Advice on boots

[Lance94]

Hi All

First post on here so apologies if any issues. Basically I’m looking for advice on wether I should get a new pair of boots or ways to modify my current boot

My boots currently are a 2015 model of Atomic Hawx 110s. I went to my local ski shop (snow and rock in xscape Milton Keynes) and got myself measured up and asked for what boot fits me best. These were one of the three options given to me as the others didn’t feel as comfortable.

The boots have been comfortable in the past but recently I’ve been going into the park more often and finding I’m getting some toe bang and not shin bang as much it’s more a constant light pain on the top of my shins and the odd cramp in my foot

So I’m basically wondering if it’s worth me going to get fit again and getting a new pair of boots or if I could get a new liner heat moulded or something like that?

Thanks in advance

Matt

 

[onenerdykid]

If your boot feels good besides toe bang, you should just get custom footbeds. This is the solution to locking your foot in the heel pocket and preventing your feet from sliding forward in the boot.

 

[50Kal]

Custom footbeds seem costly but the best thing to get comfortable boots. I couldn't ski without them.

 

[Lance94]

I’ll look into custom footbeds. Are they something you need to be fitted into? Or is it more of a gel foot liner like in a shoe/boot that moulds to your foot?

Also with the slight pain in my shins all the time would getting a new liner help with that?

Thanks for the replies ??

 

[onenerdykid]

I’ll look into custom footbeds. Are they something you need to be fitted into? Or is it more of a gel foot liner like in a shoe/boot that moulds to your foot?

Also with the slight pain in my shins all the time would getting a new liner help with that?

Thanks for the replies ??

A custom footbed is a special type of insole that is molded to your unique foot shape, left and right. They properly stabilize your foot, ankle, and leg in the boot and greatly reduce (if not prevent entirely) toe bang, shin bang, ankle pain, or any discomfort caused by your foot sliding/moving around inside the boot. They are essential for solving fit issues.

 

[Lance94]

So do I go to a fitter to get the proper insole (do they do fittings for insoles?) or just buy an insole online?

 

[onenerdykid]

So do I go to a fitter to get the proper insole (do they do fittings for insoles?) or just buy an insole online?

Don't just go to any shop - find the shop in your area that is known for making footbeds or is known to be a specialist in the realm of boot-fitting. A custom insole is only as good as the person who is making it. The better the person is at doing it, the more effective it will be at solving your fit issues.

Bring your boots to the footbed fitting. They will need to be trimmed to fit the liner and the liner will need to be re-molded to the new position of your foot inside the liner.

 

[Lance94]

Okay thanks for the tips!

 

[Lance94]

I’ve been to a fitter near me, they said I’ve got quite a flat foot so suggested I get a new liner instead and if I’m still having issues then get the insole moulded to my foot and have that in there too, I’ve gone for the full tilt 2018 pro liner ??

 

[onenerdykid]

I’ve been to a fitter near me, they said I’ve got quite a flat foot so suggested I get a new liner instead and if I’m still having issues then get the insole moulded to my foot and have that in there too, I’ve gone for the full tilt 2018 pro liner ??

Unfortunately, that's one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. No human foot is flat- they all have 3 main arches. What happens to some feet is that they become super flexible and become flat due to lack of arch support. Or it could be that you do have super low arches, but you will still need support. A new liner without a proper footbed holding your foot in place won't really solve your toe bang or shin bang problems. You will most likely be back for a footbed. But I'd find someone else to make it for you. About 40 minutes from you in Bicester is one of the best boot fitters in the entire world- Colin Martin at Solutions 4 Feet. He works by appointment only, so you can't just walk in and get help. Call him and make an appointment and he will totally solve your issues by doing it right.

 

[Lance94]

I’ll probably end up getting the insole too but one of the main issues I have which wasn’t really touched on in my original post was the pain in my shins which I think the new liner will help with as the old liner has probably compacted and doesn’t offer much cushioning against the boot. I did ring up solutions 4 feet, I don’t know if I caught them on a bad day or whatever but the person I spoke to came across very rude and snobby, so doubt I’ll be visiting there

Again thanks for the advice

 

[onenerdykid]

I’ll probably end up getting the insole too but one of the main issues I have which wasn’t really touched on in my original post was the pain in my shins which I think the new liner will help with as the old liner has probably compacted and doesn’t offer much cushioning against the boot. I did ring up solutions 4 feet, I don’t know if I caught them on a bad day or whatever but the person I spoke to came across very rude and snobby, so doubt I’ll be visiting there

Again thanks for the advice

Colin can be... emotional at times. He runs a one-man show and deals with a lot of interesting people. If you need help in the future, and if you want to give him a try, you can tell him that I sent you.

 

[Lance94]

I figured I had caught him on a bad day from all the positive reviews he has had on here just personally put me off haha. I think I’ll go with your advice of a custom footbed once I’ve got the liner so I can get the footbed fitted to the liner and hopefully that shall fix my issues. They’re nothing major I can ski all day on them it’s just the odd bit of discomfort

 

[Non_State_Actor]

I figured I had caught him on a bad day from all the positive reviews he has had on here just personally put me off haha. I think I’ll go with your advice of a custom footbed once I’ve got the liner so I can get the footbed fitted to the liner and hopefully that shall fix my issues. They’re nothing major I can ski all day on them it’s just the odd bit of discomfort

The personality of a true expert in their field is meaningless. I'm not trying to equate bootfitting with brain surgery because that would be ridiculous but hear me out. If you needed brain surgery and all the doctors in your area said a certain doctor is one of the best in the world but when you had a consultation with that surgeon they were bitchy or didn't seem nice would you look elsewhere for a different surgeon? Real experts that are hyper focused on a certain craft or subject are often not people you want to sit down and have a beer with.

 

[Lance94]

The personality of a true expert in their field is meaningless. I'm not trying to equate bootfitting with brain surgery because that would be ridiculous but hear me out. If you needed brain surgery and all the doctors in your area said a certain doctor is one of the best in the world but when you had a consultation with that surgeon they were bitchy or didn't seem nice would you look elsewhere for a different surgeon? Real experts that are hyper focused on a certain craft or subject are often not people you want to sit down and have a beer with.

I mean I’m looking at getting my boots sorted out slightly not brain surgery ? I’m not looking for a massive assessment on my boots etc just minor tweaking and I’m not riding hard pistes all season long it’s a week or 2 a year so personally I’d rather just go to a polite person who still knows their stuff even if they aren’t a “world expert” they still know better than me ???

 

[Non_State_Actor]

I mean I’m looking at getting my boots sorted out slightly not brain surgery ? I’m not looking for a massive assessment on my boots etc just minor tweaking and I’m not riding hard pistes all season long it’s a week or 2 a year so personally I’d rather just go to a polite person who still knows their stuff even if they aren’t a “world expert” they still know better than me ???

Suit yourself. You're lucky to have a quality fitter in your area.

 

[50Kal]

I will happily take multiple insults/ shit customer service if the end results are good fitting boots in a reasonable time frame. I am however past that initial first few years of hazing from my bootfitter.

 

[Lance94]

I will happily take multiple insults/ shit customer service if the end results are good fitting boots in a reasonable time frame. I am however past that initial first few years of hazing from my bootfitter.

Fair enough each to their own ??