-> thanks a bunch will look into that! sounds about right - will contact my shop/bootfitter when I go skiing again. and tinker a bit at home.
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Hi Greg,
I've always had issues with finding boots I like, that last and that fit. Most of the shops in the UK don't seem to carry ones for me.
My current set of boots are a set of self modified Salomon 130 race boots with a toe box punches. They are probably 10 years old now and the only set that I've not trashed in a week or that wasn't too big. I'm yet to find a 325mm shell that works for me as they have all been too big and I've just felt like my foot is floating.
They are a 27.5 with a 316mm shell and I've got about 80 millimeters of shell fit. I like the way they ski but the liners are goosed and I'd like something I can tour in at some point.
I tired a set of Atomic Hawx XTD 130s in a 27.5 but couldn't get my feet in, same with their old 27.5 tracker.
Here's my measurements.
Attachment 446578Attachment 446579
From what I can see, I'd say 27.5 is the correct shell size (maybe with a length punch on the right) and you'll probably need punches for width as well on both boots. Did you try on the Hawx Ultra XTD or Prime XTD? I would expect you to have trouble getting in the Ultra, as it's PA plastic and your insteps are well above average height. I can't really see all you contours with screen shots, if you'd like me to take a closer look PM me with your real email address and I'll send you a QR code to share your data - I can then rotate the images and get a better look at your feet from the top and sides.
Hey greg,
I hope you're still checking in here.
I've always used Salomon boots because they fit me all right without bootfitting, but the Shift 130 in 27.5 feels ok but too large. Not in the toe Box or length but volume.
I'm really bad at Boot Knowledge and don't know how else to describe it. I just wanted to know what kind of boots should I be looking at? Or is it just the size ans salomon should fit?
I started to wonder because three weeks ago I nearly froze my left toe off and thought maybe it's because the Boot doesn't fit. ( granted it was a long Tour and Super cold in the shade and I've always had cold feet).
I just thought this could help me narrow down my Boot wishes. I know what I want in skis but have no idea about boots.
Thanks a lot.
Attachment 446649Attachment 446650
The Shift Pro is a very roomy fit, and if you had the help of a good bootfiter you could probably drop down to a 26.5 (do you not have access to bootfitting?). Do you need a touring/hybrid boot? If not, try a Salomon S/Pro Alpha (I would do a 26.5 for alpine skiing and punch the forefoot for width). If so, you're probably better off looking at something other than Salomon at present.
Yeah that's what I was asking for since my solly connection is dried up anyway. ( should have mentioned i got them for free)Any recommendations considering my feet?
All my buddies ski the lupo, but good Shops are hard to come by here so testing is hard and i definitelywould like to do just that.
I'm open for anything 130flexish and walkable. I'd have to screw on my beast Mods, but usually test works fine.
Maybe in Zurich.
I'd like some tech inserts and a walk Mode. So no two new boots for me but one hybrid if possible [emoji3]
The options in snugger fitting hybrid boots are limited - I'd try the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD, Lange XT3 Free LV, Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro and Scarpa 4-Quattro XT for starters. Each has pluses and minuses. Haven't skied the new Scarpas, but I've got lots of time on the others and they are all great. 4-Quattro fit is nominally 100mm, but it's a very "stingy" 100 whereas the Shift Pro is a very "generous" 100.
Ok so I just scanned mine. L = 25.8, foot width 9.9, heel width 7.0, instep height 6.5......R = 25.6, 9.9, 6.9, 6.7.
Is it somewhere in these 23 pages what this means as far as boot brand, volume, etc?
Not exactly. Interpreting the Verifyt data and images takes a bit of experience, and then it's usually not a matter of a brand of boot but rather a last category and size (plus options). Unless you do a full body scan, I can't see your ankle above the maleoli or your calves, which also makes a difference. If you want a more detailed analysis, PM me with your real email address and I'll send you a QR code to share your specs and 3D images with me; I'll be able to take a look on a big monitor and rotate the images to see details like instep height/position, forefoot shape, and arch shape better.
Just from those numbers, I'd say you should "probably" be in a 25.5 shell, as narrow as you can go (nothing wider than 98mm), and in something that can be made taller in the instep either by heat molding, manual modification with tools, or grinding bootboard/footbed.
There is an in-store scanning device made by Corpus-e (Sidas and Fischer use it) that will match your foot shape with actual boots if the shop pays for that feature - the Sidas one is pretty good if you happen to be in the store and the salesperson knows what they are doing, the Fischer one only matches you with Fischer boots. We no longer use the Corpus-e machine, as once you are in the store most of the good bootfitters can look at your foot for 30 seconds and tell you the same thing, plus ask the right questions to determine what level of fit is called for for the skier in question.
I use the Verifyt scanner to troubleshoot problems and come up with potential solutions long-distance and have found it to be useful, up to a point. For really troublesome or demanding customers there is no substitute for seeing them and their feet in person, which isn't always possible.
Greg, are you familiar with the Pulse Boot Lab scanning device? I'm curious to know what you think of that device and/or if it's the same as the one you just mentioned. I stopped by their shop while in Revy for a quick heat mold on some Intuition Tour Wraps and had my feet scanned.
Hey Greg,
would appreciate your input if you have the opportunity.
Currently skiing in a pair of Nordica Speedmachine 130, 26.5 that I had fitted a while back. Really great fit with the stock liner the first year, but as stuff started to pack out a bit i've found that I am starting to have trouble with the heel hold again. I've always been told I have a relatively low volume instep, but I am also starting to wonder if I should be exploring sizing down in the shell before I dump more time/money into fixing the current boot. I've had success with adding in 2 full foot shims to improve the fit, but there is definitely still a bit more sloppiness than I would like. Wondering if you might have any insight - hoping the shell isnt the issue but if it is then no point in hiding it any longer. Also have DM'd you to share verifyt link. Thanks in advance!
Attachment 448852Attachment 448853
https://i.imgur.com/iV8uMFz.jpeg
Attachment 448887
Sorry for the big pic, just took one of the shop area. In the left third of the photo.
Many thanks Greg, really appreciate the detailed response and information!
Hi Greg -
See my specs below, hoping you can help, have had, both in 29.5, an RX130 LV (did not love) and currently in a Shift Pro 130 , which I really like, but have too much lateral movement, especially in the right heel.
Looking for a 50/50 boot , and tours are pretty mellow, so will give up uphill weight and ROM for better downhill performance
Hoping you can help with recommendations and happy to pop into EVO as I am in QA , if you have anything in size and if I can find time with you, seems tough to find an appointment
***Tried the QR Code you posted, receiving an error that states invalid code****
Attachment 449367Attachment 449368
Greg - my wife’s feet are below - she’s got some tiny feet - currently in an older model Dalbello Chakra 95 in a 21.5 with a intuition ‘Godiva’ wrap size 22 - she’s explained to me that the boot feels lose in the lower shin area, above the ankle bones but below the top buckle - it took a couple years for the liner to get looser, so my options for her are a new liner or another boot - this size is hard to come by, i think dalbello stopped making 21s and the other option is a kids race boot, any suggestions?
What an awesome thread. Thanks for doing this. I'm a long time TGR reader but registered right now.
I'm building a short list to replace my dedicated touring boots. 40 years old, 6ft/176 lbs, experienced skier.
On-piste I ski in S/Max Carbon 130, MP 28.5, picked and prepared by a reputable fitter 3 years ago. They fit exceptionally well. Quite roomy in the toe area for a performance fit, but they hold my feet perfectly. I close the buckles on 1st position and I'm good for the day. No major work besides heat molding, and custom footbeds that I also use for touring.
The fitter is a long drive away, so for the last touring boots I gambled and jumped on an exceptional deal for a pair of La Sportiva Vega, MP 28.5. Stupid I know, but I got lucky and they fit well. Definitely shorter than the Salomons, but still ok length-wise. I DIY heat molded the liners and I've been happy for two seasons. Not a single blister or pain point.
Now I just realized the pin inserts are misaligned and cause inconsistent releases (maybe the reason for the exceptional deal?). Long story short, La Sportiva does not care but I would like to replace them before I get injured.
I'm looking at the same category, i.e. good balance between up and down for moderate mountaineering objectives. Radical Pro, ZGTP, and the likes.
Maybe I could go lighter as I don't ski anything above 95mm and realistically snow in the Alps lately is more about survival than powder-fun. I have no experience with lighter boots though.
How do I share the scan? The app won't accept the last QR code posted some pages back.
Any suggestion is appreciated!
L
Foot length: 28.6 cm
Foot width: 10.6 cm
Heel width: 7.6 cm
Instep height: 7.9 cm
R
Foot length: 29.0 cm
Foot width: 10.5 cm
Heel width: 7.1 cm
Instep height: 7.9 cm
hope you were somewhere - where it was dumping!
winterland, I've tried twice to email you directly at f****@f****.com without success. Here is most of the text of my email:
Got it. I think 28.5 is the smallest you should go for sure; try to find something narrower than 100mm - Zero G Tour Pro or Scarpa 4-Quattro come to mind. You do have quite a tall instep (see side view of your foot), 79mm is quite a bit taller than the average range for a 28.5 foot (69-74mm) so this could be a problem with the Scarpa. With the Tecnica you can grind material off the bootboard to increase vertical room as well as selectively heat mold the instep area of the boot. Grinding the bootboard is something you can do yourself on a bench-mount sander, re-shaping the instep of the shell is probably something you would go to a bootfitter to do (where do you live?).
I agree that the current Dynafit boots are likely too roomy for your foot; not sure why they abandoned the 98mm last of the original TLT 5P and TLT 6P, which I loved (you can always punch the forefoot wider).
I doubt you'll be able to get the La Sportiva Skorpius on with your instep; I couldn't and had to go up a size (our shop has also had problems with La Sportiva getting them to warranty boots with non-compatible tech fittings, so there is that).
Of the current 1-1.2 kilo boots, I think the Tecnica Zero G Peak and the Salomon MTN Summit boots will also be too roomy. KInd of sucks, I know, but everyone is making their lighter boots in a "generous medium" fit to make it sort of fit everyone, but they'll be too wide for many people and even the best bootfitter can't shrink a boot.
Sorry I can't see you in person, but if you ever get to Seattle please look me up!
Hope that is some help,
Greg
Dalbello still makes 21.5 in the Chakra and Lupo AX models (or at least they did for 22-23, not sure now that they are moving to a "one width fits all" 99mm); outside of the Atomic Redster LC 110 that's about all you can get in a real 21.5. I would suggest a new liner unless the shells are shot (you will have to have someone special order another 21.5 from Dalbello).
much appreciated - TY!
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Very cool app. Absolute values look roughly right as far as length goes. I wish it had a “percentile” view or something that helped you figure out if your measurement is atypically high or low relative to average. Perhaps that’s not so useful since the measurements only are useful as a package (eg 100mm wide doesn’t tell you anything unless you also know the length).
But just browsing everyone else’s scans, I learned that my instep is very high and my heel is very narrow. Guess that explains why every boot crushes the top of my foot and nothing can hold my heel down.
I’m skiing Maestrales in a 26.5 and they’re okay, but not perfect. Anyone have recommendations for touring boots to consider for my profile (narrow foot, high instep, narrow heel)? I would want something with similar flex profile as the Scarpa Maestrale (not the RS), and would prefer a real toe with pin inserts (not a snub nose boot like the tlt8).
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Finally got around to doing this. It pretty much matches what I suspected. Average width, narrow heel, average instep. I typically have to buy narrow boots for the narrow heel and then get the 6th toe punched.
Current boots are Hawx Ultra alpine and XTD, Scarpa F1, and PG Blacks.
Other boots I’ve tried are:
Promachine - heel hold was pretty good, hurt my shins
S/Max - didn't feel stiff enough all around, heel hold was pretty good
ZGTP - felt a bit too roomy, got great heel hold from aftermarket liners, but they started bothering my navicular
F1 LT - crushed my toes and forefoot, limited boot-work options
4-Quattro - so-so heel hold, tight over the top of the foot
Mezzalama - crushed my navicular, pretty good heel hold
Attachment 452281
Attachment 452282
Statistically, your instep is on the tall side - average height for a 26 foot is 65-70mm.
Looks like you're already in the right boots. Best way to accommodate the narrow heel is an aftermarket liner with added thickness at the heel - Zipfit or Atomic Professional come to mind.
Hi TGR won't let me post my image on here for some reason (if you have any advice then please let me know). Looking for a good downhill and touring capable boot e.g XT3, Hawx, 0G, Maestrale RS. Also unsure whether I should be going 27 or 26.5, the former usually leads to heel lift and the later losing toenails and other pain. My stats from the app are below... Many thanks
Right foot:
length 271
width 107
heel 68
instep 73
Left foot
length 269
width 107
heel 69
instep 79
Those are all good boots (though I'd tend to try the Scarpa Quattro series instead of the Maestrale). Your feet are pretty much exactly the same length as mine, though a quite a bit narrower, and I use a 26.5 in all of them, but whether you can do it or not depends somewhat on how prominent your big toe is relative to the other toes (if it is, you may need a bootfitter to lengthen the shell) and I can't see this without your images. How well you lock your foot into position is also important (think instep, midfoot, and ankle fit as well as footbed). If you want me to take a look at your data, use the link to my website (in the footer in my post above, scroll all the way down) and I'll walk you through the process.
You also need to tell me how much touring you'll be doing in the boot - "good" downhill performance and "good" touring are natural enemies, so you need to choose your boot based on usage.
Would you be able to make some general recommendations for boots to try. It's been a few years since I got new boots. Im just looking for a daily driver at the resort in the 120 ish flex. A walk mode would be great for longer hikes. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6377b7d9da.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6d902d895d.jpg
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With some bootfitting help, you should be able to make most low volume boots work (i.e. 97-98mm lasts). The question is whether to shoot for a 26.5 or stick with your "nominal" size of 27.5. I can't see your toe configuration without tilting the images, but if your toes are all nearly the same length (not especially big toe dominant) downsizing should work with a bit of a toe length punch on the left. I can't really see you ankle or calf shape/size either, which affects boot choice. Other options, like flex and forward lean, are quite personal - what boot are you in now and what do you like and not like about it?
I am in the Dalbello Panterra 120, 27.5 with no bootfitting. I feel that its a bit too roomy, but Ive been scared to size down to a 26.5 because I know I'm on the larger side of that sizing.
Judging from your scans, the Panterra definitely has more volume than you need - it is basically a 102mm boot with a "100mm" option that tightens the toebox but nothing else. Do you want a 3-piece shell? Do you require a walk mode? The low volume 98mm Krypton/Lupo option is unfortunately disappearing this season . . . going narrower will solve much of the "looseness" issues; there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to 26.5 vs 27.5, but going 26.5 will require a more skilled bootfitter.
If you are open to 2-piece shells, there are many other options.
Hey Greg, should I still be in size 27 Hawx XTD and Ultra with a stack of bontex shims, or is there something great out there that I am missing out on?
Left foot:
length: 27.8
width: 10.1
heel width: 6.6
instep height: 6.6
Right foot:
length: 27.8
width: 10.1
heel width: 6.4
instep height: 6.4
Hey, Dromond, long time . . . the answer is "probably" the Hawx Ultra XTD 27/27.5, while not perfect, is still the best bet. There isn't a lower volume hybrid at this point in time (or at least nothing with a comparably small cuff diameter), and with a 26.5 your heel spurs are going to be an even bigger issue.
Thanks! I hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer. I can physically ski 26.5 but it’s just too much work to make it bearable long term. Overall performance and comfort have been good with the reduced height 27.5 - thank the ski gods for shims! I’ve been back on the intuition pro wrap train for extra shock absorption and hold, which has treated me pretty well. Using for both touring and alpine believe it or not. The extra resistance when skinning is a bit of a bummer but at least I feel locked into my boots.
An expensive and heavy solution might be a Zipfit GFT with a bunch of extra Omfit pumped into all three areas. If Atomic Professional XTD liners show up this season, they might help and are less expensive, and you could swap out the tongue for an HV one (red). Also consider permanently gluing 3-4mm of cork to the entire bottom of your footbeds instead of dealing with multiple sheets of Bontex.