DIY boot fitting experiment help

Hey everybody! Long time no post but I’m back to fuck around in maggot world

I recently was able to get a too-good-to-pass-up deal on a pair of zip fits, and a pair of atomic hawx ultra 130s to put them in. Both are used.

The most DIY fitting I’ve done at home is cooking new intuitions. Wondering 2 things…a) best order of operations for fitting the zips, after they’ve been molded to another foot…

B) is it possible to take advantage of memoryfit on the atomics with a home oven. I no longer live where it’s easy to get to a good fitter.

Any thoughts/help appreciated!


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Originally Posted by RagDoll

Hey everybody! Long time no post but I’m back to fuck around in maggot world

I recently was able to get a too-good-to-pass-up deal on a pair of zip fits, and a pair of atomic hawx ultra 130s to put them in. Both are used.

The most DIY fitting I’ve done at home is cooking new intuitions. Wondering 2 things…a) best order of operations for fitting the zips, after they’ve been molded to another foot…

B) is it possible to take advantage of memoryfit on the atomics with a home oven. I no longer live where it’s easy to get to a good fitter.

Any thoughts/help appreciated!


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Check out ZipFits website for heating instructions. You can easily do it in the microwave and they will remold to your foot.

You may have to order some cork to make em fit right.

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There's a long thread on Atomic boots, lots of info on memory fit there.

Short version: seems like it's generally accepted to not heat mold the entire shell unless you really need a lot of changes to fit your foot. If it's just a punch or two, do that the traditional way.

what problem are you trying to solve?

If not much, then go ski them and see what happens? If they feel better each time, or you can ski them longer each time, you are on the right track and you should just ski more

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Originally Posted by mntlion

what problem are you trying to solve?

If not much, then go ski them and see what happens? If they feel better each time, or you can ski them longer each time, you are on the right track and you should just ski more

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Not trying to solve any problems per se. just wanted to not create any when I’m fitting these mostly lol. I have HIGH arches which is the main issue with my boot fitting. Inkline SLC put me in atomic hawx years ago and I never went back.

If everything was new, I’d throw my insoles in and go skiing. With intuitions or old memory fit liners, we put some foam on top of my foot during the mold and that kept away any high arch issues.

The zips will be a new experience, plus they will have been fitted to someone else’s foot so I’m trying to stave off any issues if I can :). So any tips/advice appreciated!!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by mntlion

what problem are you trying to solve?

If not much, then go ski them and see what happens? If they feel better each time, or you can ski them longer each time, you are on the right track and you should just ski more

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Not trying to solve any problems per se. just wanted to not create any when I’m fitting these mostly lol. I have HIGH arches which is the main issue with my boot fitting. I otherwise have a pretty classic low-volume foot. Super skinny calf/ankle and wide-ish forefoot. Inkline SLC put me in atomic hawx years ago and I never went back. Loved the progressive flex and fit was great.

If everything was new, I’d throw my insoles in and go skiing. With intuitions or old memory fit liners, we put some foam on top of my foot during the mold and that kept away any high arch issues.

The zips will be a new experience, plus they will have been fitted to someone else’s foot so I’m trying to stave off any issues if I can :). Same goes for the used hawx I’m buying tho I don’t think any shell work has been done on those. So any tips/advice appreciated!!


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How do they fit around the house? If it’s not awful, then just go ski them and see.

Zipfits can be miserable for the first couple days though, so be warned. For example, I moved my zips from salomons to new atomics this season and could not ski with them buckled for longer than 15 mins at first. Now after 10-15 days (mostly short days with my kids, though some longer days skiing hard) they are feeling really good and I may add some cork in spots.

Atomics can be molded at home (GregL is your guy for tips here) if it gets to that point


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I would just follow the home fitting recommendations for the Zipfits. I put mine in the oven at 170 for 10 minutes, checked them to see how warm they were, rotated them, and put them back in for a couple more minutes. Put the liner on, put the boot on annd flex for 10 minutes. I did that couple times. The instep will/might be a little uncomfortable at first but that OMfit really does find its way eventually.

Mine were so tight (Gara HV in Cochise for resort) I could close the boot but after a couple times heating/skiing, they’re perfect minus a couple additions of cork in the tongue because I have skinny legs and ankles. If your heel hold doesn’t seem up to par, add cork to the tongue first, not the ankle pockets.

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Originally Posted by waxloaf

Atomics can be molded at home (GregL is your guy for tips here) if it gets to that point

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Even with a shop setup, there's a lot of trial and error involved in getting the timing down for best results. I've never seen OP's oven or microwave, but we shoot for 8 minutes @ 243 F. in a pre-heated boot-specific convection oven (put adhesive foam over your insteps if instep pressure is your issue). Stand still on a hard, flat surface for the cooldown.

As for the Zipfits, their video is very conservative about heating the liners (intentionally so, they'd prefer you don't fuck them up at home) - 30 seconds in the microwave doesn't really do much (but it depends on how powerful your microwave is). We've gradually worked up from 5 minutes on the heat stacks (you probably don't have heat stacks, so not sure what to suggest in terms of microwave time). We currently do about 13 minutes on our most effective heat stacks (the new Lange ones with the gaiter) and the initial fit is immensely better - the 2-3 days of painful break-in is mostly eliminated. Not sure how to duplicate this safely at home.

I made a long winded thread over on NS about how I heat molded my liners. May help. May not.

https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/t...Rice-rice-baby

Zipfits are super easy.

- remove insoles and put liner in microwave for 45sec.
- insoles back in and foot into liner, laced up.
- slide all that into shell. Buckle up and go ski.


if its still loose after a few days, add cork as per website instructions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by waxloaf

How do they fit around the house? If it’s not awful, then just go ski them and see.

Zipfits can be miserable for the first couple days though, so be warned. For example, I moved my zips from salomons to new atomics this season and could not ski with them buckled for longer than 15 mins at first. Now after 10-15 days (mostly short days with my kids, though some longer days skiing hard) they are feeling really good and I may add some cork in spots.

Atomics can be molded at home (GregL is your guy for tips here) if it gets to that point


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Cool here goes nuthin! Break in will mostly be toddler chasing anyway haha.

So it sounds like the idea is to sort of pack them out and refill w cork as necessary if I’ve got this right?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by RagDoll

Cool here goes nuthin! Break in will mostly be toddler chasing anyway haha.

So it sounds like the idea is to sort of pack them out and refill w cork as necessary if I’ve got this right?


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Basically... The cork will find the pockets it needs to. Once that happens, you may find you need more cork.

I just went from Krpy 130 to Cab Free 130 and had to add a bunch of cork to the tongue, instep and ankle pocket. Now they're is one spot that needs to move a bit to get dialed.

I heat my boots in a heated bag on the way to the hill, massage the hot spot and then ski em. One or two more days and I'll be good.

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Yeah, pretty much

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Originally Posted by Judo Chop!

Zipfits are super easy.

- remove insoles and put liner in microwave for 45sec.
- insoles back in and foot into liner, laced up.
- slide all that into shell. Buckle up and go ski.


if its still loose after a few days, add cork as per website instructions.

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I did see that on their site, just wanted to 2x check this was an OK approach if they’re used :)


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by RagDoll

Cool here goes nuthin! Break in will mostly be toddler chasing anyway haha.

So it sounds like the idea is to sort of pack them out and refill w cork as necessary if I’ve got this right?


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Yup, that’s the basic idea as long as they aren’t completely miserable when you try em on at home


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UPDATE:

Wanted to let everyone know how this turned out.

I opted for the boiling water/stovetop method described here:

https://www.zipfit.com/resources/home-fitting

On a used atomic shell, this had the effect of molding the memoryfit shell AND the zips at the same time and I had fantastic results!!!! All I would say is that less is more—start with 2min then slowly add heat if needed. I did 4 and have very slight cosmetic warping near one of the buckles, but for a $50 shell it’s not a problem for me at all. Skiied super comfortable, absolutely zero hotspots or slop. I’m all into this setup for $250 and could not be more stoked, completely changed the way I’ll be shopping for boots going forward. Next step is to get some tour specific zips for the touring boots [emoji869]


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