 Poster: A snowHead
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I have just purchased a pair of Nordica speedmaster 14 (flex 120-130) . The fit is great and comfortable , skied for a full day at the the Cairngorm last weekend , powder , wind blown slabs and crud , and feet felt great at the end of the day. However , when compared with my old boots Salomon x-wave 8 , when skiing in varibale snow conditions i felt that I did not have as much control , even wiped out twice as the boots semed to offer offer little foregiveness. I am 5 foot 11 and 11st 8 lbs , (i.e slim) is this new boot flex too strong?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The jury is out on boot flex at the moment. The traditional view was that as you got better you needed a stiffer boot right up to full blown racers who would have boots as stiff as yours! Along comes the likes of Warren Smith and says you need more ankle flex for big mountain skiing. your boots should not in any case be more flexible than your ankles. Is there no flex adjustment in the boots short of a hack saw?
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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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jbob,
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Along comes the likes of Warren Smith and says you need more ankle flex for big mountain skiing.
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Does that account for the fact that certain peoples physiology doen't permit the desired amount of flex needed for the ski boot? No, Warren needs to update his choice of words. Me thinks. But then i'm a bootfitter/was a bootfitter, not a ski instructor.
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER, you make a very good point, the answer is no, after removing some bolts from the back of my boots on a ski instructors advice, I ended up with a damaged achillies tendon that took 6 months to recover. As I said above your boot flex should be less than your ankle flex if it is to support you.
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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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jbob, 100% hit the nail on the head. A soft boot without the permitted amount of flex of ankle will cause 1 of three problems, 1 of which you have.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| SMALLZOOKEEPER wrote: |
| But then i'm a bootfitter/was a bootfitter |
"Was"? 
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jbob, how much flex do you have in your ankle joint without boots on? check to see and if it is over 10 degrees, which isnt a lot, chances are it isnt your boot causing the problem as your boot wont have more than 10 degrees flex. if your ankle flex is restricted removing bolts is a bad idea.
what do i know i am not a boot fitter just a ski instructor.
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jbob, SMALLZOOKEEPER, good points... I could add more but shouldn't...
My own experience is that after removing the back rivets from my Sally Falcon 10's the flex (was 110, now unknown) feels right. i.e. when i hit a bump/soft snow/anything that throws me forward I now flex and stay in control, whereas at 110 level I'd feel like I was being thrown over the front of the boots.
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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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I ski with Salomon x wave 8s - not sure they fit well anymore probably done 40weeks skiing in 'em. Now tell me how much gap should i have around the top of the boot? I seem to have 2-3cms, I generally ski with the power strap thing around the outer shell. I'm quite sure the fit is wrong but when I crank up the clips and place the power strap around the inner boot so its snug around the leg (thin leg), feels like i'm skiing with lumps of concrete on my feet. Loose all the feedback, in crud, bumps, etc feels very stiff, for on piste carving does allow feel a little better. Maybe I've got too used to a loose fit, but I get more feedback, it's less harsh in the crud & bumps. The only time it feels wrong is high speed crud busting, can feel the lack of support bouncing me about a little. The feedback thing I relate to windsurfing where I hate to wear boots, bare foot allows you to feel whats going on and react.
Anyway I waffle - is what I'm describing similar to the flex argument or is that a little further down in the boot geometry? Thinking I need new boots but worried that a good shop fit is going to feel too different and hence make it hard to asses if the boot is good for me.
Anyway to reply to RobCrock, I reckon a bit of flex (my interpretation of flex) is no bad thing if you're hitting the rough stuff.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Jo225, I have another 6weeks of fitting boots then it's over, i have lost the battle. In 12 years i've done enough to improve the skiing of my clients to realise, enough is enough. I want perfection, it doesn't exist, 100% is too much to ask. WC, Tourist or Holidaymaker, i can't satisfy my commitment. Time for the beach, fish and farming. Perspecive is everything. I lost myself in it all. 
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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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| SMALLZOOKEEPER wrote: |
| Jo225, I have another 6weeks of fitting boots then it's over, i have lost the battle. In 12 years i've done enough to improve the skiing of my clients to realise, enough is enough. I want perfection, it doesn't exist, 100% is too much to ask. WC, Tourist or Holidaymaker, i can't satisfy my commitment. Time for the beach, fish and farming. Perspecive is everything. I lost myself in it all. |
If you really think you'll be happier away from it all... then well done, it's a brave move!
And all the best to you 
But it's a sad day for feet, I think...
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Jo225, Thanx, i'll be back, but for now, Co-Polymers and bio-mechanics has sucked me dry. Rando and the Enviroment is all that counts. Peace Sister. X
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You know it makes sense.
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SMALLZOOKEEPER, So are you going to work for Garmont?
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