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

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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
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: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
As someone else just said, your boot sounds like it might be either a size too big or have too much volume in it. However, if you got toe bang with footbeds but a non-molded liner, that could possibly be it.

Let's make sure you are in the right size shell first- remove liner from shell, put foot in shell with ski sock on, slide foot to front of the shell so your toes just barely touch the front, and measure how much space is behind your heel. Is it 1cm, 2cm, 3cm?

If you have more than 2cm, your boot is too big. If you have 1.5-2cm then the shell is the right length for you. Report back after you have skied them with the liners remolded. If your problem still persists, a good boot-fitter can punch out the toe of the boot for you.
Dec 25 2013 4:04AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
As someone else just said, your boot sounds like it might be either a size too big or have too much volume in it. However, if you got toe bang with footbeds but a non-molded liner, that could possibly be it.

Let's make sure you are in the right size shell first- remove liner from shell, put foot in shell with ski sock on, slide foot to front of the shell so your toes just barely touch the front, and measure how much space is behind your heel. Is it 1cm, 2cm, 3cm?

If you have more than 2cm, your boot is too big. If you have 1.5-2cm then the shell is the right length for you. Report back after you have skied them with the liners remolded. If your problem still persists, a good boot-fitter can punch out the toe of the boot for you.
Dec 25 2013 4:07AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
Our structural analysis tests have shown that 1 buckle = 1 roll of duct tape. So, until you are able to get said buckled replaced, just wrap your boot up with a complete roll of duct tape. Color does not matter, so pick whichever one best matches the overall feel of your kit.
Dec 25 2013 4:20AM
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rtav
Posts: 227 - Karma: 90
Without measuring, I know that my boot is not too big, the boot fitter I have been working with has commented a few times on how I have a "performance fit." If anything, they may be a bit too small lengthwise. I am hoping a few days with the newly molded liners helps, but if it persists is a toe punch my next step?
Dec 25 2013 8:11AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
A toe punch may help but not always just for length. One thing which is well worth looking at is the shape of the toe box of the boot compared to your toes. My foot for example I have a very straight big toe and then angled toes from there. Is means I always get toe bang in the correct size as very few boots have a squared off toe box. So for me I can keep the length the same and just change the shape to get rid of toe bang. The other thing to look at is footbed stiffness. It could be the footbed is not stabilised stiff enough for the stability of your foot. Often for park I go pretty stiff with the footbeds to help really control the length of the foot under load. The last thing to look at is heel volume. Sometimes if the heel volume is too low your foot may not be able to seat into the back of the shell making the boot feel to short as your not getting the full length of the shell. So there are certainly a few things which can be done if the shell is a good size for you.
Dec 25 2013 9:03AM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
Do you feel your toe in contact with the front of the boot even when you have your weight forward?
Dec 25 2013 8:20PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
My FTs make the same sound. Just the intuition liner moving. I just got used to it.
Dec 25 2013 10:01PM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
This is what I've figured. I did find some foam non slip tape that I've put in a few places inside the shell to possibly keep the liner still. Once I get up I'm riding today so I'll let you know how it works
Dec 26 2013 9:29AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
Just bringing this back to the top as I'm seeing quite a few boot threads popping up again which could be resolved here rather then starting a new thread.
Dec 26 2013 8:22PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5229 - Karma: 20,558
I'm not sure my boots have a complete issue, but I have noticed that when walking in them (again, they are fine for skiing, so its not a massive issue) for any distance (I first noticed this walking through the lot to get something from my car) I start to get rubbing in the instep of the boot. This leads to blisters after a little while which are painful.

I'm not sure if this is due too my socks (smartwool) which slide down and cause the rubbing in my boot. I'm riding Lange RXJ's from 2012, which I was fitted too, and I also have footbeds.

Assuming the socks are the issue, anyone have tips for keeping my boots from eating them?
Dec 26 2013 8:45PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
Well, boots are made for skiing so when your flexible foot is trying to walk while being inside a fully rigid structure like a ski boot, your foot will move inside the boot (rather than with the boot) and thus blisters can happen.

It might sound counter intuitive, but when you are walking in your boots, do not unbuckle them. Keep them buckled and snug so you minimize the amount of movement your foot will undergo while walking. See if that helps.
Dec 27 2013 5:01AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,961
Salomon Quest 120 with fully custom footbeds and heat molded liners from a very reputable bootfitter. I am using the liner laces. They fit great, but I am getting heel lift when I have those "Oh shit!" moments when I get bucked around by some crud or land too far forward. Is this just a skiing skill problem or a boot problem. I was told to just barely buckle the bottom two buckles, but that seems counter inuitive to keeping my heel down, but it also makes sense for the sake of liner fit and circulation.
Dec 29 2013 3:13PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
Without meaning to sound insulting, are you buckling up the top buckle tight enough? Make sure you check it very now and then as it will loosen off a little. Are you using the standard velcro strap or a booster strap?
Dec 29 2013 6:42PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
Yep the fitter is write you should not need to tighten the bottom buckles much in a well fitted boot. Which quest shall do you have the max or the original? The original is quite a bit higher volume but the reason it's happening is probably the same regardless. It's usually that the foot is not properly held in neutral by the footbed and there is too much room above the instep. What type of footbed did you get. If you stand just on the footbed does your foot seem to be held straight? This can often be hard to identify unless you know what your looking for though. A good way to cheack is stand on them and dangle a string from the middle of your knee. If the string is over the second toe then the foot is fairly neutral. If the string is over the big toe or further in then your foot is still promoting and the footbed reds work. If your foot primates it drops th instep which is one of the main ways the heel is held down in th boot. It can also affect your ankle position which can again affect heel lift. If the footbed is good then you need to cheack the instep volume. With your foot just in the shell and your knee aligned over the second toe see how much space there is above the instep. You should be stood so the toe Ioff the front and not back in the heel. You want about 1.5-2 cm space over the foot. More will me a n the foot is not held down. If this is the issue then foam can be added to th liner, a heel lift added to the footbed if appropriate or foam added to the boot board to reduce volume. If both of these are good cheack the heel volume. It may actually be too low volume or it may just not match the shape of your foot. Again foam can be added or the shell shape adapted. Hope that helps let mknow if you have any other questions.
Dec 29 2013 6:53PM
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steep
Posts: 6063 - Karma: 298
I'm on my 3rd season with my Nordica Ace of Spades, awesome boots except for one issue.

Whenever I ski, there is a pain that comes to my arches (I have very flat feet), and it comes and goes. I can't even notice when I am actually skiing, mostly while on the lift, in the lodge. These have not been heatmolded, nor do I have custom footbeds.

Is it worth it to invest in a pair of footbeds?

Thanks!
Dec 29 2013 8:26PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
Quite simply yes get some footbeds. Most people who think they have a flat foot actually dont and rather have a collapsed medial arch making the foot appear flat. I see this far more often then a see a truley flat foot. For this a footbed will really help. It will realign your foot, make it shorter and narrower and raise the instep all of which are good in terms of boot fitting. If you do actually have a flat foot a footbed will still help but the fact that you feel pain in the arch indicates the arch is stretching which would indicate a collapsed arch rather then a flat foot.
Dec 29 2013 8:38PM
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steep
Posts: 6063 - Karma: 298
Thanks, and Superfeet? I see those at most shops, so I'm assuming I'll go with those.

Also, I'm pretty sure I have flat feet. They've been very "flat" ever since I was young. I've been told by multiple physical therapists that I do.

Thank you for your help though, appreciate it!
Dec 29 2013 9:04PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
Superfeet is not a great option in general, and especially for very flexible collapsed arches. Ask your friends who ski where they got fitted- basically try to find out where the best boot-fitters in your area are. A footbed is like a boot in that getting the wrong one for your foot's needs can be not pleasant. Great options are Aline and Sidas, but be sure to ask around and find the right fitter in your area.
Dec 30 2013 4:29AM
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steep
Posts: 6063 - Karma: 298
Gotcha, thanks!!
Dec 30 2013 11:03AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
Just tried on my boots for the first time this year, FT High Fives. Got them last year, molded, footbeds, the whole shebang. They fit great. This year ive noticed a bit of pressure on my right shin when i press forward, feels like the edge of the wrap liner thats close to my shin, any idea how to fix this part? Flatten it out, somethin.
Dec 30 2013 2:46PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
You can try softening that area with a hair dryer and then stepping into the boots with a medium tension on the buckles to see if that helps. If it doesn't, try wrapping the Intuition liner the other way. I've seen this work from time to time.
Dec 31 2013 8:44AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
Do I need to re-mold if I wrap the other way? Or can I just flip it myself.
Dec 31 2013 7:50PM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6382 - Karma: 946
Man, I wish you fit me for boots :) Where do you work, anyway?
Dec 31 2013 9:49PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
I would try simply flipping it around and see how it feels. Sometimes that alone is enough, but you might need to remold them depending on their condition and contours already in them.
Jan 1 2014 8:00AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
Cool. Today is my first day on em this season so well see how they feel.
Thanks.
Jan 1 2014 9:47AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
Thanks man. I'm currently working for Ellis Brigham in the UK. I'm at the Kensington shop but hopefully I'll be back in whistler next season. The skiing is not quite as good in London.
Jan 1 2014 12:37PM
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Diamonds
Posts: 4443 - Karma: 1,299
Hi there, for the past year I've been riding on Nordica Double Sixes (25.5). I'm around size 9 US shoes. I tried on multiple boots and found that they fix the best in the store and I used them for a few weekends without problems (About a year and a half ago).

Since I'm at university, I don't get to ski much so over the holidays I was stoked to get back on snow. I rode for a few days without any problems (which was great considering I've always had boot problems throughout my life lol) except on the last day I landed backseat on a high impact jump and my big toes smashed into the front of my boot. I have a black nail and I'm guessing it's going to fall off sometime.

Anyways, I was wondering if there was a way to punch out my boot so that I don't get "toe bang" in the future. When I lean forward in my boots, my toes do not touch the end of the boot and when I relax, they are comfortable but kindof brush the end. The rest of the boot fits beautifully compared to any FT or Salomon that I've had in the past.

Hope someone can help me out! I can't afford new boots and feel like a bigger boot would just mean the rest of the boot would be loose

- Max
Jan 2 2014 11:54PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
You need to get a custom foot bed, that will be really the only option in preventing your arch from collapsing, which lowers the height of your instep causing the boot not to hold you back properly resulting in toe bang. And in all reality if you land back seat with that much force, you're kinda fucked in general. A boot that is too big will just cause more problems.
Jan 3 2014 12:02AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
AJizzle is right- if you don't have a footbed you need to invest in one. A footbed will secure your foot in the boot, not allowing it to slide to the front. Once you secure the foot with a footbed, then you punch out the toe (if you actually need it done).
Jan 3 2014 5:17AM
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603freeride
Posts: 15 - Karma: 70
How much do custom footbeds usually go for? I have the collapsed arch problem and it is absolutely time to invest some money in my feet.
Jan 3 2014 10:38AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
$100-$250 depending on the brand, the person making them, and your biomechanical needs. It's hard to say for sure what they will cost you, but spend time finding the boot-fitter in your area that is known for making good footbeds
Jan 3 2014 11:50AM
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Diamonds
Posts: 4443 - Karma: 1,299
@AJizzle too, thanks for the quick reply. I'll definitely look into proper footbeds before punching the toes out. Really appreciate the feedback and +K for both of you.
Jan 3 2014 1:34PM
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Sparta
Posts: 226 - Karma: 313
Shop question- if you are heat molding a shell do you want to set up the cuff alignment before or after doing the heat molding?
Jan 4 2014 10:37PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
i would say before so when you heat mold its the shape of the cuff alignment
Jan 4 2014 11:01PM
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DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Posts: 858 - Karma: 2,256
SPK question: last season I blew a buckle on my SPK's. specifically, the sort of Y shaped bracket that holds the buckle hooks on broke. (see picture) Solomon has excellent customer service and they replaced the boots, but this now means I have an extra pair. anyone had this problem and fixed it? Perhaps made a new bracket out of fibreglass or something like that? Click for larger image
sorry this isn't fit specific.
Jan 4 2014 11:08PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
suprised they let you keep the old set. i would go to a shop and ask if they can order the y bracket
Jan 4 2014 11:16PM
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,099
Hey, this is not a problem or anything, just a question about the ski boot industry, and I though that I would ask the masters.

In the 2014 Freeskier Buyer's Guide, it gives some information on how the equipment is made and why, etc. In the boot section, upon specifying the difference between two-piece and three-piece boots says: "[Three piece shells] are suited for a flat foot with low instep height."

Is this true? I have heard about the advantages of a three piece being the "more natural" fex, and less shin bang, etc., but never for people with flatter feet. I don't know much about ski boots, so I am interested.

As a person with feet flatter than a quarter, I was just curious because I am looking into buying new boots soon, and am wondering if I should go with a three piece now, but I figured you would know more than the Freeskier editor.
Jan 4 2014 11:20PM
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DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Posts: 858 - Karma: 2,256
Tried that, they can't order just the bracket. It just seems like that's a poorly designed bracket anyways, I just want to make some super strong SPK's that wont blow out after a 15' booter.
Jan 4 2014 11:26PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
I wouldn't agree with that. All boots come in different shapes and sizes, and there are a variety of 3 piece boots out there to suit a variety of different foot shapes.

Go to a good boot fitter, take their advice on which boots would work best for you. As I'm sure you've read by now, getting a custom footbed will make a huge difference to the fit too, so don't be scared of spending the extra money on a good one.
Jan 5 2014 4:41AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
I would often say the opposite. A flat foot will usually be pretty ridigid and also usually be wider. Because of this an inner navicular and lateral width stretch may be needed for a comfortable fit. In a 3 piece this coul be harder to do. Changing the width of a 3 piece boot can be harder as you have to maintain how the tounge sits. In an overlap boot this will not be an issue and all that would happen is the instep would drop slightly which for a flat foot will be good.

From a bootfitter standpoint overlap boots are much easier to work on and fit well. Not that 3 piece are bad they are just more limiting.
Jan 5 2014 5:22AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
I can't really think of any custom shell boots with a cuff alignment. Which boots do you mean?

But in general it should go. Custom footbed. Footbed in shell to asses cuff. Then mold. But to be honest cuff alignment is getting used much less as we are now able to get most feet in a neautral position with a footbed so cuff alignment is not needed.
Jan 5 2014 5:25AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
You can get just the bracket I have seen one brake before and we were able to get it replaced but that was te salomon shop in whistler. Which part broke? It's hard to see from the pic? But how tight wa the buckle the one I saw break before the kid was doing the instep buckle so tight that there was no give and a backseat landing managed to snap it.

Next year the spk is a whole new boot though. So hopefully you and the rest of ns will be stoked with them.
Jan 5 2014 5:27AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
I don't know why magazines don't listen to the boot-fitters they use as consultants... 3-piece shells are available in a variety of lasts now, not just for narrow/low volume feet. To say that 3-piece is better suited for a narrow/low volume foot is simply incorrect. Some are, some aren't.


Jan 5 2014 8:25AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
I think Fischer still offers cuff alignment on their Vacuum boots (?), and other brands in the future will continue to have it still. In my opinion, it is best to set the boot up (have the right footbed, adjust the cuff alignment, adjust the geometry, adjust the buckles, etc) before the boot gets heated. This way the boot will be set up around their geometry, allowing the fitting process to be more accurate.
Jan 5 2014 8:29AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
if any of you do have problem feet be aware of these points, especially around the medial ankle. Having to stretch and grind in these areas can be difficult and less successful.
Jan 8 2014 10:18AM
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JakeSalvador
Posts: 2741 - Karma: 1,309
does anyone else get pain that stays for days after skiing just above the bone that bulges out of the ankle on the outside sides of each leg?
Jan 8 2014 5:00PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
Do you mean the ankle bone itself? What does the pain feel like? Is the bone tender to touch or is it a more internal pain which hurts when flexing ect?
Jan 8 2014 6:34PM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
How long do custom footbeds last? I have around 200ish days on mine that were originally in my ace of spades and felt great. Now that I have them in my waymaker 130s they just don't feel right. My arches get cramps after skiing hardpacks and long ski outs. I think that the arches on my footbeds might be collapsing, but I was under the impression that they would last longer. Any ideas?
Jan 9 2014 1:21AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6654 - Karma: 10,804
Depends on the footbed, but you should be able to get 200 days normally. What brand is it? It could be that just need an adjustment, more posting or something. Either way, it normally should not be an expensive fix.
Jan 9 2014 4:03AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
If made well they should really last a bit longer then that. What type did you get and how were they stabilised? It could be you need them stiffer. If the footbed is too soft for you you could end up flattening it out pretty quick. But of you got a sidas footbed you can just take them to a shop and have them remoulded. I just charge for the stabiliser I use but some shops may also charge to remould them.
Jan 9 2014 4:04AM
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