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The Official: "What is wrong with my boots?" Thread
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.
I just got a pair of Dalbello rampages, and even with the heat mold they cut off the circulation to my toes. Is there something I could do to stop it, or did I go to small?
RdikkenI just got a pair of Dalbello rampages, and even with the heat mold they cut off the circulation to my toes. Is there something I could do to stop it, or did I go to small?
It's 100% common that new boots will cause your toes to go tingly. They simply need to break in. If it doesn't get better after 5-10 days of skiing, then you have a fit issue that needs to be solved.
You can speed this process up by wearing your boots at home for 20-30 minutes each night for a week.
onenerdykidOk, let's start here:
1. Remove the liner
2. Step into the bare shell with a thin sock on
3. Slide your foot to the front of the shell so your toes just barely touch
4. Measure the gap behind your heel
1cm (finger tip) = high performance fit
2cm (two finger tips on top of one another) = normal
3cm (more than two finger tips) = too big, can't fix
I just tested my boots and the gap is 3cm if not bigger what does that mean and even if I got my insoles remolded it would not help? Do you think I just need to get a new pair of boots?
JustaJerI just tested my boots and the gap is 3cm if not bigger what does that mean and even if I got my insoles remolded it would not help? Do you think I just need to get a new pair of boots?
That boot will never end up working, and will in fact always be problematic. Getting insoles will help (and they can be transferred to your new, properly sized boot which is nice), but it's just a completely wrong starting point for you. Any money you spend on trying to make it work will just be wasted.
Unfortunately, you need new boots if you want to ski comfortably and ski well.
onenerdykidThat boot will never end up working, and will in fact always be problematic. Getting insoles will help (and they can be transferred to your new, properly sized boot which is nice), but it's just a completely wrong starting point for you. Any money you spend on trying to make it work will just be wasted.
Unfortunately, you need new boots if you want to ski comfortably and ski well.[/QUOTE
My right boot has given me this huge bruising Thing on my foot I know it’s from my ski boot, sometimes I can feel it. Boots fit alright aside from this one part in the boot, what should i do?
SegsxiMy right boot has given me this huge bruising Thing on my foot I know it’s from my ski boot, sometimes I can feel it. Boots fit alright aside from this one part in the boot, what should i do?
1. Get supportive footbeds to keep your foot in place while you ski.
2. Get the shell stretched in that area.
You need to do #1 before you do #2 or else it won't be as effective.
Ive owned Dalbello Kryptons for 3 seasons now and I have broken the buckles and had to replace them 12 different times! This season I have been breaking a buckle about once a week! Its so frustrating having to go to the shop to buy and replace them. And now Ive litterally bought all the extra buckles the shop has. The boots fit good, I usually crank them down quite a bit but not all the way. Dalbello also has never gotten back to me about sending me buckles. Any help greatly apprectiated!
ok here we go. i can't figure out this ramp angle vs. forward lean vs. why it feels like my forefoot/toes are coming up off the front of the boot.
This season, especially in pow, ive felt like im not on top of my skiis and that it constantly feels like the ball of my foot/toes are lifting up. To combat that:
1. Ive been flexing my ankle really hard to compensate
2. I've been tightening the bindings over my arch/forefoot/toes reallllly tight (this has led to painful if temporary damage to the myelin sheaths in my peroneal nerve according to my doc).
What gives? I've experimented with max forward lean in my boots and minimum forward lean. doesn't seem to matter. Currently in a pair of Lange RX130s with a custom footbed and zipfits.
So far, has been a painful (and expensive - next lifetime im being an ortho doc) season. When I touch the outside of my achilles, I get pins and needles on the underside of my foot and toes. Currently resting up and would prefer not to re-aggravate the nerves. And more importantly ski!!!
**This post was edited on Jan 29th 2018 at 7:04:30pm
ucberzerkeleyok here we go. i can't figure out this ramp angle vs. forward lean vs. why it feels like my forefoot/toes are coming up off the front of the boot.
This season, especially in pow, ive felt like im not on top of my skiis and that it constantly feels like the ball of my foot/toes are lifting up. To combat that:
1. Ive been flexing my ankle really hard to compensate
2. I've been tightening the bindings over my arch/forefoot/toes reallllly tight (this has led to painful if temporary damage to the myelin sheaths in my peroneal nerve according to my doc).
What gives? I've experimented with max forward lean in my boots and minimum forward lean. doesn't seem to matter. Currently in a pair of Lange RX130s with a custom footbed and zipfits.
So far, has been a painful (and expensive - next lifetime im being an ortho doc) season. When I touch the outside of my achilles, I get pins and needles on the underside of my foot and toes. Currently resting up and would prefer not to re-aggravate the nerves. And more importantly ski!!!
**This post was edited on Jan 29th 2018 at 7:04:30pm
It sounds like you need to do some work to activate your glutes more. Bridges, squats, lunges to start. To me it sounds like you're dorsiflexing your foot when you're skiing to help control your skis and while doing that you are causing your anterior tibs, and your peronous longus muscles in your legs to compensate and become overused- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibialis_anterior_muscle check that out to see what I mean. Do you also notice yourself skiing backseat more in powder? Dorsiflexing your feet in such a way should throw you in the backseat more. To help with the pain id suggest using some moist heat like a shower or hot tub to help the pain and bring fresh blood flow to the area. The muscle could also be bruised from over using it so much so try not to do high impact activities. Sometimes you need to think outside the box, it may not be the boot.
JayDopeIt sounds like you need to do some work to activate your glutes more. Bridges, squats, lunges to start. To me it sounds like you're dorsiflexing your foot when you're skiing to help control your skis and while doing that you are causing your anterior tibs, and your peronous longus muscles in your legs to compensate and become overused- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibialis_anterior_muscle check that out to see what I mean. Do you also notice yourself skiing backseat more in powder? Dorsiflexing your feet in such a way should throw you in the backseat more. To help with the pain id suggest using some moist heat like a shower or hot tub to help the pain and bring fresh blood flow to the area. The muscle could also be bruised from over using it so much so try not to do high impact activities. Sometimes you need to think outside the box, it may not be the boot.
scratch what I said about the bruising and shit, its been a long day and I noticed the picture a couple posts above thinking you also posted that and it looked like the outside of your calf muscles. Im fucking shot
Hey Matt, quick question for a friend: I got her to buy the Hawx Ultra 110 W (because she has very narrow feet, at 90mm) and they felt great in the shop but we went skiing today and she stopped after 2 runs because she had two problems:
He feet were killing her (like a cramp in the arch area)
Her calves were completely compressed by the cuff (even with buckles on the loosest setting, she doesn't have small calves)
So I told her to go get custom footbeds and that then we would heat mold the liner and shell at the shop. Do you think that would be enough? Or the difference of size between her feet and lower legs won't be working with the Ultra and she should just look into another boot..
BrawnTrendsHey Matt, quick question for a friend: I got her to buy the Hawx Ultra 110 W (because she has very narrow feet, at 90mm) and they felt great in the shop but we went skiing today and she stopped after 2 runs because she had two problems:
He feet were killing her (like a cramp in the arch area)
Her calves were completely compressed by the cuff (even with buckles on the loosest setting, she doesn't have small calves)
So I told her to go get custom footbeds and that then we would heat mold the liner and shell at the shop. Do you think that would be enough? Or the difference of size between her feet and lower legs won't be working with the Ultra and she should just look into another boot..
Footbeds for sure. That's 99% of her cramping right there and definitely heat mold the liner.
I would also adjust the buckles over to a wider setting.
If that doesn't work then the cuff can be easily stretched by a boot fitter.
onenerdykidIf that doesn't work then the cuff can be easily stretched by a boot fitter.
Putting the boots in the oven won't do that? Do they only enlarge around the foot and not in the cuff area? I was under the impression that the whole boot would mold to the person's feet/legs once they're heated.
Putting the boots in the oven won't do that? Do they only enlarge around the foot and not in the cuff area? I was under the impression that the whole boot would mold to the person's feet/legs once they're heated.
Just depends on what she needs. Can be done with the Memory Fit oven & mold the whole thing, or can be traditionally heated and stretched in specific areas. Lots of options to get her dialed
Hi, I have been riding my Salomon SPK 08' boots for as long as I can remember, at size 26-26.5 (that's how salomon sizes them) they are now quite short and my toes touch the front part, they have allways had some painful pressure on my right foots outside, I have super Wide feet and big calves.
So I went to a boot fitter to get new boots, ended up getting the 2018 FT descendant 6 with the 102 mm last, size 27.5. they felt good at fitting them and the bootfitter also heatmolded the liner (not In the oven) but with a heat blowing system that he said was for not heatmolding them to be too loose.
First time i skied with the boots I had to take a break and unbuckle the boots every 2 runs. I had to take them off aswell at one point.
The pain on my right foots outside and over the top-outside was really bad.
The boot had heel lift and foot was sliding to the front and back, because I couldn't keep the boots tight enough I think. Feels like they are really tight on the outside and outside-top, close to the starting of the ankle. Lots of wiggle room for the toes though.
What should, and can I do? My old SPK:s feels welcoming at this point.
BTW are the FT descendant tighter at the ankle and heel then the SPK:s ?
maffHi, I have been riding my Salomon SPK 08' boots for as long as I can remember, at size 26-26.5 (that's how salomon sizes them) they are now quite short and my toes touch the front part, they have allways had some painful pressure on my right foots outside, I have super Wide feet and big calves.
So I went to a boot fitter to get new boots, ended up getting the 2018 FT descendant 6 with the 102 mm last, size 27.5. they felt good at fitting them and the bootfitter also heatmolded the liner (not In the oven) but with a heat blowing system that he said was for not heatmolding them to be too loose.
First time i skied with the boots I had to take a break and unbuckle the boots every 2 runs. I had to take them off aswell at one point.
The pain on my right foots outside and over the top-outside was really bad.
The boot had heel lift and foot was sliding to the front and back, because I couldn't keep the boots tight enough I think. Feels like they are really tight on the outside and outside-top, close to the starting of the ankle. Lots of wiggle room for the toes though.
What should, and can I do? My old SPK:s feels welcoming at this point.
BTW are the FT descendant tighter at the ankle and heel then the SPK:s ?
1. Make sure you get good, supportive footbeds. These will hold your foot in place, narrow your foot, and make step 2 as effective as possible.
2. Get the shell stretched to fit your foot's width. But you need to do step one first, or your foot will just move into the stretched area.
I have a pair of Atomic Hawx Prime 130's in size 24-24,5. The size is good. The boots have been stretched (made wider in the front foot) by a bootfitter who thought it was necessary. Last week i have skied in Tignes and had terrible problems because the boots felt way too wide... I have inserted the volume increasers provided by atomic + i have put thicker socks + i had to buckle more and more every day... Still i felt the boots too wide... i had cold feet all week long...
Is there a way to return the boots to their original shape ??
edit: i have sidas custom insoles already...
**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2018 at 5:23:07pm
JayDopeIt sounds like you need to do some work to activate your glutes more. Bridges, squats, lunges to start. To me it sounds like you're dorsiflexing your foot when you're skiing to help control your skis and while doing that you are causing your anterior tibs, and your peronous longus muscles in your legs to compensate and become overused- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibialis_anterior_muscle check that out to see what I mean. Do you also notice yourself skiing backseat more in powder? Dorsiflexing your feet inI such a way should throw you in the backseat more. To help with the pain id suggest using some moist heat like a shower or hot tub to help the pain and bring fresh blood flow to the area. The muscle could also be bruised from over using it so much so try not to do high impact activities. Sometimes you need to think outside the box, it may not be the boot.
I think you are some kind of psychic. The powder statement is 100% true and yes, I also dorsiflex to get control of the ski more often than I should. I'm not much of an upright skiier. I'm 6'4 with very long femur:tibia ratio, so my CoM can get behind me real quick if I'm not over my skis.
Can we talk more about the _how_ to activate my glutes while skiing? Squats and lunges are part of my regular gym routine. I do notice that my glutes are rarely fried skiing but my quads get toasted immediately.
1. How do I engage more glutes? Sit down more while skiing, like sitting down into a chair?
2. How can I ski less back seat in powder? Stand straighter up / less lean / more balance? In powder I find myself dorsiflexed and scrunched, steering my skiis like a boat hull
**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2018 at 11:32:50pm
onenerdykid1. Make sure you get good, supportive footbeds. These will hold your foot in place, narrow your foot, and make step 2 as effective as possible.
2. Get the shell stretched to fit your foot's width. But you need to do step one first, or your foot will just move into the stretched area.
Ok, thanks for the tip! Read about footbets, and seems like I should've purchased them a long time ago.
My local bootfitter does Sidas footbeds. Are they placed inside the shell or liner? Do they attach/grip the boot somehow?
BaYI have a pair of Atomic Hawx Prime 130's in size 24-24,5. The size is good. The boots have been stretched (made wider in the front foot) by a bootfitter who thought it was necessary. Last week i have skied in Tignes and had terrible problems because the boots felt way too wide... I have inserted the volume increasers provided by atomic + i have put thicker socks + i had to buckle more and more every day... Still i felt the boots too wide... i had cold feet all week long...
Is there a way to return the boots to their original shape ??
edit: i have sidas custom insoles already...
**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2018 at 5:23:07pm
Whenever you stretch a boot, it can be re-heated and the plastic will shrink back to its original mold state (or very close). This is the problem with keeping stretched boots by a heat source when drying, but for you it will help a lot ;) If you go back to your fitter, he can re-heat the shells (entirely or just in certain spots) and get them feeling snugger again. It might not be as tight as brand new, but it will be better.
maffOk, thanks for the tip! Read about footbets, and seems like I should've purchased them a long time ago.
My local bootfitter does Sidas footbeds. Are they placed inside the shell or liner? Do they attach/grip the boot somehow?
Inside the liner. The stock insole gets taken out and these will take its place. They will fit exactly and won't slide around.
onenerdykidWhenever you stretch a boot, it can be re-heated and the plastic will shrink back to its original mold state (or very close). This is the problem with keeping stretched boots by a heat source when drying, but for you it will help a lot ;) If you go back to your fitter, he can re-heat the shells (entirely or just in certain spots) and get them feeling snugger again. It might not be as tight as brand new, but it will be better.
Inside the liner. The stock insole gets taken out and these will take its place. They will fit exactly and won't slide around.
There are no stock insoles 🙄 Atleast not in my FT descendant 6.
maffThere are no stock insoles 🙄 Atleast not in my FT descendant 6.
Ah, ok didn't realize you were in an FT. No problem though, Sidas ones can just go on the inside. Definitely get your liners re-molded when you get the footbeds.
onenerdykidAh, ok didn't realize you were in an FT. No problem though, Sidas ones can just go on the inside. Definitely get your liners re-molded when you get the footbeds.
Ok, Thanks for the fast replies. Is there any way/ point to make the liners front lenght a bit shorter? My true size Is probaböy 26.5-27.0 but FT sizes are a bit on the small side (I have size 27.5) and my feet are wide as f**k. Or will the footbeds fix this?
**This post was edited on Feb 12th 2018 at 4:26:17am
maffOk, Thanks for the fast replies. Is there any way/ point to make the liners front lenght a bit shorter? My true size Is probaböy 26.5-27.0 but FT sizes are a bit on the small side (I have size 27.5) and my feet are wide as f**k. Or will the footbeds fix this?
**This post was edited on Feb 12th 2018 at 4:26:17am
From what you just described, it sounds like you need more toe space not less toe space, correct?
Making space is pretty easy (toe caps to compress the foam around your toes, and if that doesn't work the toe box can be ground/stretched for more space and then heat the liner again to move into the new space).
Making it tighter is not that easy, but pads and volume reducers can be added to the liner. But, from what your wrote, it sounds like making space is what you're looking for...
onenerdykidFrom what you just described, it sounds like you need more toe space not less toe space, correct?
Making space is pretty easy (toe caps to compress the foam around your toes, and if that doesn't work the toe box can be ground/stretched for more space and then heat the liner again to move into the new space).
Making it tighter is not that easy, but pads and volume reducers can be added to the liner. But, from what your wrote, it sounds like making space is what you're looking for...
Yes, I'm looking to get more space sideways, for the knuckle on the side of my most outside toe. But my actual size of boot In FT Would probably be 26.5-27.0, I now wear atleast half a size too long of a boot 27.5 because my feet are so wide. My boots are a little too long and a little too narrow.
I will get my Sidas today and then ask the bootfitter what should be done.
maffYes, I'm looking to get more space sideways, for the knuckle on the side of my most outside toe. But my actual size of boot In FT Would probably be 26.5-27.0, I now wear atleast half a size too long of a boot 27.5 because my feet are so wide. My boots are a little too long and a little too narrow.
I will get my Sidas today and then ask the bootfitter what should be done.
The good news is that there is no difference in shell size between a 27.0 and a 27.5. Full Tilt last the liner a little more snugly in the whole size to make it feel slightly tighter, but as soon as you heat mold it, the difference is lost. So, ultimately it doesn't matter if you bought a 27.0 or a 27.5
Once you stabilize the foot with your new footbed, your boot-fitter will be able to stretch the shell in the spots that are bugging you. It should be an easy fix.
onenerdykidThe good news is that there is no difference in shell size between a 27.0 and a 27.5. Full Tilt last the liner a little more snugly in the whole size to make it feel slightly tighter, but as soon as you heat mold it, the difference is lost. So, ultimately it doesn't matter if you bought a 27.0 or a 27.5
Once you stabilize the foot with your new footbed, your boot-fitter will be able to stretch the shell in the spots that are bugging you. It should be an easy fix.
Went to bootfitter who sold me the Sidas footbeds, bootfitter recommended the cheaper footbed as It had a good fit to my feet. Shells went In for stretching straight away due to being too narrow.
I am looking for ski boots, but can't seem to find a pair that suits me... I rented for years, which never reallly worked because of pain, or no control at all (e.g. Head Cube)... the problem is almost always that the boots are too tight at the instep and forefoot (outside of little toe/just above), and the top part of my calf, but at the same time are way too loose around the heel, i.e. it doesn't really touch the ground/my leg hangs in the shaft (with calf cramp as a result > loosening buckles there means the lower ones need to be loosened too/no control anymore). Also, there is often so much padding around the achilles tendon (which I think is rather short in my case) so that I can never really get my heel into the heel pocket (which is more V-shaped) no matter how hard I push, with a big several cm gap in the back as a result.
Now I have measured my feet using an instruction on the internet (https://patriotfootbeds.com/blogs/bootorials/48749889-ski-boot-sizing...) and they are about 230 mm long, 100 mm wide, with an instep of 265 mm. Calves max. 37 cm, ankles max. 24 cm. So pretty wide feet/high instep (equivalent of 106 mm for standard size). In December I bought, based on this info, the Nordica Sportmachine 85W 23.5, which felt reasonable in the store (tongue was made thinner to create instep room/custom insoles were made but that was a bad idea/only resulted in cramps under my feet), but during skiing I hardly had any control/I got cramps in the usual places. A local store/bootfitter then told me they were completely the wrong shoes, and because I was so disappointed I went with his suggestions... his philosophy was that you need to have a proper heelpocket and the rest can be adjusted. So I bought the Salomon Quest Pro 100 W 23.0, which had a better fit at the heel (not as good as the Lange's, Atomics, and Head 110 Evo W though, but these were really too tight in other places). They were heated in the oven (with padding on the instep), C-shaped stickers around my ankles, pushed out a bit near the toe, and seemed to be okayish. Only at my instep they were way too tight, with cramps under the foot/cutting off of bloodflow on top. So he put a larger buckle on the boot at the instep. Also, he put two pieces of insole under the heel to reduce the excess space around the heel. The result is a shoe with good control (skis actually do what I want/I feel as if heel movement translates into ski movement!), but pretty bad pressure points in multiple places (usual spots minus calf, plus bone on the inside of the foot under the heel bone) and sleeping feet at home within minutes. Bootfitter said never walk on shoes, unbuckle at every lift, you have difficult feet but still... can't go down even a single slope at once without having to get some blood going again halfway. The worst part however is the tongue, which is U-shaped rather than flattish and cuts off blood flow by pressing into my instep (see pic).
Sorry, a bit of a long story, but by now I am rather desperate that I will ever find good shoes, skiing holiday was pretty disappointing... has someone got tips for me? Did I buy the wrong shoes/are there others that are better (Dalbello Kyra 95? Lange SX 90?)? Or should I go to a bootfitter and get small things fixed? I read something about heel lifts, could that help? Thanks in advance!
plantenspuitI am looking for ski boots, but can't seem to find a pair that suits me... I rented for years, which never reallly worked because of pain, or no control at all (e.g. Head Cube)... the problem is almost always that the boots are too tight at the instep and forefoot (outside of little toe/just above), and the top part of my calf, but at the same time are way too loose around the heel, i.e. it doesn't really touch the ground/my leg hangs in the shaft (with calf cramp as a result > loosening buckles there means the lower ones need to be loosened too/no control anymore). Also, there is often so much padding around the achilles tendon (which I think is rather short in my case) so that I can never really get my heel into the heel pocket (which is more V-shaped) no matter how hard I push, with a big several cm gap in the back as a result.
Now I have measured my feet using an instruction on the internet (https://patriotfootbeds.com/blogs/bootorials/48749889-ski-boot-sizing...) and they are about 230 mm long, 100 mm wide, with an instep of 265 mm. Calves max. 37 cm, ankles max. 24 cm. So pretty wide feet/high instep (equivalent of 106 mm for standard size). In December I bought, based on this info, the Nordica Sportmachine 85W 23.5, which felt reasonable in the store (tongue was made thinner to create instep room/custom insoles were made but that was a bad idea/only resulted in cramps under my feet), but during skiing I hardly had any control/I got cramps in the usual places. A local store/bootfitter then told me they were completely the wrong shoes, and because I was so disappointed I went with his suggestions... his philosophy was that you need to have a proper heelpocket and the rest can be adjusted. So I bought the Salomon Quest Pro 100 W 23.0, which had a better fit at the heel (not as good as the Lange's, Atomics, and Head 110 Evo W though, but these were really too tight in other places). They were heated in the oven (with padding on the instep), C-shaped stickers around my ankles, pushed out a bit near the toe, and seemed to be okayish. Only at my instep they were way too tight, with cramps under the foot/cutting off of bloodflow on top. So he put a larger buckle on the boot at the instep. Also, he put two pieces of insole under the heel to reduce the excess space around the heel. The result is a shoe with good control (skis actually do what I want/I feel as if heel movement translates into ski movement!), but pretty bad pressure points in multiple places (usual spots minus calf, plus bone on the inside of the foot under the heel bone) and sleeping feet at home within minutes. Bootfitter said never walk on shoes, unbuckle at every lift, you have difficult feet but still... can't go down even a single slope at once without having to get some blood going again halfway. The worst part however is the tongue, which is U-shaped rather than flattish and cuts off blood flow by pressing into my instep (see pic).
Sorry, a bit of a long story, but by now I am rather desperate that I will ever find good shoes, skiing holiday was pretty disappointing... has someone got tips for me? Did I buy the wrong shoes/are there others that are better (Dalbello Kyra 95? Lange SX 90?)? Or should I go to a bootfitter and get small things fixed? I read something about heel lifts, could that help? Thanks in advance!
Where are you located? Firstly, you need to find the right boot-fitter. Tell us where you are and we can hopefully point you in the right direction.
You have a super high instep and you are trying on medium/medium-low volume boots. You most likely need something higher volume, like a Hawx Magna, Nordica Sportmachine, etc.
And footbeds will be a super good thing for you, once you get into a boot with the proper amount of volume for your foot. All of the boots you mentioned will just smush your foot down into the arch support causing super cramping and pain. Start with a good footbed, and then find the right home for your foot & footbed.
onenerdykidWhere are you located? Firstly, you need to find the right boot-fitter. Tell us where you are and we can hopefully point you in the right direction.
You have a super high instep and you are trying on medium/medium-low volume boots. You most likely need something higher volume, like a Hawx Magna, Nordica Sportmachine, etc.
And footbeds will be a super good thing for you, once you get into a boot with the proper amount of volume for your foot. All of the boots you mentioned will just smush your foot down into the arch support causing super cramping and pain. Start with a good footbed, and then find the right home for your foot & footbed.
I am living in Switzerland (Zurich) atm, but am afraid bootfitting will be very expensive here given the general price level? I am from the Netherlands though and will go back home in a month or two so might also visit someone there.
So I previously bought the Nordica Sportmachine (see previous post) but this didn't fit well around the heel with little control over the ski's... according to websites like evo and skis.com Dalbello Kyra and Lange SX have high insteps but good heel hold, that's why I mentioned them.
I also got custom footbeds with the Nordica's, but they only made things worse because they are asymmetrical and push into my arch in the wrong location, actually causing cramps. Don't know if these can be readjusted? They were super expensive (100 euro).
plantenspuitI am living in Switzerland (Zurich) atm, but am afraid bootfitting will be very expensive here given the general price level? I am from the Netherlands though and will go back home in a month or two so might also visit someone there.
So I previously bought the Nordica Sportmachine (see previous post) but this didn't fit well around the heel with little control over the ski's... according to websites like evo and skis.com Dalbello Kyra and Lange SX have high insteps but good heel hold, that's why I mentioned them.
I also got custom footbeds with the Nordica's, but they only made things worse because they are asymmetrical and push into my arch in the wrong location, actually causing cramps. Don't know if these can be readjusted? They were super expensive (100 euro).
Thanks!
Sorry, I read "Speedmachine" (so many machines). The Lange's will be even lower volume, don't go there.
If you've never worn footbeds before, they will take some time to get used to. Provided they are actually the right thing for you, it is totally normal for your foot to cramp out or feel some slight discomfort under your foot. They may even feel like they are pushing up into your arch the wrong way. This is because when your foot collapses, your ligaments/tendons tighten up, and when you properly support the foot it will feel like a golf ball is pushing up into your arches. What you should definitely do is wear them around for 20-30 minutes at a time. Don't just hop on to them and go skiing without any adjustment period. Even with a perfect footbed, that is usually a really bad idea. This also probably means that you should get some footbeds for your every-day shoes. You do the most hurt or help to your feet in your every day shoes so this should be something to seriously consider. Personally, I won't wear shoes without them anymore.
The good news is that you are in an area with lots of great boot fitters. But the reality is that difficult feet like yours will not be easy nor cheap to find a comfortable boot for, no matter where you live. You will first need to find the right shell for your foot (Hawx Magna, Nordica Sportmachine (I know, just wait), Head Edge, etc.) with the right liner combination. This will normally be a customizable liner from Intuition, Sidas, Boot Doc, or Palau in addition to your boot purchase, in combination with your footbed.
If you wanted to solve your problem once and for all, make the drive to Davos and get an appointment with Hierling. They will almost assuredly find you the perfect solution. Their work is very good.
My FT descendant 6 have now been fitted with new Sidas insoles and Bootfitter got the right shells outer last widened. However he did not cook the liners when I asked him to, said it was not needed. The right boot feels a little better and outside last pressure ain't that bad anymore, BUT It was still there.
So I went to a physiotherapist = right ankle was locked and the arch was crashing significantly more due to some bones not being In the right place, got the foot fixed and insoles checked.
Now when trying the boots the problem Is still precent...
what should I do? Get the liners cooked with the insoles? Feels like my right heel Is not sitting as good In the heelcup as my left Is, thus taking more space In the front and ankle part.
Btw about the evolution shells cuff alignment system, read the manual, which does'nt quite explain It properly, mine Is now set between + and - with the arrow pointinh towards the front.
maffMy FT descendant 6 have now been fitted with new Sidas insoles and Bootfitter got the right shells outer last widened. However he did not cook the liners when I asked him to, said it was not needed. The right boot feels a little better and outside last pressure ain't that bad anymore, BUT It was still there.
So I went to a physiotherapist = right ankle was locked and the arch was crashing significantly more due to some bones not being In the right place, got the foot fixed and insoles checked.
Now when trying the boots the problem Is still precent...
what should I do? Get the liners cooked with the insoles? Feels like my right heel Is not sitting as good In the heelcup as my left Is, thus taking more space In the front and ankle part.
Your liners should have been cooked, in my opinion. Yes, liners will eventually soften and break in, but that takes time and it won't feel good until then. Some boot-fitters prefer this old school approach, and they think it makes the liner last longer but it honestly doesn't. It just wastes your time. Getting your liners re-cooked simply allows the footbed and your foot to mold into the liner more easily and you'll be more comfortable more quickly. Get this done.
maffBtw about the evolution shells cuff alignment system, read the manual, which does'nt quite explain It properly, mine Is now set between + and - with the arrow pointinh towards the front.
Don't mess with it. Cuff alignment changes the angle of the cuff to match the angle of your leg. If you do it wrong, it can lead to knee pain. Only have this done by someone who knows what they are doing and can see your leg in the boot. Doing it by yourself will most likely not be good for you.
onenerdykidYour liners should have been cooked, in my opinion. Yes, liners will eventually soften and break in, but that takes time and it won't feel good until then. Some boot-fitters prefer this old school approach, and they think it makes the liner last longer but it honestly doesn't. It just wastes your time. Getting your liners re-cooked simply allows the footbed and your foot to mold into the liner more easily and you'll be more comfortable more quickly. Get this done.
Don't mess with it. Cuff alignment changes the angle of the cuff to match the angle of your leg. If you do it wrong, it can lead to knee pain. Only have this done by someone who knows what they are doing and can see your leg in the boot. Doing it by yourself will most likely not be good for you.
Ok, will get then cooked then. Do you know what the neutral position Is on the cuff alignment system on the FT descendant? Mine was set to (-) I think..
I get really bad pressure points on my inner calves the more I ski (first day is fine, second is worse and third is almost unbearable, etc). The pain is not on the shin(bone) but actually on the calf muscle. It’s almost at the top of the boot, where the shell ends.
This season I got new booster straps, got my liners heat molded and got custom insoles and it all didn’t make a difference at all. I’m also based in Tokyo, and the bootfitters here are not that good tbh, that’s why I’m asking here.
I’m a bigger guy with 200lbs and 6 foot tall. My calves fill out the boot pretty well. But even if I don’t make them super tight I get pressure points.
Also, after skiing and a few days I will feel the pressure points while walking and if I touch them it hurts.
Thanks a lot!
Edit: Forgot to add I have the Fischer RC Pro 90XTR
**This post was edited on Feb 20th 2018 at 7:17:52pm
JapanEuropeSkierI’m a bigger guy with 200lbs and 6 foot tall. My calves fill out the boot pretty well. But even if I don’t make them super tight I get pressure points.
Also, after skiing and a few days I will feel the pressure points while walking and if I touch them it hurts.
If you have huge calf muscles, you will need to get the cuff of your boot stretched. This can be done with proper boot fitting tools or if the shop doesn't have them, they can heat up the cuff with a normal heat gun, put an American football (of the proper size) in the cuff, and then gently buckle it. This will stretch the cuff and flair it open.
Depending on how big your calf really is compared to the boot, you might need extensions put on the medial side of the cuff where the toothplate attaches to the cuff (essentially making it longer) in order to accommodate the larger shape of the boot after it has been properly stretched.
So.... read through the responses and I think I might know what I need, but still have some questions. I've got last years FT dropkicks, and have some issues. After a good solid day, my arches are tight and cramping, and the insides of both ankles are very painful/bruised. I assume I need some arch support, as I tend to walk around in sandals a lot. Also, I get maaajor shinbang, with pain always on the bone, usually the worst about three or four inches above my ankle. My heel tends to stay pretty locked in, but there is more movement then I think there should be, i.e. when i get on the chair, the boot pulls maybe 1 or 2 cm away from my heel, maybe solvable with inserts? My calves are pretty skinny, so I try to tighten the top buckle and strap pretty snug, but I have yet to have a day this season without any pain. Maybe softer flex? I live in SD, so no great bootfitters out here (unless i just don't know where to look?), just had to grab a good deal. Haven't taken any steps yet, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance fools
**This post was edited on Feb 22nd 2018 at 1:19:16am
ponchodaddySo.... read through the responses and I think I might know what I need, but still have some questions. I've got last years FT dropkicks, and have some issues. After a good solid day, my arches are tight and cramping, and the insides of both ankles are very painful/bruised. I assume I need some arch support, as I tend to walk around in sandals a lot. Also, I get maaajor shinbang, with pain always on the bone, usually the worst about three or four inches above my ankle. My heel tends to stay pretty locked in, but there is more movement then I think there should be, i.e. when i get on the chair, the boot pulls maybe 1 or 2 cm away from my heel, maybe solvable with inserts? My calves are pretty skinny, so I try to tighten the top buckle and strap pretty snug, but I have yet to have a day this season without any pain. Maybe softer flex? I live in SD, so no great bootfitters out here (unless i just don't know where to look?), just had to grab a good deal. Haven't taken any steps yet, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance fools
**This post was edited on Feb 22nd 2018 at 1:19:16am
Footbeds, footbeds, footbeds.
Footbeds.
A softer boot will only allow your heel to lift more, actually. Go find a boot-fitter in your area (South Dakota, San Diego, Süd Deutschland?) or at the mountain where you go skiing. Make sure you are in the right size (most often people are in a boot that is too big for them), stabilize your foot with a footbed, and go from there.
A softer boot will only allow your heel to lift more, actually. Go find a boot-fitter in your area (South Dakota, San Diego, Süd Deutschland?) or at the mountain where you go skiing. Make sure you are in the right size (most often people are in a boot that is too big for them), stabilize your foot with a footbed, and go from there.
Wasn't thinking SD isn't a very intuitive abbreviation, but South Dakota is the correct answer. Thanks a bunch!
ponchodaddyWasn't thinking SD isn't a very intuitive abbreviation, but South Dakota is the correct answer. Thanks a bunch!
Who are you?
Rapid blows for fitters. Best bet is to wait and take a trip to Bozeman or Denver. Ken at peak sells some footbeds last time I was I there....but he isn't a bootfitter by any means.
Rapid blows for fitters. Best bet is to wait and take a trip to Bozeman or Denver. Ken at peak sells some footbeds last time I was I there....but he isn't a bootfitter by any means.
Just a kid from spearfish lol, but yeah, I was thinking that peak would be my best bet, or at least a good start
First, big thank you for sharing your knowledge and all what you do here. It's incredible! I didn't know much about boot fitting until a few days back reading a bunch of threads here.
I'm in Salomon SPK Kaos 2011 boots, bought them 2 years ago via ad as claimed to be just a couple of days tried and also looked like that. Last season doing some hucks on icy or going straight on bumps, I started to feel immense pain on inner ankle bones and developed lumps. Went to see podiatrist in Summer, he said lumps are not that big and he didn't recommend cutting it and prescribed me footbeds to use in shoes. From beginning of this season I've tried a few things with no luck so far: inserting shoes footbeds (inner ankle bones pain gone, but top ankle sore and later I couldn't get a foot into one ski boot without crumpling a footbed), sidas ankle protectors, IPS pads, having custom ski footbed created at podiatrists...Now, thanks to NS I know I need a custom footbed and to have ski boots properly fitted. But the problem is I can't find a real boot fitter in my country (Slovakia), neither anyone making custom footbeds.
Can you please recommend me someone possibly in Austria or neighbour countries (the closer to Slovakia/Vienna area the better), that could make me a proper footbeds and see if my feet can fit existing boots or I need a new ones?
Do you think it still makes sense to blow Kaos liners after 50days in them?
I also tour in Scarpa Maestrale 2016 (20days) and would like to fit them as well if possible. Bought them as they felt the best out of some 6 models of various brands tried in shop. But have a lot of problems with it too - feet/toes go so numb that I have to put my feet out several times during the day, sometimes every hour while touring, nasty blister from putting right foot out&in and also big toes feels going a bit in. Now I regret I didn't know about and got something fully heat moldable like Atomic Backland back then if it had fixed these problems...
In case I would need to go for a new boots I'm thinking the higher cuff the better for me (correct me pls if I'm wrong) - I'm 6'6", but skinny calves. Are there by chance some models with higher cuffs? Or better to forget higher cuff boots and rather get some fully heat moldable?
All help much appreciated!
**This post was edited on Feb 23rd 2018 at 2:38:45pm
First, big thank you for sharing your knowledge and all what you do here. It's incredible! I didn't know much about boot fitting until a few days back reading a bunch of threads here.
I'm in Salomon SPK Kaos 2011 boots, bought them 2 years ago via ad as claimed to be just a couple of days tried and also looked like that. Last season doing some hucks on icy or going straight on bumps, I started to feel immense pain on inner ankle bones and developed lumps. Went to see podiatrist in Summer, he said lumps are not that big and he didn't recommend cutting it and prescribed me footbeds to use in shoes. From beginning of this season I've tried a few things with no luck so far: inserting shoes footbeds (inner ankle bones pain gone, but top ankle sore and later I couldn't get a foot into one ski boot without crumpling a footbed), sidas ankle protectors, IPS pads, having custom ski footbed created at podiatrists...Now, thanks to NS I know I need a custom footbed and to have ski boots properly fitted. But the problem is I can't find a real boot fitter in my country (Slovakia), neither anyone making custom footbeds.
Can you please recommend me someone possibly in Austria or neighbour countries (the closer to Slovakia/Vienna area the better), that could make me a proper footbeds and see if my feet can fit existing boots or I need a new ones?
Do you think it still makes sense to blow Kaos liners after 50days in them?
I also tour in Scarpa Maestrale 2016 (20days) and would like to fit them as well if possible. Bought them as they felt the best out of some 6 models of various brands tried in shop. But have a lot of problems with it too - feet/toes go so numb that I have to put my feet out several times during the day, sometimes every hour while touring, nasty blister from putting right foot out&in and also big toes feels going a bit in. Now I regret I didn't know about and got something fully heat moldable like Atomic Backland back then if it had fixed these problems...
In case I would need to go for a new boots I'm thinking the higher cuff the better for me (correct me pls if I'm wrong) - I'm 6'6", but skinny calves. Are there by chance some models with higher cuffs? Or better to forget higher cuff boots and rather get some fully heat moldable?
All help much appreciated!
**This post was edited on Feb 23rd 2018 at 2:38:45pm
It's hard to find good boot-fitters in Europe, even in Austria. It's far too touristy and the shops never see the customers again. They therefore don't need to deal with their customer's problems...
Anyway, if you can't make it further into the Alps then you'll be out of luck. There are zero good boot-fitters in a place like Vienna. You'll need to wait until you go on holiday (if that's possible) to large ski-destination area and research which shops in that area are good at this. Make an appointment with them and spend the day or at least half day there getting it all done.
I can most certainly guarantee you that your current boots are too big. In fact, I would be a lot of money on it. And you will always have problems in a boot that is too big. So, be aware that you might be buying new boots too.
This may be a long shot, but are you ever in the UK or Switzerland? The UK has WAY better boot-fitters than most of mainland Europe ever will. There are also some great fitters in Switzerland (like Heierling in Davos).
I have weird feet formation, left side is 98.5mm last and the right side is 101.5mm, left feet is 1.5 size shorter than the right side, I usually get half size smaller sneakers or dress shoe to compensate my left feet a little, so size 8 in most case. Higher feet volume is expected on my right feet for sure, mid instep and mid arch on both sides.
Got my first boots online and the rep told me to get 26.0 in my case, it was totally loosened up after one or 2 seasons, so I gave it to my friend and got a pair of atomic hawx prime last season, purchased at a local skis shop with boot fitting service, the guy measured my feet and advised me to go for the hawx coz the 100 last is what I should go for, they finally put me in size 25.5 and heat molded both shell and liner with the sidas footbed, I was literally felt much better if compare to my previous boots, but that doesn't last for long, I feel loose on the left side starting this season probably the liner start breaking in, I brought them back to the skis shop and had them to remold it, they finally put a v shape foam pad on my left instep to keep my feet from rolling which is pretty tight but still ok, but the right side got a few pressure points which are hurting, one at my first toe metatarsal bone the other one right at the shin, should I bring it back to the skis shop and have them stretch my right toe pocket or just simply get a new pair that fit me better? after a week of reading online, I guess the dalbello Panterra ID would fit my weird feet and I should try on size 25.0, or Ican get the kryton AX ID and have them stretch the right toe pocket? I have no idea why the skis shop didn't offer me these model instead of the atomic hawx, they do carry a full line of dalbello in the shop. Any comments would be highly appreciated! THX
**This post was edited on Feb 25th 2018 at 2:54:49pm
on99I have weird feet formation, left side is 98.5mm last and the right side is 101.5mm, left feet is 1.5 size shorter than the right side, I usually get half size smaller sneakers or dress shoe to compensate my left feet a little, so size 8 in most case. Higher feet volume is expected on my right feet for sure, mid instep and mid arch on both sides.
Unfortunately, this is not a boot problem- this is your feet that's the problem. Your feet are so totally different that one boot is not going to fit you perfectly. The only way to get a proper fit is to do different things to each foot. Ideal option is to buy two different boots and get them individually fit to your feet. But, knowing that this is not economically feasible for most people, your 2nd best option is to size your boots to the bigger foot and do your best to make the small foot fit ok in the larger shell. This might mean more padding or even a special liner for that foot (Intuition or foam injection liner).
buying 2 different boots to fit each of my weird foot is the best way to resolve this problem, but that would cost me a lot, and the foam injection liner is very pricey! Intuition liner is what I'm thinking now, that's why I came up the idea of buying the dalbello Panterra ID.
I love skiing, I've been suffering since day one on the slope but I don't want to give up this sport!
onenerdykidUnfortunately, this is not a boot problem- this is your feet that's the problem. Your feet are so totally different that one boot is not going to fit you perfectly. The only way to get a proper fit is to do different things to each foot. Ideal option is to buy two different boots and get them individually fit to your feet. But, knowing that this is not economically feasible for most people, your 2nd best option is to size your boots to the bigger foot and do your best to make the small foot fit ok in the larger shell. This might mean more padding or even a special liner for that foot (Intuition or foam injection liner).
