For Part 3 of our Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting series, Kara Williard and Kai Palkeinen, Founder of Pulse Boot Labs, dive into the intricate topic of stance balancing and canting ski boots. Kai explains Pulse Boots Labs’ analytical approach to getting it right, his refined methodology of “red light, green light”; the multi-step process of looking at the foot, insole, liner, shell, and then potentially cuff alignment and canting; and all the intricate variables that can play into this process, including snow surface, attitude, and communication.
TOPICS & TIMES
- How does this process start? (3:22)
- The Foundation (4:57)
- Red Light, Green Light (6:50)
- Pulse Methods (10:53)
- Binding Ramp Angle (17:06)
- Why Liners Matter (24:37)
- Cuff Alignment (26:14)
- Canting Schools of Thought (35:06)
- Rigid vs. Flexible (41:33)
- Communication and Stopping Points (47:47)
- Snow Surface (49:32)
- What We’re Celebrating (54:00)
RELATED LINKS:
- Blister Recommended Ski Shop: Pulse Custom Boot Lab
- Ep. 35: New Innovations in Bootfitting with Pulse Boot Lab
- A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt 1: The Basics
- A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt. 2: Your Questions by Sam and Kara
- A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots
- Subscribe to our Newsletter & Gear Giveaways
- Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s Guide
I think we’ve finally hit peak nerd on this topic.
HOORAY!!!
Not even close, am sure there must be something on the materials used in footbeds, the complex interactions of sock/footbed/liner/boot material combos, plus of course the impacts of the lunar cycle and why skiing on a Wednesday makes a difference
Bring it on I say
I wanted to ease us in gradually, but peak nerd has always been the end goal.
That said, I am quite intrigued by this idea of biodynamic skiing, surely the moon and the tides are affecting the way my boots feel…
A Pulse boot fitting changed my skiing life. I purchased and was fitted professionally no less then 6 times in 7 years by supposedly the best. The outcome was always painful feet and shortened ski days until I found Pulse Boot Fitters in Revelstoke.
Pulse Boot Fitters absolutely the best!!!
Thanks for another great podcast!
Nerdy question:
I have flexible feet and find that I am able to put a lot more pressure on the ball of my foot–and ski a lot harder–when my arches are supported. (I currently use a topographic-map-looking hump of duct tape strips applied to the top of my boot board. I should probably find a better solution…)
When performing a foot scan on someone with flexible feet, is the procedure done with the foot braced up into an arched position, or is it possible to do the math and add-in the extra foot height that would result from a footbed being in place?
Also… are there currently boots with taller cuffs for tall people? I loved that aspect of an old pair of Nordica Polaris boots I had. Felt like I could steamroll anything.
Wow. Great nerd out! More!..More!
@ Kara – Your doing a great job of letting the guest fill most of the air space! It’s annoying when podcasters invite someone on only to talk more than the guest. Keep up the great work!
I have had boot fitting problems (serious pain-6th toe etc.) most of my skiing life, so appreciate what bootfitters can do.