Painful feet advice

I have not skied for ten years,but going in feb.

The last three or four times I skied my feet were in agony a mixture of crippling cramp and pins and needles, even after boots were removed it would take at least 30 mins for the pain to go.

I tried rented boots and bought my own boots, still no joy, even had some insoles fit at a ski exibition again no joy,(I get a very similar pain ice skating? )

Ten years have passed so I hope things have improved fitting wise, shortly I am going to see a podiatrist for advice, and in a fortnight I hope to go Ellis Brigham at Castleford. should I take my old rear entry boots for assesment or start from afresh?.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated I really would like a pain free holiday with my family.

Painful feet can ruin your ski holiday. The good news is that ski boots are now much more comfy than 10 years ago IMV. Boot fitting is now much more sophisticated, and the challenge you now face is to find a really good fitter, who understands what caused your problems in the past, and can provide the support for your feet in the boots. Your old boots are most likely to be scrap so be prepared to buy new ones. You will benefit from getting a fitting, then trying the boots out at Castleford, and then going back to the fitter for fine turning.

Just like to add that people aren't always aware that the boots shells can be 'professionally' stretched and altered to alleviate any localised sore points. Obviously the better the fit to start with the better.

I quite often get quite severe foot ache first thing in the morning. This has nothing to do with the boots but more likely just the general pressures of skiing. After an hour or so the 'juices' in my feet warm up and all is well again.

Pins and needles can be caused by restriction of the blood flow to the foot by the boot. On modern four buckle boots, not having the two middle buckles too tight can help to maintain the blood flow.

Thanks for your advice,I take it that Ellis Brigham at Castleford come under the title of good fitters? or is there anywhere closer for me , I live on the N E coast near Whitby.

johntin, firstly, throw those rear entries away!! If you plan on doing any serious skiing IMHO rear entry boots are dangerous, they don't hold the foot as well as the modern front entry buckle boots do.

Secondly, any bootfitter worth their salt will tell you that the person trying on the boot is the ONLY person who really knows if the boot they have on their feet is comfortable or not, a decent bootfitter will steer you in the right direction, i.e. Rossi boots are generally slightly more forward canted and therefore may not suit a beginner, A Nordica boot will generally be a narrower fit then a Head, you get the idea? Be honest and take as long as you need to be certain that the boot on your foot is the right one for YOU. Do NOT let colours/brand sway your decision, at the end of the day most of your boot is covered anyway. If you ever make it to Leeds try Severn Sports, my wife had endless problems and the staff at Ellis Brigham in Milton Keynes weren't very patient (now admittedly my wife can at times be indecisive but probably no more or less than most women but that's another story and no doubt the responses will come flooding in form the female half of this forum :D) The staff at Severn Sports were spot on and they knew exactly which boot to recommend when my wife complained of this and that with such a boot, in the end it turns out that the boot she felt most comfortable with happened to be the cheapest :wink: She now refers to them as her 'slippers' so cost isn't everything :mrgreen:

Freezywater thanks for advice, just rang up Severn Sports at the crossgate branch, talked to a guy called Nigel, very helpful good advice took time to listen, had a good idea what my problem could be.
so I think a visit is due.
Again thanks every one.

definatly get rid of any 10 year old boots that hurt.

It's worth considering renting in the resort, most shops are very helpful and knowledgeable.
The big bonus is you'll be able to take the boots back everyday and ask for a different pair if they keep hurting you. Different brands fit different people.

Many shops will have test boots if you say you are thinking of buying, to try before you buy.

There are so many great boots on the market now a days. The tech developments over the past ten years will blow your mind. There has to be something out there that you will be comfortable in. Just remember that any sales person who is any good at what they do will not force the product on you. It should be your choice. Go to a few stores and try a selection on. Compair what sales people say about the same product. Go with your gut feeling if they are talking crap then the product may be crap. As you may have guessed I am in sales but do not like to shove anything down a customers throat. Try it on and go home and think about it. Your comfort is most important. Good luck!