Latest posts for the topic "Protection for boots"

Protection for boots

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:32:29 GMT

Can I buy anything to protect my ski-boots from road surfaces

Re:Protection for boots

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:21:11 GMT

do you mean to protect the soles or something else?

Re:Protection for boots

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:16:21 GMT

Yep. Something to protect the soles whilst I trudge through car parks and the like.

Re:Protection for boots

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:12:11 GMT

There are sole protectors called Cat Tracks (or something similar)available. UK ski shops sell them. I used to use them, but always found it fiddly getting them on and off the soles. If your boots have replaceable heel and toe pieces, you may want to consider asking your boot seller to get you a replacement set.

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:13:05 GMT

What are you trying to protect them from though? The real problem that could arise is some wear at the toe and heel which is going to affect the way the binding releases. This can be compensated for by getting the bindings properly setup periodically.

More to the point, it actually takes quite a bit of wear to do that sort of damage. I'm not really sure a "normal" skier could do it in the lifetime of a boot which I'm assuming is typically not more than 6-10 weeks. If you're walking along roads, climbing over stuff and, I think the most wear, summer skiing and having to ride a few lifts and walk around you might get some wear.

I've had boots at 120-150 days use which have that damage but the point is they've been totally knackered at that point anyway.

As above, some boots you can get replacement toe and heel pieces for although I'm never sure how generally available these are. Some boots have interchangeable soles like my Endorphins as well.

As an aside, I think we've actually ended up with an awful standard for boot soles anyway. That a ski boot standard produced something that it's so awful and dangerous to walk around in is a poor outcome IMHO.

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:28:10 GMT

This is what I was thinking of.......

http://www.snowandrock.com/shop/activity/ski/accessories/tools_and_accessories/products/SEI0003.htm

They do work, and if you buy some, remember to take a waterproof bag to store them in whilst you ski, since they get grubby with the walking

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:08:13 GMT

Isn't that a bit like elephant repellent (below)? In what way do they work? I can see some wear and tear is prevented but would have definitely been a problem?

A guy's at the doctor's office in the waiting room. Occasionally he takes a small bottle out of his pocket and pours a small amount of liquid into his hand, and flings it a round the room as he yells something incomprehensible very loud. After several episodes of this people were starting to watch him and the receptionist says to the guy "Excuse me, sir, is everything all right?" The guy replies "Sure, I'm just keeping the elephants away", to which the receptionist replies, "But, there aren't any elephants around here." The guy looks up to her and says, "See, it works."

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:06:55 GMT

ise wrote:Isn't that a bit like elephant repellent (below)? In what way do they work? I can see some wear and tear is prevented but would have definitely been a problem?

Since you ask.....

They work by providing a temporary non slippery boot sole surface on which to walk.

They work by preventing endless amounts of grit and dirt from being ground into the sole of the boot chewing up the smooth plastic. That grit then being transferred onto the binding, also plastic, wrecking 2 smooth sufaces, which will create friction and slow down binding release.
No, I don't have any research papers showing the effects, it's OCS (just in case you wanted a linky)

Anyway, it's all right for you, your boots have replaceable soles

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:49:29 GMT

bandit wrote:

Since you ask.....

They work by providing a temporary non slippery boot sole surface on which to walk.

a good thing, like I said I think most alpine norm' soles are awful and quite dangerous.

bandit wrote:They work by preventing endless amounts of grit and dirt from being ground into the sole of the boot chewing up the smooth plastic. That grit then being transferred onto the binding, also plastic, wrecking 2 smooth sufaces, which will create friction and slow down binding release.
No, I don't have any research papers showing the effects, it's OCS (just in case you wanted a linky)

Anyway, it's all right for you, your boots have replaceable soles

OCS = Obsessive-compulsive syndrome ?

I'd not thought about grit transfer to the binding but stamping round in some snow ought to fix that shouldn't it?

Still, even anecdotally do you know anyone where the wear at toe and heel has become so bad that the binding won't compensate? I'm not sure I do. Bindings need checking/adjusting from time to time anyway so it's not too onerous.

My soles are interchangeable on the Endorphins, the Megrides aren't but I'll bet the boot is knackered before the the sole is.

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:29:08 GMT

ise wrote:

OCS = Obsessive-compulsive syndrome ?

If that works for you why not

ise wrote:
I'd not thought about grit transfer to the binding but stamping round in some snow ought to fix that shouldn't it?

It offers no guarantee of success though.

ise wrote:
Still, even anecdotally do you know anyone where the wear at toe and heel has become so bad that the binding won't compensate?

It's about more than the wear on the boot. It's also the effect on the friction or glide plate under the forefoot area of the boot. No I don't know of any "wear related" incidents. Anecdotally, I have worn completely awful worn out hire boots which were loose in the binding.

ise wrote:
My soles are interchangeable on the Endorphins, the Megrides aren't but I'll bet the boot is knackered before the the sole is.

Your Megarides have a cleated boot sole, so walking should be easier than with an Alpine DIN sole. Additionally as you are using a pin binding with the Megarides, your kit is far less susceptible to the issues raised on this thread
When the time comes, I suppose you could resole the Megarides with an old truck retread

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:27:32 GMT

bandit wrote:
Your Megarides have a cleated boot sole, so walking should be easier than with an Alpine DIN sole. Additionally as you are using a pin binding with the Megarides, your kit is far less susceptible to the issues raised on this thread

Like most ski-mountaineering boots they've also got rocker soles. In fact most rigid mountaineering boots are the same otherwise the lack of flex is just too much when you're walking.

Re:Protection for boots

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:03:51 GMT

ise wrote:

Like most ski-mountaineering boots they've also got rocker soles. In fact most rigid mountaineering boots are the same otherwise the lack of flex is just too much when you're walking.

I was sure that I had read about the Megaride having a walk mode, how inconvenient, not having that function in a touring boot

Re:Protection for boots

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:03:56 GMT

bandit wrote:This is what I was thinking of.......

http://www.snowandrock.com/shop/activity/ski/accessories/tools_and_accessories/products/SEI0003.htm

They do work, and if you buy some, remember to take a waterproof bag to store them in whilst you ski, since they get grubby with the walking

I've seen people unclip the shin buckles or the powerstrap and thread the loops of the cat tracks through them then redo them up so no need for a bag, give it a try first.

Re:Protection for boots

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 07:22:44 GMT

I'm with ise on this one. Sure it's nice to look at boots and see no wear on those heel/toe peices. Unless you are walking miles in them, it's not a problem, and if you are walking miles in them, then anything but ski boots on your feet would be more comfortable.

If I can't park close to the snow, I'll walk in some old shoes, which I can leave in the lodge, confident that no one will want to take them.

Trencher

Re:Protection for boots

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:35:18 GMT

bandit wrote:

ise wrote:

Like most ski-mountaineering boots they've also got rocker soles. In fact most rigid mountaineering boots are the same otherwise the lack of flex is just too much when you're walking.

I was sure that I had read about the Megaride having a walk mode, how inconvenient, not having that function in a touring boot

some misunderstanding here I think

All Garmont touring boots have walk modes, it breaks the flex between the upper and lower parts of the boot. Some also have an adjustable forward lean which I find about impossible to engage personally and I know some others find the same. They also have an extra notch on the cuff buckles for walking. Obviously for touring by walking we mean climbing or ascending on skins.

Additionally to help walking you've the vibram mountaineering soles which are on a rocker, ie a a slight curve to help walking. That's a common feature with rigid general mountaineering boots.

All of which makes them 100% more practical to walk around in than normal ski boots.

Re:Protection for boots

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:05:54 GMT

ise wrote:

some misunderstanding here I think

All Garmont touring boots have walk modes, it breaks the flex between the upper and lower parts of the boot. Some also have an adjustable forward lean which I find about impossible to engage personally and I know some others find the same. They also have an extra notch on the cuff buckles for walking. Obviously for touring by walking we mean climbing or ascending on skins.

Additionally to help walking you've the vibram mountaineering soles which are on a rocker, ie a a slight curve to help walking. That's a common feature with rigid general mountaineering boots.

All of which makes them 100% more practical to walk around in than normal ski boots.

Ah, thanks, now that makes sense. I am relieved to see that I have not lost all of my marbles...yet. Must buy a pair next time round, reads like a much better sort of boot for skiing, and getting to and from skiing! I think a rocker type sole is pretty common on stiffer hiking boots as well.

Re:Protection for boots

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:52:33 GMT

Cat Tracks are brilliant I have en using them for a couple of years! Not only do they protect your boots they protect the binding fit to your skis. Therefore if you use them you do not have to adjust your binding settings as often. Making the fit between your skis and your boots better and safer. They also make it a lot easier to walk in your ski boots, I know this sounds strange but until you have tried them you might not understand. When you walk in boots without cats on you kind of jerk your legs with them on its like wearing trainers. I wouldn't be without them.

Re:Protection for boots

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:32:24 GMT

Yeh cat trakcs are the way to go mate! available at most good ski shops!