I have had them for about 10 years and they are very comfortable. HOWEVER, I have put on a lot of weight and unfortunately when I do up the calf buckles, they are very uncomfortable and nip me (obviuosly because of my extra weight). I have moved the ratchet out as far as it will go and although I can get them fastened, it just would not be comfortable skiing.
Obviuosly I am going to try and lose some weight, but we are off on holiday in a week, so doubt much change will happen but I was just wondering if there was some sort of buckle extension you could buy or can you buy longer replacement ratchets? Or is my only option for this year to hire boots#?
Thanks for your help in advance
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Have you unscrewed/lengthened the wire bail to get more length?
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?
@spyderjon, I don't know what wire bail is. on the top buckle the "slider" is at the max extension and the next fastener down, I have moved it from the middle position to the extension position. That seems to be the only extending that I (the layman) can do?
@polo99, this is not uncommon ... we have a couple of family friends who have problems with ‘nipping calves’. Once you have explored unscrewing the wire bail as Jon suggests, you need to check whether the ladder ratchet (the serrated metal section on the boot in which the wire buckle engages) is on the last adjustment hole. Look inside the boot and there should be three holes into which the ladder ratchets can be bolted. It will use an Allen key typically. Almost always the boots are supplied on either the middle hole or the hole which makes the boots tightest. It’s the work of a few minutes to move the four ladder ratchets to their most relaxed position. Have a check. If you are unsure, take a photo of the inside and the outside of the boot and I can let you know what’s happening....
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@polo99, ...the wire bail is the part of the closing hook on the side of the boot, which has the wire loop coming out of it, and which hooks into the ladder ratchet on the front of the boot. The wire bail section is on a small rod with a screw thread on the end, and by twisting it round and round you can ease or tighten the boots. See the ‘twisting the buckles’ bit of this video....
@valais2, thank you, it is so frustrating. As already said above, I have moved to the third and last hole (it was on the second hole) and the top ratchet is as far as it will go. There just seem to be anything else that I can do to extend the buckles
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@valais2, @spyderjon, ah yes, I see what you mean now (the micro adjustment?). But no, that is out the furthest it will go
After all it is free
After all it is free
@polo99, ...well it's good that you have checked out the things which you can easily do. First thought...and I hope to too intrusive...is do you think that you might lose weight in the foreseeable future? It might just be that a change of lifestyle re exercise and calorie intake could cause weight on your legs to reduce a lot and quickly. Cycling certainly can do it. Second thought - you are in Durham, can you get to Nevisport in Middlesborough? They are pretty specialist and they can possible do a grind and re-rivet on the buckle, which can give an additional 10mm or even more.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Oh yeah I'm 6 stone over weight so want to lose some. But like I say I go skiing in a week so need a quick fix. Ideally for next year I'll lose weight. I'm gonna take them to our local ski shop in Sunderland called Reynolds. The guys there are super knowledgeable and so helpful. If they can't see a quick fix I'll guess I'll have to hire next week
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@polo99, it is possible for a shp to drill a new hole for the tooth plate in many cases, one other thing to check, on the back of the boot hidden behind the power strap are there two big metal discs with an allen key head on them (some models of dream had them some didnt )if they are there they allow the cuff to be expanded out by 5mm each side, put an allen key in and turn it (it should have a stop on it and olny go about 1/2-3/4 of a turn) see if it moves the cuff out or in (if it has already been done)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@polo99, Just a thought, I dont know how bad the "nip" is but I have a sharp edge on my ski boot tongues and last season bought some Sidas shin protectors (about £12-13 from Amazon) and used them all 30+ days season just finished (for me anyways), theyre still as good as new, washed them through a couple of times whilst away and they really did a great job, no rubbing, they are very thin but slightly padded, self adhesive, maybe they may help in your situation? Or, could you tape up either your leg (elastic bandage or sports support tape), or around your ski socks (duck tape or similar) to provide support?
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.
Lockwoods in Leamington had a supply of buckle extenders, simply a wire clasp in the usual shape with a set of ratchet teeth attached. I think they were Nordica branded. Having lost two sets I made myself an extended wire clasp this year from coat hanger wire.
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
You can also buy these extenders for exactly this kind of thing:
@CEM, mine do have that thing on the side and they are fully extended.
@Markymark29, I don't think that ould be a solution for me. Nit exactly sure what you mean but I definitely couldn't fit anything else in there
@olderscot, I already come across these but they don't look any bigger to my own buckle so not sure how they would work. I had also watched video. I've looked at my own boots and there's nothing I can remove or extend that I can see
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Time is short - Hemel snowdome use little wire extenders that fit over the 'lever' part of the clip, not the ladder bit. They work very well. No idea where they get them from but if you phone and ask to speak to the Rental team they may help. The clips fit in a small jiffy envelope so if you can source them you would have them for your trip. As they fall off when you unclip the boot, buy 2 sets, just in case.
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