeds are better.
4.        Durability - will the skis hold up under heavy use?
5.        Value - how much do you get for you money?

Each criteria is ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, with a higher number indicating a better score. These
criteria are based on my own experiences and those of my friends and acquaintances who have
tried these skis.

Barefoot International

The Barefoot Company - Dawg Paws

Ron Scarpa Watersports - Full Size Version

Ron Scarpa Watersports - "Cut-down" Version

Criteria        Comments        Score
Simulation                5
Safety                5
Speed


The bottom line for me is that I would recommend the Barefoot International shoe skis if price
and/or speed were an issue. From a pure simulation of barefooting standpoint however, I would
recommend the Ron Scarpa "cut-down" skis. Their main drawback is that the you have to ski close
to barefoot speeds when using them! After skiing on the Ron Scarpa "cut-down" skis, I was
impressed enough to buy a pair and I am even more impressed now after using them for one
season. The Dawg Paws have the most flexible sole of any of these shoe skis and probably would
be the skis I would use the most if it were not for the fact that they lace up and don't come off in a
fall. All the torque generated from the ski "catching" is therefore transferred to the ankle resulting
in a potentially dangerous situation. I would strongly recommend wearing these skis loosely laced
or using a "bungee" type lace in order to prevent an injury.

Shoe Ski Review
by Thor Thordarson

Criteria	Comments	Score
Simulation	This shoe ski has a very hard, inflexible plastic base. This results in a feel for the water that is quite different from that of a foot on the water. The ski is rather small however, which does compensate for this somewhat. At slower speeds, there is a tremendous amount of spray that envelopes the skier.	1
Safety	This ski comes off the foot quite easily in a fall. This is a good thing! In this regard, the BI shoe ski does quite well.	5
Speed	Speeds of 18-25 miles per hour are recommended for most skiers. Because of the stiffness of the ski, it tends to slide around quite a bit at higher speeds.	4
Durability	BI tends to "overbuild" things and their shoe ski is no exception. It is very simple but durable. I have had a pair for over ten years and they still look new. The rubber used in the ski is extremely thick and durable.	5
Value	This ski is by far the lowest priced of the skis reviewed (less than $60). However, the cost of materials and the dated design indicate it shouldn't cost much either. Available from most watersports retailers.	4

Overall Score		19

Criteria	Comments	Score
Simulation	This shoe ski has a soft, flexible rubber base. This results in a feel for the water that is actually not too different from that of a foot on the water.	5
Safety	This ski does not come off the foot in a fall, which is not good. Joint injuries can occur in a fall where the shoe ski does not come off. I can attest to this, having pulled a tendon and chipped a bone in a shoe ski fall where the ski did not come off. This ski is actually the one I was wearing when this occurred. If the ski catches an edge, the torque is transferred to the ligaments and tendons in the nearest joint - in this case the ankle. Not good.	2
Speed	Speeds of 25-30 miles per hour are recommended for most skiers. Still quite a bit slower than barefooting so the falls should not be as hard or painful as when barefooting	4
Durability	The shoe itself is simply a canvas sneaker. The material is susceptible to mildew and does not appear to be very durable. I have had a pair for four years, however, and while the canvas is tearing out and the shoelaces have been replaced once, they are still very usable. The sneaker is bolted and glued to the rubber base.	3
Value	This ski is quite expensive considering the materials used in the construction. The price from the Barefoot Company is $129.95.	2

Overall Score		16

Criteria	Comments	Score
Simulation	This shoe ski has a moderately stiff and quite large base. This results in a feel for the water that is somewhat different from that of a foot on the water. The reason for this is the ski's large size more than the flexibility of the material.	2
Safety	This ski comes off the foot quite easily in a fall, which is good. The rubber boot slides off quite easily. Joint injuries can occur in a fall where the shoe ski does not come off.	5
Speed	The ski's large size results in the ability to ski at relatively slow speeds. Speeds of 22-27 miles per hour are recommended for most skiers.	4
Durability	The rubber boot looks somewhat thin and flimsy, but has actually withstood heavy use quite well. My feeling is that they will last about as long as the seals on a dry-suit - they appear to be similar material.	3
Value	This ski is one of the more expensive ones reviewed. However, it has one of the most high-tech designs, with the molded-in boot and great looking appearance. The price from Ron Scarpa is $129.99.	3

Overall Score		17

Criteria	Comments	Score
Simulation	This shoe ski has a moderately stiff base that is not much bigger than your foot. In addition, the base is shaped like a foot and is available in different sizes (S, M, L). This results in a feel for the water that is probably the closest to that of a foot on the water of any of the skis reviewed. The ski is extremely light weight.	5
Safety	This ski comes off the foot quite easily in a fall, which is good. The rubber boot comes off quite easily in a fall. In addition, the rubber boot tends to "suction-cup" around the foot while worn, making it feel very secure while skiing.	5
Speed	Because of the small size of the ski, you need to ski faster than the other skis reviewed. Speeds of 30-35 miles per hour are recommended for most skiers.	2
Durability	The rubber boot looks somewhat thin and flimsy, but has actually withstood heavy use quite well. My feeling is that they will last about as long as the seals on a dry-suit - they appear to be similar material.	5
Value	This ski is the most expensive of the skis reviewed. However, it is only $10-20 more than the Barefoot Company and the Barefoot Central skis, while offering a significantly better feel for the water, better design, and improved safety. Overall, in my mind, this represents a good value if you are looking for the best simulation of barefoot water skiing. The price from Ron Scarpa is $139.99.	3

Overall Score		17