Please HELP!! Addicted skier almost ready to give up due to skiboot woes!

[rkagerer]

Hi,

I've been skiing since I was three yrs old; in the last few years I've gotten really hardcore, spending a lot of time on moguls. I've noticed that's when "boots-are-too-loose" problems really start to show up.

I decided last year to splurge on decent new ski equipment. I got fitted to Nordica Beast X10's, size 26. They felt snug and PERFECT the first three days out (though it was too early in the season to test on moguls) but then they packed out BIG TIME and my foot was shaking around in the shell. I had to ratchet it up 100% tight, and it was still too loose, but now with major pressure points.

I came back to the store and first they tried putting in foam inserts ("L" shaped around the ankles, since the heel was the biggest problem). Didn't help enough, and worsened the pressure points. The salesguy swapped me down to a 25.5 but they were way too loose right from the getgo (by now we had moguls to ski on, and I'm sure even these boots were simply much too big). Returning, he said Nordica doesn't make any smaller versions (is that true?!?!)

I got referred to another boot fitter by a friend, who put me in Rossignol Elite size 24.5 women's. They were sore on my feet, with definite pressure points under the buckles. I skied in them for the second half of the season, being told by the salesperson that I'd work them in. She did a bit of work on them, including cutting out the ankles. But they were still painful. Some parts gripped, and others didn't at all. I ended up renting boots on several occasions toward the end of that season, including a 23.5 (don't remember the make, but was DEFINITELY too small), a 24.5 women's Solomon XWave 7 (which wasn't TOO bad but still had unequal pressure and only parts of the boot gripping) and a used, well-broken-in size 25 men's atomic B7 (294mm) which - although I only got to try it for one day - seemed to be the best so far in terms of fitting tightly (though I wouldn't say "snugly"), but pressed too hard onto my toes (by the end of the day they were *literally* purple/blue!).

My first run out this season I wore the Elite's, and was almost in tears; I decided there's no way I could keep skiing in them, doubting they'd ever get worked in enough to avoid blistering foot pain.

The old salesperson went out west, so this year I'm dealing with a new guy. He put me in Lange Com100 Team JR women's size 7.5. I tried on a handful of boots (all JR's, I think) to compare to the Lange, though it's bloody impossible to tell in the store where the problem spots will be (yet all it takes is one run on the hill!)

After spending hours in the store, and remembering quite clearly how many aweful ski days resulting from shitty-ass boot problems, I told him I don't care HOW much money it costs or what it takes, I want this problem resolved! I suggested going with foam-injected liner. We also put $200 cork moulded insoles in. He ordered the liners (and they took 3 weeks to come in!!!) but we haven't installed them into the boot yet since they were short on time that day, and I kinda wanted to try out the shell first (using the factory linings).

I skied on them today, and they seem to be good lengthwise, and definitely fit tightly with no "wobble" of my foot inside the boot (except a bit of undesired heel lift but I think that's easily fixable). The only problem is, they are EXTREMELY tight around the middle of my foot. Especially on the insides of my feet from about below the ankles and down to my big toe "knuckle".
Also, (even in the store) I feel like they're trying to make my feet curve laterally like bananas. I could only ski 3 runs before I just couldn't take the pain any more.

Now, the salesguy did explain it's a lot easier to work with a boot that's too small and enlarge/punch problem areas, which I can appreciate. Another factor is I'm heading out to Banf in less than a week, and NEED some awesome darn skiboots by then!

My question (at long last) is whether I should go ahead with the foam injection on these boots, and whether that (and a combination of work by him) will solve the problem tightness.

I have somewhat bowed legs, and very narrow feet (not much to grab on to for the boot) with high bones on the top of the foot in front of my ankles.

My biggest worry is, that the foam is going to take up MORE space, where there's a problem that (even without a liner) the shell is already touching the insides of my feet.

ANY SUGGESTIONS, comments, and/or advice would be MUCH appreciated. I have to get this sorted out ASAP, and if I wasn't so addicted to skiing I'd have thrown in the towel ages ago!

Thanks,

-Richard

ps. I've noticed that women-model boots seem to not fit as well as mens, although I'm told there really aren't differences at this small size a boot. Am I just imagining the difference?

pps. Exhausted tonight, so sorry if I came out longwinded!

[iceman]

Jesus, it's like the Mother Lode.


Tell me why again you walk out of the shop with boots that hurt within your first three runs.

Are you a man or a woman or both or what?

[Art Shirk]

I am amazed that Richard hasn't been flamed alive. Come on Non-Jongs. Its a first post admission of skiing in women's boots for God's sake.

Richard, wish I could help ya. Trial and error my friend.

[Daywalker]

I didn't flame because:

A.) I am a jong

B.) What with the women's shoes and all I assumed it was Richard Simmons. Since he's my hero, I just can't bring myself to say anything bad.

[bklyn]

go to epicski.com
search for a bootfitter in Banff, since it sounds like you'll need a bootfitter near the hill.

[gravitylover]

I too have small, low volume feet. I finally found a boot that seems to work, the Dolomite Sintesi from a few seasons ago. It has a fifth buckle over the instep that does a good job of keeping my foot in place and holding it back far enough to avoid toe bang. In the past I also had pretty good luck with Raichle boots but still had to do a lot of internal work to get them right. Take a look on evogear.com and see if they have any Sintesi 7.5's left. Good luck.

[mntlion]

if you have not found boots by then, or need help with the ones you have see me (or any other staff) in banff when you get to town

I'd wait on foam untill the shell fits.

Ultimate fit center
762-7220
Dave

[rkagerer]

Wow, thanks for all the fast responses so far.

Iceman:
>>Tell me why again you walk out of the shop with boots that hurt within your first three runs.<<
They felt quite tight in the store, but didn't hurt like a bi*ch until I was on the hill. And up until then everything had packed out too loose, so maybe we were being conservative.

Daywalker/Commonlaw-
Thanks for not torching me; it's actually my first post to these forums. I'm not Richard Simmons incognito, and I don't like the colour pink, but if I had his kind of money I'd buy a new pair of Beast X10's each morning I ski.

Gravitylover-
I'll try looking for Dolomite Sintesi's around here. I'm hesitant about buying things like skiboots online for obvious reasons.

Dave-
Thanks so much for your offer. If the boot problem isn't solved by then, I'll definitely be looking you up. What's the area code?

[smolakian]

in the last few years I've gotten really hardcore, spending a lot of time on moguls.

[rkagerer]

One more question - do foam injected liners (these ones are Com'fortable, or whatever) pack out at ALL?

-Richard

[300hp]

Foam injected liners do pack a tad. Honestly, A good bootfitter, not a hack, will be able to alleviate most of your problems. mntlion gives the best boot fit related advice on the board. save yourself spending any more money now, and go see him first thing in Banff. You will thank yourself. You've done all the right things (footbeds, liners) but the people executing the process don't seem to be competent enough.
Good luck
Hunter

[mntlion]

rkagerer: postal code? why? banff is a small place,

Keep in mind that the store I work for will charge to fit boots bought elsewhere, but work on boots we sell is free. Prices are the same as anywhere else ......

foams pack a bit, not much really. again get the shell working and it should be fine ....

[vtdownhiller]

Come up to killington we have at least a dozen board certified pedorthists in the area who sell and fit boots...I agree with mountain lion and you sho take a look at foam liners...the conformable also has a foam tounge

[splat]

Everybody wants instant gratification.
Getting a good fit is not always a one time shot.
That said - if you don't just go see mntlion and get fixed, stop now.

[Snow Dog]

rkagerer: postal code? why? banff is a small place,

I keep reading it and all I see is area code which is 403 for Banff.

[Richard Simmons]

I didn't flame because:

A.) I am a jong

B.) What with the women's shoes and all I assumed it was Richard Simmons. Since he's my hero, I just can't bring myself to say anything bad.

Your hero!!!!!! Thanks so much sweetie! How 'bout a hero sandwich?

[marshalolson]

if ski boots hurt your foot, i'd quit.

[rkagerer]

Like Snow Dog said, I was looking for the area code so I can call from up here before I leave.

Splat-
Instant? I put in 6 months of suffering last year; I'd settle for glacier-speed gratification.

I visited the shop today and am hitting the slopes again tomorrow, so I'll let you know how things progress.

[MeatPuppet]

I've gotten really hardcore, spending a lot of time on moguls.

Hmmmm, with a sentence like that, you might be posting on the wrong board.

You might want to post this over on epicski.com. They probably have more experience with this kind of thing...

[MeatPuppet]

Thanks,

-Richard

Are you a man or a woman or both or what?

Your a sharp one aren't you, ice?

How many chics have you known named Richard?

[mntlion]

Oh telephone area code

403-762-7220

work 3-9 MST sunday to weds

[Darkside]

Your a sharp one aren't you, ice?

How many chics have you known named Richard?

I'm not sure, but I think it was a joke, you fucking gomer.

[Darkside]

This store had you go from a 26.0 Nordica Beast 10 which is a f'ing boat of a boot to a 7.5 Comp 100 Women's (about a 24.0)? How the hell did you not realize it might be time to try a different shop?!

Also, there is no such thing as a Women's Junior Lange, and if you were allegedly sold one, you're as dumb as the salesperson.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Your a sharp one aren't you, ice?

How many chics have you known named Richard?

That's not how you spell "you're" or "chicks."

[flip]

Stay away from the dolomite, they;re high volume. If you have narrow feet it'll make it that much easier to start with a plug boot which will give a good boot fitter plenty to work with. I know mtnlion had a bunch of Langes he was getting rid of cheap. Note that these will not feel good when you first put them on... think if it as a solid block of plastic that the bootfitter will carve out to fit your foot exactly.

THEN you foam them.

Find the bootfitter in your area that does the most work for racers, preferably NCAA, not just highschool and old dudes.

Ideally you work in this order:
1. Have foot beds made to give you ideal stance and alignment.
2. Have plug boots fitted, blown out, and ground out with the foot beds in place. This is done without the liner. If the bootfitter tries it another way, leave.
3. If necessary, get foam/silicone liners. They will pack out slightly in the first week from painfully tight to just right. Then they will never ever change.