 Poster: A snowHead
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i have a pair of Salomon Xscream performa boots that must be close to 20 years old. Due to finances and no longer working in the business and do not getting discounts, I’d kept them.
A years ago I went for a week in Meribel. On the first day I got them out of my bag and found the heel pads completely crumbling away, no local shops has any replacements, so I had to hire for the week.
When I got home I found a specialist in ski spares here in the U.K. (Anything Technical) and got some nice new pads.
This summer I was taking my kids to the dry slope for their first lessons and tried to get my boots on. The inners had perished and gone sticky. There was no way on Earth I could get them on. I ended up lining them with toilet paper to get into them, but that left me, and the floor covered with shredded tissue!
New liners are expensive and the flexible parts of the shell are breaking up too, so I think they’ve reached the end.
So had to find cash for new boots, finally.
Now if I can just find an excuse for some new skis!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
A years ago I went for a week in Meribel. On the first day I got them out of my bag and found the heel pads completely crumbling away, no local shops has any replacements, so I had to hire for the week.
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That has happened to two friends boots as well. Both bought new boots.
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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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@Darrenjs, Now is a really good time to buy a new pair, off season, previous seasons boots, grab a bargin.
Oh and.. Welcome to snowheads.
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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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Bought my X Wave 8s about 11 years ago. Before this year's trip to Zermatt I took them to my local fitter to have them checked out. He said I'd probably get another trip but they wouldn't go any further so advised I just dump them in resort at the end of the trip.
The inners collapsed on day 3. So I hired some Nordica Speedmachines for the rest of the trip, which were great.
I now need to buy new boots.
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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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I say 10 year is pretty safe for the shell. I had several pairs lasting that long. Liners though, vary with use. Everyone said 100 days at least.
So, for the one week a year punter, when the liner goes, it's about time to change the boot altogether. But if you ski more each year, you may need to get new liner before the shell reaches its end of life.
Somewhere between year 15-20 seems to be the time for boot shells to disintegrate! So even if you didn't ski for some years, keep that in mind.
Storage may have something to do with it too. I had one pair going strong for about 10 years. I moved to a hot and dry place. Didn't ski for a few years. The first time I got back on snow, the sole piece shattered. I replaced that. Only to have the buckles started to come off too (cracked shell at the buckle attachment point).
Each time I got new boots (typically ~10 year apart), the new boots got more comfy and gave me more control. I'm beginning to think perhaps I should upgrade my boots a tad more often to take advantage of new technology. (but clearly not 1-2 year!  More like <10>10 years)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Lots of people here saying replace the liners. As far as I can tell replacement liners seem to cost almost as much as new boots (at slae prices). Where are you all buying your liners. Also, my current Salomons' liners have rubbed though on the inside ankle after approx. 60 days skiing. I take it that's not normal?
I'm having difficulty believing that 15 year old boots are not flexing like a vey flexy thing. I gave up on my Head Freerides after about 10 years because they had become very flexy.
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Mine are about 5 years old but have done 5 seasons, over 400 days. The Head liners are lasting much better than my previous Salomon ones, haven't packed out too much at all. Cedric here did say that when he sold them to me. Had new soles from the same shop last winter, 25€ fitted  Had a buckle repaired and need another doing now, they usually do that for nothing. I might try my touring boots with alpine soles on next winter, they've had little use. Just to see if I'm missing something really.
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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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@Ghost Dog, I got replacement liners for my old Salomons from Lockwoods at Leamington Spa. About £50 7 years or so ago from memory.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I have Zip liners in my Salomon boots, not cheap, but highly recommended. Look them up.
The days of skin abrasion have gone....also noticeably warmer. 
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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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My Salomons need new liners (SIDAS race foamed). But after 9 seasons I think it's new boot time. The SIDAS liners were great and have done 5-6 seasons so rather more than the OEM ones.
Also the somewhat unorthodox Vibram soles, retrofitted, need replacement and I'm not sure anyone's doing that in Cham anymore.
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Looked at these, not much cheaper than buying new boots in sale 
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You know it makes sense.
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@martinm, Generally speaking, when I have had friends who have finally purchased a new pair of ski boots after 15-20+ year, they get a huge shock at just how much better the new pair is, and how much their skiing has improved. Some of this can be a result of general wear and tear, compression of the liners, changes to the structure of the plastics over time etc.
And then some of it can be down to the change in their foot structure/function; and of course the improvement in the technology of plastics and ski boots in general.
Plus of course, they look snazzy!
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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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I had a pair of ski boots fail after ~12 years while a long way off piste. Admittedly they had spent all morning in powder that was at least -20°C, and I lent back a bit and felt the plastic crack. There was no way this was UV damage, they had done maybe 10 weeks skiing (a five year break where for various reasons I didn't ski) and had spent most of the time in a cupboard. What I can say is that having your boots fail while off piste is not remotely funny. My recommendation would be to replace them after 10 years tops if you go venture away from the piste.
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Poster: A snowHead
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For snowboarding I have a special edition pair of Burton Ions made from Redwing Leather. They are things of beauty. They've now had about 100 days use and still feel good. Snowboard boots have a metal bracket between the sole and the back of the boot upper, which gives a lot of the stiffness. This should last reasonably well with regard to consistency of the stiffness. I regularly treat the leather with a Redwing dubbin type paste and hopefully, the shells not being plastic means they will last for decades. When the time comes, I will get new liners but they are holding up surprisingly well.
My ski boots are Hawx and are the most comfortable ski boots I've even had. I think this partly shows how the tech has advanced over the years. People clinging onto 7/8 year plus old boots really should look to change.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Ghost Dog, agree with you re liner prices. New boots for me after 12 years, a couple of years ago. Putting new liners in did not make much economic sense, unless you are really strapped for cash that is.
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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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| twoodwar wrote: |
| @Ghost Dog, agree with you re liner prices. New boots for me after 12 years, a couple of years ago. Putting new liners in did not make much economic sense, unless you are really strapped for cash that is. |
Yup, I got £150 off my Salomons, and they fitted way better than my old boots. Not keen to give up on them yet, but the wear on the ankle is annoying.
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FAQ
