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The Official: "What is wrong with my boots?" Thread

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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
This thread should be seen as an accompaniment to the "How To Buy Ski Boots" thread, more specifically aimed at solving a problem with your existing ski boots. Rather than clog up Gear Talk with countless repeating threads, please dump your boot-fitting related questions here and we will do our best to help you out.

Remember, nothing is a substitute for going to a real boot-fitter; they can see your foot, we can't. So if you can't get to a boot-fitter, or are frustrated with your current one, we can help point you in the right direction. Try to be as descriptive of your problem as possible and post pics if you can. The more information we get from you, the more successful we will hopefully be in helping you out.

Ready, set, go.


Dec 14 2013 2:45PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
HogisI dunno if it's a boot problem but I didn't feel like making a new thread for it either.
I've busted my heel up a couple of times from undershooting/overshooting jumps and I should probably stay put at home instead of making it worse by skiing.

But i've started to wondering about heelpads/shockabsorbers to put underneath my custom footbed. I've already got some foam that my bootfitter at the time made up. What do you guys think about switching these to some softer and thicker ones? Yes, I would lose some contact with my skis on hard snow and that part of it but would it help with my heel-pain?

In that case, should I make some myself or is there any that shops carrie?
Thinking along the lines of finding a pair of old fulltilts/spk and chopping them up.

Thanks in advance.


Your boot-fitter should be doing this for you, just so you don't end up reducing the amount of volume and/or messing with the fit by adding pads under your heel. But there are definitely some different foams or silicon-type products that he can order and retrofit to you liner or footbed to create more shock absorption.
Mar 3 2016 5:33AM
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Film.
Posts: 2649 - Karma: 2,296
I recently upgraded from my size 28 salomon SPK 85's into some full tilt classics 27.5
I've skied three long days on them so far and just put them on now and they feel small. My toe is pressing right against the liner (almost have to curl it down) and my ankle was killing me after skiing those three days. When I put the boots on just now I felt the same agitation that bruised my ankles. It's a problem because I loosen the boot my ankle feels better but then my toe is banging, tighten the boot up my ankle starts killing me again. I listened to the boot fitter in going the size down but now I'm thinking that was a bad idea. Should I ski on them a few more days and see if they get better or take them back tomorrow for more tweaking?
Mar 3 2016 10:58PM
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Film.
Posts: 2649 - Karma: 2,296
Film.I recently upgraded from my size 28 salomon SPK 85's into some full tilt classics 27.5
I've skied three long days on them so far and just put them on now and they feel small. My toe is pressing right against the liner (almost have to curl it down) and my ankle was killing me after skiing those three days. When I put the boots on just now I felt the same agitation that bruised my ankles. It's a problem because I loosen the boot my ankle feels better but then my toe is banging, tighten the boot up my ankle starts killing me again. I listened to the boot fitter in going the size down but now I'm thinking that was a bad idea. Should I ski on them a few more days and see if they get better or take them back tomorrow for more tweaking?


Some more follow up information on this
I just did the shell fit and my finger stacked on top of each other (about 1 1/2") fit in there snug for sure. I tried on just the liner itself and my toe is pressing outward. The boots haven't been heat molded so I'm thinking that might be the trick.
Mar 3 2016 11:12PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
Film.Some more follow up information on this
I just did the shell fit and my finger stacked on top of each other (about 1 1/2") fit in there snug for sure. I tried on just the liner itself and my toe is pressing outward. The boots haven't been heat molded so I'm thinking that might be the trick.


You are definitely in a shell big enough. Never try a liner on by itself- you will never ski like that, so it's irrelevant. Buckles pull a foot back into shell, so a liner by itself is not an accurate way to judge the fit.

A boot should not feel like a skate shoe. Your toes should press up against the front of the boot when you stand, and then pull away from the front when you flex forward.

You not only need to get your liners heat molded, but you should also get footbeds. Without footbeds, your foot will elongate inside the shell and press up against the front while skiing. With footbeds, your foot will be supported and held in the back of the boot. Not using footbeds is just as bad as being in the wrong boot.
Mar 4 2016 1:04PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Film.I recently upgraded from my size 28 salomon SPK 85's into some full tilt classics 27.5
I've skied three long days on them so far and just put them on now and they feel small. My toe is pressing right against the liner (almost have to curl it down) and my ankle was killing me after skiing those three days. When I put the boots on just now I felt the same agitation that bruised my ankles. It's a problem because I loosen the boot my ankle feels better but then my toe is banging, tighten the boot up my ankle starts killing me again. I listened to the boot fitter in going the size down but now I'm thinking that was a bad idea. Should I ski on them a few more days and see if they get better or take them back tomorrow for more tweaking?


SPKs and FT Classics are polar opposites in terms of fit. I've never met someone who fitted well in both of them, either your SPKs must have been loose as a goose or your FTs are probably not the right boot for your foot.
Mar 6 2016 2:48PM
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Jacobfreeskis
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
When I tail press I feel a really sharp pain on my shin just by my ankle. Any fixes or just buy FTs??
Apr 4 2016 4:38PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
JacobfreeskisWhen I tail press I feel a really sharp pain on my shin just by my ankle. Any fixes or just buy FTs??


Depends on if your boots are the right size and shape for your foot/ankle/leg. Having a boot that properly fits you is more important that having a certain brand of boot. I would visit a boot-fitter and have him/her assess if you current boot is the right thing for you. At the end of the assessment, the boot-fitter can tell you if you need a simple adjustment done or if the boot is simply too far off to work well for you.
Apr 5 2016 3:57AM
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T.O.
Posts: 740 - Karma: 97
Anybody happen to know if the k2 spyre fit the same as the mens spyne?
Apr 5 2016 4:57PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
T.O.Anybody happen to know if the k2 spyre fit the same as the mens spyne?


I would hit up NS member TomPietrowski- he's working a bit with K2 now and could definitely give you the low down
Apr 6 2016 2:15AM
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BWick04
Posts: 79 - Karma: 100
I had a question about shell fitting, when measuring with your fingers is it just the space directly behind the center of your heel and to the back of the heel cup? does the side space matter or is it just directly behind your heel
Apr 14 2016 2:32PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
BWick04I had a question about shell fitting, when measuring with your fingers is it just the space directly behind the center of your heel and to the back of the heel cup? does the side space matter or is it just directly behind your heel


Since this is mainly a length test, you want to (first) look at the space directly behind the center of the heel. Because you want to have heel hold, you don't want to have 2cm of space on each side of the heel. That would result in a very sloppy heel.

Depending on what liner is being used, you generally want to have about 5mm on each side of the heel but that is hard to measure/see most of the time.
Apr 15 2016 2:27AM
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BWick04
Posts: 79 - Karma: 100
I measured about about 2 fingers stack on top of each other, about one inch of space. I'm having an issue where i feel l like there's too much room on top of my toes and the front end of my foot. When i tighten my lower to buckles, the ones over the foot, I feel like it has a good hold but then it starts to cut of my circulation. Are these boots too big, or would some kind of padding work to help reduce the volume over that area.
Apr 16 2016 1:51AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
BWick04I measured about about 2 fingers stack on top of each other, about one inch of space. I'm having an issue where i feel l like there's too much room on top of my toes and the front end of my foot. When i tighten my lower to buckles, the ones over the foot, I feel like it has a good hold but then it starts to cut of my circulation. Are these boots too big, or would some kind of padding work to help reduce the volume over that area.


It does sound a little big- you really don't want to be over the 2cm mark (1 inch = 2.54 cm) BUT it could be that the next shell size down is simply too small.

What boot is it? It could be that the size is ok, but the volume is too high. For example, when I am in a 2cm shell fit with 100mm boots, I feel like I have no foot hold. But same shell fit in a 98mm boot and I am totally fine. So, not only should you be checking for length, but for width & instep height too.

Also, are you using footbeds? Without footbeds, your foot will simply move around even in the right size shell. Make sure you use a good pair of aftermarket footbeds.
Apr 16 2016 2:01AM
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BWick04
Posts: 79 - Karma: 100
Yeah I'm using footbeds and they're salomon quest pros. I really appreciate your help too by the way.
Apr 16 2016 6:37AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
BWick04Yeah I'm using footbeds and they're salomon quest pros. I really appreciate your help too by the way.


No worries! How many days do you have in the boot? Over 150?

Salomon Quest Pro (a 100mm boot) fits lower over the instep but wider than "average" for a 100mm boot. It could be that the Quest Max (the 98mm version) might be a better solution for you (if all other variables are right).

But short of buying a whole new boot, your boot-fitter should be able add some volume reducing pads to the liner the help with the excess slop. Or perhaps a new, thicker/firmer liner is in order.
Apr 16 2016 11:20AM
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brendonralph
Posts: 33 - Karma: 353
I have very skinny calves and narrow feet. I am a size 10 shoe size, and own a 27.5 Tom Wallisch. I get mad shin bang every time I go skiing and toe bang quite often. I'm looking into dalabello, salomon, and full tilt for a new park boot and don't know what to get. +k for any help
May 18 2016 10:15PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8898 - Karma: 35,864
brendonralphI have very skinny calves and narrow feet. I am a size 10 shoe size, and own a 27.5 Tom Wallisch. I get mad shin bang every time I go skiing and toe bang quite often. I'm looking into dalabello, salomon, and full tilt for a new park boot and don't know what to get. +k for any help


You need to go to a fitter. Nobody is going to be able to tell you what boot will work over the internet.

On the bright side all the shops are trying to sell off last year's boots....so you can find something for pretty cheap.
May 19 2016 12:57AM
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Cole_
Posts: 75 - Karma: 677
need a stiff boot for big mountain that wont give me shin bang
May 30 2016 12:33AM
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TVRNTVPOOP
Posts: 619 - Karma: 3,583
im a size 11 shoe an and my size 27.5 boots feel good but I toe bang a lot and I don't know whether or not to get bigger boots?
Jun 6 2016 10:52PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8898 - Karma: 35,864
Cole_need a stiff boot for big mountain that wont give me shin bang

Gotta go to a bootfitter

mccrakken.im a size 11 shoe an and my size 27.5 boots feel good but I toe bang a lot and I don't know whether or not to get bigger boots?

Go to a fitter and get a custom footbed. Issue most likely isn't that the boot is too small, it's that your foot is expanding on impacts. Fitter will diagnose the issue
Jun 7 2016 1:40AM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6891 - Karma: 24,559
Boot flex question. I've been riding in a 95 flex Fischer boot for the past 5 seasons. I just bought some nordica dobermann 120s because of the good fit. Should I take a screw out to reduce the flex before I ski in them or should I ski in them first and see how it goes? What are your thoughts NS?
Jul 6 2016 6:48PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Give it heaps and see how it feels. Then take the screw out and ski for a bit, see what you prefer.

The whole point of adjustments is to be able to try both and see what works better for you.
Jul 6 2016 10:40PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6891 - Karma: 24,559
rozboonGive it heaps and see how it feels. Then take the screw out and ski for a bit, see what you prefer.

The whole point of adjustments is to be able to try both and see what works better for you.


Makes sense lol.
Jul 7 2016 2:17PM
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SKRockies
Posts: 606 - Karma: 1,689
So i think part of it was some of my ski habits, but my boots dont seem comfortable unless the top is loose, and then if i ski more than one day i get shin bang. But if i put them tight i lose feeling in my feet. not from being cold but cause they are so tight. Should my sweatpants be going into my boots? also my liner slides back and forth in my shell a bit, enough to notice.
Aug 12 2016 3:41PM
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nick_candage
Posts: 31 - Karma: 112
SKRockiesSo i think part of it was some of my ski habits, but my boots dont seem comfortable unless the top is loose, and then if i ski more than one day i get shin bang. But if i put them tight i lose feeling in my feet. not from being cold but cause they are so tight. Should my sweatpants be going into my boots? also my liner slides back and forth in my shell a bit, enough to notice.


Your sweatpants definitely shouldn't go in your boots. The top of the boot should be the tightest part of the boot. You're most likely skiing backseat is how you're getting shin bang. You should just see a boot fitter.
Aug 13 2016 1:56PM
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Superkrill
Posts: 4 - Karma: 11
I just got my first pair of boots, should I wear them while just hanging out like I would with running shoes to break them in?

Also does heat molding have much more of an effect on boots than just breaking them in via skiing, besides that it is quicker?

Thanks
Sep 6 2016 8:02PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
SuperkrillI just got my first pair of boots, should I wear them while just hanging out like I would with running shoes to break them in?

Also does heat molding have much more of an effect on boots than just breaking them in via skiing, besides that it is quicker?

Thanks


I always recommend that people wear their boots around the house for 20-30 minutes a day for a few days before going skiing for the first time. It will at least get your foot used to being in a ski boot again, especially since you been in skate shoes or flip flops all summer long.

In terms of breaking them in, think of it this way- a liner will typically last between 120-150 days of skiing, and depending on how well or poorly you take care of them this can be decreased or increased. The foams in the liner are usually heat moldable. Your body heat can do this to some degree, but it takes longer. So there is a chance you will need to ski them for 10 or so days for that to happen and thus those 10 days might not be super comfortable. Or you can have the shop heat mold the liners in 20 minutes and be ready to rock. The choice is up to you and doing either is totally fine- neither is bad for your boots.
Sep 7 2016 3:23AM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1626 - Karma: 8,673
So now that the bootfitters around me are about to open up I wanted to ask some questions beforehand.

I have a pair of Dynafit Mercury's that I have used for around 7 days. The first day I used them they felt tight around my toes but I could fit a little more than a finger behind my heel during the shell test. After spending an entire day skiing them inbounds, my big toenail was completely blue and is now long gone. After that first days I did about 6 summer tours in them, all short, and mostly only had them on for the downhill. The liners have not been molded yet. I have a slightly wide foot with a low arch.

So, I was wondering (with the very limited info I've presented) what your thoughts are on the boots and if there's a chance a bootfitter could get them to work for me this season.

Thanks!
Sep 12 2016 1:51PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
patagonialukeSo now that the bootfitters around me are about to open up I wanted to ask some questions beforehand.

I have a pair of Dynafit Mercury's that I have used for around 7 days. The first day I used them they felt tight around my toes but I could fit a little more than a finger behind my heel during the shell test. After spending an entire day skiing them inbounds, my big toenail was completely blue and is now long gone. After that first days I did about 6 summer tours in them, all short, and mostly only had them on for the downhill. The liners have not been molded yet. I have a slightly wide foot with a low arch.

So, I was wondering (with the very limited info I've presented) what your thoughts are on the boots and if there's a chance a bootfitter could get them to work for me this season.

Thanks!


Dynafit's liners are super firm, especially in the toe box. So a 1 finger/1cm shell fit is pretty aggressive as the toe box of the liner doesn't give a whole lot. Plus it sounds like your foot might not be the best shape for their shell (but that's only a guess, it could very well be fine).

You might experiment with putting different aftermarket liners in the shell to see if the length improves at all before trying to modify the shell with a liner that won't exactly move into a stretch/punch.

In the future, I wouldn't size down as much as you've done currently. 1.5-1.75cm behind your heel should be as tight as you want to go, especially if you plan on going uphill a fair amount.
Sep 13 2016 3:09PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1626 - Karma: 8,673
onenerdykidDynafit's liners are super firm, especially in the toe box. So a 1 finger/1cm shell fit is pretty aggressive as the toe box of the liner doesn't give a whole lot. Plus it sounds like your foot might not be the best shape for their shell (but that's only a guess, it could very well be fine).

You might experiment with putting different aftermarket liners in the shell to see if the length improves at all before trying to modify the shell with a liner that won't exactly move into a stretch/punch.

In the future, I wouldn't size down as much as you've done currently. 1.5-1.75cm behind your heel should be as tight as you want to go, especially if you plan on going uphill a fair amount.


Thanks for the help! I'll report back after going to a bootfitter.
Sep 13 2016 3:39PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37390 - Karma: 120,139
Boot pros, help me out. I upgraded my RX130s (went from a 25.5 to a 26.5, toe box was getting a little cramped) and theyre still great boots, super stiff when cranked down all the way, fit like slippers, basically the only alpine boot I swear by.

However, I sprained my ankle a few years ago and ever since, theres a pretty sharp part of a bone in my foot(on the left side) that rubs up against the liner and gets absolutely painful after a few hardcore days of hammering. The weird thing is, my left foot is completely okay and I experience no issues, but the right foot is just a nuisance, but its nothing to the point where I cant actually ski.

I guess what im asking is should I take it to my local fitter and see what they can do? Ive been meaning to get some work done to them. I also saw a foot doctor last month and he told me that they could go in and shave the bone off, but im not interested in any operations at the moment and just wanna see if its just a problem bootfitters can fix.
Sep 16 2016 5:48PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8898 - Karma: 35,864
DeebieSkeebiesBoot pros, help me out. I upgraded my RX130s (went from a 25.5 to a 26.5, toe box was getting a little cramped) and theyre still great boots, super stiff when cranked down all the way, fit like slippers, basically the only alpine boot I swear by.

However, I sprained my ankle a few years ago and ever since, theres a pretty sharp part of a bone in my foot(on the left side) that rubs up against the liner and gets absolutely painful after a few hardcore days of hammering. The weird thing is, my left foot is completely okay and I experience no issues, but the right foot is just a nuisance, but its nothing to the point where I cant actually ski.

I guess what im asking is should I take it to my local fitter and see what they can do? Ive been meaning to get some work done to them. I also saw a foot doctor last month and he told me that they could go in and shave the bone off, but im not interested in any operations at the moment and just wanna see if its just a problem bootfitters can fix.


i had the same issue with my gpx 130's. They put some clay shit on my ankle and flexed my foot in the boot without the liner in....this showed them where the bone was hitting the shell, and then they just gave it a small punch. Not a bit of pain anymore.
Sep 16 2016 5:54PM
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haggis_hunter
Posts: 399 - Karma: 207
Are there any places you can get the foam that fitters will use to pad out above the liners? I normally go to a decent fitter but I often find I need to adjust things when I'm on holiday as my liners pack out.
Oct 10 2016 8:05AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
LamafamaAre there any places you can get the foam that fitters will use to pad out above the liners? I normally go to a decent fitter but I often find I need to adjust things when I'm on holiday as my liners pack out.


You might need to be a dealer to order from them, but give it a try:

http://svst.com/Boots/Pads-and-Material/
Oct 10 2016 8:44AM
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haggis_hunter
Posts: 399 - Karma: 207
onenerdykidYou might need to be a dealer to order from them, but give it a try:

http://svst.com/Boots/Pads-and-Material/


Cheers Matt, I normally go and see Alain Baxter for my fitting but its not much use when I'm away in a resort with fitters I don't know. I will give them a try. I'm not ever going to claim to be a boot fitter but I understand the principles enough to do a temporary fix when I'm away,
Oct 10 2016 8:51AM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
Hey there. So last April I was looking to buy new boots and wanted to see if a 3-piece boot would work better for my super skinny ankles. After trying some different Full Tilts and Dalbellos, I ended up buying the Descendent 4 (the combination of classic liner and new shell was the most comfortable by far, and they had a 40% discount).

Unfortunately, even if they felt great in the shop, once I wore them on the mountain (just last day of the season), they were literally KILLING my outside left malleolus. Almost making me end my day after just a couple of hours.
I thought maybe it was because they weren't heat molded and I didn't have a custom footbed in them, or even because the tongue was WAY too soft for me and I had to compensate with my body to not overpower them, creating pain in my ankles.

So a couple of weeks ago I went to see a boot fitter and he made me a custom Sidas footbed (the fit is so much better now), heat-molded the liner, and worked on the lateral adjustment. I also bought a pair of 8 flex tongues.

I haven't tried to ski with them again, as the season hasn't started here yet, but when I wear them at home and move my feet side to side and apply pressure on my boots (like if I was in a carving position), the pain is still there and pretty sharp. Even just doing it in my living room.

I'm not sure what my course of action is, now. Should I just wait to see if I still have pain while skiing, or go see another boot fitter to get a second opinion before going back out there?

Thanks.
Oct 17 2016 11:51AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
BrawnTrendsHey there. So last April I was looking to buy new boots and wanted to see if a 3-piece boot would work better for my super skinny ankles. After trying some different Full Tilts and Dalbellos, I ended up buying the Descendent 4 (the combination of classic liner and new shell was the most comfortable by far, and they had a 40% discount).


Your problem is that you have super skinny ankles in a wider fitting boot. The pain you are experiencing is a result of the boot not matching the shape of your foot/ankle/leg.

The only real solution is take your new footbeds and try on some boots that have the right shape for your foot. Bear in mind that the best boot for you might not be the one that feels perfect from the first moment you put it on and it might not be a 3-piece boot. Ask your fitter what is the best option (ignoring brands, ignoring marketing, etc) and go from there. Trying to make your existing boot work is only battle you will lose.
Oct 17 2016 12:55PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
onenerdykidYour problem is that you have super skinny ankles in a wider fitting boot. The pain you are experiencing is a result of the boot not matching the shape of your foot/ankle/leg.

The only real solution is take your new footbeds and try on some boots that have the right shape for your foot. Bear in mind that the best boot for you might not be the one that feels perfect from the first moment you put it on and it might not be a 3-piece boot. Ask your fitter what is the best option (ignoring brands, ignoring marketing, etc) and go from there. Trying to make your existing boot work is only battle you will lose.


Ok so basically there's nothing I can do to not lose money here? That's a bummer... They don't feel to loose when I wear them though, especially with the new footbed.
Oct 17 2016 1:46PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
Another piece of info that might be relevant (or not): my previous boots were basically the same width (101-104), and I never had malleolus pain issues...
Oct 17 2016 2:19PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8898 - Karma: 35,864
BrawnTrendsAnother piece of info that might be relevant (or not): my previous boots were basically the same width (101-104), and I never had malleolus pain issues...


That boot probably fit your ankle/instep better. The last width is just one of many measurements in a boot.

What boot was it?
Oct 17 2016 2:25PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
Profahoben_212That boot probably fit your ankle/instep better. The last width is just one of many measurements in a boot.

What boot was it?


Salomon LX. They're really comfortable, fit very snuggly around my foot and ankle, even without a footbed.
Their only issue is around my lower calves, because this part is super skinny my leg moves around too much inside the upper part of the boot. Which makes me tighten the two top buckles more and more throughout the day.
Oct 17 2016 2:43PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
Salomon Mission LX 80.
Oct 17 2016 4:21PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
BrawnTrendsTheir only issue is around my lower calves, because this part is super skinny my leg moves around too much inside the upper part of the boot. Which makes me tighten the two top buckles more and more throughout the day.


The best fix is to find a boot that matches your foot/ankle/leg shape. Unfortunately, what you are describing is a boot that does not do this and this is where your pain is coming from. Too much movement leads to discomfort since your ankle is just floating around inside the shell, banging into the medial portion of the boot. It's just not the right boot for you.

Other options include having a good boot-fitter custom shape foam pads around your ankle & leg that will reduce the excess volume in the shell. But this is a band-aid fix that may or may not work well over time. You can always try this first, but just know it does not address the real problem and you might very well waste ski days in boots that simply don't work for you.
Oct 18 2016 2:50AM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
onenerdykidThe best fix is to find a boot that matches your foot/ankle/leg shape. Unfortunately, what you are describing is a boot that does not do this and this is where your pain is coming from. Too much movement leads to discomfort since your ankle is just floating around inside the shell, banging into the medial portion of the boot. It's just not the right boot for you.

Other options include having a good boot-fitter custom shape foam pads around your ankle & leg that will reduce the excess volume in the shell. But this is a band-aid fix that may or may not work well over time. You can always try this first, but just know it does not address the real problem and you might very well waste ski days in boots that simply don't work for you.


Ok. Well I was hoping for good news but I kinda knew it wasn't going to be the case. I guess I will forget about the FT and resell them.
Unfortunately I don't really have the money for new boots right now, so I'm probably going to keep my Salomons (after all, they worked well for me in the past, no pain that made want to stop skiing), but is there anything I can do to fix that upper cuff looseness issue for this season? Would a booster strap help at all?
Oct 18 2016 4:01AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
BrawnTrendsis there anything I can do to fix that upper cuff looseness issue for this season? Would a booster strap help at all?


A Booster won't help at all in this situation, so don't waste your money on one. Without being able to see your foot/ankle/leg in the boot, my guess is what I already mentioned (too much space). If that is indeed the case, you need to take up the excess volume, and that will require foam padding being added to the outside of your liner based on where you need it. This is something the person who made your footbeds should be able to do, and cost between 30-50$/€.

It could be that you have a really bony ankle and it is coming into contact with the shell, but without being able to see your foot in the boot, it's hard to say for sure. If that is the case, then the shell needs to be stretched/ground. Either way, your boot-fitter should be able to at least improve things for you.
Oct 18 2016 5:25AM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,438
onenerdykidA Booster won't help at all in this situation, so don't waste your money on one. Without being able to see your foot/ankle/leg in the boot, my guess is what I already mentioned (too much space). If that is indeed the case, you need to take up the excess volume, and that will require foam padding being added to the outside of your liner based on where you need it. This is something the person who made your footbeds should be able to do, and cost between 30-50$/€.

It could be that you have a really bony ankle and it is coming into contact with the shell, but without being able to see your foot in the boot, it's hard to say for sure. If that is the case, then the shell needs to be stretched/ground. Either way, your boot-fitter should be able to at least improve things for you.


Ok great, thanks!
I think we mixed the boots stories a little here, but I'll take all that into consideration and go back to see the guy who made my footbeds and ask what he can do for the foam padding in the Salomons.
Unfortunately I don't have the money to get a new pair of boots for a while, so I guess that will do for this season. After all, these boots never caused me any pain whatsoever.
Oct 18 2016 7:25AM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
Quick question about buying boots. I've worked as a boot fitter before I got into ski patrolling and have been skiing on a pair of Atomic Waymaker 130s with tech inserts. I have wide feet at around a 108 last, and a high instep, some of my past boots include nordica ace of spades and a pair of fischer rc4 130 race boots which weren't the greatest but not the worst. My biggest issue with getting another pair of waymakers is that the heel really packs out extremely quickly (also there's a tear in the liner on the ankle), and that I get bad blisters on the inside of my ankle were the liner wears down. I swapped to intuition liners but had the same issue as my stock liner. I don't mind skiing in a tighter fitting boot, but I also have to be in my boots for 8+ hours a day for a 120+ days a year, but I'm also skiing in steep avalanche terrain and need my boots to feel and ski very well.

So my next solution was to just buy a more medium volume boot, and hope for a little bit less packing out, but it's super hard to find a decent medium volume boot that is stiff enough with tech inserts. I pretty much narrowed down and tried on the scarpa freedom 130, and the lange freetour 130, and the scarpas sucked. The langes feel pretty damn good except for some pressure on the instep, which I imagine would be go after taking out the weird elastic part over the tongue, but this is the weird thing that's really messing with me: the shop wants me to go up a size to a 28.5, even though the shell fit of the 27.5 is only around a finger and a half. The store I used to work at would never try and sell a boot a size bigger without voiding the boot fit guarantee. They keep saying that a 28.5 would fit my instep better, but I just don't feel all that comfortable going into a size larger when the instep of the 27.5 doesnt bother me that much.

Can anyone offer some perspective or advice on this?
Oct 22 2016 6:45PM
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Lord_Julius
Posts: 70 - Karma: 114
I just got the salomon pro qst 120's and when I try and flex the tips of my skis there's a pressure point right above my heel. They are new boots, should i ski in them a few times and see if they just need to be broken in more or should i go to my local shop and have them look at it before the season? I already got them heat molded (full boot)
Oct 23 2016 4:32PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
schismQuick question about buying boots. I've worked as a boot fitter before I got into ski patrolling and have been skiing on a pair of Atomic Waymaker 130s with tech inserts. I have wide feet at around a 108 last, and a high instep, some of my past boots include nordica ace of spades and a pair of fischer rc4 130 race boots which weren't the greatest but not the worst. My biggest issue with getting another pair of waymakers is that the heel really packs out extremely quickly (also there's a tear in the liner on the ankle), and that I get bad blisters on the inside of my ankle were the liner wears down. I swapped to intuition liners but had the same issue as my stock liner. I don't mind skiing in a tighter fitting boot, but I also have to be in my boots for 8+ hours a day for a 120+ days a year, but I'm also skiing in steep avalanche terrain and need my boots to feel and ski very well.

So my next solution was to just buy a more medium volume boot, and hope for a little bit less packing out, but it's super hard to find a decent medium volume boot that is stiff enough with tech inserts. I pretty much narrowed down and tried on the scarpa freedom 130, and the lange freetour 130, and the scarpas sucked. The langes feel pretty damn good except for some pressure on the instep, which I imagine would be go after taking out the weird elastic part over the tongue, but this is the weird thing that's really messing with me: the shop wants me to go up a size to a 28.5, even though the shell fit of the 27.5 is only around a finger and a half. The store I used to work at would never try and sell a boot a size bigger without voiding the boot fit guarantee. They keep saying that a 28.5 would fit my instep better, but I just don't feel all that comfortable going into a size larger when the instep of the 27.5 doesnt bother me that much.

Can anyone offer some perspective or advice on this?


Interesting about the heel on your Waymaker Carbons... where is the tear located? The heel last shape (internal plastic shape) is the same as our Hawx Prime, which is a medium volume. It could be that it is simply too wide for you, which causes your heel to move more and this movement causes pack out. It's also most likely why you experienced it on both stock and aftermarket liners. If you did go back to a Waymaker Carbon, have your boot-fitter add a rectangular sheet of foam to each side of the ankle (10cm high x 9cm wide x 3mm thick). Have him round the corners, thin out the edges, and glue it in place. This will take up excess volume and prevent your heel from moving in the heel pocket and preventing pre-mature pack out.

If you have a 1.5-2.0cm shell fit in a 27.5, then I would not suggest going to a 28.5. Yes the instep will be taller, but then the heel pocket will also be wider, which I think is your main problem to begin with.
Oct 26 2016 3:51AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
MbianchiI just got the salomon pro qst 120's and when I try and flex the tips of my skis there's a pressure point right above my heel. They are new boots, should i ski in them a few times and see if they just need to be broken in more or should i go to my local shop and have them look at it before the season? I already got them heat molded (full boot)


So you are getting pressure above the heel when you really flex forward? If you already have footbeds and the heat mold done, then I would ski them for a few days and see how it goes. If you did not get footbeds, then it could be that your ankle is moving enough due to a lack of support and your foot is then moving into a weird spot. Getting footbeds should be a top priority then, as it will only get worse after skiing.
Oct 26 2016 3:54AM
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