Race level bootfitting for touring boots??

I would like to know if there are bootfitters who offer the equivalent of FIS race level bootfitting but for touring boots. I know race boots are thicker plastic and it's more difficult to manipulate plastic in the area where there's a walk-mode etc etc. But I am seriously at my wit's end and becoming increasingly desperate to find a pair of comfortable touring boots. I have haglund's deformity (google image search for examples) and so far dalbello krypton series are the only boots I've tried that don't hurt. But... it feels like my feet are swimming in those boots. I have zipfits and custom footbeds + spacers under the liner and still they feel sloppy. I'm not kidding when I say, "I'm willing to get on a plane and travel to a fitter if they can make my feet happy."
Attachment 500937

Dang that's a hard place to have a lump for ski boots

Reach out to Tom and see if he can help you. You could start with an online consult. He’s a master at fitting touring boots.

https://www.thebootmechanic.com/

haglund's deformity/lange bump should be pretty easy for most fitters to account for on other boots with a lower overall volume. I wouldn’t pick a boot on that part alone.

I have big heel spurs / haglund's and got my Hawx Ultra and Hawx Ultra XTD Boa boots punched last season in the heel pocket. It helped a lot. Might need more and/or grinding to fully resolve the issue. But I would find a boot that fits your overall foot volume and instep, and then punch the heel and any other areas from there to get the best outcome.

Tech Talk, JONG!

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...83#post7131683

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Originally Posted by XavierD

haglund's deformity/lange bump should be pretty easy for most fitters to account for on other boots with a lower overall volume. I wouldn’t pick a boot on that part alone.

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I tried with:
- Lange RX
- Tecnica Mach1
- Atomic Hawx
- Scarpa (I don't remember)
With each boot, the fitter did what they could and when I said, "It still hurts," they said, "I'm sorry. I can't grind anymore. The plastic is too thin." I randomly picked up a pair of kryptons and there was no pain. I've been using them ever since.

I have a Haglund's deformity on both feet, but much worse on my left. When I wear stiff, leather hunting boots I have to use one of these on my left foot: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

For some reason, I haven't had trouble in ski boots (knocks on wood).

What do you mean by "FIS race level" bootfitting? No one planes/cants/routers touring boot soles, and no one does fully foam injected liners for touring boots. Both are a given for real race boots.

Punching for Haglund's isn't really a race-specific thing, and the problem with AT boots is dealing with the walk mode lever (many touring boots have levers that fasten just where the typical heel spur is). Grinding touring boot heels is usually minimally effective because the plastic isn't that thick around the base of the latch (plug boots are typically 6-7mm thick here) and punching can lead to the lever not working after the fact. If the heel spur is off to one side you can sometimes punch both medial and lateral sides of the heel to keep the lever base straight, but it takes some experience. You have more freedom to punch with a boot like the MTN Lab or Shift series boots where the mechanism is on the top of the cuff rather than the heel, but lots of bootfitters will just say no rather than risk having to buy you a new boot.

FIS level touring boot fitting


this is one of those questions like “what is the STRONGEST glue for mounting skis?”

silly

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Originally Posted by ~mikey b

FIS level touring boot fitting

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The bootfitters I would trust with my plug race boots are not the ones I'd go to for my touring boots because, for the most part, they don't tour and have little interest in the gear. Working with thin Grilamid and boots with a bunch of moving parts requires a whole separate sphere of experience that doesn't overlap that much with performance alpine boots.

What's your shell fit? I know that's a very basic question that implies you've missed something obvious but here's why I'm asking.

I used to race (poorly) in plugs. For 10+ yrs after my racing days I insisted on a very tight shell fit, even for touring boots. Day in day out fit was tolerable and I put a lot of big days in. But the issues would slowly accumulate and I got heel spurs every year, bad enough that I considered surgery. Feet were trashed at the end of every season etc. All my problems went away when I reluctantly went to a more reasonable shell fit. No regrets.

Race level touring boot is like jumbo shrimp or military intelligence

I think you need to find the shell that fits your foot,

nothing even remotely scarpa will work for me

I just got lucky buying Mercury and then Vulcan on line

pretty good fit with an intuition pwrwrap/ no shell mods

"Bro, do you even race fit your touring boots...?"

Skintrack convos just added a new layer of flavor. It's about time.

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Originally Posted by gregL

... that doesn't overlap that much with performance alpine boots.

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I see what you did there.

whats the shell fit like?

If you are in the banff area (or want to come ski) let me know I"m working with Pulse boot labs and do both race and touring options

Often if someone has a specific anomaly like an accessory navicular, haglunds deformity, bunion etc., the ability to modify in that area, goes a long ways with product selection.
As others have mentioned, external walk modes are often more difficult to punch. A zeppa that can't be dropped, thin plastic and other considerations need to be taken into account.
It's not that those of us who do WC level boot service can't work on AT boots, it's more a matter of time spent to ROI.
If you are a good bootfitter, you are already as busy as you can be. So when the phone rings, here are the four things they ask for in the order of priority:

1a. I need all new everything.
1b. I got my last boots from you and want a new pair/need an adjustment.
2. My Coach/ Instructor says I need to see you (this often leads to 1a)
3. I bought boots at shop X and they hurt and shop X can't fix them.
4. I bought boot online and they hurt.

As every experienced bootfitter knows, as soon as you touch a boot, you own it. Whether you charge some random walk in $25 for a punch or to fix the buckle they bent from walking down stairs with the boots unbuckled.

It would be great if all I had to do all day was make every random person with a minor boot problem happy,
(not really) .

You should buy your boots from the person who you trust can make them work for you. And gets what the issues are and you have good dialogue with.

It will probably cost more, but there is a big difference between price and value.

Lastly, at some point bootfit issues can become surgical issues.

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Originally Posted by jummo

You should buy your boots from the person who you trust can make them work for you. And gets what the issues are and you have good dialogue with.
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either that ^^ or buy something Cheap & Shinny off the interent,

wank about with it all season, get a new boot next year and complain about something anything anybody

repeat

why do you need a AT boot that feels/skis like a race boot?

when you are touring is it at 50+mph on ice?

or do you race on super light fat skis with tech bindings?


Its a cool idea, but not sure its solving a problem that is easily solved.

As a boot fitter, I'd be happy to try, but set the expecatations first

I would imagine this guy isn't asking to make his boots fit like race boots, but maybe for a boot fitter that can help fix his problems.

I go to get my alpine boots fitted and the fitter has all sorts of tricks and ideas to take care of problems, and asks relevant questions.

My touring boot fitter was out of ideas after a heat mold and a basic punch and referred me to a race boot fitter who referred me to the touring boot fitter who brought me the boot fitters class manual and I actually sat in the store and read the manual to figure out how to fix my issues myself...

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Originally Posted by mntlion

why do you need a AT boot that feels/skis like a race boot?

when you are touring is it at 50+mph on ice?

or do you race on super light fat skis with tech bindings?


Its a cool idea, but not sure its solving a problem that is easily solved.

As a boot fitter, I'd be happy to try, but set the expecatations first

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MntLion…what do you think of the new Salomon Shift?

I am on my second pair of the S-Pro Alpha 130 and they fit like dream. For a inbounds uphill/boot pack boot, would you suggest I go with the Shift 130? Same size as my Alpha 130?

Thx!


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Originally Posted by gretch6364

MntLion…what do you think of the new Salomon Shift?

I am on my second pair of the S-Pro Alpha 130 and they fit like dream. For a inbounds uphill/boot pack boot, would you suggest I go with the Shift 130? Same size as my Alpha 130?

Thx!


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I dont retail salomon, but (like most brands) if one modle fits, stick with similar and you should be fine.

Are both boots the same last/shape? Ya, stay the same size (unless you are doing REALLY long walks only with the shift)

Thanks. I will try to get them from my local bootfitter as I need another set of insoles as well…just soliciting opinions.

My understanding is yes, same last and shape. Walking distance would primarily be hiking highlands bowl.


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https://youtu.be/VCz5NyVUqKg?si=DgPq4ey6kP8mH9jb

They talk about Haglunds ~8:35

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

. . . what do you think of the new Salomon Shift?

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Not that light and not really a pure touring boot, but the Shift Alpha BOA might work for the OP due to the locking mechaism being on top rather than at the heel. Haven't done it yet, but there should be enough clear spce to punch for Haglund's.

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Thanks. I will try to get them from my local bootfitter as I need another set of insoles as well…just soliciting opinions.

My understanding is yes, same last and shape. Walking distance would primarily be hiking highlands bowl.


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Can't get much more local at Highlands, than Jummo.

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Originally Posted by Shredhead

Can't get much more local at Highlands, than Jummo.

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Yep. These would be families 4th set of boots from him in the last 4 years. Wife needs a new touring boot too.

All have fit and skied perfect.

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Yep. These would be families 4th set of boots from him in the last 4 years. Wife needs a new touring boot too.

All have fit and skied perfect.

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Thank you for the kind words. It's always nice to hear that someone likes what you did for them.

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Originally Posted by Shredhead

Can't get much more local at Highlands, than Jummo.

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I'm trying to keep the whole thing kinda low key so I can do more bowl laps this season. That's why the j is lower case, I'm not that important.
Hope we all have a great season!
Thanks!

jummo