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Boot pain

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I am yet again having boot problems. On both feet, I have been feeling (great) pain around the fifth metatarsel head area and I am worried that the bony lumps that were there are getting bigger. I have done about 8 weeks on the boots and had them punched out several times.

I returned from holiday last weekend and am still feeling pain. My little toes are also numb and tingly. I am worried that I am doing permanent damage to my feet.

Is it worth taking the boots to Profeet for further alterations or should I now just buy new boots? I've had them punched out a few times now and I don't think this is working well with my boots (Salomon Ellipse 9's) I am skiing again on 15th April and am hoping Profeet will be able to fit me in before then.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
conor, Yep, get it punched properly and yes wearing ski boots will permanetly damage your feet if not fitted correctly.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
conor,
Quote:

Is it worth taking the boots to Profeet for further alterations

Do you have confidence in their ability to do the job right?
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Do you have confidence in their ability to do the job right?

snowbunny, I know that they come highly recommended and that's all I have to go on as I've not used them myself.

SMALLZOOKEEPER, I'm just not sure that further punching is going to work although not sure if they were done "properly" in the past (had them done overnight in various resorts). I guess I'll make an appointment at Profeet, take them along and do as I'm told.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
conor,
Quote:

snowbunny, I know that they come highly recommended and that's all I have to go on as I've not used them myself.

I have, and I have sent you a PM.
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Implying you don't agree with their good rep snowbunny ? Interested as I have them in mind for next year... aj xx
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
ajhainey, Profeet is not the only option available to conor. He would benefit from seeing a specialist bootfitter, and getting a Pedorthists' opinion IMV.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I thought they were specialist bootfitters? Puzzled
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ajhainey, All of us so called 'Specialist Bootfitters' get things wrong and with a reputation, when we do, people are outraged. It's a part of all jobs. Imagine, you go to the best resturant in town, have a bad meal and after you feel cheated and want to tell people about it. Same for us.

I've seen alot of ProFeet's work this winter and on the whole am happy to say there work is of a high standard, or as high as could be, given there is no slope nearby. I feel they make some of the better orthotics i've seen coming out of ski shops, however could question some of their shell choices. But all said that's my opinion, i'm sure they too would question some of my shell choices. The thing to remember is that they want to try, they want to get it right, if they can before the end of your holiday is the question for me. Little Angel
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ajhainey, I do believe that there are snowHead who have been fully satisfied with their service.
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Profeet are a great shop who have a good reputation. But that doesn't mean they are going to get it right everytime. All my friends are regular customers of EB in Milton Keynes and we've all had really great boots and they seemed really clued up. However because of the sheer volume of boots they sell in a season you do hear of people with problems. Im sure this is the same in every ski shop. I think a shop has a good reputation if they are doing the right thing when they are 'fitting' problem boots or making adjustments.

Quote:

All of us so called 'Specialist Bootfitters' get things wrong and with a reputation, when we do, people are outraged. It's a part of all jobs. Imagine, you go to the best resturant in town, have a bad meal and after you feel cheated and want to tell people about it. Same for us.


This is a really good point.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Profeet, I am a satisfied customer. I know several others who were also suitably happy. If you're in London I reckon they're your best option. If you're in Chamonix, there's some strange mini-menagerie somewhere that I believe the animal carer knows his way around skiboots.

Snow and Rock. Hmmm. A chum was buying new boots this week and I happened to join him for the beer drinking part of the experience. The shop assistant who thermo-ed his liners admitted that 1. he was a snowboarder and 2. hadn't ever fitted a pair of ski boots prior to the start of this season. He did not allude to any formal training but said that he'd picked up the skills on the job. What sort of fitting would he have been doing in January then?

If this is common to S&R, no wonder many people have sore feet. I know many of the S&R "fitters" are experienced, trained elsewhere, etc. (in fact, I understand one of the Profeet founders was ex-S&R) but to allow anyone with no training to learn skills as they go seems slightly worrying to me.
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David Murdoch,
Quote:

Profeet, I am a satisfied customer.

Thats great. As Profeet operate on a (strictly adhered to) appointment system, I do wonder if conor, would be able to resolve his boot fitting problem in the hour slot provided?
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
snowbunny, I wonder that too. I also wonder whether I'm wasting my time with my current boots ie. I could take them to Profeet, pay £99 for an hour and be told that I need new boots after all, then have to pay again for another appointment to have new boots fitted. Is this how Profeet works?

I did look at CEM's company website. What I found odd is that they don't sell boots but will fit those already purchased elsewhere. But, what if the boots you just purchased were the wrong ones?? Or am I missing something here Puzzled

I don't have a lot of time available to me until the next trip - I may end up taking an hour at Profeet and hoping it works. If not, may have to consider new boots for next year. Very frustrated Crying or Very sad
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
conor, AFAIK, CEM is a Pedorthist and fits all sorts of footwear. He has a close relationship with a local ski store, can measure feet and tell anyone which brand/model to go for in ski boots. He knows what the lasts are like and is experienced at assessing problems and providing solutions. He can even dismantle and re-rivet a pair of boots. Consider this, if CEM says you need new boots, he will not make any money from that advice, because he does not sell them. I have some nerves missing from one foot, so boot fit is really important to me, I have been a customer of Profeet, and I now go to see CEM. Good luck whatever you choose. Smile
BTW I'm not being paid to say any of this honest!
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I will look into CEM, but not sure if I will get the time to get up to Bicester, especially due to work committments. Is it easy to get there by train from London?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
conor, There are 2 railway stations in Bicester. I'm always hearing radio adverts for Chiltern Railways, Bicester to London, so I guess that would be the service to look at. Here is a link...
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/index.php

It's a commuter service, not being that local, I have not used the service personally. Smile
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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?
I'm thinking I need new boots for next year and I'll try and go and see the animal lover if at all poss. And when is trip to Chamonix not possible ..??

However I like the arguement for CEM but I don't have a visa to go up there yet..!! Laughing
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As a sports medic I'm interested if your transverse arch is part of the problem (amongst one or two other possibilities that may be there or combining) and the boots are really just an extension of a secondary symptom. I've sent people to Profeet and have had varying results. They try hard but most staff don't have specialist anatomy training and therefore can't tell the difference between a symptom and a problem. But this is true of many shoe shops and Profeet are one of the better ones. For example, some people will pronate due to tight musculature and a strength imbalance, not because of a gait issue. These things they can't tell and they'll give you over pronation control beds (which will increase the problem) when simple stretching and strengthening work will do most or some of the job.
To be honest - first of all I'd go to a Sports Therapist who skis or works with skiers, see what they pick up and then go to see a specialist podiatrist if they say you need it, preferrably someone who works with skiboots.
I'm not after your business but if you want to email me a bit more info on your feet, then I might be able to help more specifically so you can find someone near you to help. Otherwise, good luck, but don't carry on with numbness - you will damage your feet.
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conor, - I was skiing in Gressoney off-piste last season & persisted with a painful left foot in Salomon X -scream boots - they were about 3 seasons old ( I go away 3x a season) so I should really have bought new boots but didnt- as a result , this season I got some Salomon Pro Gun boots one size bigger. - that was the problem, I'm a size 7.5 shoe but the X-scream boots were size 8 ( not big enough) - result= big toe on left foot squashed against boot, - Precision Ski in ValD - tried to remedy the problem last season, but, I feel , made it worse by putting new conformable soles in the X-scream left boot AND raising the heel with a little riser - this had the effect of squashing the top of the left foot against the upper boot shell - the result is, I now have what is termed, 'Top of the Foot ' pain - I am on Diclofenac (anti-inflammmatories) & have to put a cold wrap on the foot after work each night ( I work in retail & am on my feet all day) - the pain can be quite severe. - don't get me wrong, I am not blaming Precision Ski - I had been to them the year before to try & 'blow' the boot (both actually) which they did with great success. - my fault, - should have got new boots in Feb. 2005.
So, if you want my advice, chuck out those old boots and get some new ones in the end of season sales!! - otherwise, you'll be dogged with pain next season just like me this year
Sad
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Quote:

I'm a size 7.5 shoe but the X-scream boots were size 8 ( not big enough) - result= big toe on left foot squashed against boot,


I wear a size 11 shoe and my ski boots say 9 1/2 on them and to be honest i would rather go smaller than bigger. Maybe it was the toe height or width that was incorrect on your bots or maybe you have an ''upright'' technique or tendencies to lean back which would push your foot forward. Hard to say without watching you ski. Just speculating really. But thats odd that your shoes are smaller than your boots everyone i ski with has a tighter boot size in comparison to their shoes.
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I don't think my boots are too short. But I do think they are too narrow in the forefoot area, and when they have been punched out in the past they seem to have retracted back towards their original position after a day or too. I wonder whether this particular model doesn't respond well to such alterations.

It's strange though that I didn't suffer too much when I went to Winter Park back in January, but the pain was almost unbearable in Serre Che a few weeks ago.

I'm still in two minds about whether to just get new boots rather than spend more money on trying to fix the evil bar stewards I currently own.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
conor, i have a similar issue. my boots are through the 3rd season now and still cause me quite severe pain after about 2 or 3 hours of usage. only remedy is to get the (right) foot out of the boot during a gondola ride. taking the boot off itself is usually quite painful then too and often followed by tingling sensation in the smaller toes (right up from where the pain in the ball originates). i guess i'm squashing a nerve...

had them pushed out about a gazillion times to no avail... Sad so today i finally went and saw a podiatrist. she built some temporary orthotics that i have to try for a few weeks. at the same time i made an appt. with profeet this thursday. i'm not sure either if i should just get new boots or wait and see if the issue can get fixed otherwise. i just fear that i plunge down in excess of £300 for new boots and all sorts of customizations just to find out that the problem still persists... i'll report on my visit at profeet though.

off to tignes this saturday ... Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
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icke, thanks very much for that. I think you understand my buy / don't buy dilemma. You could go to Profeet on Thursday, to be told you need new boots then have to pay for a further appointment for the fitting. Decisions decisions. I am planning on going somewhere on th 15th April and just want it sorted before then. Still trying to decide.

I'd be grateful if you'd report back on Profeet.
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conor, the difference in the two holidays could have been temperature. I imagine Colorado in January would be a lot colder than Serre Chevalier in March. This relly does make a difference.

It seems to me that if poss CEM is the man to see. (I don't know him, but nothing but good reports so far).
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We were extremely satisfied with service at profeet and Mr C has very problematic feet (over pronation) that have troubled him for years. This year skiing, after profeet, didn't have to take his ski boots off at all during rest stops, something he's always had to do. I also went as I thought my boots were to large for me but they said I didn't need a new pair of boots, gave me a new footbed and made adjustments to the front of the boots so there is less volume - great! If you need a new pair of boots they will probably be able to sort that out at the same fitting or if more time is needed and you need to come back, you won't need to pay for the extra appointments - that's all paid for in the price of the fitting. This previous thread refers to previous discussion of profeet.
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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.
easiski, but I was of the impression that the cold would aggravate the pain? We didn't have to do much walking in Winter Park though and boots came straight off after skiing and before pub, unlike Serre Chevalier. Also the snow was deep the whole time which I guess takes the pressure off the feet.

I don't think I'll get the opoortunity to get to CEM before the 15th April. I'm working nights this week so will try to get Profeet to fit me in one afternoon.
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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
Appointment made at Profeet Friday afternoon.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Hope they work for you, they did for me. I use my boots very heavily and have problem feet (missing a big toe and...). Bought a new pair last season in Profeet and from the 1st day they fitted pretty much spot on and have broken in fine after season and half's use. There are super secret other fitters but for a walk in service I thought they did a great job. Also lot of luck in boots - some just won't fit no matter how much you alter them best to start again wiht a boot whose last most naturally conforms to your foot.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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snowtiger, interesting comments. I have used the services of Profeet for ski boots (although not their running shoe service) and of London City Runner for running shoe advice. I have only done so, however, in conjunction with a detailed synopsis of syptoms and diagnosis from my physio (sports specialist).

If pain persists long-term it is my personal experience that an underlying problem is exacerbating the discomfort of potentially-poor-fitting shoes / boots and that a presentation of symptoms / diagnosis as both useful and highly appreciated by any specialist shoe / boot fitter.
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Poster: A snowHead
Viceversa - hmm - I think I've been sold a pair of boots that are too big as there feels like a lot of foot movement within the right boot , but the left boot is fine. - the top of the foot pain occurs when wearing shoes at work , even trainers don't help. - I've taken to Scarpa walking boots at work now - I think I might see a podiatrist, or the doc. first.
Thanks for the info though.
Zammo - do you reckon I should see a sports specialist, the doc, or a podiatrist as my foot pain has been going on for well into 6 months now? Sad
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
skiologist, my feet hurt for about 12 months. I finally went to the Doc instead of just maoning about them and, after a diagnosis and some physio they were fixed within 4 - 6 weeks and no further trouble. Maybe I was lucky but I would think it's certainly worth investigating.
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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?
conor, i just came back from profeet.
took just little over an hour and the impression so far is pretty good. they didn't try to sell me new boots and said that the old ones (3 years old) are quite a good fit and he wouldn't be able to get me anything better than the ones i have. i had custom moulded footbeds in the boots already. they were made in the US but in comparison with the new profeet footbeds they lack structure and are almost flat... with all the adjustment made to the boots, insoles and footbed the boots now feel quite snug (at the sole) and actually quite comfy (but not loose). the real test will be conducted in tignes this sunday on the slopes but i'm quite hopeful. if i have an internet connection in the hotel i will report more...

good luck tomorrow!!!
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When I was a kid, I used to ski for three months a year, two to four days a week. I never had other problems with the boots than occasional shin irritation. I now ski a week or two/year, and I still have never had any of the serious problems which almost everyone here seems to have, almost all the time. Is it just that I am luckier, or is it that everyone here has feet of a princess? Puzzled
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demos, we may have a bit of royal blood in our veins, indeed wink
i guess that most people without 'boot pain' simply don't bother contributing here. the vast majority doesn't have any serious boot issues anyway i believe. out of the skiers i know personally, i'm pretty much the only one who has such (size 10) 'princess feet'... Laughing
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icke, I really hope it works - and your feet don't turn all too blue! Good luck! Smile
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zammo - cheers, thanks for the advice - my ski season's finished now so I think I'll do just that - visit the doc. - went last year to doc & he said he could refer me to a foot specialist if i wanted but that it would probably mean no skiing this season. - I had already booked a few hols in advance so decided to wait it out but the pain did not improve - guess I should have gone then.
demos - I try to get in about 3 ski hols a season if poss. , guess my feet are telling me something.( I used to do the Great North Run every year aswell until I jarred my right knee just past Gateshead roundabout in the 2000 GNR. - doc said I had 2 choices, skiing or running , not both - guess which one i chose? Smile
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skiologist, running? snowHead
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Err , no - skiing actually - I'd done 10 GNRs' by then & guessed my body was telling me something. - KEEP ON SKIING!! -ahh, yes , the day I give up skiing..... well , hope that never happens.
conor- get yoursel to St Anton, Man - it's great! - sorted out your boot problem yet? - I'm gona go back to the docs to try & wangle an appointment with a foot surgeon to se what he says . - it's NHS so should be cheaper than a podiatrist. ( unless you can get them on the NHS , can you?) Confused
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skiologist, went to St Anton last year and yes, it is a superb place. Had painful feet though, but alcohol eased the pain.
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