 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello all,
Long story short, I bought some boots from Ellis Brigham about 3 years ago along with some custom footbeds. They were fine for a week or two but as they wore and my skiing advanced I find with my right foot that I'm gripping the sole with my toes-i.e. boot too big.
Out of laziness/not living near a shop I've kind of just put up with it on a couple of trips-it's mostly when I start to go a fair pace that I find I'm gripping. I was looking on the EB website and it says up to 3 years they'll try to fix the issues and if they can't offer a 70% credit on the orginal purchase price.
I'll have to dig out my receipt as I could be unlucky and just be out of that 3 years but going to give them a call.
Anyone any experience of boots being too big-is there much that can be done?? I expect when too small the shells can be stretched but not sure to my mind what can be done when too big?
I'm going to be down in Leeds on Monday then Manchester Tuesday so I can call in to an Ellis Brigham in Manchester or go to Castleford. If I knew what I know now I'd have sought are more specialist boot fiter from the off, this could be plan B but reluctant given waht I paid for my current pair-well in excess of 400.
Also as I'm going to be in the vacinity of both I'm going to go for a ski, does Chill Factore have the edge over Xscape? The only fridgeI've used is the one in Glasgow.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bene, a good start would be to do a shell check to see how much room you've got in there. Remove the liner and put your foot inside the shell. Place your foot so your toes are just touching the front of the boot then get somebody to peer inside to see how much room you have between the back of your heel and the rear of the boot, trying to measure/estimate this gap. Once you know this measurement you'll have a good idea of how big too big is. IIRC a 15mm gap is a very tight performance fit, anything above 25mm is bucket-sized (I'm sure someone will correct these measurements IIDRC).
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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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rob@rar, Thanks for that wiil do that once the mrs gets home!
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I bought boots that were too big in an emergency in Canada (broke my boots just before going heliskiing). When I tried to get it sorted back in Europe I was told that you couldnt really fix too big.
Sorry 
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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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Just tried what rob@rar, suggested. I'd say I've got about 12-13mm gap, certainly even just doing on more own would be greater than 15mm. jedster, I'm prepared for this to be the answer tbh. I've got a few weeks this season so I'd be in two minds to put up with it as there's the risk any new boots could have breaking in issues potetially? These are otherwise comfy.
Seems like a bit of comeback from EB will be the best outcome (financially).
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Bene, I'm no expert but to me that doesn't sound like a boot which is too big for you.
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rob@rar, Cheers, if you wanted to could you curl your toes in your boots? I think there must be enough room for my foot to slide back in the boot that fraction hence the gripping?
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Not much to choose between Chill and Cas, both big fridges! Though it is Snow and Rock rather than EB at Chill so you'd need to go into the city centre as well in Manchester.
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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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Bene, a trick we used back in the 1970s (yes, that's when I worked in a ski shop!) was to insert foot-outline 'shims' - think of a flat layer of plastic about 2mm thick - under the inner boot. You can stack them. Each one raises the inner boot within the shell and reduces the overall volume of the shell, which is essentially what you're trying to achieve.
The idea was used commercially in a high-tech American boot of that era called the Hanson.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Bene wrote: |
| rob@rar, Cheers, if you wanted to could you curl your toes in your boots? |
Yes, I think I can. More related to my anxiety level rather than boot size, I guess.
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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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The shell check is just for length, not volume or foot shape. The length sounds fine, so it could be there's too much volume or the footbed isn't holding you correctly or the liner is too soft and packing down quickly. Then again you might not have done that boot up enough  . You need go back to EB or see a bootfitter. If there's too much volume the you might need new boots, but it may be possible to put a custom liner in to resolve this. If the footbed isn't holding you correctly then it needs to be adjusted or remade. Anyway I'm sure CEM or SZK will be along soon to give more informed advice.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Thu 16-01-14 17:24; edited 1 time in total
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kitenski, I could do, do you suggest for sorting my current boots or new? I want to avoid shelling out for a new pair if possible!
rob@rar, It's maybe just me, I feel to get better control I have to crank up the two two feet fastners which leads to other problems-pinching painfully to the sides of the foot.
Comedy Goldsmith, Cheers-worth exploring low cost/low tech options, perhaps EB may try something like that?
davkt, Need to whip out the road atlas, I know Leeds is north of Castleford and Manchester is west! I was planning on staying at a Premier Inn next to Chill Factore as it put me an hour closer than the Leeds area to where I need to be on Tuesday morning.
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You know it makes sense.
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anarchicsaltire, Cheers, there is some issue I'm sure just need a pro to help solve. Issue is I'm at least 3 hours from the nearest and not really made the effort until now.
Last daft question-in Manchester there are a few EB stores-do they all have boots on sale and fitters?
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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 just having the liner on and my heel back I'd say there's a good 5mm gap between my big toe and the front of the linner.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Bene wrote: |
| Also just having the liner on and my heel back I'd say there's a good 5mm gap between my big toe and the front of the linner. |
That shouldn't be a problem, it's a boot liner not a sock! Weight-bearing or non weight-bearing? If you were in constant contact with the end of the liner you would be more liable to nail damage.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I am no expert, but they don't sound too big too me, maybe some volume tweaking required. I can wiggle my toes reasonably freely in my boots and they are well fitted. I think gripping with your toes is more a symptom of posture/stance (maybe related to your evolving skiing and travelling faster), and I remember some time ago a coach advising that to achieve a good 'neutral stance you actually want to do the opposite and try and curl your toes up!
PS Been a lurker for a bit, but thought I would butt in 
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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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Bene, I think the boot fitter at Rivington would give you an honest answer, maybe worth ringing first and discussing size and explaining the sizing etc etc
BTW I can wiggle my toes in well fitted boots, if I couldn't they would lose circulation!!
if they pinch at the side they maybe the wrong width, or they could simply need stretching....you need to see a good boot fitter...
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Bene, That sounds like the kind of problem I began to have with my first pair of boots. My second pair were actually the same size but a different make/model with a smaller volume in the front of the shell. Probably not a response you wanted!
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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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Hi Bene, I've sent you a PM with a bit of information and some people to ask for depending on which store you plan to visit.
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Steve@EllisB, PM recieved and replied. I think I'm most likely to pop into Manchester city centre.
Cheers
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Visited EB Castlefield store in Manchester feet checked out fine, turns out I have pretty average sized feet. Dave spent plenty of time discussing fitting and looking at my feet. The conclusion was I've probably out grown my boots in terms of ability, there does seem to be a bit of a lag between between me getting the movement to getting my skis to do what I want them to do is the best way I can describe it.
Dave knocked me up some insoles sized to my boots to reduce the volume. This has definitely made a noticeable difference with my feet feeling more locked in. The advice was that he'd have probably recommended me something I could have grown into in terms of ability. I can carry on with these or consider getting something a bit higher end. Will mull it over. £300 isn't alloy in the grand scheme of things considering I have 3 weeks booked this season that's a small fraction of the overall cost.
Good service from EB though so thought they deserved a mention.
In other news Chill Factore sucks! 50% of the slope is barriered off for this daft zorbing thing that I've not seen used once! I know a fridge is a fridge but wish I'd knew this as I'd have gone to castleford instead. It's overly busy both on the slope and lift as there's only one in operation, having to swipe you pass every time you use the lift is a PITA too
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