Poster: A snowHead
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Newby calling CEM and any other wizzard boot fitters... will try to be brief
I need your advice, i need to change my ski boots due to the fact that mine kill my feet. They are too loose and as a consequence my toes scrunch up, i get killer metatarsalgia - which does nothing for my mortons neuroma! lets just say its not fun and after 2 years in these boots (men's tecnica phoenix 80's, - they were free, please dont judge me) i just cant take the pain any more. i also have hobit (size 26.5/27 and 103mm wide) feet, i should point out i an unfit 37 year old woman, that am nearly 5 foot 6 and weigh 80kg i also have a duff knee - it clicks, occasionally gives way, aches a little and is generally stiff. i reckon it's a mildly torn meniscus! Did it skiing last year, not yet seen a doctor (other than the one i live with)... This is the other reason i need new boots - i just cant flex mine and end up back seated the whole time, that and the painful feet issue means i cant improve my early intermidiot skiing. so i figure i need to reduce my flex??? Or do i just need lady boots of 80 flex???
I would like to improve and so want to get boots i can progress in. Here comes my question (finally) - will boots of flex 70 be too hard for my duff knee now and too soft for me in a couple of years? also i think my skis are a little too short (atomic affinity pure 154's) and am wondering what the consequence of the s**t fest/cluster f**k of too short skis, potentially too hard/soft boots and too massive me, will do for my duff knee!? What flex boot would you suggest? i know i need to go to be fitted - will travel for the right boot - i am trying to track down a Lange xc 70 or salomon quest access 70 as they are wide fitting boots, (and they aren't pink - i am actually allergic to pink) but no-one seems to be carrying them in the UK yet this year. is it just too early, should i wait? i know it's a little pre season to be asking, i just know from just buying normal shoes that the ones made for hobits sell out quickly... and i dont want to go all the way to bicester or london or timbuctoo for that matter, to try on narrow (or pink) boots! please help.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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frankEvb, flex is a number nothing else, the higher the number the stiffer the boot (in theory and in the same range form the same manufacturer) 70 flex is a VERY soft boot for all but a beginner of a very light skier
a soft boot will not save you knee, being set up correctly in a boot which fit you is a more effective solution, the next thing is not to focus on the published width of the boot, shape and volume are just as important, the toe box shape can dramatically affect how wide or narrow a boot of the same "published width" feels to your foot, then of course it is possible to stretch the front of a ski boot in width by a long way, it is so much more important to get the fit of the back of the foot right and then make the front wider if required sorting a boot which fits the front and then trying to tighten the heel is a nigntmare
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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frankEvb, Expert advice about boots already - but I'd just add that if you haven't already, see a good sports physio about your knee. It's so important to strengthen your muscles. I have a torn meniscus (actually getting it trimmed today - arthroscopy). My GP noticed muscle wastage (VMO) when I initially went to see her and suggested I see a physio, which I did. He got that muscle going well and I did a fair bit of general strengthening exercise which did make the knee feel more stable BUT despite his efforts I couldn't flex it right up - i.e. if I stood on left leg (the bad one) I could hold my right foot and press heel into my bottom. But the left leg just wouldn't get there, despite some work he did on the muscle and I just felt there was something wrong in there. It complains if I walk much on rough ground and swells up too readily.
My knees, even without the tear, aren't great - I'm old, for a start. If I ski "in the back seat" my knees let me know instantly. Apart from getting the right boots and doing exercises (quads but don't forget hamstrings and stretching) it might also be worth getting some good ski lessons to improve your stance. I've found that makes a big difference.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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frankEvb, boots all in stock and selling, diary getting full of appointments, what size do you mean by hobbit... we go down to 24.5 in most mens boots that we stock, or 25 if that is the smallest they make. womens boots 22.5 or 23 again if they don't make a smaller one and we have one model in a 21.5 (although it is a modified 22 shell)
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frankEvb, I went to the NHS on a self referral for a long running knee problem and they sorted me out with 2 decent examinations, a load of exercises to do at home and 8 weekly knee physio classes at my local hospital, all tailored to building up support for my dodgy left knee. After 4 weeks I can feel the difference.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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frankEvb, currently we have 54 models and about 450 pairs in stock so i would hope that we have something to fit, unfortunately suppliers don't just let us order single pairs boots on the off chance that we want them
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70 is a very soft boot for your weight. Your current skis are also very soft. I suspect you feel in the back seat because you are overpowering your equipment. When you try to get forward you get no support or feedback because you're skiing on a pair of noodles in boots as soft as slippers that don't fit properly.
M
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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hyperkub, i was about to disagree with you but thought back to an impromptu family visit to Braehead some years back where we had to use their utterly rubbish boots.
I think you have a good point.
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