A couple of years ago I had a private lesson with a very good instructor, which improved my skiing and associated confidence massively. We really went back to basics, and when I asked how tight my boots should be, he spent some time setting them up for me. One of the things he recommended was putting the power strap underneath the buckles, which he said he suggests to quite a few people. I've been skiing with the power strap like that since then, and it's comfortable, but I've got some funny looks. Has anyone heard of this before and/or got any thoughts on it? (My boots are Salomon Idol 85s.)
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@sugarmoma666, how interesting. I have exactly the same boots and am having problems with the power straps failing to hold, despite the fact that they have buckles with teeth (I had new ones fitted a couple of years ago, as the Velcro on the original straps completely ran out of oomph.) Combine this with the fact that I'm now - unlike the first few years I had the boots, not sure how long I've had them now, maybe 5 or so years - having to tighten the boots during the day, and have run out of clip tightening ability, I was wondering what to do next. I was planning a little foray to Solutions4Feet, who supplied the boots and Zipfits, but am now contemplating trying your suggestion first. I'm skiing again in a couple of weeks and will give it a whirl. Thanks for posting!
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?
If you mean that the power strap goes round the inner boot, rather than over the shell, then yes, there are good reasons for doing so.
@sugarmoma666, I had an instructor try to tighten my boots this way once, but it wasn't comfortable so he said not to bother. I still have a couple of knotches adjustment available in the buckles though, if I need it. It's obviously "a thing", but doesn't work for everyone, but who cares what other people think if it works for you?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
For me, it makes the inner boot snugger around my leg, smooths the flex of the boot due to more even pressure along the length of the shin and removes some of the "play" at my calf.
@Old Fartbag, great, not a new point then. Isn't snowHeads wonderful?
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Having read the previous thread, I'm not at all sure that my power straps are fitted in such a way as to enable me to put them inside the shell. Worth experimenting though, I guess, especially if it saves me a trip to Bicester.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
That is how I always do mine after an instructor somewhere suggested it, seemed to work better that day so stuck with it. My boots, Atomic Hawx, are shaped so as to make it easy to do it this way.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Get a Booster elastic power strap, I've used them for 10+years now. Better hold and no hard end to the flex, and a sprung return.
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.
Hurtle wrote:
@Old Fartbag, great, not a new point then. Isn't snowHeads wonderful?
There is little new under the sun....which is just as well, as it means that I come into fashion once every generation or so.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Old Fartbag,
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I do my power strap up before I do the top two buckles. Interesting to see from the post that @Old Fartbag kindly linked to, that I might actually be doing it right (or at least not wrong).
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
This is how the power strap was meant to work on a 4 clip boot, it was invented by Sven Coomer. The idea is to anchor the inner boot to the rear frame of the boot not to be like a 5th clip to try and pull the shell tighter.
Used in this manner forward movement if the shaft of the lower leg is immediately transmitted to the boot. My Dalbello Scorpions actually had a thin section of plastic on the front spoiler that could be removed (cut away) to allow the powerstrap to engage directly with the top of the inner boot tongue. As said before Booster Straps are even better when used like this.
So in short you are using your powerstraps correctly and those giving you funny looks are doing it wrong!
Slightly different if you have 3 piece boots like Dalbello Krypton, Panterra or Full Tilts where the strap is really designed to fit outside around the front and rear parts of the shell to link the rear of the boot to the floating tongue.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
It's a sound theory, but you can't do it with all boots without modifying the cuffs.......
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Always...100%...power strap underneath buckles.
Some boots it is easy, some a bit of a bodge, but even with those do it.
The difference in hold and feel is profound.
I was told this by Ex French Olympic coach...what a difference!
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?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thanks @Old Fartbag, that is just what I needed to see.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Interesting. I was recommended to do this, have done it, found it quite helpful (powerstrap round the outer boot as a 5th clip often just causes compression/over-tightening-like problems on my calf area) and then was roundly told off by a bootfitter for doing it as it should never be done and isn't what the powerstrap is apparently intended for...
Can't win
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.
Grizzler wrote:
Interesting. I was recommended to do this, have done it, found it quite helpful (powerstrap round the outer boot as a 5th clip often just causes compression/over-tightening-like problems on my calf area) and then was roundly told off by a bootfitter for doing it as it should never be done and isn't what the powerstrap is apparently intended for...
Can't win
Find a new boot fitter he obviously doesn't know what the power strap was designed to do! Lotst of ski boot manegacurers jump on the band waggon and lower end boots have them added but not to do what they are supposed to do.
As I said Sven Coomer invented the power strap, I think when he was working for Nordica. Do a search on him, he is the father of tmodern ski boot design and the Zip Fit liner.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
If you watch that video, see the score line on the front spoiler, well take your Stanley knife and cut off that plastic along that line, the strap will then sit properly around the inner boot tongue.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Hmmm, interesting, but a lot of boots (like my K2s) have a specially designed indent on the front of the shell itself to make sure the power strap doesn't slip around.
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.
Bennisboy wrote:
Hmmm, interesting, but a lot of boots (like my K2s) have a specially designed indent on the front of the shell itself to make sure the power strap doesn't slip around.
If you are referring to Dalbello Krypton then they work on a different principle and the strap goes outside and links the rear frame to the floating external tongue.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
The aftermarket "Booster" straps are specifically designed to be used over the liner and inside the shell. I recently got some to provide some additional support in my touring boots and they have made a big improvement by effectively tying my shin to the stiff rear spine of the boot rather than just relying on the somewhat low/soft cuff at the front.
Boosters differ from normal power straps in that they are elastic (albeit stiff elastic) so you can get them really snug and they still give a bit of flex.
I do think that on 3 piece boots (e.g., krypton/flexon/full tilt) the powerstrap should be outside the shell because of the structural tongue and the free moving rear spine. But for 4 clip overlap boots I'd certainly experiment with using the strap inside the cuff and even better using a booster.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Firstly, sorry for resurrecting this old thread but it's the most relevant I can find to my question.
Quote:
I do think that on 3 piece boots (e.g., krypton/flexon/full tilt) the powerstrap should be outside the shell because of the structural tongue and the free moving rear spine
@jedster
I have a pair of Dalbello Rampage 3 piece boots and was considering getting a booster strap fitted to them.
As you are suggesting that the power strap should go over the outside of the shell given the structure (which makes perfect sense btw) would a booster strap have the desired effect on the boot or am I better off sticking with the stock Dalbello strap?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@jazzhands, uhh… what’s the “desired effect”?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:
uhh… what’s the “desired effect”?
Good point, some context would help.
I have very poor dorsiflexion so wear my boots without any forward lean shims in them and the flex at minimum. It's been suggested that a Booster strap would connect me better to the rear of the boot and transfer more of the small movement I can manage down through the boot to the skis.
Having read this post though, I am not sure whether a booster would be the right thing for my 3 piece boots or were it would go (over/under tongue).
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@jazzhands,
Unfortunately I‘m not sure the Rampage is the best boot for you. When a two piece boot is adjusted to be more upright, the adjustment affects both the starting point of the flex (beginning of turn) and the end point of the flex (end of turn).
With the Rampage the adjustment only affects how upright the boot is at the start of the turn, with the end point of the boot’s flex being largely unaffected. Wouldn’t want you to spend money on present boots that would be better invested in a more suitable boot.
I have poor dorsiflexion following a leg injury, stuff that has helped me…
Good footbed with stabilising foam under it.
Stretching every day.
Upright two piece boot.
Small heel lift in boot, combined with binding with a low delta angle.
Stiffer boots.
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?
Oceanic wrote:
@jazzhands,
Unfortunately I‘m not sure the Rampage is the best boot for you.
I was worried that may be the view. Never a good idea throwing good money after bad.
@jazzhands, you're not far from Rivington Alpine - I'd suggest talking to them first, they'll know what the right thing is to do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I think this might need a bit of "trial and error" testing. Try each boot inside and out and see what feels best for you.
As mentioned earlier in the thread i believe powerstrap was designed to go around the inner boot. I've tried it both ways on both regular overlap and 3 piece boots and have always preferred it outside on the she'll (i.e. the "wrong" way)
You can get plenty of opinions and recommendations but only you will know what your feeling....experiment..
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
It's a bit of a faff, so gets some funny looks sometimes. What are the good reasons you're thinking of?
