In the second installment of our “Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting” series, Blister reviewer (and bootfitter) Kara Williard is joined again by Master Bootiftter, Sam Tischendorf. But this time it is all about you, the audience, as we make our way through a bunch of your questions. Sam and Kara explain some of the technical mysteries — and at times, controversies — within bootfitting, such as forward lean and ramp angle; provide a deeper explanation of why custom insoles are so imperative as the foundation to a boot’s fit; the differences between rigid and flexible feet; they make a case for women-specific ski boots; and they end on some horror stories and Sam’s true feelings about DIY bootfitting.
TOPICS AND TIMES
- Custom insoles (4:40)
- Socks & Shell Fit (13:12)
- Forward Lean / Ramp Angle (18:51)
- Fore / Aft Balance (30:20)
- Binding Delta? (32:26)
- “The old skinny heel” (34:11)
- Aftermarket Liners (41:23)
- Time to Upgrade? (44:32)
- Flat Feet and Foot Flexibility (51:47)
- Rigid Feet Need Love (56:33)
- Women-Specific Boots (57:38)
- Horror Stories & DIY Bootfitting and Cool Stuff and Gross Stuff (1:07:28)
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”It looks pretty schmick!!”
Awesome episode. Bit like listening to a conversation that makes you just pitch in and ask questions (yeah I am that guy. And will usually buy beers in the end). As a designer, love calling out the truths about ”female” boot moulds and male-driven design decisions.
Something that kind of was touched but wasn’t discussed with, and what I personally struggle with is this: The holistic biomechanics – skier size + weight versus boot fit & materials in fitting, especially at the opposite end of spectrum (me: 6,6”, 100kg, fairly aggressive, directional skier). This is where I feel the limits of some bootfitters’ knowledge might come to play as well. I’ll shoot a more detailed question regarding this over the form.
It’s been years since I purchased my last ski boots. How much does the average 120 flex boot stock liner pack out after a few days? I found a model that fit my foot my foot shape perfectly at my local shop and my fitter and I were going back and forth between the MV & LV models. With the MV, I felt like I could leave them on for an hour without unbuckling. The LV made me a bit numb in the forefoot after 15 minutes. Do you think the MV will get sloppy after a few days, or will any packing out be counteracted by tightening down the buckles?
Short answer: assessing a fit over the internet is near impossible but I would bet a large sum of money that the MV is too high volume (too sloppy) for your foot. The tightest the boot will ever be is right now, in the store – it will only get looser from there. So, that your foot gets slightly numb in the LV is not a bad thing. Get a proper footbed, have the liner heat molded and you’ll most likely be good to go. Liners will also pack out faster in a shell that is too high volume for you – your foot will simply move around more and thus pack out the liner more quickly. Ultimately, extra room can always be made but you can’t really shrink a boot down.
Hi Chris,
Typically, you shouldn’t be relying on your buckles (especially the lower buckles on the clog of the boot) to achieve your snug fit. Plus if things do pack out and you wind up overbuckling, that will really cause some serious numbness.
I imagine with some minor adjustments, perhaps creating a bit of volume in the LV shell or just heat molding the liner, and a custom footbed, you will be happier over the long-term. Making space is much easier than trying to take up space when things do pack out. Of course, we haven’t seen your foot, so I can’t be certain. But I wouldn’t underestimate how quickly the liner will loosen up.
Can’t wait to get way more nerdy with this series. Really hoping for more detail and the “why” not just the “what” in future episodes!
Thanks for addressing my question regarding flat narrow feet! I really wish I could be there so y’all could see my crummy pencil (canoe shaped) feet! I’ve been skiing in 2017 HEAD Raptor boots for the past few years and have had the boots punched out in the ankle area several times and once in the toe lengthening area of the right boot. I also had some special soles installed to create a more balanced and properly aligned joint system (to keep my knees from knocking in). If you have a recommendation for a very good boot fitter in the Bozeman/Big Sky, MT area I’d love to hear it. Thanks again for the info! Great podcast!!
Hi Greg,
I am relieved you heard the flat, narrow feet callout. That one was for you! Also, I am happy to hear you are headed in the right direction regarding the insoles. I am not too familiar with any fitters in the Bozeman area, but we are growing our list of Recommended Ski Shops, so please keep an eye on that, and we do have a couple of Recommended Shops in neighboring states, so maybe you can make a trip out of it, someday.
Thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed it!