A call to all experts - BOOT tricks and TIPS

OK all you Ski experts - I know you are not going to resist this one.

Here it is: I am going on my 4th Ski holiday - in about 4 years. - so simply put - now I can do some simple carving, and feel I have enough ability to enjoy myself - comfortable on Blue and sneaking onto a couple of RED runs (for reference my resorts have had GREEN, BLUE, RED, BLACK).

Ok so there you have measure of my ability, now the questions (before you answer I do realise that a tingling sensation, or loss of feeling in your feet probably mean your boots are too tight :D ):

1) :?: I never get my boots tightened correctly. I think its psychological - as a novice does it make any difference to your control/response based on how tight your boots are done up?

2) :?: Does ski'ing with THICKER ski socks vs THINNER ski socks make any difference to your control/feel?

3) :?: Based on 2 - I find with thicker socks I have to OVERITGHTEN my boots to get them to feel like they are on my feet (but then my toes freeze - probably due to lack of circulation), so question is do you need to tighten your boots more with THICKER socks?

4) :?: Which part of the BOOT should be the tightest? I have 4 "buckles" - 2 over foot and 2 over shin? Which ones should be tighter to give me the most amount of control? (maybe a silly question)

5) :?: Bindings on the ski: what movement should I see between my boot and the binding. Last night I went out for a quick run down the local dry-slope, and noticed that the toe end of my boot had a fair amount of movement vertically (ie I could lift my boot slightly) - is this normal. I did'nt seem to loose my ski's at all in the session - so probably does not matter. How do you know if the binding is set at the right level - I mean - the "fitter" always asks how good are you? never know what to answer.

6) :?: Is there anything fancy you guys/gals can recommend that will help me with comfort, or tricks of the trade that helped you in the beginning. (I do have molded insoles - but thats all)?

7) :?: One last question relating to Ski's ....(in a boot topic - sorry) - there are different types of ski's: for relaxed ski'ers, for speed ski'ers, gold level, Silver class, blah blah blah. Never know which ones to HIRE. What types should I look for to enhance my Beginner to Intermediate level of ski ability? And gain confidence in my ski's!!!

Please refer to the Question number above - if you respond.

THANKS ALL!

Here it is: I am going on my 4th Ski holiday - in about 4 years. - so simply put - now I can do some simple carving, and feel I have enough ability to enjoy myself - comfortable on Blue and sneaking onto a couple of RED runs (for reference my resorts have had GREEN, BLUE, RED, BLACK).

There is no reason for you to think you can only ski greens or blues. Some piste classification is erratic to say the least. Reds often mean they have steeper sections, but many reds are wide and allow you to traverse across so if you are a competent skier you should be ok. Dont look straight down a red or black and think youcant do it because of the steepness, look across it from side to side as thats the route you will take.
Blacks might be best avoided by choice for the time being, as they often can be very steep, quite narrow, icy, or contain moguls that might totally blow your mind at the moment!

Ok so there you have measure of my ability, now the questions (before you answer I do realise that a tingling sensation, or loss of feeling in your feet probably mean your boots are too tight :D ):

1) :?: I never get my boots tightened correctly. I think its psychological - as a novice does it make any difference to your control/response based on how tight your boots are done up?

Having both boots that fit you correctly and having them correctly fastened are 2 of the most important things for you. Search this forum for threads about buying boots etc, theres been many a discussion on this. If you own your own boots, which I thoroughly recommend, are they actually the right size? Try the test without the lining, again detailed on many threads on here. It is most certainly NOT phychological - a correctly fitting boot properly fastened will put you more in touch with your ski and you will notice how much more control you have.

2) :?: Does ski'ing with THICKER ski socks vs THINNER ski socks make any difference to your control/feel?

Definitely. You need to wear what you are comfortable with, but thicker socks (especially tube socks) have a tendency to rub or make your foot too hot or to get creases in them that can cause pain and also stop bloodflow. Try and get thinner socks with padded areas on the shin, abkle and top of the foot, preferably made of merino wool.

3) :?: Based on 2 - I find with thicker socks I have to OVERITGHTEN my boots to get them to feel like they are on my feet (but then my toes freeze - probably due to lack of circulation), so question is do you need to tighten your boots more with THICKER socks?

Bin the thick socks, problem solved. Sounds to me like your boots are actually the wrong size for you too.

4) :?: Which part of the BOOT should be the tightest? I have 4 "buckles" - 2 over foot and 2 over shin? Which ones should be tighter to give me the most amount of control? (maybe a silly question)

All 4 are important, but the top one is perhaps the most important. Each one has a job of holding different parts of your foot and boot together. Going from the top down:
1st clip needs to be flick tight (so you can just about flick the clip without it coming undone but not too tight so you cant lift the clip) leaving you able to put a couple of fingers down the back of your calf at the top of the boot.
2nd clip I tend to ski with as LOOSE as possible as it is more comfortable and gives a little more flexibility as you push forwards. It does not affect the flex rating of the boot though
3rd and 4th clips I like to feel reasonably tight, but not too tight so that you have to prise them open.
You ought to find that when you start first thing in the morning, you have them all as loose as you can, and then tighten as the day goes on if you need.
I always also flick the clips undone as I get onto a lift between runs.

5) :?: Bindings on the ski: what movement should I see between my boot and the binding. Last night I went out for a quick run down the local dry-slope, and noticed that the toe end of my boot had a fair amount of movement vertically (ie I could lift my boot slightly) - is this normal. I did'nt seem to loose my ski's at all in the session - so probably does not matter. How do you know if the binding is set at the right level - I mean - the "fitter" always asks how good are you? never know what to answer.
Leave this to the experts. If you rent, they will ask for your height, weight and ability, same as when you have bindings fitted when you buy. Bindings should fit your boot perfectly without getting stuck going in or out of them. DIN settings are how easily the bindings will release, the lower the setting the easier it is to come off.

6) :?: Is there anything fancy you guys/gals can recommend that will help me with comfort, or tricks of the trade that helped you in the beginning. (I do have molded insoles - but thats all)?
Get some good quality merino wool socks, try on a lot of different boots, have your feet looked at by a fitter. If you rent boots, think about buying your own, but dont buy based on spec or colour, buy on comfort. I used to wear Atomic but changed to Salomon as they fitted much better and made a huge difference personally, but it depends on the shape of your feet. If they are unusual, you may beed custom insoles. Again, talk to an expert in a ski shop.

7) :?: One last question relating to Ski's ....(in a boot topic - sorry) - there are different types of ski's: for relaxed ski'ers, for speed ski'ers, gold level, Silver class, blah blah blah. Never know which ones to HIRE. What types should I look for to enhance my Beginner to Intermediate level of ski ability? And gain confidence in my ski's!!!

Sounds to me like you are a keen and improving intermediate. Therefore you want at least silver or 2nd grade skis. More importantly is making sure its right for you. I assume you ski pistes only, therefore you do not need an all mountain ski. However, you might want to try one for a day in an exchange to see how you find them - wider underfoot in order to progress to skiing in powder and offpiste mainly, so probably a little far ahead just now. Dont just accept what they give you in the shop though, as they will want you in and out as fast as possible generally. Ask them, show a genuine interest, going for top or gold will probably just mean newer models and better spec skis, might be worth having a try on some of these for a few quid more. The main thing is the length. Your skis should come up to somewhere between nouth and forehead level stood on end next to you. Nothing wrong with going shorter or longer, as long as you realise that shorter will mean quicker turning and longer will mean faster skiing - generally. Newer and more high spec skis will probably be stiffer and a little harder to work, but softer skis will slow you down a little and could be unstable at higher speeds - tips wobbling maybe?
If you are a progressing early intermediate, aim for a mid range ski at a good length which has a good reputation with the hire shop. Its no good suggesting a certain brand as they all make so many different models.
Finally, if you rent a pair and dont get on with them, take them back and ask for something different. They will be happy to oblige normally.



I am by no means an expert, but this ought to help a little.
I am sure you will find more specific advice coming along shortly from other sources.

Take up snowboarding.

tino_11 wrote:Don't take up snowboarding, its for losers

Sound advice there from our resident German Scottish Geordie


:lol:

Pfffft.

Scottish - Definately
Geordie - Maybe a bit
German - ???????

LOL thanks TONY - you certainly sound like an expert!

on the boot size thing.

So I bought my own boots 2 trips ago - after the first trip I ever went on was excruciating - rented boots - and very uncomfortable.

So I got them professionally recommended and fitted - with insoles. Just hope the shop sold me the right ones!. I have gone on 2 ski-trips now with them - and I have to say they "feel" ok - but like with anything its only because you do not know anything different that makes them ok!

All I can tell you is they are 235mm Head boots :shock:

Love your work!

darrylhuk wrote:LOL thanks TONY - you certainly sound like an expert!

on the boot size thing.

So I bought my own boots 2 trips ago - after the first trip I ever went on was excruciating - rented boots - and very uncomfortable.

So I got them professionally recommended and fitted - with insoles. Just hope the shop sold me the right ones!. I have gone on 2 ski-trips now with them - and I have to say they "feel" ok - but like with anything its only because you do not know anything different that makes them ok!

All I can tell you is they are 235mm Head boots :shock:

Love your work!

Can I suggest you contact CEM who comes on here from time to time, possibly by PM would be best, and seek his advice?
There is a test to find out if you're boots are the right size which involves taking out the linings and standing in them with toes touching the front. You should have a certain amount of distance behind your foot before the shell, but I am not sure whats the recommended amount TBH.
Someone of your level should have boots with around 80 flex ideally, but the key thing is getting them the right size.

tino_11 wrote:
German - ???????

Country of residence amigo