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

[wasatchback]

Yeah reheating it should bring it back to it's original shape. Just be careful and go slow with the heat. It's easy to melt that plastic.

[mntlion]

try a pot of boilling water, and dunk the toe box into the water for 5 min, then into a snowbank.

if needed a bit of pressure with a rubber mallet too.

[mntlion]

the answer to "what width boot do I need"


First of all, this is very general info, and just a guess. Different boots will fit differently. Even if they have the same numbers, they will not necessarily fit the same. Also, different people want, need, expect different things from their boots. So when in doubt, please ignore all this and TRY THE BOOTS ON.



So basically, the published boot widths are based on a standard size 26 (both mens and ladies) and are the measurement of the width of the widest part of the forefoot. So a 95mm width foot is narrow and a 104 is wide, right? Not really. This is because the width is proportional to the length, and the length is based on a sample size of 26. So if you have a 100mm wide foot, but wear a 23 boot, that makes your foot wide. If you have a 100mm wide foot, but wear a 29 boot, you have a VERY narrow foot/boot. To remain at the same 100mm width, you need to change 2-3mm per size up. So a 100mm/average width actually measures 95mm in a size 24, and 105mm in a 28. So, this makes it all clear as mud, right?



All this is assuming that all companies measure from the same place on the foot, are using the same angle, and are they measuring the foot or the inside of the shell of the boot, and is your foot touching this shell anyways? This is also just the width measurement, and doesn't take into account the overall volume, the vertical height of the forefoot, and the heel cup size, or a host of other things.



So yes, this can give you some info on your foot/boot, but is just a very small part of the equation. To get good help, please see your local ski boot fitter, to get an idea of what actually works for you. At most stores, you are best to call ahead, bring in your old boots, some very thin socks, and any footbeds you have.

[NWskibum]

I know what's wrong with my boots but figured I'd come here for some advice instead of starting a new thread. Tried switching to a Cochise Pro this year from using a Krypton Pro for years and the low cuff just doesn't work for me. The fit was good around the house but I can't drive my skis at all, the top of the boot just hits in a bad spot and doesn't allow me to drive my skis at all.

I don't have any the chance to make it to any shops to try on a big variety of boots so hoping for some direction to narrow my search. I need: swappable tech/din soles, good heel hold and a higher cuff. What are my options?

[mntlion]

what about a taller liner, or taller tongue in your kryptons?

also the wrap liner or tongued liner might feel different.

do you think its a 3 vs 2 part shell thing? the 2 prt shells feel different in flexing them, they will be stiffer at the first part of the flex.

[NWskibum]

ya, the Kryptons feel great because of the taller tongue/cuff. I tried the Cochise with the stock tongues and powerwraps and they were both pretty painful. I think it's from soccer back in the day that's destroyed the lower parts of my shins and the low cuffs just hit a bad spot.
I definitely like the progressive flex of the 3 piece/tongue shell but from my digging around I haven't found a tech/din boot that looks as tall as the krypton. Besides the Dalbello the only boot I've really skied in the last 4-5 years is the lv RX130 which also fit great. I tried the Cochise on a couple times at SIA and a shop before I picked them up but flexing them in the shop didn't simulate skiing them hard as I didn't have the pains in my shins before I got out on snow.

[bongora3]

So, I ended up getting fed up with my boots loosening up after a few runs....and getting all sloppy.
I went to a very trusted boot fitter that I have been going for years and decided to go with a 285 Head Raptor 130rs (1 finger shell fit).
Transferred over my orthodics and booster straps, and had Size 11 power wraps baked at the shop (using a double toe cap).

Boot fits tight! But feel really good otherwise, except I'm afraid I'm going to loose my big toe nail! The dam Raptor RS's toe box is friggin short (height wise) w/o bucking, the boot puts pressure right at where my big toe nail starts. Any similar experiences? Solutions? I'd go bug my boot fitter....but he's been pretty busy lately and getting to him is a real hike (~3hrs).

[mntlion]

Boot fits tight! But feel really good otherwise, except I'm afraid I'm going to loose my big toe nail! The dam Raptor RS's toe box is friggin short (height wise) w/o bucking, the boot puts pressure right at where my big toe nail starts. Any similar experiences? Solutions? I'd go bug my boot fitter....but he's been pretty busy lately and getting to him is a real hike (~3hrs).

make sure your heel is down AND back all the way in the boot

thin out the footbed, unter the big toe

thin out the boot board, under the big toe

thinner socks.

cut the stitching off the toe of the liner, and let the toe poke out a bit

[mntlion]

I know what's wrong with my boots but figured I'd come here for some advice instead of starting a new thread. Tried switching to a Cochise Pro this year from using a Krypton Pro for years and the low cuff just doesn't work for me. The fit was good around the house but I can't drive my skis at all, the top of the boot just hits in a bad spot and doesn't allow me to drive my skis at all.

I don't have any the chance to make it to any shops to try on a big variety of boots so hoping for some direction to narrow my search. I need: swappable tech/din soles, good heel hold and a higher cuff. What are my options?

what about some of the touring brands? I dont sell them, so I dont know them as well. but they are WAY more skiable then in the past?

[NWskibum]

that's what I've been thinking but I've never really followed any of them as I was happy with my alpine/MFD setups but now I have dynafits and the tech inserts are required. Anyone have any idea what would give me the closest feel to the Krypton with still having the option of both soles? One that I found that looks promising was the Scarpa Freedom but it's be a few weeks until I can make it anywhere to try one on and is like to have a few other options to know what to look for when I'm able to make the trip.

[mntlion]

can you have 2 boot set ups?

I'm on the krypton as well, and use a TLT5 (with a few mods) to walk in. Use the same liners too

[NWskibum]

I think that's what it's leaning towards.. Thanks for the help mntlion. Is the TLT5 fairly similar to the Krypton fit wise? How did you size between the two? Is the 6 pretty much the same boot or was it changed a lot? I'll do some more research on it and see what I come up with.

[gwat]

Got into a new-to-me pair of Coshise 130 Pros. Molded Intuitions in them, but I'm getting super heel lift (guessning ~5mm). Any ideas? Wedge my heel? Or give up now and go back to my decent fitting Black Diamond Factors??

[bongora3]

make sure your heel is down AND back all the way in the boot

thin out the footbed, unter the big toe

thin out the boot board, under the big toe

thinner socks.

cut the stitching off the toe of the liner, and let the toe poke out a bit

Sanding down a considerable amount off the front of the boot board appears to have fixed my problems. Thanks for the advice mntlion.

[mntlion]

I ski a 25/296mm krypton and a 26/287mm TLT

similar fit, TLT might be a bit tighter heel. I've added a bit of foam the kry tongue to help drive my heel back.

[mntlion]

Got into a new-to-me pair of Coshise 130 Pros. Molded Intuitions in them, but I'm getting super heel lift (guessning ~5mm). Any ideas? Wedge my heel? Or give up now and go back to my decent fitting Black Diamond Factors??

how is the shell fit on them? they tend to fit big, so some people are downsizing even more.

does the heel lift up? or side to side? either "L" pads on the liner, or a 5mm heel lift under your footbed...


why did you want to change from the BD's? whats wrong with them?

[snapt]

New FactorMX 130's 25.5, dropped in my Intuition Powerwraps from my 25 Radium. Heel hold and toe box are great. Did get new footbeds. Lots of pressure on the bottom of the foot, about 2/3 the way up where the arch ends. Pressure from the bottom, top of the foot feels fine. Arch on the footbed to far forward?

[gwat]

how is the shell fit on them? they tend to fit big, so some people are downsizing even more.

does the heel lift up? or side to side? either "L" pads on the liner, or a 5mm heel lift under your footbed...


why did you want to change from the BD's? whats wrong with them?

Heel lifts up, no side to side. Shell is a tad longer than I usually ski. Two finger fit in these. I *think* the next shell size down would have been too tight, especially for touring. I'll try a heel lift.
Nothing wrong with the Factors. I actually like them and they fit well. Had heard good things about the Cochise and just wanted to give them a shot.....

[mntlion]

Sounds like stick with BD or technics in a smaller shell size

[robgoose]

Posted the same question in its own thread (perhaps undeservedly) but I'll put it here as well -- I'm still using a pair of 2002/3 Salomon Course 120s which just fit my foot perfectly (sized down, performance fit). Has salomon's race line changed its fit with the new models? Is there a successor boot you would recommend? (I do some more hiking now than I used too, but I still love the plug fit).

[onenerdykid]

Posted the same question in its own thread (perhaps undeservedly) but I'll put it here as well -- I'm still using a pair of 2002/3 Salomon Course 120s which just fit my foot perfectly (sized down, performance fit). Has salomon's race line changed its fit with the new models? Is there a successor boot you would recommend? (I do some more hiking now than I used too, but I still love the plug fit).

Yes and no. Every manufacturer makes a 95mm/World Cup last, but none of them are the same thing you currently have. They all have their own contours and nuances that make them fit differently from one another, so you will need to take a trip to a boot-fitter and find out which one best matches the foot you have, not what someone else has or recommends.

Your last sentence is the main problem- no manufacturer makes a 95mm boot with a walk mode. 97/98mm are the narrowest options, but you could go the route of foam liner provided there was a proper enough starting point for your foot shape.

[mntlion]

Nerd is right:


small changes, but odds are that salomon is a good starting point.

odds are the new boots are flater inside ramp angle and more upright (so overall same ankle angle, just with a lower inside heel)

[robgoose]

Figured as much... Thanks. So funny that the solution to my boot agony was to go super narrow.

[robgoose]

Oh yeah, walk mode would be nice, but it's not a deal-killer. I really care about the performance/comfort issue.

[Adrider83]

Need help (probably a few issues?)

I just got Full Tilt Seth Morrisons...never would have thought to buy Full Tilt, but they fit my narrow foot well when I tried them on.

I am a bit bow-legged and a big supinator...and maybe a bit duck footed.

I noticed that I feel very knock-kneed to get the bases flat...like I cannot get in a good aggressive stance..If I stand on the outside edge of the boot, it feels more natural, but I also feel like my supinated foot is being rolled inward as well...all in all, I do not feel that comfortable skiing them...particularly noticed today on flats and in soft snow...doesn't seem as easy to get on edge because I feel knock-kneed.

Any advice? Canting + a footbed? Am I screwed because Full Tilts are not easy to can't? I already tried adjusting the upper cuff outwards...still do not feel right. That said, they are not uncomfortable on my feet. Advice? Thanks!