 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
So I've had my current pair of low end boots (head edge +) for three years now - they fit well (-after some work at profeet when I got my foot beds done) and cause me no obvious problems. I've been skiing for six years, and enjoy continuing to learn, but suspect I'll never get to a particularly advanced level - currently working on improving on harder reds.
Now, I'll be out in les Arcs at the end of the month, and judging from last year they'll be some end of season bargains to be had, so the question is, should I take the opportunity to upgrade? Would I see any material impact to my skiing from a better pair of boots - or at least enough to make it worth going through the hassle of the whole re-fit process? How would my current boots be holding me back?
I'm not a particularly aggressive skier for my level, though being on the big side at 14.5 stone, I imagine I load the boot up when I go for it. On the other hand, I don't have great flexion in my ankles, so not sure the softness of the boots (60) really matters. So all things considered, would you think I'll get enough out of a change, or should I hold out for a bit longer?
Any input much appreciated!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You're about the same weight as me. In my old 80'flex boots I got really bad foot and ankle pains because my boots were more flexible than my ankles. This wasn't a problem for the first few years I had the boots but the combination of me skiing harder and the Inners packing down turned them old boots into torture machine. Moved to 120 flex boots with a much better fit and both my skiing and my comfort improved.
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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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@Pejoli, if your boots are truly 60 flex, then they are way, way too soft for you at 14.5 stone. I would think you would get an improvement out of a firmer and "better" boot. Also out of doing some flexibility exercises...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Pejoli, Agree with under a new name, they are way too soft for you at an intermediot level and 14.5st.
As a starting point as you say you are not particularly aggressive I would start at 90 flex and possibly upto a 110 flex ( but rememebr the flex is only an indication and also not consistent from one manufacturer to another plus without seeing you ski hard to recommend a higher flex than the 110 ). As you have mentioned profeet you will be aware that fit is the most important factor but as you buy higher end boots this is even more important as you need them to be a much closer fit that will transmit every imput.
If they are close to you I would say call into profeet and have a word with them before you go on your holiday.
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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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How do you know what flex your boots are?! Just looked at mine and can't see anything on them to guess what the flex is or which particular model of boot to look up online
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| MCL wrote: |
| How do you know what flex your boots are?! Just looked at mine and can't see anything on them to guess what the flex is or which particular model of boot to look up online |
Flex will often be in the model number of the boot. So for example Atomic Hawx 100, would be 100 flex. However, there is no standard for flex, so it is only directly relevant within that manufacturers range. By that I mean, a Salomon 100 flex boot, might be different to an Atomic, K2, Tecnica etc.
If there is nothing related to the model on your boot, Google image the boot manufacturer to find something that looks like it, then check from there.
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@MCL,
Some boots do have it on but if not google the make and model may provide the info for you. If they are older boots they may not have any info re flex at all. If you can not find the info post the make model and year on here someone may know.
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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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Do it Pejoli. You know you want to anyway, that's why you're here...
I replaced my ageing saggy intermediate Salomons for some of the above mentioned Hawx and they hold everything together so much better. Makes you want to go at it a bit more and that's how you improve. You'll spend less time worrying whether your input will do anything and more time finding out what that input does. Worked for me...might for you.
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I'm a little hardcore, @MCL, and not a boot fitter, but 70 flex is good for kids or young teens...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Well, the people have clearly spoken - sloped off work yesterday and popped into Ellis Brigham in Stratford just to see what's what. Ended up in a pair of adapt edge 100s which felt pretty good. Unfortunately didn't have anything else in my size 30 to compare to, so they are ordering in a pair of [something else I can't remember]. Mind you, have just noticed those heads are on sale at £187, so very tempted.
One question - when they did the shell check (they had some dowels to judge the size) there was extra room beyond the biggest comfort fit dowel - my bigger foot measured in at 29.6 so the 30 was given me a bit more slack. However with the liner in, my toe was still touching the end even when I flexed - not massively, but felt a bit claustrophobic. Should I be expecting that before the liners pack in a bit, and if I went for a smaller more aggressive sizing, would it feel even more squashed? Is it an act of faith that the liners will sort themselves out over time? And, given how much slack there was in the shell, should I risk a 29.5?
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I would trust the shell check. The liner will pack out after 10 days or so of use. If you still are touching the front when flexed, get them punched in that area. Don't buy too big boots!
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You know it makes sense.
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@Pejoli, i'd go down a shell size. Boots can always be made bigger. They can't sensibly be made smaller...
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Also the liners will compress around your feet in time, so better a really tight, snug fit when they are new as inevitably they will slacken slightly through use.
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