Ski boot
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Ski boots are specialized footwear that are used in skiing to provide protection and warmth for the foot in snowy and icy conditions, along with a way to attach the skier to skis using ski bindings so that skiers ski over snow.
Ski boots were originally made of leather. As ski binding technology advanced from a free-heel boot to a fixed heel, boots advanced from leather to plastic with protuberances at the toe and heel to fit into ski bindings. Boots come in various degrees of stiffness; beginners typically like a softer, more padded boot, while more advanced skiers prefer a stiffer boot.
Ski boots are typically fastend using between three and five buckles, although various alternatives have been tried over the years.