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Back pain- go light or damp?

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HotdoggingIt
Posts: 5 - Karma: 30
I hurt my back pulling a wrench a few years back. Bulged disc/degenerative disc... hurts most days regardless of what I do, but impacts (like stomping) make it worse.

I'm in my late 30s and traversed many a crazy trail, love the glades, loved speed, east coast 99.9% of the time. Things are changing. I can still ski but I'm more risk-averse now, and I keep my skis on the ground....

Most of my skiing now is teaching/chaperoning my young kids.

After almost two decades, I got the green light from the wife to upgrade... Hard to argue with "my boots are from '02" or "no shop would even safety check my bindings" not that I've asked.

So I've been shopping online and am narrowing in on a pair of boots with Gripwalk and probably Walk Mode (clunking/impacting in these old boots hasn't been good) but as for the skis:

Those with back pain, go light or go damp?

For example the super-light Head Kore 93s have been on my radar, thinking they'll be less of a strain for the older lifts with no footrest or even to carry around frankly. But then again, something heavy like the Nordica Enforcer 93 would dampen the vibrations more than the super-light Kore, and I'll be doing a lot of night skiing with the kids on icy/refrozen/east coast crud.

Anyone with back pain have any advice on the better "old man setup"?
Dec 23 2020 12:51AM
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apc.fr
Posts: 293 - Karma: 878
Go damp. Do you spend more time on the lift or on the slope?
Dec 23 2020 1:24AM
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Dr_Richard_Hertz
Posts: 99 - Karma: 846
Just pop a perc 30 and all your problems will suddenly fade away
Dec 23 2020 6:20AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9427 - Karma: 69,186
I am not an old man by any means, but in terms of back pain, the best thing you can possibly do is simple core weight body exercises. Swimming has been an absolute godsend for me. In terms of my setup, I've found I haven't been too affected by the pain as of yet, but it would seem to me that having a lighter setup would be easier on your back due to less weight on your legs to throw around, but that might be total broscience on my part.
Dec 23 2020 11:17AM
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HotdoggingIt
Posts: 5 - Karma: 30
Just pulled the trigger on a pair of 2020 Salomon XDR 80ti in 176. For boots some cheapie K2 BFC with Gripwalk + Walk mode.

$400 for the skis/bindings, $250 for boots, I'm really happy with that. Plus with the track bindings I'll be good to go, no wait no cost.

Really hoping the Gripwalk rubber and soft boots lessen the back pain that stomping around caused last season, walk mode might help when I have to kneel to assist my kids, and the skis will probably be a bit lighter than what I have now but also very damp.

This is my third set of skis since I started in '98! The K2s gave me 14 years, and the Head skis I literally found on the side of the road, someone moving... Couldn't believe my luck.

The XDRs seem like a good ski for my needs, and 80 underfoot while a skinny ski today is actually a bump up for me, and perfect for the east coast. Super-excited, now if only it would stop raining.

Dec 26 2020 12:39AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13122 - Karma: 19,191
For icy inbounds, you will need a ski with real sidecut. A mid stiff ski should be enough to absorb death cookies and still give you an edge to ski with. Try to pick a lighter ski, but not too light to get speed woobles.
For boots, the classic freeride boot with walk mode and thermal fit options are like driving a cadillac. Go for 120 flex maximum. Pick lighter boots and make sure they fit.

last is work on your stance. Rounding your back while skiing will lead to serious back issues. Get someone to coach you on positioning and you should be able to go for another 10 years
Dec 26 2020 9:55AM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
HotdoggingItFor boots some cheapie K2 BFC with Gripwalk + Walk mode.


Never cheap out on boots. Ever. They're by far thee most important part of your setup.
Dec 26 2020 12:31PM
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SkierPT
Posts: 2205 - Karma: 4,858
I know some things about back pain...
Dec 27 2020 12:25AM
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HotdoggingIt
Posts: 5 - Karma: 30
jcaNever cheap out on boots. Ever. They're by far thee most important part of your setup.

Yeah, you are right about that. I narrowed in on the K2 BFC because of the walk-mode and Gripwalk for my back, because I'm transitioning from bombing down mountains with my friends to slowly traversing greens with my three kids all under age 8, and because yeah my whole purchase does have budget in mind.

I did pick the 90 flex vs 100 simply based on price, and I know buying online isn't great for boots but with CoViD I thought I'd take a shot and maybe I'll get lucky vs hitting the ski shop during the holidays. Can still return and eat the shipping and reconsider if I'm swimming in them.
Dec 27 2020 10:52AM
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