J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andymaxwell

Sounds good. But if you feel you are out of control, flick them back to stiff again and see if that makes a difference.

As a general rule, as a ski boot fitter I look for no more than 1 inch of forward movement in a ski boot and I make sure that when flexing the side of the boot below and in front of the ankle doesn't bow out.

If it does you may be overpowering the boot.

PS When flexing make sure you are flexing with both legs. Anyone can bend a boot too much when they are one leg flexing. Most times one boot doesn't have all your weight on it.
PPS Make sure your power strap is nice and tight, that has an effect on stiffness and control too.

Andy

Please note, with the links below I have no affiliation with any of the websites, I just like their information and tools.
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Anyone tuning their skis?
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Tuning your own skis is a great way to reduce the cost of the sport of skiing. When a full service costs £35 and you buy one, once per holiday, it all adds up to a ton of cash.

Here are some sites with useful tutorials on how to keep your skis in tip top condition.

http://www.jonsskituning.co.uk/content/category/5/14/34/
http://www.toko.ch/en/knowhow
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ski+tuning

What to buy
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In my own experience it's well worth having a full ski service done from time to time - primarily to smooth the base of your ski. But buying a few of the basic maintenance tools will lengthen the intervals between services.

At the very least, I would recommend:

- A diamond file for daily smoothing of lightly damaged edges. This will improve edge grip noticeably on those iced up pistes. (£20+)

Next up would be:

- A cheap travel iron for waxing. (£15+) -waxing allows the skis to slide.
- Good quality (but not expensive) wax. (£10 ish)
- Plastic wax scraper (to scrape off the excess wax) (£5 & up)
- A file and guide for edge sharpening. (£10 up to £50+)

You will also need:

- Base cleaner - to clean base of ski before waxing. (£10 ish)
- Pan scourer to add structure to base after waxing (reduces surface tension under ski = less sticky on wet snow). (50p)

Now there are plenty more tools you can buy and opinions on what is needed and what isn't will vary. It's all a learning process :)

I can personally recommend the Moonflex tools Johns Ski Tuning sells, they're inexpensive and work well. Alternatively if you want a more upmarket solution which will last a long time try the Toko tuning tools. Available from Ellis Brigham and Snow and Rock.

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/tools-&-servicing/store/
http://www.snowandrock.com/maintenance/ski/fcp-category/list?resetFilters=true


N.B. When choosing a Moonflex or other side edge tuning tool (you will only need to be sharpening your side edges (see Jon's tips for why)) it helps to know what they have been set to at the factory otherwise you will be either:
a) not actually sharpening the edges (and instead be filing down the side of the ski) or
b) will file too much of the edge and reduce the ski's life.

Jon has a useful section on the factory setting of skis here.. http://www.jonsskituning.co.uk/content/view/31/41/

If you're still not sure there are ways you can check using a tool you have just bought or you can buy a tool with a different angles to choose from e.g.
http://www.toko.ch/en/products/tools/edge-tuning/edge-tuner-pro
or
http://www.toko.ch/en/products/tools/edge-tuning/ergo-race


I think that's covered the basics, please feel free to add comments with any questions.

Happy Servicing!

:D Absolutely Pavel. Potentially the thicker the ski sock the more compression to exert on your foot, cutting off blood flow.

Infact, the liner of the ski boot is designed to be the insulating force. Have you checked out the ladies boot liners, more fur than a litter of kittens!

Well 'tis the season to remember foot pain in ski boots and I thought I'd give you the heads up on a couple of common reasons why this happens and what you can do about it.

1) Over-tightening your boots.

You wouldn't believe the number of people I see who have boots sized too big for them. They feel super comfy when new but soon they will be feeling the need to clamp down the buckles over the top of their foot. This has the effect of reducing the volume of the boot - which is the aim. But, think of this: The boot has been shaped in such a way as to 'match' the shape of a human foot. When you over tighten a boot (think anything which makes you grunt when closing it!) it deforms that human shape and impinges into your foot.

One of the simple resolutions I use as a boot fitter is to fit a volume reducer. This is a 3-5 mm compressed piece of foam or card which sits within the boot on the bottom. It lifts you up into a narrower part of the boot and hey presto the boot feels tighter but maintains its shape. From this you improve your control over the boot and the knock on effect is a boost in your confidence levels.

Please see an experienced boot fitter before trying this yourself as there may be more going on!

2) Unstable foot

The foot is a pretty complex device so, keeping this simple...Depending on who you listen to between 80-90% of the population has some kind of instability in the foot or ankle. Not always a problem in normal shoes but the world of ski boots is a different story (as if you didn't already know!). The ski boot is effectively a medieval torture device in the form of an iron maiden. A casket which tells your lower leg where IT wants you to be. However if you have some instability in your foot, it may not like being told where it should be. As instability can lead it to want to place itself elsewhere to relieve discomfort we need to help it to feel comfortable in the place we need it to be
To keep the foot happy consider placing some kind of supportive insole within the boot. This will hold the foot in a better position and help it to be happier where we need it to be.
The insole that comes with the boot is no better than a cheap piece of carpet offering no support. Think of a baby pram without the sides or a racing car without a supportive racing seat. With both of these in place the person in the seat is held in the position they need to be to keep them safe. Same with the foot.

With all of these please ask your local boot fitting outfit for advice.

That's it for this time. Enjoy your skiing and stay safe.

PS Please ask any questions you have re your boots, happy to help.