Instep height of new Dalbello DRS World Cup vs. Scorpion 130 and/or Lange Z?

Hi, first post.

I'm currently in Dalbello Scorpion SR 130's. Perfect fit for me when used with a thin race liner and Conformable foam tongue. In particular, they just manage to fit my very high instep (I don't need to fasten the instep buckle). But I need to switch boots (for reasons I can get into if you're interested, but not needed for my purposes here). Tried on the Lange ZB last year. Overall a good fit, but just a bit low for my instep, and I'm not sure how much we can mod my custom tongue to adjust. I'm also seriously considering the recently-introduced Dalbello DRS World Cup (my understanding is that it and the Lange Z have the highest insteps among the plugs), but I'd have to order it sight-unseen, so I'm wondering if anyone here who's been in either the Lange Z's, or my current boot, and who has a high instep, can tell me how the high the instep of the DRS WC is by comparison. Thanks!

This is the $64,000 question! Even though it's the most important area in which to get the fit right in a ski boot the manufacturers don't publish any information about the sizing in this area. The only people who know are boot fitters who have worked on them. The only shops that I know that stock both boots are Oberhorner Sport in Germany http://www.oberhornershop.de/index.php/weltcup-rennskischuhe and Ornello Sport in Italy http://store.ornellosport.com/ you could post a question under "Scarponi" on their forum http://forum.ornellosport.com/index.php?sid=f5cfba43bd356e1c1a3cc3b794efaf93

Thanks SwingBeep. Actually, I've had a brief communication about this with a bootfitter who's familiar w/ both the SR130 and the DRS WC; he said both the instep heights, and the slope of the lower clog above the instep, are "similar." But "similar" could mean "yes, the WC is lower, but the difference is so slight all it took was a slight shaving of the tongue to get it to work", or "the WC is similar, but there's still enough difference that, even after doing all we could, I'm still experiencing some extra pressure over the instep." That's why I was hoping to get some "primary" info. directly from a high-instep person who's switched from one to the other. Having said that, I could post on the Ornello forum. What's the etiquette for language? Should I use Google Translate to post in Italian, mention I've done that, and follow it w/ the original English?

I would write the question in English and put "collo del piede" in brackets after instep and include a photo showing the instep. Below that I would paste a Google translation so that they can get the gist of what you are trying to find out. Above all keep it simple.

As it's such a new boot and Dalbello a small brand such information will be difficult to come by.
Have you looked at the DMS series? Same mould as the DRS but on a 98mm last so it has a bit more room.

You could try getting in touch with Sandy Webster he is a Völkl, Marker and Dalbello Competition Services Manager based in Calgary, he has posted about the DRS on Epicski you could join and send him a PM.

Just a thought, but have you considered writing a nice email directly to Dalbello? I would have thought that a small compnay would be more than happy to supply you with the information you need. Got to be worth a try.

I emailed them last year with a different question. I wrote it in English, but also included a Google Translation in Italian. Alas, they never replied.

Am not sure there is a great value in asking for opinion from people or companies on the suitability of products for your feet. Especially given that a lack of ankle flexibility is a much bigger factor for most people than having additional support.

You need to get shell that fits and then have a custom liner and foot bed. I have a high instep but have no problems with my existing Lange or Dynafit boots simply because they were fitted properly. Yes it adds 50% to the cost of your boots but given you can put about 50 weeks on them is hardly a poor investment.

This is not about recreational ski boot fitting. Physicist wants to buy a "plug" racing boot.

"Plug Boots– These boots are very stiff and very narrow. They often have lace up liners for a more precise fit. They often come with a better power strap as well. They are designed with the intention of requiring a professional boot fitter to do custom shell work in order for the boot to fit properly. These types of boots are typically only worn by elite racers, competing in FIS races. Due to the small number of racers who choose to ski in a plug boot and the amount of custom adjusting often required to make them fit, most retailers do not stock plug boots."

There are only 7 models to choose from, Physicist has narrowed it down to 2 on the basis of instep height. The Dalbello DRS World Cup is new this year so very little is known about how it fits in in comparison to the others. If it's bigger than the Lange around the instep, then it will probably be a better starting point. As he doesn't live in a ski racing area he probably won't have access to a shop that stocks this type of boot. If he lived in the Alps he would just go to a racing equipment shop such as Ornello Sport try on both models, decide which one he likes best and the boot fitter would then grind them out to fit his feet.

The DRS WC looks like it could be a very good boot, unlike some of the other models it isn't pre-canted and doesn't have an abducted last so it should be reasonably easy to setup.