J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by cem

a good fitter can make some pretty simple but dramatic changes to the fit of boots, the key is the shape being close in the first place, then adjusting things to suit the individual....your feet are unique, they do not come out a box so why we expect a mass produced product to fit perfectly straight out the box is a mystery to me

take a look at www.jonsskituning.co.uk normally has pretty good deals on tools/wax /probably vices as well

still trying the think who it is, send me a PM if you want to remain anon on here...i am guessing soemone from ambition but who?

sounds like a volume issue rather than one foot longer than the other, a 1/2 size shouldn't cause an issue... there are a number of things which could be going on and could be done to solve the problem, for what it is worth i rarely see boots which are too small.... clips can be moved, shells stretched and ground etc etc,you need to have the whole thing assessed properly, the footbed may actually be the problem if it is not functionaing properly, or it could be down to the biomechanics of your foot and ankle. it is is impossible to say exactly what is going on without seeing the foot and the boot but i woudl not give up hope quite yet....if there is a biomechanical issue then a foam injected boot as suggested may not be the solution especially if you only ski 1-2 weeks a season. the key is findign out where the problems are coming from startign at the foot and working outwards 9 times out of 10 if the issues are only on one foot then they can be resolved

good luck

i most certainly did... made certian that i had the race boots on for it too :D :D :D

now who is this????

they do have shape, just a lot less than you see on a recreational ski, mostly for stability at over 90KPH and to satisfy the rule gods at FIS who decide what will give the best and safest means of getting down the mountain at that speed

the difference is best seen if you go into a shop which sells both production and race room skis for GS, the production ski will have a load more shape to make it easier to turn without the requirement to be tracvelling at mach 4 .... i skied a few race room skis last week and a few production versions, i was also testing boots and whilst i could happily ski the production GS skis on the pair of slaomon Quest boots i was trying i switched to my full race Head Raptor to even think about going for a run on the factory skis

it was on a soft launch this seaosn with a few pairs around... i have a pair in my office skied it 3 days last week, there are a few versions mens 8, 10 and 12 a womens version although not below size 24 shell a P bax pro version with a thermo liner, the 12 (120 flex skies very well but only as well as an impact 10 which is what it is based on, a stiffening plate in the front of the 12 production model will make a bit of dfference...... sole plates on the p bax models are touring and can be changed to alpine those on the 8/10/12 can be changed form alpine at a cost of £40 ... the atomic version the tracker 130 is based on the CS race shell so 98mm last and a bit more stable due to the lateral response, salomon gave me the pair i am using in 28 but i could definately down size to a 27/27.5 shell with little work, whilst the 28 is ok i felt a little less stability than i normally like in a boot, still skied all but the factory GS ski on it

there are two things possibly three whaich are causing your problems

1 a large calf muscle will push you too far forward in the boot which will load up the ball of the foot, the average ski boot is designed to accept a calf of 13-14" around at the top of the boot (this is actually pretty small).... many boots are adjustable in this area to account for calf size
2 the high istep may be stopping blood flow which will cause cramping,burning and general pain in the ball of the foot, again a fitted boot should have space in this area for your foot
3 based on all the other stuff you said(high instep, large calf) i would guess that there may be a limied fexion at your ankle, this again will load up the ball of the foot and cause the burning sensation you suffer

now... rental boots are going to be pretty limiting, most operations will carry one or two brands at most in rental, thety will not fit you in any way, simply because they can't... not wanting to critise tonys advice but please ignor the salomon fit narrow feet and atomic fit wider feet bit, all brands make boots from 95mm last (very narrow race boot) up to 104/105mm last,( think comfy bucket unless you have very wide feet)

if you are likely to go skiing again then it is probably worht spending a bit of cash and buying your own boots, a well fitted boot with a footbed and some minor alterations could make these trips enjoyable.

one thing to make sure whether you rent or buy, do not fall into the trap of getting aboot too big... when you put your foot in to the boot your toes will touch the front, this should go away when you clip the boot and flex, this will mean the shell holds your foot and you do not end up claming the boot shut to hold your foot which will cut off the blood.... the other big advantage of the smallest (without pain) boot is that it will havea lower cuff which will not come up the calf as much where it is not so big

hope that helps, if you need any more infomation just ask, i am away testing skis from sunday for a week so may not be back in here much, i will be picking up e mails though

good luck

PS if your name is where you are based and you do decide to buy then pop into ski exchange in dry drayton and speak to simon... tell him i told you to ask for him