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How to stop boot bang?

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gaper_assasin
Posts: 26 - Karma: 492
I ski in Dalbello voodoos, they're a great boot, real comfy, but i get boot bang so easy, even after a couple of days. i know its caused from landing backseat and loose boot buckles. but i still get it with tight boots and clean landings. anyone know how to stop it?
May 1 2014 11:50PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Boots that fit. Good (custom) Footbeds are a must. Booster straps help a ton too. But if you have excess space in your boots (which is one of the causes of boot pain) there is only so much you can do. Go to a bootfitter and have them try to work on your boots to get a better fit
May 2 2014 12:02AM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
If you want to ski at a high performance level, which park skiing generally is, you need a high performance fit.

When you get shell fit for your ski boots you don't want more than a finger widths of space between you and your shell. If you are just skiing groomers a couple times a year then your average REI boot fitter is just going to throw you into a rec fit boot which means 2 fingers plus in a shell fit. This sort of fit means extra play in your boots, which makes them comfy, but also means your foot can just squash the foam of your liners down and slam around inside your shell leading to boot bang, shin bang, toe bang and another kind you can think of.

You probably need a better fitting boot, but things like custom foot beds, adhesive foam or shims and booster straps can help in the meantime. Best bet is to see a good boot fitter as you need someone who can diagnose your problem in person.
May 2 2014 3:09AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,496
CyanicenineIf you want to ski at a high performance level, which park skiing generally is, you need a high performance fit.

When you get shell fit for your ski boots you don't want more than a finger widths of space between you and your shell. If you are just skiing groomers a couple times a year then your average REI boot fitter is just going to throw you into a rec fit boot which means 2 fingers plus in a shell fit. This sort of fit means extra play in your boots, which makes them comfy, but also means your foot can just squash the foam of your liners down and slam around inside your shell leading to boot bang, shin bang, toe bang and another kind you can think of.

You probably need a better fitting boot, but things like custom foot beds, adhesive foam or shims and booster straps can help in the meantime. Best bet is to see a good boot fitter as you need someone who can diagnose your problem in person.


A one finger shell check is pretty extreme for most skiers especially park skiers. Generally a 20mm length is a good all round fit. Match that with good custom footbeds and an appropriate shell and flex and you will be good. Going down to a10mm fit is not going to benefit most park riders as chances are they would just need the toe Box blowing out any way. But you will not know what you like untill you have been fitted.
May 2 2014 3:38AM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
Just curious what is boot bang?
May 2 2014 4:46AM
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gaper_assasin
Posts: 26 - Karma: 492
maximiliaanJust curious what is boot bang?


its when your shins rub or push against the tongue of your boot and it bruises and makes skiing incredibly painful.
May 2 2014 4:54AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,889
Solutions have already been presented, but you might also find good info in the thread dedicated solving boot issues:
https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/768122/The-Official---What-is-wrong-with-my-boots---Thread

Also, next time toss your question there so it keeps all of the questions/answers in one easy to find spot.
May 2 2014 5:00AM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
gaper_assasinits when your shins rub or push against the tongue of your boot and it bruises and makes skiing incredibly painful.


So the same as Shin bang?
May 2 2014 5:01AM
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gaper_assasin
Posts: 26 - Karma: 492
maximiliaanSo the same as Shin bang?


yup, just a different name for it
May 2 2014 5:13AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,889
maximiliaanSo the same as Shin bang?


It is more commonly referred to as shin bang, but OP is from Australia so they might refer to it there as boot bang.

Personally, I think boot bang is a bit too general because of the need to distinguish between toe bang and shin bang.
May 2 2014 5:17AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,496
maximiliaanSo the same as Shin bang?


It is what most people call shin bang but it is actually a differnt problem. It is normally cuased by there being too much space above the instep of the foot. The extra room over teh instep may be beacuse the boots are too big (most common) the instep of the shell is too high for the foot or the foot is pronating due to a lack of surport which in turn is dropping the instep.

Ways to stop it include getting the foot in neautral to raise the instep by use of a custom footbed. The foot can be raised in the shell by adding material either to the boot board or directly to the footbed. Adding material over the instep of the liner may also help in some cases.

The best way I have found over the years to resolve it is getting the foot in neutral and ensuring there is no maore then about 15mm space above teh instep during a shell check.
May 2 2014 5:22AM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
Check EpicSki for listing of good bootfitters in your area.
Go to good bootfitter.
Get boots recommended by bootfitter (assuming they fit well; if not ask for him to suggest a second pair to try).
Get boots heat moulded by bootfitter.
Get custom footbeds from bootfitter.
Get skis/bindings adjusted to new boots (even if they seem to fit, the forward pressure might be off, which could prevent them from releasing even with the proper DIN, so ALWAYS have a ski tech check your skis if you get new boots).
Wear tall ski socks. Synthetic are best.
Buckle boots tight enough, but not too tight. Feel free to ask bootfitter how tight you should ideally buckle them.
Try not to land backseat.
Keep boots buckled when not wearing them (equally tight to as when you wear them) to preserve their shape.
May 2 2014 3:05PM
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spicyricky
Posts: 62 - Karma: 47
Are it ankles broke?
May 3 2014 1:50AM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
Sh4dowCheck EpicSki for listing of good bootfitters in your area.
Go to good bootfitter.
Get boots recommended by bootfitter (assuming they fit well; if not ask for him to suggest a second pair to try).
Get boots heat moulded by bootfitter.
Get custom footbeds from bootfitter.
Get skis/bindings adjusted to new boots (even if they seem to fit, the forward pressure might be off, which could prevent them from releasing even with the proper DIN, so ALWAYS have a ski tech check your skis if you get new boots).
Wear tall ski socks. Synthetic are best.
Buckle boots tight enough, but not too tight. Feel free to ask bootfitter how tight you should ideally buckle them.
Try not to land backseat.
Keep boots buckled when not wearing them (equally tight to as when you wear them) to preserve their shape.


That was actually pretty comprehensive, +1
May 3 2014 5:17AM
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b-kul
Posts: 4350 - Karma: 1,111
Sh4dowCheck EpicSki for listing of good bootfitters in your area.
Go to good bootfitter.
Get boots recommended by bootfitter (assuming they fit well; if not ask for him to suggest a second pair to try).
Get boots heat moulded by bootfitter.
Get custom footbeds from bootfitter.
Get skis/bindings adjusted to new boots (even if they seem to fit, the forward pressure might be off, which could prevent them from releasing even with the proper DIN, so ALWAYS have a ski tech check your skis if you get new boots).
Wear tall ski socks. Synthetic are best.
Buckle boots tight enough, but not too tight. Feel free to ask bootfitter how tight you should ideally buckle them.
Try not to land backseat.
Keep boots buckled when not wearing them (equally tight to as when you wear them) to preserve their shape.


any reason you say synthetic? personally i prefer wool.
May 3 2014 11:17AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,889
b-kulany reason you say synthetic? personally i prefer wool.


I would just say non-cotton. Some people prefer wool rather than synthetic and vice-versa or compression etc. There are tons of great non-cotton, thin ski sock options out there.
May 3 2014 5:43PM
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