Well I was forced into buying some new boots, after the recent problems with my Atomic B Tech Sports.
I had found the Atomics had become packed out and to loose, and invested in a cheap footbed, which seemed to make quite a difference when I was in Niederau over Xmas, but on returning home I discovered that the tongue on one boot had become detatched, and what with the comfort and size issue, I decided to take the plunge and invest in new boots in time for the trip to St Anton.....and boy was I glad I did after a hard weeks skiing.
I went into my local store and chatted to the assistant and manager about my issues, and kept an open mind. I told them I had nothing in mind, but that I had previously used Atomic, and they brought out the Hawks which seemed very comfortable but still very square fronted and high inside.
They then suggested I try the Salomon Custom Shell boots, but these were the most uncomfortable things I have ever put on my feet and immediately dismissed them, as there were pressure points in many places, not a good sign.
The boots being brought out to me were a couple of sizes smaller than my old Atomics, which confirmed to me that they had been too big when I bought them - important lesson learned there: dont buy off the shelf without a fitting or some knowledge and experience of what boots are meant to fit like!
And then it happened, the moment of truth. On went a pair of Salomon Impact 8's, slightly stiffer and narrower than my old boots, and a full 1.5 points smaller, and they felt good. slightly tight, but good, remembering that I didnt want them to fit perfectly at this stage. So I invested, £230 I hadnt planned on spending, but I got some money for Xmas so this went 3/4 of the way towards them. I had the custom linings heated up and then fitted perfectly to my feet.
Day 1 in St Anton was difficult, with a number of adjustments, a lot of grunting, and several aching bits at times on my feet, but I could feel a massive improvement. By the end of the day, they were spot on.
Day 5 was a bad boot day for some reason, but I think it was because i was hung over, not really feeling it over at Sonnenkopf, and as a result I had them too tight, and felt really uncomfortable on the long abfahrt, but by day 6, I didnt even need to adjust them once, apart from a notch tighter after a couple of off piste runs.
Having someone help with the fitting made a difference, trying on a number of different boots made my decision easier, but generally having more experience from my own skiing, and sharing the knowledge from the many people on this forum who have commented and offered advice really helped me when it came to making the right decision over which boots to buy, and I now feel an affinity with the new boots, which I dont think I did with the old ones.
Sorted.
New boots
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There is nothing that will make your feet swell more than a skin full the night before :D
Well done and congratulations on getting some boots that fit :thumbup:
My last boots, the Atomic B Techs were 80 flex, and these are 90, so they are hardly stiff, but there was a noticeable difference. What I found best was to keep the toe buckle flick tight, the top foot buckle tighter, the ankle buckle on the front of my leg totally loose to give more flex, and the top buckle as tight as possible for steering. By the end of the week and with a few adjustments early on, this became the normal and most comfortable setting, and instead of loosening and adjusting the buckles, I found all I needed to do was flick them open either on lifts or when we stopped to give a little breathing space, and then return to the same settings easily when we set off again.
Yes, I noticed a fair amount of give as the week went by, compared to the first couple of mornings, but they now feel spot on and fit perfectly, with plenty more tightening to go if needs be.
I guess it depends on the individual and their own feet, but these boots just feel absolutely right for me, and I was skiing really well after the first slightly awkward day with them.
Flex is probably something you'll find you go through phases with. There's no doubt if you were racing you'd want something pretty stiff but otherwise it's a personal thing. Beginners generally find boots with more flex are more liveable with and intermediates tend to take progressively stiffer boots. After that softer boots offer a bit more ankle flex with the penalty that you need to work a bit on harder pistes. I find a softer boot works better off-piste but that's counter to fashion currently.
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Started by Tony_H in Ski Hardware 13-Jan-2009 - 57 Replies
Neiltoo
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
Tony_H wrote:
Day 5 was a bad boot day for some reason, but I think it was because i was hung over, not really feeling it over at Sonnenkopf, and as a result I had them too tight,
There is nothing that will make your feet swell more than a skin full the night before :D
Bandit
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
Tony_H wrote:
And then it happened, the moment of truth. On went a pair of Salomon Impact 8's, slightly stiffer and narrower than my old boots, and a full 1.5 points smaller, and they felt good. slightly tight, but good, remembering that I didnt want them to fit perfectly at this stage. So I invested, £230 I hadnt planned on spending, but I got some money for Xmas so this went 3/4 of the way towards them. I had the custom linings heated up and then fitted perfectly to my feet.
Well done and congratulations on getting some boots that fit :thumbup:
Gdbn
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
Hi,
I ended up with Impact 8's .. Atomics seemed a bit big.
I am currently giving them a half hours use every day, restricted to the granite floor in the kitchen !!
They feel different each time I wear them at the moment .....
Can't wait to use them properly.
G
I ended up with Impact 8's .. Atomics seemed a bit big.
I am currently giving them a half hours use every day, restricted to the granite floor in the kitchen !!
They feel different each time I wear them at the moment .....
Can't wait to use them properly.
G
Gdbn
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
Made me think ....
You are way more experienced than me ... how did you find the flex ?
I was told they should last me a good few years and would be suitable for advancing from my novice status.
Did yours "give" a little width wise after a weeks use ?
G
You are way more experienced than me ... how did you find the flex ?
I was told they should last me a good few years and would be suitable for advancing from my novice status.
Did yours "give" a little width wise after a weeks use ?
G
Tony_H
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
gdbn wrote:Made me think ....
You are way more experienced than me ... how did you find the flex ?
I was told they should last me a good few years and would be suitable for advancing from my novice status.
Did yours "give" a little width wise after a weeks use ?
G
My last boots, the Atomic B Techs were 80 flex, and these are 90, so they are hardly stiff, but there was a noticeable difference. What I found best was to keep the toe buckle flick tight, the top foot buckle tighter, the ankle buckle on the front of my leg totally loose to give more flex, and the top buckle as tight as possible for steering. By the end of the week and with a few adjustments early on, this became the normal and most comfortable setting, and instead of loosening and adjusting the buckles, I found all I needed to do was flick them open either on lifts or when we stopped to give a little breathing space, and then return to the same settings easily when we set off again.
Yes, I noticed a fair amount of give as the week went by, compared to the first couple of mornings, but they now feel spot on and fit perfectly, with plenty more tightening to go if needs be.
I guess it depends on the individual and their own feet, but these boots just feel absolutely right for me, and I was skiing really well after the first slightly awkward day with them.
www
New and improved me
Gdbn
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
The guy I went to also heated up the liners and had me walk around the shop for a half hour until they cooled. Had to replace the footbeds with some that had a higher arch support. After fitting they felt fantastic.
I was advised to wear them at home, standing not sitting, for a half hour every evening the week or two before we go to Austria ... so if there were problems he can sort them before we go.
I have noticed they feel a bit tight width-wise and start aching a bit on the outside edges of my feet ... but I don't know if that's because I have had normal (roomy) shoes on all day and then put the boots on.
I should try them Saturday morning when I get up and see if they're different.
The aim to this .. if they give a bit width wise then it's probably not a good idea to take them back to the shop for them to make more room in the width.
G
I was advised to wear them at home, standing not sitting, for a half hour every evening the week or two before we go to Austria ... so if there were problems he can sort them before we go.
I have noticed they feel a bit tight width-wise and start aching a bit on the outside edges of my feet ... but I don't know if that's because I have had normal (roomy) shoes on all day and then put the boots on.
I should try them Saturday morning when I get up and see if they're different.
The aim to this .. if they give a bit width wise then it's probably not a good idea to take them back to the shop for them to make more room in the width.
G
Ise
reply to 'New boots' posted Jan-2009
gdbn wrote:Made me think ....
You are way more experienced than me ... how did you find the flex ?
I was told they should last me a good few years and would be suitable for advancing from my novice status.
Flex is probably something you'll find you go through phases with. There's no doubt if you were racing you'd want something pretty stiff but otherwise it's a personal thing. Beginners generally find boots with more flex are more liveable with and intermediates tend to take progressively stiffer boots. After that softer boots offer a bit more ankle flex with the penalty that you need to work a bit on harder pistes. I find a softer boot works better off-piste but that's counter to fashion currently.
Topic last updated on 27-January-2009 at 13:02