the answer to "WTF is wrong with my boots?"

[f=ma]

So I bought gripwalk sole replacements for my cochise. And while installing them, I noticed the Philips driver kept camming out. And it's too small for a pozi 3, so I'm assuming it's a pozi 2? Just confirming.

[gregL]

So I bought gripwalk sole replacements for my cochise. And while installing them, I noticed the Philips driver kept camming out. And it's too small for a pozi 3, so I'm assuming it's a pozi 2? Just confirming.

Not sure, but they love Pozi #2 drivers in Europe - are there little lines between the indents? Grind down the point of the Phillips a tad, it will help.

[f=ma]

Can confirm, my pozi2 driver arrived today and the screws for the soles are indeed pozi2, as well as the screw for the tech heel insert.

[EWG]

Trying to find a boot for my 16yo daughter. Small feet. 22.5. Hard to find a true 22.5. We tried on a bunch of boots and the 2 that she liked were the Rossi All Track 100w and the Nordica ProMachine 105. No one had the 22.5 AllTrack in stock so we ordered it, got it home, tried it on, and they were just too big. Her foot was moving back and forth in the boot (size 7ishfeet). That's when I realized the AllTrack's use a 23.5 shell for the 22.5 size. Sucks. Now trading those in for the Nordica's, which are also out of stock in 22.5 locally. Can't find any info on the BSL on the ProMachine 105s. Evo says the ProMachine 95s are a 265BSL which is a true 22.5, but there is some info out there that the ProMachine 115s are 275, which is a 23.5 shell. No info on the ProMachine 105s. Anybody know where I can find a Nordica BSL chart?

Small feet are a pain in the ass.

[iriponsnow]

^Nordica Makes a Dobermann 90 (that can be softened) in a true 265mm ish shell. As Tecnica race boots are no longer in the US market, you can find their version of the 90 cheaper. Head also makes the Raptor line down to a true 22 from the 60- true race plugs. Lange RS series also goes from race flex to 60 flex in a 22; there’s also Lupos in 90 & 110 flex in a true 22.

Hope this helps.

[gregL]

Manufacturers typically make a true 22/22.5 in the sub-100mm lasts - Atomic Hawx Ultra, Salomon S Max, Lange RX LV, etc. Not sure specifically about Nordica, but the Pro Machine is a 98mm boot, so good chance the BSL is 265 . . .

[EWG]

Thanks to both of you. Ordered. Hopefully they are 265.


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[123ski]

Gonna move to new boots this year. What’s everyone’s take on the 130 flex boots with walk mode? Do they for the most part feel as stiff as a true 130? Any concerns about the walk switch breaking? Other durability issues? Ski 80%+ inbounds but don’t want two boots necessarily.


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[snowtastic]

Have the Salomon QST pro tr 130 from two seasons ago (wine red ones). They do ski quite aggressively, not as stiff as other 130 flex race boots but def 120 range. Walk mode has actually quite a good ROM. I also do 80-20% maybe. Have heard similar things about comparable cross over boots.

[EWG]

Thanks to both of you. Ordered. Hopefully they are 265.


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In case anyone ever searches this thread for the follow up info the Nordica Promachine 105 22.5 are indeed a true 22.5. 265 BSL. They seems to fit her good enough that a good bake a fit will make em work. Thanks for the help all.

[Supermoon]

Gonna move to new boots this year. What’s everyone’s take on the 130 flex boots with walk mode? Do they for the most part feel as stiff as a true 130? Any concerns about the walk switch breaking? Other durability issues? Ski 80%+ inbounds but don’t want two boots necessarily.


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I had the Tecnica Cochise 120s for a couple years for this exact scenario. Never fit my foot right, but they skied true to their flex I think. They make it in a 140 also, I believe.

Most of the boots like that will have less ROM, but they are very doable for anything but really long days.

[gregL]

What’s everyone’s take on the 130 flex boots with walk mode? Do they for the most part feel as stiff as a true 130? Any concerns about the walk switch breaking? Other durability issues? Ski 80%+ inbounds but don’t want two boots necessarily.

I've spent many days on nominal 130 flex walk mode boots, and in terms of sheer stiffness they are usually fine unless you are over 200 lbs. or so. It's not that they are necessarily "softer" than the bolted 130 flex counterparts (many are) but that they are lighter and less predictably progressive through the flex pattern. No durability problems with the Lange XT Free/XT3, Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD, or Tecnica Zero G Guide Pro/Tour Pro, but none ski as well as my RS 130.

[gregL]

In case anyone ever searches this thread for the follow up info the Nordica Promachine 105 22.5 are indeed a true 22.5. 265 BSL. They seems to fit her good enough that a good bake a fit will make em work. Thanks for the help all.

Glad to hear this. I couldn't imagine they would not make the Promachine in a 265 BSL after having it's predecessor (GPX) in a 265 for years.

[AZskibum]

have you skied in this boot yet? was the liner agressively heat molded (wtih padding on your foot, and really tight/cranked buckles)

do either or both, then see how it feels.

new boots, around the house = no real info

Updating. Skied them two days. I could only make two laps before my feet shut down. Total numbness starting from the toes. Also, sharp pains along the arch and inner sides on both feet. I figured using the bar and loosening the boots between laps would help, but no. I think they actually felt better hanging off the lift vs resting. The first day was miserable. The second day was somehow worse. I went up, did a run and had to call it a day it was so bad.

I think the tops of my toes are getting some pressure, almost feels like the boots are squeezy my feet horizontally from both sides and immediately cramping it, but i'm not sure. The sides of my toes and the tops are getting pressured I think. The boots are a bit more tolerable without any footbeds, but I was getting some to bang without them.

To reiterate: I'm only clamping down the top two buckles. I have the bottom ones as low as they can go (basically just hanging on) Popping all the buckles between runs provides no relief. The boot has to come off.

Really sucks because they ski so much better than my Panterra 120 in the same size.

[gregL]

Updating. Skied them two days. I could only make two laps before my feet shut down. Total numbness starting from the toes. Also, sharp pains along the arch and inner sides on both feet. I figured using the bar and loosening the boots between laps would help, but no. I think they actually felt better hanging off the lift vs resting. The first day was miserable. The second day was somehow worse. I went up, did a run and had to call it a day it was so bad.

I think the tops of my toes are getting some pressure, almost feels like the boots are squeezy my feet horizontally from both sides and immediately cramping it, but i'm not sure. The sides of my toes and the tops are getting pressured I think. The boots are a bit more tolerable without any footbeds, but I was getting some to bang without them.

To reiterate: I'm only clamping down the top two buckles. I have the bottom ones as low as they can go (basically just hanging on) Popping all the buckles between runs provides no relief. The boot has to come off.

Really sucks because they ski so much better than my Panterra 120 in the same size.

Pretty much impossible to tell whether that boot can be made to work without seeing your foot. Sounds like you need to see the best bootfitter at a good shop, not just any bootfitter at a good shop, and get to the bottom of this. I doubt anyone in Arizona will be able to help you, but I might be wrong. Happy to take a look if you can come to Seattle.

[gregL]

Pretty much impossible to tell whether that boot can be made to work without seeing your foot. Sounds like you need to see the best bootfitter at a good shop, not just any bootfitter at a good shop, and get to the bottom of this. I doubt anyone in Arizona will be able to help you, but I might be wrong. Happy to take a look if you can come to Seattle.

Here's my background: I have had 5 pairs of LV Lange boots in the past 10 years, sized 26.5 (my foot measures 27.7 on the Brannock and my wider foot is 114mm wide). If I put them on out of the box, my feet are asleep in 12-15 minutes and I wouldn't dream of skiing even 1 run in them. However, I work in a shop and have access to all the proper tools to make them fit and am confident that I can do it. A hour or so of punching, heat mold, and wearing the boots for 20-25 hours in the house are what it takes before I go on the mountain with them. After a few days of skiing, they are perfect (total time in the boot ~ 40 hours).

[EWG]

Here's my background: I have had 5 pairs of LV Lange boots in the past 10 years, sized 26.5 (my foot measures 27.7 on the Brannock and my wider foot is 114mm wide). If I put them on out of the box, my feet are asleep in 12-15 minutes and I wouldn't dream of skiing even 1 run in them. However, I work in a shop and have access to all the proper tools to make them fit and am confident that I can do it. A hour or so of punching, heat mold, and wearing the boots for 20-25 hours in the house are what it takes before I go on the mountain with them. After a few days of skiing, they are perfect (total time in the boot ~ 40 hours).

I've got one foot that's close to an 11 and another that's like 9.5. I need/want/NEED the 9.5 to be really tight and I don't want different sized boots for many reasons, so the small foot is pretty damn tight and the large foot is just stupid small. My bootfitter has literally laughed at me both times I got new boots and had him work on them. Got new boots last year and it took 15 solid days before I could get through with no serious pain on that left foot. They are 26.5 on a nearly size 11 left foot. My guy works miracles on that left one, but it works.

However, after more than half a year out of them and the 1 year old liner expanding again, my first day of the season last week was fucking awful. Had to take it off after a few runs, short break, then good for another 5-6 laps. Next day was better. In 10 days they'll be perfect for the rest of the season.

So I agree with gregL. Two days in on new boots I'm still crying. Sometimes they just need some time. Also, I will sometimes wear them watching tv and just let my feet go number the day before I ski em so they pack out a little. Disclaimer: I may be an idiot, so your mileage may vary.

[gregL]

Also, I will sometimes wear them watching tv and just let my feet go number the day before I ski em so they pack out a little.

That's my routine, too. I break in 2-3 pairs of new boots a year, and the break-in season happens to coincide with NFL pre-season. Stand around in your boots watching football instead of just sitting on your butt drinking beer and 30 hours is gone before regulation starts. If you're just starting to figure out if your boots will work now, you're a little late . . .

[AZskibum]

That's my routine, too. I break in 2-3 pairs of new boots a year, and the break-in season happens to coincide with NFL pre-season. Stand around in your boots watching football instead of just sitting on your butt drinking beer and 30 hours is gone before regulation starts. If you're just starting to figure out if your boots will work now, you're a little late . . .

I grew up in Snohomish, but have not been back in many years. Always happy to hear from Seattle peeps. I miss the PNW so much.

I bought the boots in SLC at one of the bigger seller/fitters. They say they will take care of me, so i'm going to head back and hope for the best.

GregL, I heard you were pretty damn good from others on here. Sounds like there's a chance these boots will work, some day.

[DarthMarkus]

I've got one foot that's close to an 11 and another that's like 9.5. I need/want/NEED the 9.5 to be really tight and I don't want different sized boots for many reasons, so the small foot is pretty damn tight and the large foot is just stupid small. My bootfitter has literally laughed at me both times I got new boots and had him work on them. Got new boots last year and it took 15 solid days before I could get through with no serious pain on that left foot. They are 26.5 on a nearly size 11 left foot. My guy works miracles on that left one, but it works.

However, after more than half a year out of them and the 1 year old liner expanding again, my first day of the season last week was fucking awful. Had to take it off after a few runs, short break, then good for another 5-6 laps. Next day was better. In 10 days they'll be perfect for the rest of the season.

So I agree with gregL. Two days in on new boots I'm still crying. Sometimes they just need some time. Also, I will sometimes wear them watching tv and just let my feet go number the day before I ski em so they pack out a little. Disclaimer: I may be an idiot, so your mileage may vary.

Ran into this situation quite a few times when I was fitting boots. I would guess that your bootfitter asked about footbeds and examined your feet? It was often times the biggest determinant to get janky feet into a single size.

Another situation that was common were feet that weren't actually two different sizes, it was that one arch was on the floor, the other was normal - typical in people with a fairly serious lower extremity injury in the past. It got real fun when a footbed with a reinforced arch could fix the situation, but the pain associated with the process often wasn't worth it.

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[EWG]

Ran into this situation quite a few times when I was fitting boots. I would guess that your bootfitter asked about footbeds and examined your feet? It was often times the biggest determinant to get janky feet into a single size.

Another situation that was common were feet that weren't actually two different sizes, it was that one arch was on the floor, the other was normal - typical in people with a fairly serious lower extremity injury in the past. It got real fun when a footbed with a reinforced arch could fix the situation, but the pain associated with the process often wasn't worth it.

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Interesting that you mention footbeds. Yeah, I have custom surefeet (surefoots? what is the plural here?) and that helped my last pair of boots. So far it's made the new ones worse, though it's gettign better. They've ground the hell out of the old footbed on the left foot and that helped. It's super frustrating cause the boots fit the small foot so easily. S/Max 130s. I think if I just bought two different sizes this would be super easy. But alas, I suffer through. I've done this enough to know that after a couple seasons they will be fine, and I'll try to milk them for another decade to avoid the process repeating. I would just suck so much to have bindings set up at different sizes on a left and right ski.

But really, the boots are pretty much working so not much to complain about. Took about 15 days last season to get them right. Was just a bit surprise this year when they started out so tight again, but after not putting them on at all since like Feb/March or whenever the lifts stopped spinning, I guess it's not surprising that I have to pack them out all over again.

[EWG]

That's my routine, too. I break in 2-3 pairs of new boots a year, and the break-in season happens to coincide with NFL pre-season. Stand around in your boots watching football instead of just sitting on your butt drinking beer and 30 hours is gone before regulation starts. If you're just starting to figure out if your boots will work now, you're a little late . . .

So here's a question. I'm really taken aback by how much my 1 season old boots shrank back in the 9 months I didn't ski then during covid. I'm standing in the left liner now trying to just get the length to stretch back out. Just the liner is painful. Could they have reverted so much over the last 9 months that I'll have to get them rebaked?

Edit: like tight enough on my big foot that my toes are falling asleep just standing here in the liner.

[DarthMarkus]

So here's a question. I'm really taken aback by how much my 1 season old boots shrank back in the 9 months I didn't ski then during covid. I'm standing in the left liner now trying to just get the length to stretch back out. Just the liner is painful. Could they have reverted so much over the last 9 months that I'll have to get them rebaked?

Edit: like tight enough on my big foot that my toes are falling asleep just standing here in the liner.

Could be bounce back on your liners. It could also be your feet swelling. Feet generally take a little time to get used to be crammed back into a tight spot after wearing chacos all summer. Give it some time and both of those things will probably get you back to a good spot.

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[EWG]

Could be bounce back on your liners. It could also be your feet swelling. Feet generally take a little time to get used to be crammed back into a tight spot after wearing chacos all summer. Give it come time and both of those things will probably get you back to a good spot.

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I think this is really likely. I heated up the tip of the liner and let it stretch a bit with my foot in it. Seemed to help my toes. I think there was some bounce back for sure. But since i haven't been playing soccer (extremely tight left cleat) or skiing I think my foot has swelled a bit especially with walking around my WFH world in socks a lot. I'm wearing my boot as much as I can today - hopefully it'll get better.

Thanks for the thoughts.

[gregL]

Could they have reverted so much over the last 9 months that I'll have to get them rebaked?

More likely you turned into a flip-flop wearing wussie, ate too much, and ingested too much sodium over the last 9 months. Don't ask me how I know. Or you had a baby and your feet actually became larger. If it's just the length, heat the liner with a hair dryer on "high" and stretch the toe with a broom handle or something with a similar shape. If it's volume or width, liner foam doesn't really "regenerate" much over the summer, though if you've had the boot punched some plastics retract over time so a punched boot may become a bit narrower and have to be redone. What liner is this?