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Article is here http://www.wildsnow.com/1570/intuition-ski-boot-liner/
There wasn't enough room in the article for a FAQ. This FAQ will be on the Intuition website but is reproduced below for your reading pleasure.
FAQ
LINERS
1. What type of liner should I get?
Your height and weight, skier type, whether you prefer comfort or performance are all factors. Ask your dealer or email Intuition.
Answer the following three questions then send Intuition an e-mail and they will help you determine the correct size liners for your boots.
• What shoe size do you wear?
• What boot shell size will the liners be used in?
• What make and model boot do you have?
2. What size liners to get? Same size as boots? Larger size or smaller?
This depends on your feet. Liner size trades-off performance vs comfort. Liner size depends on whether your boots are too small, too large or just right. Eg people with boots that are too big might want bigger liners as there is more foam which can expand and more room can be taken up. Our standard sizing method is to fit people into the same size liners as boots.
3. Should I get Alpine liners or the Powerwraps for my AT boots? What about for my alpine boots?
For AT boots the answer depends on the person their skiing style and whether they trade-off touring vs downhill performance. Alpine liners are softer, Powerwraps are stiffer.
Most people in alpine boots want the Powerwrap liners if faced with that choice.
4. Should I get Alpine liners or the Powerwraps for my tele boots?
See comment above. Lots of telemarkers use the product.
Some telemarkers with smaller, lower cut boots use the lower cut liners eg the Universal or even the Denali liner.
5. Does Intuition recommend using footbeds with the liners?
Summary answer: - Footbeds aren't necessary except when you have orthotic footbeds but its your personal preference and very much dependent on your foot.
Note that Intuition's standard liner has between 12mm to 9mm of high density foam on the foot area which is more then enough support. Some liners (eg the Scarpa Speed Liner or the Krypton liner) has even less foam because the users almost always want to use footbeds. Intuition recognizes this so thins out the foot area to leave room for the footbed.
6. Does Intuition make different thickness of liner? (for boots too small, just right and the far too common "my boots are too big")
Intuition does make different volume densities of liners. For example one relatively new liner is called a Plug Liner. It has slightly different foam densities (generally a thinner 9mm foam density) so it will fit in boots where the skier has a very small boot (for a race-fit) and wants to maintain that tight fit yet does not have a lot of room in the boot for a thicker liner. For boots that are too big, Intuition would recommend a bigger liner so there would be more foam to thermally expand and take up the relatively larger space in the too-big boot.
7. Does Intuition make different flexes or densities of liners?
That's in the current line up. Eg the Powerwrap liner has fairly rigid AEPE foam around the cuff of the liner to give the liner more stiffness. The Alpine liner doesn't have AEPE foam and being made out of standard Intuition high-density foam is a bit softer. In another example, the Luxury tongue liner has a stiffer foam tongue then the Freeride tongue liner and so, the Luxury liner is a bit stiffer.
8. Can Intuition clarify the difference between the Plug and Alpine Powerwrap liners?
The Plug Liner has slightly different foam densities (generally a thinner 9mm foam density) so it will fit in boots where the skier has a very small boot (for a race-fit) and wants to maintain that tight fit yet does not have a lot of room in the boot for a thicker liner.
9. What is the best way to get the stink out without breaking down the properties of the liner?
Intuition recommends using anti-bacterial soap and water. Soaking the liner in a water and bleach solution and air-drying also works.
10. Is there anything that can be done to make the liners more breathable/reduce sweating while touring? Are any of the liners more breathable than the others?
All liners are the same closed cell Intuition Ultralon foam with different variations of densities. The Scarpa liner has some open cell in some areas of the liners. They are considering using open cell in some future liners but the downside is that it gets cold. Considering that the liner is in an impermeable plastic shell it's tough to make a liner very breathable.
Another more drastic option to try is to perforate the liner or customize in some way
11. I am ideally looking for the ultimate in heel hold but also want it to be comfortable/perhaps shock absorbing on the tongue and will also want to use my footbeds. Would the powerwrap/plug liner be the way to go or have they made some advances in the alpine style to match the performance/quality?
Closest equivalent is Luxury liner. Answer depends on the particular alpine style tongue as they are different even among the performance alpine racing boots
12. Is my impression correct that the tongue on the Luxury model will more evenly distribute shin pressure while skiing and add to the tongue flex of the boot?
That's correct. The tongue will aid in distributing pressure when skinning
13. What would the difference be both skiing and touring/skinning between the Luxury and Alpine models?
The Alpine and all overlap models of liners may be a tad more restrictive when skinning.
14. Is the Freeride model the same liner as the Luxury with a softer flexing tongue?
Yes
15. Any plans to do a boa-style liner, like the new BD boots?
No. Intuition's initial take was that there was too much to go wrong
16. Any plans to do a liner with a rubber/tough sole for walking around camp in the liners?
Some models have the Silicon Sole ie rubberized grip sole. Intuition may expand that feature along the line
MOLDING THE LINERS
17. How many times can the liners get cooked?
Up to five times IF THE LINER IS COOKED CORRECTLY and sometimes more
Also note that not all liners need to be custom-molded by being cooked. In particular, the tongue liners are designed to fit right out of the box.
18. I notice Intuition uses a new type of blower to cook the liners WHILE they are in the boot. This is in contrast to the convection oven formerly used to cook the liners. Why do they do this?
It's easier to fit feet correctly in the blower-style heater. That heater does not deform the liner (cooking in the oven flattens the liner and then reinserting the liner in the boot usually deforms the liner). There is also more expansion of the foam since the liner isn't flattened as in the oven.
See Scarpa's video of the blower style heater at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLzUQQGBJus
19. Is there an "official recipe" for cooking liners in a home oven that is not a convection oven? Times, temps, etc.?
There is no official recipe. Here's something you could try unofficially but don't come after me if you wreck your liners
• Preheat the oven to 300 – 400 F
• Place aluminium foil under the liner so it doesn't get burnt
• Switch off the oven and put the liner in the oven
• Leave for 10 mins (wrap) 8 mins (plug)
• The tricky part is getting the liner into the boot without creasing it. This can be a two person job.
• A useful primer on this with some tips and a video is at http://www.telemarktips.com/DrTelemark.html (Cooking with Big Tim)
20. I'd like to make a DIY blower/heater. Answers are in bold
• What temp is the hot air as it leaves the nozzle? 250 F
• What is the air speed of the hot air? Do not know
• What temp should the interior of the boot be to mold? Boot interior isn't heated so whatever the temp is after it conducts heat from the liner
• Any high temp limit, below the fire-point of the material, at which the foam breaks down? Don't know
THE FOAM
21. What are Ultralon's EVA foam properties?
• Foam density
• Foam thermal conductivity
• Foam coefficient of thermal and moisture expansion at 98F
• How do these properties change over the life of the product?
• Over the life after multiple bakings?
There are data sheets from Ultralon http://www.ultralon.co.nz/ - and Intuition is requesting copies and will post them.
22. Does Ultralon licence their foam to other people for liners?
Ultralon makes a special formulation of the foam for Intuition. The formulation is owned by Intuition and Ultralon does not make it available to any other liner manufacturer. The Intuition specific foam is called HERBALON or INTUITION HIGH-DENSITY or INTUITION ULTRALON foam.
23. Are there other applications of the Intuition foam?
Intuition has licensed it to medical device companies - eg for orthopaedics. Intuition has also used it in other sporting applications eg. slalom waterski and wakeboard boot liners
24. How are the liners made?
Ultralon foam is made in New Zealand to a specific unique formula for Intuition. The foam is QA'ed in Canada, sewn and made/molded into basic liners in China. Prototype liners are made in Canada
25. How much is just the raw foam when its not in a liner?
Price of the foam depends on quantity ordered. Pricing quotes can be obtained from Ultralon directly.
There wasn't enough room in the article for a FAQ. This FAQ will be on the Intuition website but is reproduced below for your reading pleasure.
FAQ
LINERS
1. What type of liner should I get?
Your height and weight, skier type, whether you prefer comfort or performance are all factors. Ask your dealer or email Intuition.
Answer the following three questions then send Intuition an e-mail and they will help you determine the correct size liners for your boots.
• What shoe size do you wear?
• What boot shell size will the liners be used in?
• What make and model boot do you have?
2. What size liners to get? Same size as boots? Larger size or smaller?
This depends on your feet. Liner size trades-off performance vs comfort. Liner size depends on whether your boots are too small, too large or just right. Eg people with boots that are too big might want bigger liners as there is more foam which can expand and more room can be taken up. Our standard sizing method is to fit people into the same size liners as boots.
3. Should I get Alpine liners or the Powerwraps for my AT boots? What about for my alpine boots?
For AT boots the answer depends on the person their skiing style and whether they trade-off touring vs downhill performance. Alpine liners are softer, Powerwraps are stiffer.
Most people in alpine boots want the Powerwrap liners if faced with that choice.
4. Should I get Alpine liners or the Powerwraps for my tele boots?
See comment above. Lots of telemarkers use the product.
Some telemarkers with smaller, lower cut boots use the lower cut liners eg the Universal or even the Denali liner.
5. Does Intuition recommend using footbeds with the liners?
Summary answer: - Footbeds aren't necessary except when you have orthotic footbeds but its your personal preference and very much dependent on your foot.
Note that Intuition's standard liner has between 12mm to 9mm of high density foam on the foot area which is more then enough support. Some liners (eg the Scarpa Speed Liner or the Krypton liner) has even less foam because the users almost always want to use footbeds. Intuition recognizes this so thins out the foot area to leave room for the footbed.
6. Does Intuition make different thickness of liner? (for boots too small, just right and the far too common "my boots are too big")
Intuition does make different volume densities of liners. For example one relatively new liner is called a Plug Liner. It has slightly different foam densities (generally a thinner 9mm foam density) so it will fit in boots where the skier has a very small boot (for a race-fit) and wants to maintain that tight fit yet does not have a lot of room in the boot for a thicker liner. For boots that are too big, Intuition would recommend a bigger liner so there would be more foam to thermally expand and take up the relatively larger space in the too-big boot.
7. Does Intuition make different flexes or densities of liners?
That's in the current line up. Eg the Powerwrap liner has fairly rigid AEPE foam around the cuff of the liner to give the liner more stiffness. The Alpine liner doesn't have AEPE foam and being made out of standard Intuition high-density foam is a bit softer. In another example, the Luxury tongue liner has a stiffer foam tongue then the Freeride tongue liner and so, the Luxury liner is a bit stiffer.
8. Can Intuition clarify the difference between the Plug and Alpine Powerwrap liners?
The Plug Liner has slightly different foam densities (generally a thinner 9mm foam density) so it will fit in boots where the skier has a very small boot (for a race-fit) and wants to maintain that tight fit yet does not have a lot of room in the boot for a thicker liner.
9. What is the best way to get the stink out without breaking down the properties of the liner?
Intuition recommends using anti-bacterial soap and water. Soaking the liner in a water and bleach solution and air-drying also works.
10. Is there anything that can be done to make the liners more breathable/reduce sweating while touring? Are any of the liners more breathable than the others?
All liners are the same closed cell Intuition Ultralon foam with different variations of densities. The Scarpa liner has some open cell in some areas of the liners. They are considering using open cell in some future liners but the downside is that it gets cold. Considering that the liner is in an impermeable plastic shell it's tough to make a liner very breathable.
Another more drastic option to try is to perforate the liner or customize in some way
11. I am ideally looking for the ultimate in heel hold but also want it to be comfortable/perhaps shock absorbing on the tongue and will also want to use my footbeds. Would the powerwrap/plug liner be the way to go or have they made some advances in the alpine style to match the performance/quality?
Closest equivalent is Luxury liner. Answer depends on the particular alpine style tongue as they are different even among the performance alpine racing boots
12. Is my impression correct that the tongue on the Luxury model will more evenly distribute shin pressure while skiing and add to the tongue flex of the boot?
That's correct. The tongue will aid in distributing pressure when skinning
13. What would the difference be both skiing and touring/skinning between the Luxury and Alpine models?
The Alpine and all overlap models of liners may be a tad more restrictive when skinning.
14. Is the Freeride model the same liner as the Luxury with a softer flexing tongue?
Yes
15. Any plans to do a boa-style liner, like the new BD boots?
No. Intuition's initial take was that there was too much to go wrong
16. Any plans to do a liner with a rubber/tough sole for walking around camp in the liners?
Some models have the Silicon Sole ie rubberized grip sole. Intuition may expand that feature along the line
MOLDING THE LINERS
17. How many times can the liners get cooked?
Up to five times IF THE LINER IS COOKED CORRECTLY and sometimes more
Also note that not all liners need to be custom-molded by being cooked. In particular, the tongue liners are designed to fit right out of the box.
18. I notice Intuition uses a new type of blower to cook the liners WHILE they are in the boot. This is in contrast to the convection oven formerly used to cook the liners. Why do they do this?
It's easier to fit feet correctly in the blower-style heater. That heater does not deform the liner (cooking in the oven flattens the liner and then reinserting the liner in the boot usually deforms the liner). There is also more expansion of the foam since the liner isn't flattened as in the oven.
See Scarpa's video of the blower style heater at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLzUQQGBJus
19. Is there an "official recipe" for cooking liners in a home oven that is not a convection oven? Times, temps, etc.?
There is no official recipe. Here's something you could try unofficially but don't come after me if you wreck your liners
• Preheat the oven to 300 – 400 F
• Place aluminium foil under the liner so it doesn't get burnt
• Switch off the oven and put the liner in the oven
• Leave for 10 mins (wrap) 8 mins (plug)
• The tricky part is getting the liner into the boot without creasing it. This can be a two person job.
• A useful primer on this with some tips and a video is at http://www.telemarktips.com/DrTelemark.html (Cooking with Big Tim)
20. I'd like to make a DIY blower/heater. Answers are in bold
• What temp is the hot air as it leaves the nozzle? 250 F
• What is the air speed of the hot air? Do not know
• What temp should the interior of the boot be to mold? Boot interior isn't heated so whatever the temp is after it conducts heat from the liner
• Any high temp limit, below the fire-point of the material, at which the foam breaks down? Don't know
THE FOAM
21. What are Ultralon's EVA foam properties?
• Foam density
• Foam thermal conductivity
• Foam coefficient of thermal and moisture expansion at 98F
• How do these properties change over the life of the product?
• Over the life after multiple bakings?
There are data sheets from Ultralon http://www.ultralon.co.nz/ - and Intuition is requesting copies and will post them.
22. Does Ultralon licence their foam to other people for liners?
Ultralon makes a special formulation of the foam for Intuition. The formulation is owned by Intuition and Ultralon does not make it available to any other liner manufacturer. The Intuition specific foam is called HERBALON or INTUITION HIGH-DENSITY or INTUITION ULTRALON foam.
23. Are there other applications of the Intuition foam?
Intuition has licensed it to medical device companies - eg for orthopaedics. Intuition has also used it in other sporting applications eg. slalom waterski and wakeboard boot liners
24. How are the liners made?
Ultralon foam is made in New Zealand to a specific unique formula for Intuition. The foam is QA'ed in Canada, sewn and made/molded into basic liners in China. Prototype liners are made in Canada
25. How much is just the raw foam when its not in a liner?
Price of the foam depends on quantity ordered. Pricing quotes can be obtained from Ultralon directly.
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