 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi all, currently in Tignes on a 2 week holiday and having some real grief with my shins. Both are very sore and a small piece of skin has actually been taken off on the right one. Battling through with blister plasters and silicone protectors but defo have to avoid this problem next year.
Bit of history, I'm 57, 6' 4" and weigh about 100kg. I've had 3 private lessons this weeks and have been told I'm just inside level 4 skier by French standards. Two of those lessons were with different teachers and both said they didn't think the problem was down to my technique. I have flat feet and have some off the shelf Surefeet insoles in my boots. I had my Dalbello boots fitted two years ago at Snowlab in East Sussex.
Initial question I guess is: can flat feet create that much pressure on my shins or is it possibly something else? Just wonder if the fitting specialists on here reckon this is an obvious cause?
Many thanks for any input.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@swishtony, I used to lose all the hair on my shins on my first days skiing each year, that was until I had properly fitted boots, that moved with my foot, rather than my foot moving within the boot causing the friction.
If your foot isn't being held properly, your will get friction/rubbing causing the problem you have. A good boot fitter is called for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Maybe worth paying Jo-Jo @ Navada Sports a visit in Tignes Lac....he's very highly thought of. The shop is about half way up the hill on Rue de La Poste (on left). Standing where the ski schools meet, with the Palafour Lift on your right, it's the hill in front of you.
If this is something that you might consider, he works by appointment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Thanks guys. Only have 3 days left so prob but late to make an appointment. Anyone know if Skiset in Val Claret are any good? I'll most likely now wait til I get back to the uk and go to one of the recommended people on here. I've always had bad feet and have often been an issue with golf and walking long distances. Time to invest I think!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
I used Skiset (Deep Snow), which is next door to The Diva Hotel. I found them helpful, with decent kit to hire....Though I'd still go to Jo-Jo for any "In-Resort" boot assessment. It's only 10 mins on the bus....and he might see you immediately if not too busy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
I had the same problem and found a wedge to lift my heel was helpful. I don't know if you have loop-back padded areas on your socks but I find these work best outside, I.e. With the sock inside out. My son tried wearing flight socks (over his large bit of compeed) under his usual socks, certainly the grumbling got less...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ski Angels are the answer. When I was teaching the first few weeks of every season would see my shins almost down to the bone and I would just live with it until things hardened up (I have permanent scaring on my shins as a result). Now though I use Ski Angels and it's an absolute blessing. Try google. I think mine are Epitets. It might be too late for this on your current trip but next time use them from the word go and save yourself all the discomfort but don't wait till your shins are beginning to feel tender because by then it will be too late.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@swishtony, I had this. I pronate heavily and the issue resolved itself with custom insoles. Ski Angels will reduce the pain but may not deal with the underlying problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
As many will advise, I suspect that it is all a boot fitting issue ultimately. There can be so many causes and boot fitting can, in my limited experience, have massive effects upon your stance and how you pressure your boots (never mind the boots' fit itself). Custom insoles will probably help, but also the angle of your feet inside the boot will have an effect (as will many other things including cuff tightness or looseness). Also how well and how much (or not) your ankles flex forward.
In my case, I found that I was getting bad shin bang (and a raw spot/blister) just skiing inside at a snowdome, on 2 different sets of boots, one a loose fit and a low to medium flex, and one a race-style fit, high flex, with a more forward lean and tighter overall fit. Eventually worked out that in both I had my heel lifted by inserts (to achieve a better rear foot fit, for one) and that was causing problems with the angle at which my shin touched the calf bit of the boot. This caused the rub/pain and also was not doing my stance and technique any favours. Took out the heel lifts (back to original boot design, but some people can actually have toe lifts) and it's all sorted.
But that's just my personal physique - yours may be different. Thickly-padded fronts of socks, bits of thin foam or neoprene down the fronts, Eliminators (something which you can buy which is effectively tongue padding) can all help in the short term. But try to find a suitable expert to check it out in you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've had all sorts of foot/boot problems over 30 years of skiing. Shin damage, heel blisters, metatarsal bruising/blisters. I've been to all sorts of boot experts, foot mechanic experts, boot stretchers, etc. etc. Some of the so called experts have definitely worsened the problem, especially one particular boot fitting guru that diagnosed ill-fitting boots and took me for £300 quid. That proved to be a very painful holiday in more ways than one!
Over the years I've learnt how to manage the problem. I've learnt that my feet are susceptible to damage and I've learnt how to protect them. I've also learnt that some makes of boot do not fit my feet (especially Salomon). Before skiing I spend 20 mins taping my feet/shins to protect them. Some might see this as quite ridiculous, but it works for me.
Ski Angels are good but Profoot Softgel is better:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001PML4MK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=amz07b-21
Bizarrely, duck tape is quite good for sticking down blister pads!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Agree about taping down blister pads, but the resulting stickiness is hard to wash out of your socks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I too have come across taping as a solution but would definitely still recommend some sort of Ski Angel for shins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@swishtony, I had the same issue years ago, turned out the flex in my boots didn't match my ankle flex!! Properly fitted boots solved it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Flat feet can cause over pronation wich can pull on the achilles tendon which can pull on the shin (maybe), so I would suggest buying some decent flat feet insoles
here is a link to some good ones!
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Fri 10-02-17 15:06; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Looks like you missed your chance with Jo Jo - my new boots did this and he sorted it ! Don't ask me how Jo Jo works in mysterious ways................
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Ski Angels, Softgel etc won't solve any underlying problem. Sure they will help relieve the pain but first step IMHO is to go and see a recognised and recommended boot fitter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Ive ordered some Soft gel in the hope it will stop any major shin pain. I'm sure this can't be completely eliminated by boot fitters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
