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New boots for someone with limited ankle dorsiflexion

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
My current ski boots are about 9 years old and I've skied on them for about 400 days, so I'm looking to get a new pair after this season. I was a beginner when I bought them, so whilst there is nothing wrong with them, I am now a lot better and heavier, so am looking for something with improved performance. My problem is that I have very limited flexibility in my ankles, so when I bought them the boot fitter informed me that my only option was a custom made boot, so I ended up with a pair of Dale boots.
So I was wondering if there had been any changes in the last few years and had any manufacturer's made some more upright boots, that a fitter may be able to get to work successfully, without getting another custom boot made. Also if there hasn't been any changes recently, are there any other manufacturers making custom boots, except for Dale and Strolz, both of which don't seem to have modernised there offering in a while.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@doddsie, look into the Nordica HF range https://www.nordica.com/global/en/men/boots/medium-wide-102mm-2/hf

I only hear good things.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I too have limited ankle dorsiflexion. In my case the cause is short/tight calves, which I am now trying to remedy, with considerable success, with daily calf stretches and a roller. This is typically the cause, but some people have issues with the actual ankle joint. Prior to the calf stretching the only customisation that I had was 6mm heel lifts in my ski boots, which helped considerably. I still use the heel lifts, but will shortly be looking to buy new ski boots, hopefully without the limited ankle dorsiflexion condition. The ankle dorsiflexion can have an impact on the boot flex that is best for someone.

The Nordica HF really facilitates easy boot entry and, for some people who find it virtually impossible to slide their feet into a ski boot, is probably the only viable option.

I’d thoroughly recommend using a good boot fitter and make sure that they are aware of your restriction.
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Thanks guys, I have no issues getting my current boots on and it was a good boot fitter that told me he couldn’t sell me any boots. Also it’s a ankle joint issue, so no stretching will help.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@doddsie, the nordica HF range maybe worth considering as mentioned. On our recent trip, my friend bought a pair - in his case his issue is that his toe joints have been fused so he can;t bend his foot. This meant getting a regular boot on was a big job, whereas he can easily slide into the Nordica HF boots.

You say that your issue is not getting the botos on but the limited ankle movement - one of the ladies inour chalet mentioned that her husband also uses Nordica HF following an ankle fusion operation. I suppose it will depend then on whether the cuff allows the right angle for you.

K2 / Full Tilt boots may also be worth checking out as they don't have the standard construction, they have a removable tongue rather than overlapping "cheeks" on the calf
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@doddsie, just a point on fitting. The HFs are not really like old rear entry boots, in that the liners are very high quality and intended, where appropriate, to be "fitted". (The shells are not so very different).

Bro in law started stocking them when they came out, really to test the waters, they flew off the shelf and have continued to do so.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Does anyone know if manufacturers state their boot lean angles anywhere?
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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!
@doddsie, some manufactures put it into the tech information but it is measured differently from brand to brans so doesn't always make sense

the question is did the boot fitter say he couldn't or wouldn't there is a difference, often it is more cost effective for the customer to go down the dale boot route than to take an off the shelf boot and add the custom liner and the work required to "possibly" make it work

so you have a dale boot, if that is working for you, and it does work for a lot of people i would stick there, you have something that is designed to work with your issue, it isn't for everyone, but if ity works keep going... you could update it to the latest version which looks a little less 70's
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Thanks for the reply CEM, it was you who sent me to Dale boots and it was a couldn't not a wouldn't.
The Dale boots have been ok, but my foot can twist inside my boots when I really pressure them and I get really cold feet even on warm days.
I was just wondering if anything has changed in the last decade in terms of manufacturers offerings that might now allow me to get an off the shelf boot or if there was any other customer boot manufacturers anywhere in the world that were offering something that would work.
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doddsie wrote:
Thanks for the reply CEM, it was you who sent me to Dale boots and it was a couldn't not a wouldn't.
The Dale boots have been ok, but my foot can twist inside my boots when I really pressure them and I get really cold feet even on warm days.
I was just wondering if anything has changed in the last decade in terms of manufacturers offerings that might now allow me to get an off the shelf boot or if there was any other customer boot manufacturers anywhere in the world that were offering something that would work.


nothing really changed, the nordica rear entry boot as some have mentioned, but it is a high volume fit , the liners in your dales have probably packed out by now so you could just get a new liner and replace the sole pads if everything else is good..... they could also bolster the fit around the ankle
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