
Originally Posted by
amunre
Thanks again for the excellent additional insight/feedback. I actually def did think about going to 29s. While the 30 was def too long, and the ankle area too loose (esp after the liner packed out), I generally loved the performance I’d gotten from them initially. I still remember the first run ever in them. I felt I had light-years more control than with the size 31 Dalbello ds mx 100s that I finished the previous season completely swimming in, to the point of being dangerous with how spooky that big a boot can feel when trying to ski and make turns faster/stronger/more athletically. As I researched where to go next re the size, while trying to avoid more issues with too much room, esp after the liner pack out, I learned about how last size only changes 2mm at a time per mondo size change. I felt that wasn’t gonna quite be enough for what I was feeling in the boot, if going to a prime in 29. However the 4mm drop in the last of the 28 would probably be right where I want to be. And if the length or other areas were too small with the 28, I’d try to get with the best fitter I could eventually find, and let them do their magic. I think I called it correct re the last. Coming down 4mm there for sure got me the snugness/support I was looking for in that area. But alas, the heel bumps couldn’t be fully accommodated in that heel pocket part of the shell. The bumps really aren’t that huge (tall) at all imo, I just think that maybe with this particular style of atomic shell, the heel pocket crease might just be unavoidable. It seems like a pretty aggressively formed pocket, and when doing a shell fit against my bare foot, the line/edge of the crease comes exactly across each ankle’s bump. Maybe that’s what you meant, as far as how far up the the pocket would have to come.
I had a great deal on some 29 ultras in my crosshairs this spring, with the last on those being the same as the 28 primes, and less of a squeeze in the length (I def did want to try a more gradual drop in the length that a 29 would give), but I was majorly concerned about the lower volume fit killing my instep, which was already pretty brutal with all the heavy-duty heel pocket-focused buckle ratcheting I’d been doing up to that point. Before I’d done these scans, I was convinced I had a super high instep because their circumferences are like 32-33mm (using a soft tape, measuring around from one side of the heel to the other, like they show online). I was under the impression that a measurement considerably more than the length of your foot meant you had a high instep. I’ve also always had issues with socks fitting in that area, and plenty of shoes too. From what I’ve been able to gather, a tight instep area is one of the tougher areas for a fitter to have to deal with.
All that being said, it is pretty cool that you say I can look into some low volume shells, as I was kinda wondering If I should check out the possibility after realizing the med volume primes might actually be too much volume for me in some key areas. You’d mentioned the cuff, and even with the 28s, I had the top buckle moved all the way over (tighter) to the last adjustable slot in the shell, and ratcheted to the tightest rung, and still wasn’t happy with how tight I could get them, fit/performance wise. Powerstrap to the rescue, but still, I’m not a small dude, and’ve never been accused of having anything remotely close to bird legs/narrow calves. And to my earlier point about the last, even on the 28s I had the toe buckle down to the tightest rung, worried that while nicely snug at that point, the liner would pack out to making that area too loose for me, once again!
In addition to the ultra, fit-wise, what are your thoughts on the dalbello krypton/lupos (non-AX)?? I’ve been been transfixed by that 45° middle buckle, with all the heel hold/pocket issues I’ve been having. And along with the bruises/swelling/welts I get trying to finagle my feet in/out of these ever shrinking, aggressively molded shells (3-4 times a week), I’m kinda digging the idea of the ease of entry/exit they seem to have. Also curious with how I might like their tongue-based flex style/characteristics, and their overall stance. I like skiing switch and a bit playful, in addition to the pursuit of carving ever-deeper trenches at ever-increasing speeds when the mood hits me.
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