 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Absolute ski virgin here
This has probably been asked millions of times, but instead of wading thru pages of stuff here goes with the idiot question!I am planning to go skiing March 2015 in France,and have had a taster session at my local ski slope,[yes still defo want to go!!] BUT.....how do you get boots to fit fat calves?? I am a size 4 shoe[ladies] and had to be put in a men's size 8 ski boot just to do the bu55ers up.It was ok for an hour but will not be for a week.Will I get the same problem in France as planning to hire or it worth buying a pair of cheapish boots here and getting them fitted?Sorry for the long question but comfort must be a high priority or it might ruin the experience. 
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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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alandrover, one option is to go to a local ski shop and see if you can get boots that fit. This need not be that expensive (depending on the ones that fit). The ski shop should also be able to provide advice on fit etc. If you hire boots on holiday, most hire shops will allow you to try different pairs.
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Where are you based? I have a pair of boots for sale that might be just the thing. I have similar issues and found the only real solution was to buy my own 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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alandrover, ski boots tend to have adjustable straps up the calves area. If the slackest setting is too tight, then it is likely that a larger boot size would be required.
I used to have a problem with fat feet, and ski hire boots. I bought my own boots, and got them stretched so that my fat feet would fit. I have lost significant weight since then (about 4-5 stone), and my new boots did not need stretching in the feet area. (heat is applied to the area where pressure sores occur and the plastic is stretched)
Getting your own boots with inners moulded to your feet might help a little bit (it would probably allow a slightly larger calf).
Sometimes it is just that you are not used to wearing ski boots, and you think they are too tight when they are not. Most people wear ski boots which are 0.5-1 size larger than their normal shoes.
Probably best to see a boot fitter, as it would be easier for them to assess the particular issues you have.
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alandrover, The suggestions regarding boot fitters etc. above are helpful, but only if you are buying - which I definitely wouldn't recommend yet. Hire shops in the Alps will have a pretty wide range and should be able to find boots that are comfortable for you. You may have to try a few pairs, but I wouldn't worry about it before then. You'll be alright
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alandrover, welcome to Snowheads.  It sounds as though you will only get a decent fit from a specialist fitter. Look at this thread http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2443518&highlight=boots+calves#2443518. Very detailed advice from CEM. Colin is an experienced fitter who is highly regarded by many SHs. If he can't sort you out, nobody can. But as NeddySkiGoon says personally fitted boots will be an expensive waste of time if you decide you hate skiing!
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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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| Quote: |
Hire shops in the Alps will have a pretty wide range and should be able to find boots that are comfortable for you
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depends how fat your calves are! I have a sister in law who found it absolutely impossible to get boots that would do up, in a very good ski hire shop in Austria.
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Thanks for all your suggestions. I don't really want to buy boots as indeed I might not get on with skiing, hopefully as you say, the ski hire places will have dealt with this issue before- I can't be the only one!! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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alandrover, if you read the thread I linked to you'll see what kind of calf measurement gives rise to real problems.
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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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Beginner's boots tend to be fairly cheap and there will still be some last season sale bargains kicking around in the shops. If I were you I'd go and try a few pairs on in the shops. If you can get a pair to fit fairly easily then you'll probably be able to get a decent fit in rental boots. If you find you can only get a fit in one brand then at least you know what brand you need. And if you can't get a decent fit without the boot being modified then you might as well buy now rather than having a lot of grief on your holiday. It is tricky buying boots when you're new to the sport so it's worth trying to find a shop with a decent fitter.
Might also be worth signing up for some lessons at your local fridge/dry slope. As well as learning to ski so that you can get more out of your holiday you'll also get much more used to how the boots feel.
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ellis brigham at the MK indoor slope had loads of cheap boots in their sale last weekend, lots of different sizes so plenty to pick from.
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You know it makes sense.
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| pam w wrote: |
| If he can't sort you out, nobody can. ! |
I wouldn't go quite that far; there are other fitters that Colin himself recommends throughout the country
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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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alandrover, If you had to use size 8 boots when you are a 4 I'm astonished that you could even keep them on your feet! You say you might not get on with skiing; I'll guarantee you won't if you gotdown that route and that would be such a shame. As others have said if you really don't want to buy ask to try on lots of different hire boots - in a size more suited to your foot size and go to different hire shops if necessary
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Poster: A snowHead
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alandrover, ladies' calves are lower and can be larger than men's...they should have been able to find a ladies ' boot which would be adjustable enough for you. I think you were fobbed off . Do not despair you will be able to find boots in resort, make sure you choose a big ski hire shop which has plenty of stock. If you enjoy skiing then buy boots, can recommend Colin who is located in Bicester.
I know I couldn't ski in a size 8 boot (I am size 4.5) I am also astonished.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| alandrover wrote: |
| Thanks for all your suggestions. I don't really want to buy boots as indeed I might not get on with skiing, hopefully as you say, the ski hire places will have dealt with this issue before- I can't be the only one!! |
Nope, you're not alone. But, as pam_w says, it depends a bit on how big your calves are. I never got hire boots I could ski in comfortably. I have the problem of wide calves, coupled with narrow ankles and high instep. You could try some second hand 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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Shall we all measure our calves....just to establish at what point the size becomes an issue?
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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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| Quote: |
I think you were fobbed off
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The OP said she takes size 3 ladies shoes and had to get a man's large boot just to get it to do up! And as I said earlier, my sister in law (a size 4 ladies shoe) couldn't do up even a really large boot, far too big for her, because her legs were so large. A very big Austrian ski hire shop couldn't get a boot that fitted her. So the OP is not necessarily being fobbed off, it happens.
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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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| Quote: |
| But as NeddySkiGoon says personally fitted boots will be an expensive waste of time if you decide you hate skiing! |
I might have been a little pessimistic suggesting you wouldn't like skiing when you get to the mountain. If you enjoy skiing in a fridge, I'm sure you'll love skiing in the mountains.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Thu 5-06-14 22:55; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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pam w, maybe, and I bow to your sister in laws experience but they should have tried her with a pile of ladies specific boots, not men's ones. My calves aren't huge and my husbands boots are too slim for me as they aren't the right shape at all ..at the point where my calves get larger his legs are still thin as ankles.
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I must say you have all been extremely helpful, so here goes with another question if you don't mind...Planning for Les Arc 1600,might/probably have a few lessons dry slope before [love the term "fridge" but haven't got one of those near] Is it worth buying a ski pass? The reason I ask is do we venture off the nursery slopes[will book lessons]or if I get like Frans Klammer in day or two[!!!!]do I buy pass then.Having never done this before I have no idea how it works.I don't really want to spend £200+ on a pass that I don't use when it could be used for apres ski activies!! Thanks all for your help
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Take advice from your instructor or ski school when you book or on day 1. You will probably need a local area pass from day 2 - I think there's a free beginners' lift at 1600 but that won't last you long. Do not buy a big area expensive ski pass: you will not need it!
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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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alandrover, are you planning to take lessons in les arcs? The ski school will advise whether you need a pass on day one or after a couple of days. It would be most unusual not to progress beyond a free lift during the course if a week especially if you have had lessons at home.
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on the boot sizes issue, DO NOT keep going up size to get a boot to fit the calf, as the boot gets bigger it gets taller therefore has to go round more calf muscle.
unfortunately most rental shops carry only one or 2 models of boot (maybe more if you get lucky) but most are unisex boots with high cuffs on them so exaggerate the problem, some of them will have clip extenders and some will just shrug their shoulders and give you a bigger boot to try and work around it that way
there are lots of modifications which can be done to a ski boot, it is a case of finding one which fits your foot shape and body weight and then doing the work...measure your calf muscle 11" from the floor and tell me what the circumference is, this will give me an idea of what you would need to have done
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Shall we all measure our calves....just to establish at what point the size becomes an issue?
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no need. This is from the thread I linked to above, from CEM:
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less than 13" skinny!
13-14" considered the norm by ski boot manufacturers
14-17 big but not a problem, adjust buckles and small flare to cuff
17-19 getting very big, adjust buckles, flare cuff change liner for intuition/palau which has less volume in cuff
19-23 going to have the chuck the kitchen sink at this
more than 23 yup this is going to be a problem |
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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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| CEM wrote: |
on the boot sizes issue, DO NOT keep going up size to get a boot to fit the calf, as the boot gets bigger it gets taller therefore has to go round more calf muscle.
unfortunately most rental shops carry only one or 2 models of boot (maybe more if you get lucky) but most are unisex boots with high cuffs on them so exaggerate the problem, some of them will have clip extenders and some will just shrug their shoulders and give you a bigger boot to try and work around it that way
there are lots of modifications which can be done to a ski boot, it is a case of finding one which fits your foot shape and body weight and then doing the work...measure your calf muscle 11" from the floor and tell me what the circumference is, this will give me an idea of what you would need to have done |
Your very kind in spending this much time on a stranger thanks.... my calf measurement 11" from ground is 16 1/2"tight 17"loose.Perhaps the ski taster session guy couldn't be bothered after 2/3 tries!!
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alandrover, you are not a stranger. .you are a snowHead!
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You know it makes sense.
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I just measured my calf 11 inches from the floor wearing a pair of woollen socks. It was somewhere between 11.5 inches to 12 inches. I would not describe myself as skinny, nor would I say my calves are particularly skinny. However, I understand the problem you might have with 17 inch calves. I usually wear my boots strapped to the second of three notches around the calves. One less notch would only really give me another half an inch to an inch.
There are many serious medical conditions which can be attributed to swollen lower legs. Bad blood circulation is one, which would not be helped by wearing tight ski boots. I would check with your doctor if there is any cause for these swollen calves. There may be something simple which a doctor could help with which would reduce the size of the calves. Fluid retention is one thing which women can get related to their menstrual cycle.
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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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A good ski hire place will have clip extenders, at that point 17 inch calf muscles are no problem my 21 inch calf muscles on the other hand are harder to fit  Assuming local ski slope was in the UK where' I'm sorry to say, many staff are poorly trained, it's important that they don't put you in boots that are too big or the skis will wobble around on your feet.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| alandrover wrote: |
| CEM wrote: |
on the boot sizes issue, DO NOT keep going up size to get a boot to fit the calf, as the boot gets bigger it gets taller therefore has to go round more calf muscle.
unfortunately most rental shops carry only one or 2 models of boot (maybe more if you get lucky) but most are unisex boots with high cuffs on them so exaggerate the problem, some of them will have clip extenders and some will just shrug their shoulders and give you a bigger boot to try and work around it that way
there are lots of modifications which can be done to a ski boot, it is a case of finding one which fits your foot shape and body weight and then doing the work...measure your calf muscle 11" from the floor and tell me what the circumference is, this will give me an idea of what you would need to have done |
Your very kind in spending this much time on a stranger thanks.... my calf measurement 11" from ground is 16 1/2"tight 17"loose.Perhaps the ski taster session guy couldn't be bothered after 2/3 tries!! |
Pretty much the same as me, and I had similar issues. I spent my first week of "skiing" with the calf buckles undone on my boots. I bought boots after 2wks of skiing and it made such a difference.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bigtipper, I don't think 17" is particularly unusual for a woman, you don't need to be overweight or retaining a lot of fluids to have calves that size, just a bit muscular. As mentioned above, the problem with ski boots is exacerbated because the wider calf area is lower on a woman and thus more likely to interfere with the boots.
I just measured mine at 15.75", so a little smaller than the OP. This is not fluid, just muscle and bone! I've not had too much trouble fitting boots around my calves though – my decision to purchase was more because my wide feet and high arches meant that the lower volume hire boots (the only thing available on that trip) pressed down on the tops of my feet. Agony. The boots I have now (Head) are fairly short at the ankle, so my calf is high enough up to not be a problem. This would obviously depend on your height/calf height, but I'm only 5'4" so no giant.
I understand the arguments against buying at your stage, but skiing in poorly fitting, painful boots will hinder your progress and mean you spend your time concentrating on the discomfort instead of the skills, or sitting down with your boots undone.
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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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| alandrover wrote: |
| Is it worth buying a ski pass? The reason I ask is do we venture off the nursery slopes[will book lessons]or if I get like Frans Klammer in day or two[!!!!]do I buy pass then.Having never done this before I have no idea how it works.I don't really want to spend £200+ on a pass that I don't use when it could be used for apres ski activies!! Thanks all for your help |
Have a look at ESF's beginner package http://www.esfarc1600.com/adults/ . It includes a 6 day lift pass and 2.5 hours lessons each day for £295. It states that the only day you will not need your lift pass for is the first day. I don't know how good the lessons will be but at that price it will take a fair bit of beating.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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alandrover, with a size 4 foot in a size 8 boot you may not need to hire skis 
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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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| Quote: |
with a size 4 foot in a size 8 boot you may not need to hire skis
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and what with not needing a ski pass either, it's gonna be a really cheap holiday!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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For probably the first time in my life I am happy with my legs!!!. My calves are 14.25"! I always thought I had fat/big calves but it's clearly just a proportion thing as my lower legs are short (I'm 5' 2") so they look fatter. Thanksalandrover, and pam w, !!!
Don't forget that if you hire in resort and you are uncomfortable in the boots they give you you can go back and have them changed/adjusted as many times as you like until you feel comfortable. The hire places help each other out so they might be able to get different boots in a few hours.
If all else fails..snowboarding  is done in soft boots which are apparently more comfortable....!alandrover,
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at 16.5-17" you will probably struggle to get into a rental boot without some work (will the rental shop help or just give you a bigger boot
in a retail boot it will need a little bit of work but nothing too major, shifting clip tooth plates is simple even in boots where they are fixed in the factory, moving a clip also helps but is diner after everything else, extending a power strap or fitting a longer one again doesn't take long or cost much, so really a case of finding a boot the right size which is a good starting point for your foot shape, if you are buying i would avoid what they call a beginners boot the boot makers definitions are to split the market into 4 segments which don't really exist , a heavy beginner may need a sifter boot then a light weight advanced skier, the quality of the plastics on the lower end boots also tends to suffer and make them harder to work on whilst leaving an aesthetically pleasing product
hope that helps
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Some statistics,
according to http://stackmeup.com/your-body/calf-size.php, the average male calf size in the US is 14 inches and the average female calf size is 13.7 inches. My calves are 14 inches fully flexed, which is 2 inches wider than the measurement at 11 inches from the ground. So my calves are pretty much average.
Female calves are on average smaller than male calves according to these statistics.
17 inches for a female is in the top quartile (i.e. 25%) of female calf distribution size. So it is not that unusual, but larger than average.
I suspect though it is more unusual for a female skier (than the top quartile), as most of the top quartile will be non skiers.
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