Re-Expand boot liners that have compressed?

[cheburashka]

I have EEE wide feet. I bought Dalbello Prime 75s, which have a wider footbed than most boots. I didn't heat the liners (they aren't heat-moldable). They worked great for around seven days skiing, but lately I'm getting a hotspot on my outside left foot. I also notice that I'm on the tightest hook on the lower buckles, and if I go for the looser hooks, there's no tension on the buckle. I think I progressively overtightened the buckles while skiing, and ended up with completely compressed liners. Is there any way for me to get them to expand back to where they were originally? Or a way to add padding so that the buckles will work on the looser settings?

Noteworthy points:

I wear thin wool socks.

I weigh around 200 pounds.

I'm an intermediate skiier, but I like a firm fit on the boot.

I'm kind of ham-handed, and I do have a tendency to overtighten things.

Thanks

 

[onenerdykid]

Sounds like you need a footbed and some shell work, not a liner re-heat. This is a rather low end boot, but I'm sure a good boot-fitter can identify your problem and get you the proper solution. Your first step with your boot fitter is to work on stabilizing your foot inside the boot (with a footbed) and go from there.

 

[cheburashka]

Does it have to be a custom footbed, or would a more generic one work? Is the goal just to get my arch up and stop pronation, or is there something else that a footbed accomplishes? I'm kind of put off by the idea of spending $200 for a custom footbed.

 

[onenerdykid]

Does it have to be a custom footbed, or would a more generic one work? Is the goal just to get my arch up and stop pronation, or is there something else that a footbed accomplishes? I'm kind of put off by the idea of spending $200 for a custom footbed.

The goal is to create the best interface between your flexible foot and the rigid boot. Cheaper more generic ones don't work well, and you waste your money on it only to then spend the more money on a custom one in the long run. They are also not boot specific, so when you get new boots in the future, you can put them in your new boot. It's a long term investment that pays off. They truly work.

 

[LineSkier]

I agree with onenerdykid. A couple other things:

1. If the buckles over top of the foot are too loose except on the tightest setting, then your foot may not be as wide as you think. My first instinct would be a boot with a narrower last.

2. I think a boot with a 75 stiffness is too soft for someone who weighs 200 lbs, even if you're not a particularly aggressive skier.

3. You can't really do much to increase the interior volume, mold-able liners or not-- especially in the forefoot.

4. You could try putting new mold-able liners in but they'll pack out and in the long run you'll probably be back where you are now having wasted money on the liners.

5. Sounds like you probably need new boots. Find a good fitter.

**This post was edited on Jan 4th 2019 at 4:44:42pm

**This post was edited on Jan 4th 2019 at 4:45:00pm

**This post was edited on Jan 4th 2019 at 4:45:13pm

 

[cheburashka]

I've tried narrower boots, and been very uncomfortable. After reading several threads here, I see a number of things that contribute to my issues:

1) Cheap liners that have little or no cushioning on the outer edge of the foot.

2) A prominent "sixth toe" that contacts the shell before the rest of my foot does, leading to localized pain.

3) No footbed.

My plan is to get the boot shell punched at the sixth toe, and install a set of Intuition Pro-Wrap liners and good quality footbeds, The Prime 75 has about the widest toe box of any boot in my price range, which is why I bought it. I realize that it's a flexible boot, but from what I've read, it seems like the liners will take care of some of that.

 

[LineSkier]

I've tried narrower boots, and been very uncomfortable. After reading several threads here, I see a number of things that contribute to my issues:

1) Cheap liners that have little or no cushioning on the outer edge of the foot.

2) A prominent "sixth toe" that contacts the shell before the rest of my foot does, leading to localized pain.

3) No footbed.

My plan is to get the boot shell punched at the sixth toe, and install a set of Intuition Pro-Wrap liners and good quality footbeds, The Prime 75 has about the widest toe box of any boot in my price range, which is why I bought it. I realize that it's a flexible boot, but from what I've read, it seems like the liners will take care of some of that.

I'm sorry but you've really got this all wrong.

1. Either your boot is the wrong shape for your foot or its too wide or both. These things have nothing to do with the sixth toe issue or potential to punch out a shell.

2. You can't fit a boot based on specs or how wide you think it is compared to other boots. Even if you do have a wide foot and this boot has a wide forefoot area it sounds very much like the wrong boot for you.

3. Again, 75 flex is way too soft for someone who weighs 200 lbs. End of story. I weigh 220 and I flex the shit out of a 120 just standing in the shop.

4. The liners will absolutely not solve your problem and will contribute a completely negligible amount of stiffness, if any. Don't waste $200 bucks on intuitions. It's a new shell that you should be spending money on.

 

[Vincent_Diesel]

I think I progressively overtightened the buckles while skiing, and ended up with completely compressed liners.

My boot fitter mentioned that liners will compress after a few runs. I know it may be tough to gauge, but how much will they compress? Enough to be concerned? I have new Atomic Hawx boots if that matters, I've never had ski boots prior.

 

[LineSkier]

My boot fitter mentioned that liners will compress after a few runs. I know it may be tough to gauge, but how much will they compress? Enough to be concerned? I have new Atomic Hawx boots if that matters, I've never had ski boots prior.

New liners should fit very snugly-- some amount of discomfort is expected for the first few days, including cramping or numbness. "Packing out" just means that the liner is being compressed by your foot. This is generally a good thing-- the reason the boot becomes more comfortable as it packs out is that the liner is conforming to the shape of your foot. When things go wrong with liners packing out it's generally because the shell is too big, and the increased volume from the liner compression causes it to fit too loosely. If the boot has been fitted properly (is the right size shell), then all will be fine.