I've been skiing in a boot a full size & a half too big?

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I've been skiing in a boot a full size & a half too big?

Postby NYCJIM » Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:19 am

I went to the Giants Stadium sale last night just to try on different boots and educate myself. Now I know why the experts say that most skiers have boots that are too big. My shoe size is a 13 and I asked one clerk what that would mean in ski boot size. He said, ?30.?

Well, knowing what I know now about boots needing to be very snug, and a size smaller than we feel is comfortable, I tried a ?29? in a few models. And guess what, it was the ?28.5? that seemed to be the ideal.

28.5 is the one that fit closest like a glove and yet according to the employee and according to the charts and the labels right on the boots, I should not be using that size.

28.5 boots?which fit me snugly and appropriately?have labels on them that say they?re for size ELEVEN U.S. shoes. I couldn?t fit into a size 11 shoe if you paid me!

So, no WONDER most people get boots that are too big. When a store employee and when the industry itself (via labels on the boots) is giving you misinformation, what do you expect?

There was one other employee there from Utah who was very helpful. He knew the deal and was telling people to go very tight.

I?m on a mission for the perfect boot. I think I?m going to splurge by going to one of the bootfitter specialists recommended on http://www.bootfitters.com and from their suggestions continue my search.

Knowledge is power. I?m CRINGING now at my complete ignorance these past 3 winters of skiing, where I knew nothing about the equipment.

Thanks to you all!

p.s. My first 3 winters on skiis were the past 3 winters and now I realize I've been in boots a SIZE AND A HALF too big each and every time on the slopes.

p.p.s It wasn't easy getting into a size 28.5. I had to open the boot wide and then really flex my leg hard to get it in the boot, and yet if felt really snug and good. I'm sure it's the right size for me (my big toe was not crushed). So that tells me another reason most boots are too big for people. Who is going to bother working so hard to put a boot on? They probably feel there's no way it could be the right size. But they're wrong.
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Postby Max_501 » Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:19 am

You didn't mention if you did a shell size check which is an important step in the process. Pull the liner out and then put your foot into the shell so that your big toe is just lightly touching the front of the boot. Check to see how much space you have behind your heel. One finger is considered to be performance. 2 fingers is considered comfort. Anything more than 2 fingers is too much. Personally I prefer to use precise measuring tools (everyone's fingers are different widths) so I use dowels sized at 1/2", 3/4", and 1". 1/2" is performance and 1" is comfort.

If you have a size 13 foot I'd be surprised if you could fit in the average 28 shell (a 28.5 is just a 28 shell with a thinner foot bed in the lining). For comparison. My size 10.5 foot fits a 27 shell with a 1/2" behind the heel and a 28 shell with 1" behind the heel.

While in the shell get a feel for width as well. If your foot is being squeezed from the sides that shell may not be the right shape for your foot. So, you need to find a shell that is the right length as well as the right shape. The good news is that a good bootfitter can do all sorts of modifications to a boot to get the shape right, but you want to start off as close to your foot shape as you can.

A good bootfitter will be able to help you pick out the right boot. BUT....you have to be aware that many good bootfitters don't know about lateral vs rotary boots. Alot of them like Lange and Technica boots which PMTS dislikes because they apply a rotary force to the skis then the boots are flexed.
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Postby jclayton » Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:26 pm

NYCJIM ,
don't muck around , get to a Harb Systems Centre for alignment and boot fitting . I had 15 years of agony with all sorts of boots , sometimes changing mid season until I went to Harald . I have had perfect comfort plus lateral support ( = all day performance ) since. The expense was worth it 100 times over , I even made a special trip from Spain and I will do it again when I have to change . Your skiing will go up a couple of notches just by doing this .
skinut ,among other things
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North East Ski Systems

Postby rbrooks » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:17 pm

Agreed--

Joseph and Glenn are right up the road from you at North East Ski Systems (http://www.neskisystems.com). They're harb certified, and you won't leave until you're optimized for primary movements.
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Re: North East Ski Systems

Postby NoCleverName » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:28 pm

rbrooks wrote:... you won't leave until you're optimized for primary movements.


... damn straight.
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Thanks!

Postby NYCJIM » Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:05 pm

Sounds like a plan. I didn't realize there was one near me on the East.

I'm really taking the advice of the boot fitting experts seriously. I've found what I've read in Harald's books to be exactly as he says when I'm on the slopes trying things out. So I'm trusting him and you completely that the $ and time I spend on getting the best boot for me will be time and $ worth spent.

I'm really looking forward to skiing on the best boot for me.

thanks!
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Postby Ken » Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:13 pm

There are only a limited number of shell sizes, then the intermediate sizes are differences in the liners. Some boot makers seem to make the liners too small for the shell. In a couple of years after the liner stretches out, you're too loose, and you buy new boots.

I like boots that fit as tightly as possible without discomfort. My big toes are hard against the end when I'm standing upright, and the foot pulls back when I'm in the skiing position. My toes lightly touch the ends all day with no problem.

A bootfitter can always make a few parts of the boot bigger. They cannot make the boot smaller. If one brand does not give a good fit, try a different brand. Head, some Dalbellos, Nordica, Salomon (if I'm remembering right) are recommended here. I could not get a good shell fit in Heads...one shell size was too small, the next was too big. Nordicas fit me just right after the side for one little toe was heated and stretched.


Ken
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Thanks for the info!

Postby NYCJIM » Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:27 pm

I skied on Saturday and instead of the usual, asking for my shoe size, 13, I said "12." It felt good and then I thought, Hey wait, I might be able to do a 1/2 size smaller and have it really snug.

So i changed them for an 11 1/2. (28.5).

That's a full size and a half smaller than I've ever used and they fit!

After skiing the morning, I liked how much control I had over the skis. They seemed to be doing instantly what i wanted.

The problem came after lunch. After sitting down for a half hour I guess my feet swelled a bit. The first run after lunch was PAINful. My big toes were hurting. I made it down and then loosened the boots. That helped a lot, but I felt done for the day.

I will find the right boot and the right size soon. I was just glad to see how much more responsive the skis are with tight boots.
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Postby Max_501 » Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:36 pm

NYCJIM,

Pull the liner out and check the shell size. Its the only way to tell if the length is right for you.
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Tecnica

Postby NYCJIM » Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:34 am

Okay, I bought boots the other day and I'm real happy. Sorry to see that PMTS doesn't like Tecnica boots. I got a Tecnica Diablo Spark, size 28.5.

I tried on so many boots and did the shell fitting, with the liners out. The one boot that seemed perfect for me is the one I got.

This is my first boot. I think it will help me a lot with my skiing. No other boot felt this snug all around, so I felt this one really spoke to me. I was going to go to an alignment center, but for now (and my budget) I think I made the best decision.

Now I'm just eager to break them in. I've been wearing them in my apartment, LOL, and I get an overall throbbing pain from them after 5 minutes. But that pain goes away and the boots feel very snug.

I think there's just about a 1/2 inch (if that) behind my heel when I take the liner out and do a shell test. The width seems perfect for my feet too.

Can't wait to hit the slopes next week! My next mission is to demo different skis and then buy my first pair next year.

I'm thankful for the advice I got! I tried on so many boots and made lots of trips to different stores. Always in the back of my mind was the comments from most in the know that most people buy boots too big.

I'm confident I have the right shell and right size. And they look so cool too! LOL

See u on the slopes.
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