Modifications To Make Ski Boots More Comfortable

[@optiwlk]

Man as an actual boot fitter, who is good, but can Definitely learn more. This was great. I could use another hour of this! I really wish there was more resources like this for Boot fitters.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Why I do these podcasts!! Spread the word and the knowledge. Thanks for tuning in ❤

[@optiwlk]

@@Bigpictureskiing if you were ever to do another version like this, but a bit more geared towards actual boot fitters, with some tips and tricks from a well seasoned veteran that has learnet along the way to inspiring Boot fitters like my self that would be amazing!

[@mikehoffman7131]

Tom, great episode. I truly like how in the content you are not just having a conversation but expanding your knowledge in the fitting process. You are asking questions that we usually ask in our head.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Haha yes this is so true. I’m always on the lookout for expanding my knowledge

[@bubu6210]

By far the best video I have seen on the subject of bootfitting. Compliments. So sorry not to have any boot fitter of that level of skills anywhere within 500 Miles.

[@zyumbik]

So informative! Loved this talk and your overview of the heel issue on Insta. I wish this video existed a year ago. I don't have access to any bootfitter (let alone a competent one) so I kinda have to learn things the hard way and fit my boots myself. Got the heel bunion last season, exactly like yours! I was trying to practice flexing the boot hard and feeling how much is too much or too little. So the heel was hitting the back of the boot pretty hard. I didn't realize that the instep part is so crucial. I feel it's quite snug for me but I definitely feel it can be better. I also was only making a pocket for my bunion but I'll definitely consider the Lou's idea about giving it space to move upwards too. I'll be downsizing from 28 to 27 boots because on run-down SL courses I can feel my feet wobbling around quite a bit. Overall I'm very tall and I have narrow heel while the front part of my foot is wider. Will need to do something similar to what you did for your boots in the front. I'm currently running 130 Raptors with 96 mm last, definitely planning on switching to a real plug boot with 92 mm last. One thing I'm uncertain about is flex. Do you have any tips? I'm an amateur racer now (raced as a kid) aspiring to get better and faster. Mostly freeskiing, but the goal is to ski more SL, rarely GS. I'm 196 cm tall so I have a lot of leverage due to height but I'm skinny at 75 kg. I have very mobile ankles. Super thin calves. In my raptors, before I had the bunion, I definitely felt like they are the right flex. After the bunion it has been difficult to put significant forward pressure at all. However, sometimes I feel like they are too soft, especially in spring. And I'm pretty sure at times they felt a bit too stiff too. Not really sure how to approach this. My idea is to get a 140 flex boot or even 150 and soften it down gradually by cutting the indents into the shell in the cuff region until I feel like the flex is right. Is there any downside to this strategy? I've read your guide on bootfitting, learned a ton from it, but flex is still somewhat unclear for me. I understand that different boots with same flex markings may feel different, especially because of fit issues as I figured out from my own experience. However, some guidance on what the right flex feels like on the slope or at the store would be great. Sorry for such a long comment and question, I just found this video very helpful and relatable. Big fan of what you do! ❤

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I’d do what yore suggesting. I think it’s quite easy to modify the flex to make it just how you like with small u cuts. And how good is that info on the heel bump issue!! I was making a pocket too until Lou informed me.

[@zyumbik]

@@Bigpictureskiing awesome, thank you so much!

[@wardwilson7038]

Timely video. Thanks! I just bought a new pair of Tecnica plug boots. My last 2 pairs of boots have been plug boots. I bought the tools to grind out where I needed room. They have been the best boots I have ever had! Quick question about punching the boots. How do you prevent shell distortion which lets snow get inside? That was always my experience until I started grinding exclusively. I have also seen shells that were distorted so bad that the soles were no longer flat. Thanks

[@Bigpictureskiing]

You may need to get a vise or something to hold the ski sole flat. At least to stop distortion. I put mine in a solid ski binding if I’m worried about this with a punched. The leaking part that’s tricky. If Lou lees this maybe he will comment

[@lourosenfeld6589]

Snow getting in can be a problem but depends on where you are punching. If snow is getting in at the front snow dam I would just use duct tape If you think it is leaking in the instep area you can buy soft foam at hardware stores used to seal windows and doors that works well. Some is even adjhesive.

[@lylecarlsonsurfboard]

Sounds good! I’ll send my boots 👢 now ❤

[@Skedawg88]

I use Zipfit, with that simple change I can ski in any 98 mm shell. They are somewhat expensive but worth the money. Thanks Tom for presenting some good, useful information.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I agree they are worth the money!

[@dion3302]

Can u pls tell this legend to open his shop again so I dont have to go all the way up to banff to get my boot fitted

[@lourosenfeld6589]

Thanks for the thumbs up but that won't be happening. Retirement in Sun Valley is awfully nice. If you are using Pulse in Banff I think you can find more knowledge and better tools at Ski West.

[@waclawkipszak2242]

A-MAZING! This was absolutely amazing... I got to get a grinder... and play with it on my old boots to practice :D I love your approach/attitude as well as intution and ability to find such guests. I guess good people attract good people. Mountain biking needs a version of you or you should do a MTB POD too. Started following you on instagram and ace content there as well. I am based in Sweden but haven't found anything like you on European channels. I actually found a few more Aussies pumping out quality content like Paul Lorenz ( at least I think he is from AUS) Cheers man! Fantastic content

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks for the support! Got my hands full for now with skiing, although I do love mtn biking. Pauly is a good friend and a great resource too 👌🏻

[@cypilotiowan4761]

I’d love to hear his thoughts on Dodge carbon fiber boots

[@julianbone6337]

Highly Recommended

[@Steph-iw3hr]

Another good one Tom and Lou If I want to summarize between grinding and or punching If you need to make the boot a bit longer at the front side or rear side ; better to grind to be more accurate ( like for bunions or bony parts When it comes to sides or ankle like to get more space for internal navicular , better to punch like massage with the right tool I still have some pain at right navicular after a couple of hours despite my Zipfit liners Or so many good boot fitter in my region Thanks for your tips Stephane

[@lourosenfeld6589]

It isn't quite that easy. Grinding can be more specific and it is easier to make very very small changes, but a boot is only so thick and many times more space is necessary than can be made with a grind. For instance the bunion punch could not have been done with a grind. So t o me it is a matter of how much space you need to make and how easy it is to maneuver the grinder.

[@Steph-iw3hr]

Thanks Lou , may I send you some pictures ?

[@louisrosenfeld1203]

Of course

[@WardLangeJr]

Hello there Lou, I just watched the video.... awesome stuff!! I wish our paths crossed sooner because you just covered every issue I have. I feel my heal/ ankle are on the narrow side but with a wide fore foot ( LFT 4.25" bunion fixed / RFT 4.6" bunion) and MV to HV calf. The boot felt decent (traded inTecnica HV 100) with the right sock combo but not snug to where I felt 100% especially over the years (8 years) of wear. I'm hoping my local ski shop in D&Q - Cherry Hill NJ will have some of the knowledge you possess to where they can customize my right foot being wider. I just hope after the surgery my right boot can be recustomized to fit my narrower foot. Is that possible? I'm hoping to stay with Tecnica. Maybe I wait when I'm out in Sun Valley come March on our annual ski trip!! Enjoy retirement!!

[@n-da-bunka2650]

Good insights. #subscribed I am 5'10" but my torso is the length of a 6'3" man which means I have super short legs for a 215lbs guy. I race slalom and GS in the winter (20-ish handicap) but there are no "race" boot fitters within a 2 hour drive. None of the local store sell race boots so I might have to do some of this myself. My 3 problem areas: (1) high instep so may need to shave the footbed itself as NO race boots offer a High Volume shell. (2) Extremely infrequent toe bang on the second to largest toe of my right foot & of course, (3) the lower leg compression.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I hear you on the race boot fitting challenge!

[@lourosenfeld6589]

I disagree on the lack of high volume race boots. Heads new boot has a very high instep as does Tecnicas. Maybe you have tried them and they aren't high enough. But if you haven't I'd give them a try. Also try removing the footbed completely and see how that helps. The problem with that as a final solution is it alters the fit everywhere. But if it works, put it back in and grind the tongue thinner directly above the instep. You'll gain almost as much as removing the footbed and won't alter fit elsewhere.

[@AaaBbb-br2ts]

I'd be interested to hear Lou talk about the opposite type of instep problem--one that's too low instead of too high.. Suppose you've found a race boot that closely follows the shape of your foot, has a good heel pocket and good wrap around the ankle and the forefoot, but has an instep that's a bit low. You don't want to grind the bootboard, because that drops you into a narrower part of the last (and makes your ankle bones too low relative to the malleous pockets). And you've already thinned the tongue. How hard is it to upstretch the instep without risking other problems (boot leakage, etc.)? And what if you have a boot with such a close ankle wrap that, while not uncomfortable, limits your ability to tip your feet? Is that a problem?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Yes that’s an issue and a student of mine solved it. He bought what’s called an instep jack from Southern ski tools. Google them and that product name. Also speak to the guy at southern ski tools if this is anyone’s problem as it can be a bit of back and other as you stretch up wards it wants to pull the sides in. So you need to possibly go back and forth. But this was the only thing that solved my students high instep pressure problem

[@AaaBbb-br2ts]

​@@Bigpictureskiing Thanks! I recall a discussion of that tool on the TGR forums, but didn't know if that was just one of many possible approaches. I'll mention it to my bootfitter. And maybe i will call the Southern ski tool guy to see if his tool can be used to increase height right at the break, or only just forward of it.

[@lourosenfeld6589]

If you pull the liner you will see most manufacturers use a substantial about of plastic on top of the tongue in the instep area. With a grinder it is easy to thin out and make more of a difference than you may initially suspect. Be careful not to damage stitching on the sides. If you do duct tape works well. The tool Tom is describing can work well, but also tends to narrow the fit through the midfoot. So my advice is to start by thinning the tongue. As a test remove the liner footbed. If that works, thinning the tongue will probably work.

[@chemystify]

@@lourosenfeld6589 Thanks Lou! Yeah, the tongue is step one. Jim Schaffner has a nice two-part video series about tongue thinning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJCldp2uibh6sKs and kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp2VlqyiisuGmc0 And your suggestion to try w/o the orthotics was very helpful! That lowered me by 8 mm (they're laterally posted to help my supinated feet evert), which was fascinating, since it didn't completely fix the problem, making me realize the issue is not just the vertical space, but also my long HIP, which is causing the break to push diagonally into my foot. This applies to both of my new boots (TI 130 and Lange ZB). If needed, can the breaks be diagonally upstretched? Both models are also too narrow at the instep, so it seems the fitter would need to block them laterally during the upstretch to avoid the narrowing effect you mentioned, and then iteratively expand upward and sideways. Then again, these are plugs, so they could be laterally ground instead of stretched (I know the break can only be stretched, b/c the plastic there is too thin to grind). In case you're wondering: My local bootfitter is very experienced generally, but only does about one plug every year or two. There are no race shops near me. My alignment specialist, whom I'll be flying out to see for canting, is experienced with plugs, but the idea was to get most of the fitting done locally to avoid extra days in a hotel next to her shop.

[@s3bdon849]

Any recommendations on what dremel to buy, to grind my own boots? Same for a heat gun. Cheers.

[@dnlppl]

Really interesting stuff about the heel spur remedy. It seems counter intuitive at first glance, but having developed a large heel spur on my right foot from teaching a season in tight boots with a way too high volume custom footbed that shrank the heel pocket, it makes a lot of sense. I initially thought that maybe skiing in a boot that's too soft with a lot of forward lean was the issue - any thoughts on that? As a tele skier too, I found that skiing low really aggravated my heels, quite a bit. I have since adopted a more upright skiing position, and shifted away from pressuring the ski from the cuff, and more towards pressuring through the ball of the foot, and has really helped out a lot with reducing heel pain. Have you ever considered doing any videos applying what you've learned about alpine technique to telemark? I feel like you would have some great insight.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I considered tele videos for now it would be a distraction from what I'm most interested in. But, maybe one day!

[@bralexander123]

Great video, thanks a lot! Question: In my new boots (already modiby a bootfitter) I feel pain on the inside of the feet in the area that goes from above the arch towards the ankle bone (not on the ankle bone itself). It also feels like my pinkie toes go numb (but no pain there). Is this something that could be sorted out by making more room in the navicular area as shown in the video? Or do you think it's more of an insole problem (it's custom made by the bootfitter but feel strange, was really expensive)? And can you recommend bootfitters in Germany or Austria? Thanks a lot!

[@jefflacourse3344]

I use ZipFit Corsas in my Head Raptor RS 140s. Those shells leak like a sieve. Only problem left with fit is after a while my right foot third and fourth toes begin to ache and I HAVE to get the boot off. Not sure how to fix it or even what is causing it.

[@lourosenfeld6589]

Really difficult to say what is causing pain on your third or fourth toe. Does it hurt on the tip of your toe around the toenail or further back. My raptors leaked a lot as well. Soft window sealing foam from a harware store installed in the instep area should help. It solved my problem.

[@jefflacourse3344]

@@lourosenfeld6589 In terms of toe pain they go numb and then the whole area aches really badly from those metatarsals all the way to the toes themselves which are going numb. Where are you suggesting putting the window seal?

[@sunmand6136]

Hey Tom, did you ever hear back from that guy you had on a year ago. I think he represented VPECS Technology. Perhaps have him on again and see if it is for sale now ? Thanks in advance.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

No i havent!!! I should reach out

[@sunmand6136]

@@Bigpictureskiing Thanks.

[@richardcasey4439]

How can we find a good boot fitter?

[@lourosenfeld6589]

There are no shingles they can hang out that guarantees anything. But you can start by going through the initial measuring and assessment process. If the assessment is more about you talking than them looking, go elsewhere. If they don't measure the width of both feet, go elsewhere. If they won't guarantee fit without a footbed, move on. If they can't describe what they see when they look at your feet and tell you what their plan of action is try somewhere else.

[@rmschindler144]

wide forefoot, narrow heel: you got my attention . ... . you’ve had a couple of black toes?! . I’m not shy to admit I’m la-dee-da about this: I do not ‘push through the pain’: that is unacceptable for me . skiing for me is rather a zen-like experience (but not the kind of zen that exalts suffering :)) . anyway... my question is, off the top of your head - or anybody else that reads this - what are some brands or models known for the widest toe boxes?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Here’s the thing. The toe box is not that hard to broaden. And why that’s important is because the wide toe box usually means wide and more volume all over. Most brands offer wider last models. But the width is spread out everywhere.

[@christianabandabella235]

This is why I don’t recommend skiing to my young friends anymore. Unless you are lucky with your feet shape and/or find a good boot fitter, you are just damaging your feet. And they haven’t even touched on the insole (or lack thereof), flex and temperature sensitivity of boots. It just seems that the whole industry just needs to do better. In the meantime, snowboarder are just chilling (provided they have good wrist and butt guards, and helmet)

[@rmschindler144]

too bad you can’t shave the bunion, hey? :)

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Yep unless you feel like surgery. I know a friend who needed to. Seems like he’s fine, but I’d rather not

[@spaceshipdms]

step 1, get a snowboard