Boot Fitting 101: Heat Molding

[@danferment2662]

My local shop said it was $60 .... I said I think you mean pesos... and they were sure that it was in fact it was 60 usd.... so I got 60 pesos worth of rice and watchin youtube and having a beer...

[@kristophercharles8863]

dunno if you guys cares but if you're stoned like me during the covid times you can stream all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my brother recently :)

[@andrescolt5399]

@Kristopher Charles yea, have been using InstaFlixxer for months myself =)

[@lancesmith7209]

'If you actually care about snowboarding you're not worried about lodge pimping'. Wise words, sir.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Only the wisest.

[@MeThePeoples]

Porque no los dos?!

[@kevinorr9307]

Really appreciate the advice without the bullshit. Your videos are clear and to the point but love the bit of idiot proofing/bashing as well. Keep up the good work sir!

[@mglsnog6121]

Getting my first mold boots ! Excited to try !

[@reimarberge9293]

Sweet! Looking forward to 2018/19 season, I’m definitely going to heat mold my next boots.

[@cencoast_7.340]

New boots are pretty comfy, should I wait a few rides to mold em or just run it?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Just run em.

[@Sprinkles-BtE]

Can't you just throw the boot liners into a basic household tumble dryer for 10-20 mins to heat them up for molding? It seems so easy and obvious... or am I missing something?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You go do that and see how that turns out for you.

[@Sprinkles-BtE]

@@AngrySnowboarder thanks for the sarcastic non-answer.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Go do it and report back on how that works out for you.

[@cencoast_7.340]

@@Sprinkles-BtE Why not just do it the way he or the two video recommends?

[@RickShaffer]

I’ve got a pair of 32s that have roughly 40 days of riding on them. Liner is heatmoldable, but I never did it when I purchased. Is it at all worth it to heat mold them now at this point in the game? Thanks man! Love the videos. Cheers.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Oh god no, unless you're trying to release the boot funk.

[@bailey5437]

Can I use a peer dryer?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Peet dryer?

[@richfoster]

I tried to shop local in Alamosa but they didn’t have my size. Found a good deal from a shop online(close out Maysis). The wired sports guy said absolutely do not use a heatgun. Do you agree?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

For heat molding that's a bad bad idea.

[@andreyru9221]

After 10 years of usage i've just discovered that my boots are thermo-fit, hehe.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If they're 10 years old they need to be retired.

[@faennsche]

Angry Snowboarder even if they’re 10 years old and used once because they were never fitted properly?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@faennsche They probably have some rot.

[@danielschiavo9736]

If the boot doesn't really bother you anywhere right out of the box is it ok to not heat mold it and just let them break in over time? And if they start to bother you after a few days is it ok to heat mold them then?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You can do both.

[@danielschiavo9736]

@@AngrySnowboarder cool thank you!

[@AwlBBack]

Should I modify my boots(heel wedge or j bar type of deal) before or after heat molding?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Yes.

[@chrisfrommaine]

Any idea on the temp and time to heat salomon response liners at? Salomon customer service is saying they are not allowed to give a recommendation.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Stack or an oven?

[@chrisfrommaine]

@@AngrySnowboarder local shop has an oven.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

10 to 12 minutes at 225

[@chrisfrommaine]

Hell yeah appreciate it man. Would it be the same for any convection oven? I'd rather just do it myself and have access to one. Got trust issues with this shop after they tried to hard sell me on a wide board and I wear size 8.5-9 boots haha.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Yeah as long as you have a convection oven you're good. Just make sure you place them in the center of the oven on a non stick tray, take the footbeds out, keep an eye on the foam as it will expand. Elevation and other factors can play a huge part in how it expands. Better to under cook it than over cook it.

[@TinLeadHammer]

Can the liner be re-heated and re-molded if I screwed up the first time, or say if it is for an adolescent, whose foot gets larger? Or is it a one-time thing? EDIT: Oh, I see you mention it. Thanks.

[@vg_liebo6414]

I got my foot measured and bought Burton Photon Step On boots. I've worn them 3 times so far and twice they were perfect. The last time I wore them I was getting severe heel lift. Would you recommend me getting jbars or would heat molding help me out?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Heat molding creates more space not less. You probably want J Bars.

[@keyrimjung5117]

Can I still heat mold (whether diy at home or bring them into a ski shop) my boots if I’ve already ridden in them for a day? Roughly 7 hrs spent with them on. Burton Ruler Boas

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Yes.

[@keyrimjung5117]

@@AngrySnowboarder I heat molded my boots using the method in the REI video. On the right foot I did it right, but in the left food I accidentally forgot to remove the footbed/sole before putting the hot socks in there and the footbed was in the boot the whole time is was heating up. Do you think this caused any big issues? Thanks again.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@keyrimjung5117 If it's the shitty stock insole, no, if you had a aftermarket one that could be effected by heat then maybe.

[@jackhaller9628]

Pull out liners. Insert Hair dryer into boot for ~5minutes on low heat, put liner on foot while hair dryer heating up boot. Pull hair dryer out. Stick foot with liner back in. Wait till relatively cool. No wasted rice.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

No. Won't get hot enough, doesn't create uniform heat, and the safety mechanism on all modern hair dryers trips and shuts it off.

[@madisonweeks6638]

So, I just realized I don’t have any rice and don’t feel like going to the store rn. If I don’t burn myself, is baking my inserts in the oven still a good option? It seems like the simplest process.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Ask yourself this, do you really want to eat food out of an oven you just cooked your liners in that will release toxic chemicals? Also if you have never cooked a liner before I really recommend against doing it.

[@andybauer1154]

Local shop told me not to heat mold until I ride with the new boots for at least a day. Is that correct? I was under the impression that I should heat mold them right away?!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

I'm guessing they like huffing stank fumes. Their logic is more like well if they go ride it and they don't have an issue they won't come back and we don't have to do it.

[@andybauer1154]

@@AngrySnowboarder I actually didn’t buy from them so they’d have nothing to lose and only $20 to gain …. He stressed how important it was to ride at least for a day!??

[@braedonmb]

Hey man, really appreciate this series- I'm trying to get a perfect fit on my newer Step Ons, since I can't compensate with extra heel strap tightening anymore, and this all seems like it'll really help. I have one question for heat moulding + insoles: If one were to get a heat mould insole (Remind Remedy appears to be the only non-Superfeet sole in my size locally), would it be better to just heat mould them together, or one, then the other? And a couple other questions that I figured I'd ask in one place instead of commenting on several older videos: - What kind of foam sheet are you using? You describe it as 3M, but I can't seem to find 3M branded sheets that look like that. What kind of foam do you use and what thickness do you recommend, or where do you get yours from/would you be able to share a link? - I've got a high instep, and get pressure on that, along with some parts of calf & outsides of leg before my boot tightens enough to fully eliminate all heel lift- I think there's a touch of looseness on the shin, mostly right above the ankle. Following your instep video, you add foam to the shin just above the ankle. Is it best to start there, or go full tongue shim? Thanks for the videos, they're a real gem!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If you're going to mold the footbed and liner as one it's doable. I recommend doing them separately. Footbed first then the liner. www.tognar.com/ski-and-snowboard-boot-fitting-foam-10-x-10/ Depends on what you want from the outcome. From what you're saying though start there.

[@okosakaroklenni]

Why it is not advised to use oven? What are the dangers? I tried it (90-100°C for 12 mins) and looked like it was working. To me it seem more appropriate than the rice method or the blower, because you can precisely control the temperature (with modern ovens of course). Thanks.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

And now you cooked food in that oven didn't you?

[@okosakaroklenni]

@@AngrySnowboarder Yes. So what? 3 random molecules stuck in the oven from the shoe baking. Am I getting highback cancer? 🤔

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@okosakaroklenni Well you're clearly the expert here so do what you want.

[@olmansmokeyturnbuckle750]

People bake headlights all the time. As far as chemicals go, read what’s in oven cleaner haha. That being said, for liners I personally prefer a nice sous vide followed by a broil in the oven to crisp them up.

[@florianzimmermann8534]

Hey I just ordered the Lo Fi‘s in Size 28.5. Before i had the Synapse from Salomon in 29, my left foot is 29cm long and my right 28.5 after a season riding it felt like i‘m swimming in them (both feet), thats why i ordered the Lo Fi‘s in 28.5. Now that they arrived my feet are falling asleep after wearing them for 20min. Are the Lo Fi‘s just cut smaller in General and i should still take the 29‘s or do you think i‘ll be fine with heatmolding and breaking them in? I don‘t want to get the 29‘s and then swim in them after 40 ride days again. Thank you! I really enjoy your videos!

[@hablagadabra]

Hey is it good idea to do this in sauna?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

It's not going to do anything.

[@aydeneklund2288]

the best easy thing to do is go to your local hockey/skating shop ask them to put your boot liners in a skate oven for 2-3 minutes then place on your feet and sit there till it cools. this normally costs 5-7 dollars

[@AngrySnowboarder]

And if you don't have a local shop? Then what? Also I've never seen a shop in 20 years charge 5 to 7 bucks to heat mold a liner, minimum 25 bucks.

[@aydeneklund2288]

@@AngrySnowboarder sorry it got cut off fixed in the edit. local hockey/skating shop. pro hockey life by where i live charges 6 dollars for hockey skate baking and they dont charge more for snowboard boots

[@MissySimpleM]

Hi, I gave a D wide foot and women's boots are apparently B wide. Can I get the insoles of women's boots to expand enough with heat molding for women's boots to be comfy?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

It's not an insole that you need to expand it's the liner. You're probably going to have to go to a guys boot.

[@MissySimpleM]

@@AngrySnowboarder Oh man, not what I wanted to hear, ngl. The men's boots dig into my calves making them feel like they're going to cramp up. Thank you for the help, I guess it's about choosing the lesser evil when you have non-standart feet.

[@The124cbr]

Been loving the tips on boots coming through, as even a novice like me can understand how critical they are. If I'm two days into a set of boots and feel like I've got a touch more heel lift than I'd like, is it worth/beneficial to get them heated again and chuck in a good footbed before I strap in and let it set? I'm thinking it'd help push my foot into the top of the boot a little better.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If you haven't gotten an aftermarket insole yet then yes, if you already have one and still have slight lift wait for our video on J Bars dropping later this week.

[@The124cbr]

Angry Snowboarder legend. I do and I don't... those rubbish foam things you mentioned... yeah... Will get a set on order, and watch for that vid too.

[@haydensoltvedt180]

“I want you guys to be prepared for that” loll

[@Luffemonster]

Hey man. Looking to heat mold some Burton Ion Boas at a ski shop nearby. But I can't find the recommended temperature anywhere. Any tips? I think it has the Life liner.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Are they using a actual boot molding oven?

[@Luffemonster]

@@AngrySnowboarder I think so, seemed to be one from Salomon. One of the hot air types where you put the entire liner inside. It’s a flagship store for ski boot fitting in my area.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@Luffemonster 180 to 200 degrees F is where you want it. I’d go with 180 and put it in for 7 to 10 minutes.

[@Luffemonster]

@@AngrySnowboarder nice, thank you once again!

[@jondaneshgar344]

I went to rei and got the heat molded but they toke the liner out before doing it.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Ok?

[@barrykennedy8507]

Who do you recommend for boot fitting in Summit County? Better yet who should be avoided?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Austin or Jackson at MSO in Silverthorne, Leanne or Andy at Underground in Breck, or anyone that when asked "what's the best boot" responds with "the one that fits your foot and your needs".

[@barrykennedy8507]

@@AngrySnowboarder Awesome! Thanks for the reply. I'll hit up MSO when I get into town.

[@joshmou]

You have some distortion on your mic when you get loud. Probably gained up too high somewhere down the line.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Pretty sure it's some weird KZbin compression issue because in FCPX the videos are fine and rendered fine, going to see if it's something with Compressor or if I need to tweak something with a limiter filter. It's been sucking a lot lately as videos are constantly having this issue and didn't used to.

[@duffymoon5912]

Wise words as always. Thanks Angry.

[@mateicc]

Will heat molding a second time re-expand de foam back to it's original size? I feel there is a bit too much lateral movement in the foot after the first try. Some guys from a shop said that each time you do it only gets smaller so don't know if I should try again to hopefully get it right. Thanks!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

No it won't. If you have lateral movement you need to add foam to suck up the volume.

[@mateicc]

@@AngrySnowboarder thanks!

[@surferlb2002]

Is there a specific thickness sock we should wear when getting our liners heat molded?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If you're not trying to get a lot of space, thin liner, if you need to get some space then a thicker sock.

[@vastibro]

Man I got 11s and they fit great everywhere except my toes.. diy toe cap ?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Might be the answer.

[@tinger8472]

Hey Angry! Is it true that heat molding redistributes material to the negative spaces? Does that mean that heat molding results in a different (better) fit than natural break in?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

It doesn't really redistribute it, it just makes it more malleable which allows it to conform better to the bones in your foot as well as your foot shape. It definitely expedites the break in process.

[@MandalAriunbold]

Hello Angry! Thanks for great videos. I have just bought Vans Sequal Snowboard Boots 2020 (V3 Liner). Is it bad to heat mold right after first heat molding? In the first time I forgot to put on my insoles :-) After I realized I had been standing without insoles for almost 10 minutes, I did it correctly in second time. Heat molded according to the REI's instructions.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You're fine.

[@MandalAriunbold]

@@AngrySnowboarder thanks Angry! Love to watch your videos and reviews before buy anything!

[@horacionochetto8454]

Great Video

[@BeanAndThePodz]

If I have ridden for 12~ days and really want to keep the most performance possible, is it smart to heat mold to avoid foot pain, or should I wait 8~ more days and let it break in naturally.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Well if the pain is manageable then don't mold, if it's really annoying do it.

[@BeanAndThePodz]

@@AngrySnowboarder Awesome, going to put insoles in today - super stoked. What is the main difference between Shred Soles and Remind? Thanks for getting back

[@AngrySnowboarder]

The foam they use as well as the height of the arch support.

[@andrewleblanc1457]

Hey Angry, Just bought 2021 Burton Photon and have two days at the hill .. about 15 runs. Had them heat molded after day one, and they seem to fit fine except for one spot .... This liner has a pronounced heel hold pocket, and the the "L" shaped pad/form on the inside of my left ankle is digging in to a point where the pain is unbearable.... the pain point is just rearward and below the ankle bone ... I have a utility knife and heat gun in hand,... any advice before I turn the liner into Chop Suey? Was wondering if "localized" heat molding of the heel lock pads is advised? Thanks in advance from a Rad Dad feelin' a lot less Rad ...

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Cut an L shaped slit into the J bar that's giving you a problem. Try the boot on again and see if that relieves the issue, if it doesn't cut another L shaped slip right next to the first one. Try the boot on again. If that doesn't work rip out the section of the foam between the slits. Cover with duct tape when done.

[@andrewleblanc1457]

@@AngrySnowboarder thanks for the tip, I’ll keep workin’ on it,

[@alexandar87]

I just got myself a pair of Salomon Hi-fi's, tried them, big toe bearly touching front of the boot when i really try to do it. The only thing that concern me is that my little toe feels a bit pressed to the side. I wore them for 15min in total so i cant really tell. Will you suggest me to do the heat molding or i can try them on snow first?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Depends on if you can deal with the pressure on it. If it's minimal just go shred, if it's something that's too nagging heat mold.

[@alexandar87]

Angry Snowboarder thanks man, i guess i will give it a try first and than decide. It's not much really, but being brand new i guess they will mold with few runs. It's just that i need to wait for the snow 4 more months :)

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Time to head to the Southern Hemisphere.

[@stuartdobson8162]

Hey fella, what's your thoughts on getting (new) replacement liners for boots, when the shells are in A1 condition ? I've got a pair of boots with only 30 days on the hill, but the liners have compressed to shit !! Seems a shame/waste to throw them out.....

[@AngrySnowboarder]

There's a video about that coming out. But if the liner compressed that much it could be indicative of other issues.

[@stuartdobson8162]

Angry Snowboarder cool, I'll keep an eye out for the vid fella.....

[@DeadRambo75]

Are you from Quebec buddy?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You hear a French accent?

[@okosakaroklenni]

apart from the stink (my boots smell citrus/tree tea oil) why should one not heat mold old boots? My liners have a poor season in them (cca. 25 days) and was wondering if it made any difference. I have a pair of Ride Fuse (Rawlings edition).

[@AngrySnowboarder]

They're already packed out all you're doing is cooking broken in foam that is just going to break down even more.

[@okosakaroklenni]

Makes sense, thanks.

[@ESLinsider]

Hair dryer method? High or low setting for how long u think? I did it on high for a few minutes but don't want to eff up the boot. Is heat molding going to produce a different result than just wearing them over time? Or just a faster way to break them in?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

It just expedites the break in process. High for 7 to 10 minutes

[@Jsloth4130]

A lot of heel/toe areas are neoprene and I was wondering how that material reacts to heat molding. It is supposed to resist deformation, so should you use bigger toe caps if you want a more drastic result?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Neoprene tends to be a lot like memory foam in that it just goes back to normal after you use it. What you need to be aware of when heat molding is making sure that the ends of where it's attached to the liner mold perfectly as well as making sure that your insoles are in the liner when you enter the cool down phase. If your toes are still drastically hitting after the first mold, you might want to put a heel wedge into the boot to pull the foot back off the end. This can also help/hinder alignment to the natural J bars in the boot so be prepared that you might have to do some more work after this.

[@lance7157]

Hilarious vid man! 🤣

[@SHAPPGolfs]

When I put the boot on once it's heated, do I need to have the socks on that I'll be riding with or bare foot to get better precision of the contour of my foot. I feel like if I'm bare foot it will be more precise but when I put socks on, the boot will fit tighter. Also I don't have a shop near by so I'm doing my own measuring and buying my own boots online. When I measure my foot. Should I measure with socks off and get the size boot that my bare foot measures to? My bare foot is 28cm and the width is 101.6mm would a 28.5 boot with a 102mm width fit good?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Socks on. If you measure at a 28, you want a 28. A 28.5 will be too big.

[@SHAPPGolfs]

@@AngrySnowboarder so are you saying mold the liner with socks on or measure my foot with socks on? And isn't the .5 on half a cm bigger? Wouldn't the molding process using toe caps make it fit? Thanks for the reply and help. As you can tell I'm kind of a noob lol

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Both. Do you want a boot that is a sloppy fit? Because if you upsize and heat mold, you'll get a boot that is a sloppy fit.

[@SHAPPGolfs]

@@AngrySnowboarder ok well my foot measured 28cm without socks so if I measure with socks, it will be closer to 28.5cm

[@AngrySnowboarder]

That's impossible. Get some socks that fit.

[@henkka3931]

Would wearing them in a sauna work 🤔🤔🤔

[@TheGadgetwiz]

Okay. If you have a heatshrink gun, think twice. At least make sure your fire alarm is working, and you have a fire extinguisher nearby.:(

[@sniperd]

Is it worth it/possible to just buy new liners after a season or two? My boots are in pretty good shape but with a lot of days and the liners feel like they are just wearing out.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Yes there are options. Future video coming out to break this down for you guys.

[@casizzi1]

Will boot dryers impact the mould of heat mouldable boots? Im just asking as Im thinking of getting a boot dryer but really dont want to get one it if its going to destroy the mould of the boot when drying them out

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If it's convection heat it will, you want to get one that's forced air.

[@lordcomas]

"Cold hard cash!$$$ " hahaha.

[@RT-jv3su]

Will heat molding tighten up a sloppy heel? I have a new pair of last season's 32 Jones boots and the heel cup is tight but theres a little bit of room on top for it to raise out of. I took a chance on them because they were on sale online and I really wanted them because they have the heel welts for crampons, but my old Ride Fuse boots were way tighter in the heel because of the boa and fit so well out of the box that I didn't need to heat mold them. So I'm wondering if I should mold my new ones or try to find someone to trade.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Don't mold them put a J bar in there instead.

[@Autotad]

@@AngrySnowboarder fuck yes, this is exactly what I needed!

[@jace3006]

will a clothes dryer work?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

NO!

[@bradenmcguire7372]

Oven works better than microwave

[@Ogchampayne]

That’s insane that they charge my shop is free

[@todaysnarrative879]

Summer fitting. Just put boots in black garbage bag and leave them in the sun for an hour.

[@sdineen557]

My local shop is charging $50. THIEVES!!!!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Did you buy your boots from them? No? Then it's a fair price. Yes? You need to spend more with them then.

[@sdineen557]

@@AngrySnowboarder I bought the boots, new board, new jacket and new pants. Ran me about $1450 so I'd say thats enough. Once they said they're charging me an extra $50 for the molding I pulled the receipt out of my pocket and returned everything but the boots. Not too mention I've been a customer since the early 2000's... REI method is just as good and will cost me $2.50. No more giving to greedy shops - theres a family owned shop 35 mins away and they'll be getting my business from now on.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@sdineen557 Jesus they done fucked up. It takes a whopping 5 minutes to heat mold a boot and keep the customer happy. Fuck em, you did the right thing.

[@2far871]

Throw it in the drier.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

No

[@2far871]

@@AngrySnowboarder same results. Sorry man.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@2far871 yeah if you want to fuck it up. Let me guess you've owned 3 pairs of snowboard boots in your life.

[@2far871]

@@AngrySnowboarder why you angry? Wrong again. The drier works and is proven.

[@Joelweech]

I used basmati rice.... mmmm

[@pjb4653]

I heat molded my butt , ehhh huh huh huh....

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You probably also thumbjack your fart box too.

[@pjb4653]

Who else is going to do it .

[@AngrySnowboarder]

A gerbil.

[@pjb4653]

@@AngrySnowboarder the poor gerbil though

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You and Richard Gere are evil evil evil men.

[@ryanmaffioli1024]

Any negatives to heat-molding? Does this take any life of the end of the boot? @Angry Snowboarder

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If you repeatedly heat mold it will.

[@coogano]

LOL

[@folieadeux5463]

Snowboarders of the universe - Capita