Flat feet, big ankle

I have exactly the same problem and before I went skiing the second time I invested in a pair of custom moulded foot-beds ...no problems with them since...they raised my arches and thus repositioned the ankle stopping it rubbing on the boot..when some nice kind person borrowed my ski bag (and boots) last year I had to rent a pair and was in agony ....even though I tried at least 4 different boots

I feel that if you depend on the hire shops to find a comfortable pair you will be disappointed...I was..and the cost of a pair of foot-beds is about the cost of 2 lunches in the Alps!

Sued..why should a foot-bed give you more strain on the hips ...your flat arches put a strain on the body already

Huwcyn wrote:You'd give in that easily would you, Tony? :roll:

Me? No, not a chance.
I had hoped you would have been able to identify a humourous post when you saw one though, Huw :roll:

Huwcyn wrote:I am going skiing in a couple of weeks, and went today to have a run-out on a dry slope, and was in agony for the whole hour.

My right foot, which has markedly less arch than my left, (none in fact) was hurting at the inside ankle. It is very pronounced, and was being pressed upon by the boot, so my concern is now - am I going to get a comfortable boot whilst out there, with the hire people?

Has anybody been in a similar position, and what is the general advice?

A fairly cheap solution to your problem, would be to go and get a footbed made for skiing. This you can move from boot to boot, while you continue to rent. Your feet will be properly supported, and any imbalances at the ankle can be neutralised by the fitter glueing bits on the bottom of the footbed.

If you just needed some support I would suggest a Superfeet footbed, you clearly need a little more.

Tony_H wrote:

Huwcyn wrote:You'd give in that easily would you, Tony? :roll:

Me? No, not a chance.
I had hoped you would have been able to identify a humourous post when you saw one though, Huw :roll:

My post was intended in a humorous way as well Tony, but obviously my understanding of the emoticons isn't up to scratch - maybe :D would have been more appropriate?

Huwcyn wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Huwcyn wrote:You'd give in that easily would you, Tony? :roll:

Me? No, not a chance.
I had hoped you would have been able to identify a humourous post when you saw one though, Huw :roll:

My post was intended in a humorous way as well Tony, but obviously my understanding of the emoticons isn't up to scratch - maybe :D would have been more appropriate?

Ah, ok. No worries. I usually use :wink: when posting tongue in cheek/sarcasm etc.

:roll: usually means "you're a numpty" or "FFS"

Handbags away ladies.

Usually takes me a few runs to get my boots to the point where I am totally comfortable in them. If they are too tight straight away then they hurt and it takes time for them to feel right. Usually don't bother with the bottom 2 at all unless I am skiing something particularly steep or fast. The power strap is the first thing to get done up followed by the 2 buckles below (first thing I can only just get them on the first notch) then they gradually get tightened over the first couple of runs.

daved wrote:Sued..why should a foot-bed give you more strain on the hips ...your flat arches put a strain on the body already

I am under the care of an orthotist who is having special insoles made for me. The thinking behind this is that I have put pressure on my hips and as age catches up with me I will have problems. I do get a lot of joint pain anyway. It will take me a long time to be able to wear the insoles as it will totally change the way I walk. But in the long run I will benefit. That is why I haven't bought my own boots as I thought it would just confuse the issue. I am hoping that once I have got used to the new insoles I can then look into getting insoles and ski boots. I am really hoping that comfortable boots will also help my skiing ability! Not so great when you are in pain! :cry:

stabilise the foot in its best functioning position and then stretch the shell to accomodate the ankles shouldn't be too hard to achieve

go really easy when trying the new insles as they will change your posture and the muscles are not used to it.... you may get them into a ski boot but you may require a specific insole for your boots due to the shape