 Poster: A snowHead
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Bought a pair of fitted boots 3 years ago from an extremely reputable shop in London with a boot guarantee. Found the service excellent, but still have massive issues.
Multiple reshaping, 2 sets of Sidas custom footbeds and the problem still persists. A lot of pain and swelling around the fifth metatarsal.
For context, I have good ankle flex (done the tests), large calves, large forefoot, skinny ankles and collapsed arches. Additionally, when skiing straight the skis collapse inwards, meaning I find getting the inside ski onto the pinky toe very difficult.
It's been recommended to start the process again from scratch, though I'm not keen unless I can be confident the issues can be resolved, especially as I'm already the best part of £600 in.
I love skiing, and at this point, while not a high-earner, money is no object if I can resolve the issues and get some boots for years to come.
Any hints, tips or general thoughts are welcome.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If it was me - I would take myself, my problem and my boots to Colin at S4Feet and get a second opinion.....and take it from there.
Or, I would take a name from the "Best Bootfitter in the Alps" thread and base my ski holiday around getting the problem fixed (one way or another).
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=161310
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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?
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| chrislondon wrote: |
| Additionally, when skiing straight the skis collapse inwards, meaning I find getting the inside ski onto the pinky toe very difficult. |
I'm not sure this is caused by the boots, unless there's something really weird about their canting. It may be worth getting a good instructor to analyse what's going on when this happens and see if it can be sorted by technique.
Not to suggest in the slightest that your feet/boot problems aren't real, but IME a lot, or at least some, of the foot issues experienced by some people can be minimised by improving their overall skiing.
Just a thought.
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| Quote: |
I'm not sure this is caused by the boots, unless there's something really weird about their canting.
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I think it could be. When I was in my early 20s I chose a pair of boots without getting advice. They were a disaster. I couldn't even stand flat on the skis on a drag lift. I think the boots just blocked certain movements.
I think I'd go back again to the shop and explain the problem. Maybe ask to see a different boot fitter to get different ideas?
If that is no good then I'd try Solutions 4 Feet
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It needs someone to look at your whole body alignment, not just your feet. My OH could never stand flat on a drag lift (I'd notice, going up behind him) until he'd had a going over at Solutions for Feet.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@pam w, Interesting. How did they address the problem, with exercises or boot inserts?
On a related note, the classic A-Frame stance is a problem for quite a few skiers, and can usually be helped by drills/exercises, but I found a surprising benefit of the Ski-Mojo when my wife started using one that it really helped reduce or totally remove the A-Frame. By transferring pressure up through the hinge outside the knee and thence to the hip, it seemed to help balance the pressure better. No idea if it would work for others or if it's just a result of her specific anatomic shape.
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A substantial percentage of the general populsation are duck feet.
Boots however, are designed for straight feet. A-frame is the natural outcome of uncorrected boots.
Some duckfeeters have enough flexibility to ski normally in less than well aligned (to theiy body anatomy) boots. Many more cannot.
A-frame is common.
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A few thoughts (I'm not a bootfitter before Colin jumps down my throat), just a bloke who's had decades of foot issues which are similar to yours:
1/ Collapsed arches will make the foot pronate which certainly won't help an A frame stance. How were your footbeds made? Although they're custom, I believe Sidas footbeds are still made by you standing on them on a heated cushion type thing? If that's the case, they might support your collapsed arches from collapsing further but it won't necessarily correct the collapse into a neutral foot position. Colin (S4F) can make custom footbeds whilst you're sat down with the weight off your feet in order to help correct the alignment and stance.
2/ If by pain in the fifth metatarsal, you mean the general curved area on the outside of your foot (rather than the actual toe), then that area can be too straight/narrow for some people's feet (mine) and needs to be pushed out/reshaped to increase width and circulation. However, the lack of circulation may also be linked to a lack of height in the boot on the instep area (the navicular bone), especially if you have skinny ankles and a wide forefoot. These are both issues for me.
The boots will likely feel fine in the morning or in a UK shop but when you exercise, your feet swell up, plus you have dehydration swelling from the altitude, plus feet are bigger in the afternoon anyway which all means that the longer your ski day, the more you have pain. If this is the case, I'd recommend you get them stretched in a resort right after a day's skiing, when your feet are their largest size. I've had loads of boots that were tolerable in the morning, painful by 3pm and agony at 5pm. Some were agony by lunchtime, especially in warm weather. Having them very specifically stretched at 6pm after a day's skiing can get them right.
3/ Surprised you say you have swelling though, which I wouldn't consider to be a symptom of lack of circulation. Are you sure there's not a stress fracture in there?
4/ You don't say what liners you've got? Factory or custom? If your issues are swelling related, you may need to stretch the liner as well as the shell.
5/ Ultimately, if you can't correct your stance with boot adjustments, then an alignment specialist can insert shims under your bindings and adjust the canting etc. to correct it if you have your own skis. S4F offer this service but I'd be inclined to try and correct the boot in traditional ways first.
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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.
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If the original fitter can't correct the problem you need a 2nd opinion, either from the shop concerned - ask for their senior fitter - or as others have suggested book yourself in to see Colin @ Solutions for Feet.
A small adjustment to the shell or the footbed, but in exactly the right area, may be enough. Also issues in a certain area sometimes come from "upstream" from the area affected.
I had initial issues in my current boot in a similar area but the actual issue was way further back than I thought and actually came from under the foot where the posting on the footbed was too far forward - just an example of issues presenting themselves but the cause being elsewhere.
Get that 2nd opinion before you throw any more cash at them or another pair.
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| chrislondon wrote: |
Bought a pair of fitted boots 3 years ago from an extremely reputable shop in London with a boot guarantee. Found the service excellent, but still have massive issues.
Multiple reshaping, 2 sets of Sidas custom footbeds and the problem still persists. A lot of pain and swelling around the fifth metatarsal. |
These two sentences don't seem to work together.
As with others I would just go to S4F.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks all, some good thoughts here.
Sounds like I need to see Colin.
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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.
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| Layne wrote: |
| chrislondon wrote: |
Bought a pair of fitted boots 3 years ago from an extremely reputable shop in London with a boot guarantee. Found the service excellent, but still have massive issues.
Multiple reshaping, 2 sets of Sidas custom footbeds and the problem still persists. A lot of pain and swelling around the fifth metatarsal. |
These two sentences don't seem to work together.
As with others I would just go to S4F. |
I get your point, but think a restaurant where that one dish isn't great, but all the other products, and general service are excellent! Point taken though..!
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@chrislondon, I got the impression you'd been back to the restaurant a couple of more times for the same dish and it left you with indigestion each time 
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You know it makes sense.
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Sounds like you need a podiatrist before a boot fit - sorry, no mickey taking intended. They would give advice on posture and exercise to solve issues and if aforesaid ankle and foot specialist is a skier then they would provide boot tips
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Quote: |
from an extremely reputable shop in London
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As said in that great film. "Opinions differ'
Snow and rubble, Ellis shovem an let em out the door , you can get good folks, really good folks but they are few and far between.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Like many others here, I cannot recommend Colin @ http://solutions4feet.com highly enough. He is fantastically knowledgeable: he takes books on biomechanics to read on holiday!
Colin has even fixed my friend's issue over the phone, just by her telling him the situation (terrible boot fitter in Austria — foam under the footbed). But he gets booked-up fast, and you need to make an appointment.
And he will try his very best to make your existing equipment work for you — he will not suggest you buy anything new, unless you really have to. But on the flip-side, don't argue with him, or he will throw you out. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If the boot has a removable liner, all you really need is a bootfitter to remove the liner and replace it with a new one that is suitable for your feet. Having a custom footbed built will help to accommodate your high instep and overpronation, and can improve your comfort when wearing a ski boot.
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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?
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
If it was me - I would take myself, my problem and my boots to Colin at S4Feet and get a second opinion.....and take it from there.
Or, I would take a name from the "Best Bootfitter in the Alps" thread and base my ski holiday around getting the problem fixed (one way or another).
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=161310 |
Noice post mate!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| David_R wrote: |
| If the boot has a removable liner, all you really need is a bootfitter to remove the liner and replace it with a new one that is suitable for your feet. Having a custom footbed built will help to accommodate your high instep and overpronation, and can improve your comfort when wearing a ski boot. |
replacing the liner seems like throwing good money after bad....there's obviously an underlying issue that need to be investigated. As far as I know all new boots have removable liners but I don't see how replacing it would help, they're designed to work with the shell that they came in.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I went to see Colin at S4F and he is indeed excellent. The boots and beds I need will cost in the region of £700 apparently but he wouldn’t sell me them until I’ve improved my foot flexion!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| David_R wrote: |
| If the boot has a removable liner, |
What boots don’t have removable liner?
| Quote: |
| all you really need is a bootfitter to remove the liner and replace it with a new one that is suitable for your feet. Having a custom footbed built will help to accommodate your high instep and overpronation, and can improve your comfort when wearing a ski boot. |
All you really need is a GOOD boot fitter!
Not quite brain surgery. But there’re some things only a professional with good understanding and lots of experience can provide. Fitting ski boots to some particularly difficult feet is one of such.
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+1 for Colin at Solutions 4 Feet. Straight talking, expert, honest.
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