I found my old 2014 Salomon ski boots in the basement and I'm not sure if it's worth using them anymore. The sole is a bit worn and the hook closure works, but I don't know if the technology is too outdated. Is it worth having a shop check them out or should I just buy new ones?
# Ski Boots: How to Tell If They're Still Good After 10 Years?
Ten years doesn't automatically mean "throw them out." Ski boots are pretty durable if you've stored them well, and the fact that the closure works is already a good sign. A worn sole is the least worrying part - you can have it regenerated at a specialist workshop, it costs next to nothing, and it solves the problem. What really matters is the internal condition, the shell's rigidity, and whether the waterproof membrane (if there was one) hasn't deteriorated.
My advice: take them to a ski shop for a quick evaluation. You don't need anything complicated - just have someone look at them for five minutes and tell you if there are cracks in the shell, if the inner foam is still decent, and if they still have good structure. If everything looks okay, sole regeneration costs around €40 - 60, way less than new boots. But if the shell is damaged or deformed, then it's not worth it.
Technology in ski boots has improved, sure, but 2014 Salomons aren't dinosaurs. If they're comfortable and the structure is intact, they'll keep you skiing without any problems. Upgrading is only worth it if you don't like the boots anymore or if they really don't hold up.
First of all, don't throw them away without checking them out. What really matters is how they've been stored: if they were in a basement away from moisture and direct light, those 2014 Salomon boots could still be perfectly usable. A worn sole is the least important detail, because you can have that reconditioned by a good cobbler. The real problem would be if the inner foam (the stuff that holds heat and absorbs impact) had deteriorated or if the shell had cracked, but you'd spot those right away.
What I'd do: take them to a decent ski shop and have someone check the flex of the shell (press hard to see if it's still elastic), make sure there are no cracks in the plastic, and see how the inner liner is holding up. If everything checks out, you can absolutely use them and maybe spend 40-60 euros on a new sole. The technology of the main shell doesn't change that much from boot to boot, what gets old is the closure system, but your buckles already work.
If you mainly use them for casual touring or don't ski that often though, throwing money at new boots when these ones are still holding up is kind of a waste. Try them first, see how your feet feel after a day on the slopes.
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