Really sore feet

A snowHead

Any suggestions. I have been skiing for 5 seasons. I have a decent pair of boots with customised inserts and I can walk around with them on, no problem. But as soon as I start skiing, my feet ache to the extent I feel sick! I ski cautiously with lots of side turns as I am not overly confident. I suspect I might have some osteo-arthritis in my feet but would I benefit from some guidance in technique?

A snowHead

If you are a rather nervous skier you might be "clinging for dear life" to your boots by trying to grip with your toes on the soles of the boot. That'll soon make your feet ache, and make you generally tired.

Think of turning your toes up a bit, into the top of the boot (they won't move much, but just to ensure you're not clinging on.

But yes, in answer to your question, we can all of us benefit from some guidance in technique. Take some lessons, either out in resort or in one of the "fridges" in the UK. snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@Ellamental66, Try renting boots for a week. See if you get the same problems with a couple of different pairs of rental boots. I wouldn't be remotely surprised if that cures all your problems.

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@Ellamental66, have you tried adjusting the buckles? Having the ones that go across the tops of your feet too tight can really make them ache, so loosen them off but make sure the ones around your leg are secure.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

What @Scarlet said. Buckles over the top of the feet should only be tight enough to close. I was once told that you should be able to do them up using your little finger only.

I'm sure some more experienced boot-y type people will be along shortly with all kinds of questions and answer, but whereabouts is the pain?

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I used to get pain/cramp in the sides of my feet with my old boots because they were too big and caused me to grip my toes to try and achieve control. As said above, toe-curling is a bad idea. Clipping the boots too tightly usually causes numbness in the top of my feet, rather than pain. (That numbness takes months to go away, definitely not recommended.)

If you've had the boots a while, maybe a good idea to consult a good bootfitter for some advice on the present fit. Liners do pack down over time, so the fit will change.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Thanks everyone. I'll take these suggestions on board. Regarding the buckles, they are on the first setting and yes, easy to do up with my little finger. The man who sold us the boots said exactly that @Scarlet! I will start today by paying more attention to what my feet are doing when I'm up there.

After all it is free

I have a similar problem which has left one or two fitters stumped in the past however on the last fitting the fitter identified it.

Massive arches.

He then proceeded to explain why the feet ached instead of saying "well, your arches are high so man up...". It's all to do with tendons stretching over the arch under pressure which causes cramping in the toes.

I've had new Sidas soles moulded but unless the arch can be packed even harder to prevent it collapsing under load then the problem will never go away.

The only way I can relieve the pain is to take the boots off completely, this can be anything from an hour into skiing or not at all which I find a little odd.

Well @pamw I made a concious effort today to turn the toes up. Made a huge difference! I also tightened the boots at the top by two notches. Today was the best so far this week and because the pain was almost gone, I felt so much more confident. Last day tomorrow, looking forward to it!

thanks @homers double. I am going to see a specialist about my feet to check out my tendons as my feet cramp a lot and the tendon feel really hard.

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@Ellamental66, are your socks a bit thin? I had a similar experience to you this week and changed to thicker socks, problem solved.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@Ellamental66, doing some gentle exercises with your feet before putting boots on is another good thing to try.

Sometimes when my feet have hurt (usually down the side of the foot) then just using the fine adjustment on the clip has been a big help. SOmetimes I've been amazed by how big a difference a small change can make.

snow reports

thanks @dbeatski I have some "expensive" socks from Snow & Rock but good idea.. maybe I'll try using my old thick socks! and @SnoodyMcFlude I'll try that too. Great website and forum this. so glad I found it.

You know it makes sense.

I had trouble like that in some (hire) boots that were too narrow for my wide feet. Also sometimes have it (in properly fitting boots) when trying to grip the snow with my toes when challenged. As pamw described. Conciously lifting toes and/wriggling toes when affected works for me. If your arches are still aching after taking your boots off rolling your foot over a golf ball can help (tip from my podiatrist). Also got a similar tip during my bootfitting - but the bootfitter just had me roll my foot on a marker pen - presumably because it was to hand (foot)

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Thick socks are a bad idea, more stuff to 'squish' and make for a poorer fit in the end. If your boots are too big then thicker socks (or worse 2 pairs of socks) is a temporary solution IMHO.

The best fit is with thin socks and a well fitting boot. If there's room to turn your toes up more than a few mm it may be that your boots just don't fit well. I'd go and see a boot fitter, not just any old shop, find a real expert. If you're in Berkshire as you "location" says then you can get up to Bicester quite easily and see Solutions4Feet, who are excellent. As @Hurtle said above it is possible the liners have just packed out a bit and it might be possible to fix with a bit more padding or a different insole. It does mean spending a few more £ but in the end it's not as expensive as a ruined ski trip.

A snowHead

@Ellamental66, in your OP you ask about the benefits of some help with technique.

Have you had many lessons? It's usually a good idea to keep having lessons, rather than give up too quickly.

A snowHead

@sah, the words I used were;

'a bit thin' and 'thicker' with no specification on either. It was just something to try on the last ski day (?). Neither you or I know Ellamental.

FYI the 'thicker' socks I used were Tekos, like I said, problem solved NehNeh

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Lol @dbeatski. My "thick socks" were purchased at a reasonable price from Decathlon. My more expensive "thin socks" from SnowandRock in Hemel Hempstead. these are made with "smart wool" Smile

I have to say, I do prefer the later. Just like I don't like wearing a big bulky ski jacket (unless I'm skiing in Sweden - then I'm wearing all my clothes at once!)

Thanks @pam w. There is an indoor dry slope centre in Reading offering various classes and coaching. Not the same as snow yes but I'll also make it up to Hemel before the next season.

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@Ellamental66, the slope at Reading isn't that great I'm afraid, it's like a treadmill for skiing. The dry slope in Bracknell is better, or Hemel as you say.

If possible getting a private lesson for a day in the resort is the best bet - this has other benefits too, you get tips on where the good skiing is, where the good restaurants are etc wink

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

You can get flexy carbon fiber arch supports now which could help?

You'll need to Register first of course.

Got a link?@yetijames, googling it just brings up the usual insoles.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Help!!

Really sore feet

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