Foot pain....

A snowHead

I used to get a lot of foot pain when skiing in hire boots (specifically my right foot felt like ice (at first I thought they were leaking - so tightened them - which of course exacerbated the issue). So I took the plunge and bought myself some Head boots and had some custom cork "superfeet" insoles molded. The boots were fitted at a professional ski shop, who also moulded the insoles. They seemed to be experienced at what they were doing.

Two weeks ago I took my new boots for three days of skiing. Both feet hurt. Even with the buckles across the top of my feet on the loosest setting that they wouldn't spontaneously open on I was getting sort feet after an hour or so. With them tightened up one more notch (the tension I would traditionally have expected on those buckles - but I am no expert) then they were painfull virtually continuously. My toes would go numb.

Now when I tried them on in the shop they were snug but not painful. Could the temperature difference between the slope and the shop be the reason? Or am I doing something stupid? Does anyone else have experience of this?

Ten days after coming back I still have some tingling in my toes - this is something I have never expereinced before. They aren't actually numb (I can inflict pain on them) but it doesn't feel normal. It seems to be getting gradually better.

So here are some questions people might be able to help with...

- can the footbeds be molded wrongly?
- can they be remolded if they were made wrongly?
- how helpful should I expect a good boot shop to be if I am going back now (boots were bought at end of last years season)?
- is there anything else I can do to reduce the pain - e.g. ankle/foot exercises?
- if this sounds like it is beyond the normal skill of a bootshop should I be looking to find a podiatrist? if so how do I do that (I am in central belt of scotland).

My posture when skiing is not great. I am not sure if this is the cause or an effect of the foot pain (i.e. am I naturally ajusting body wieght to minimise pain OR if I can get the bad skiing style out will the footpain improve?)

Thanks in advance for anyone who thinks they have an opinion.

A snowHead

Maybe repost this in Equipment for a better response?

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

I had a similar problem with some Technica boots. Could last the morning until left with pins and needles in my right boot. They are better second season after fitting of superfeet, but also had some of the inner boot ground.
My feeling is that the boot is really too narrow or possibly too short. If you have wide feet, this will be a problem, but different boot manufacturers use different lasts. Nordica, I believe accommodate wide feet better. Shops tend to stress not having room in the boots, but modern inner materials allow very little bedding in so do not feel you have to be crammed in at first purchase.
Take them back. I should have done, but did not. I was lucky they have worked out better second year.
As an afterthought, please can someone bring back rear entry for the recreational skier (but without the ankle wire).

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Polly,

I'm not a bootfitter or an expert on skiing, boots or feet so please take my views (and those of other lay experts that you have invited to respond) with due caution.

I used to have a lot of pain in my feet. It came daily, about an hour after I started skiing and would last for about an hour before easing. My boots have four clips, two on my foot and two on my calf, as well as power strap. On a ski instructors suggestion, I left the upper clip on my foot completely open. His reasoning is that you have a lot of blood vessels near the surface of your foot here and the boots could br restricting the blood flow.

Anyway, it worked for me. I haven't had a problem since. I tighten up the other clips as tight as I like and it doesn't make a difference.

I'm dubious on footbets. This year, I discovered on the 5th day skiing that the insole of my right boot was left in the attic. I hadn't noticed and was still comfortable skiing all day.

Skibb.

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I had this exact problem - numb feet after an hour of skiing and excruciating pain when trying to take them off.

In my case it was a steep instep, that caused the blood vessels being crushed by the buckles even at loosest setting.
With rental boots every time it as a nightmarish choice between going 1-2 sizes up and skiing literally with buckets on my feet, or screaming with pain.

Heat moulded boots and liners fitted by a qualified person solved it. I can now ski all day with no issue whatsoever. Don't loosen them even for lunch.

So I guess get a second opinion from a boot fitter with good recommendations? They may be able to fix yours, or find you a new pair that fits

@Oleski, Holy thread bump (for spam). 2008

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@holidayloverxx, oops, didn't pay attention to dates

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I had similar problem.. Mine was mortens neuroma.. Used a silicon pad which solved the problem... Then it started in my other boot this season!!
Feels odd at first but it works.. And don't tighten your foot bindings.. There only there to keep snow out.. Its the ankle bindings that do the work

Help!!

Foot pain....

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