 Poster: A snowHead
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Has anyone made a homemade shim or riser to lift their foot in their ski boot? - what did you use / find worked best?
My left boot is perfect; perfect length, width, snug but no pressure points anywhere. Toes brush the front at rest (very slight pressure), yet it all releases when I flex. I don't think I've ever before felt as good a fit as I have on this left foot - I could ski all day in this boot.
The problem is that my right boot is either too loose giving me heel slop to the point where I can't confidently control my right ski at speed or under pressure, or I have to tighten to the point of severe discomfort in order to ensure the heel doesn't lift excessively. The latter gives me the control, but I have to loosen constantly or suffer for it, not ideal.
I'm thinking something under the right heel might solve it.
I know a bootfitter is the best option, but making the time for the journey isn't practical at present, so I'm looking for a short-term solution - with a visit to a bootfitter later on.
Cheers!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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fr0sty, I use layers of cereal packet, I'm not sure it would help for the problem you describe though.
It sounds to me as if your boots are just too wide for you.
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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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rjs, it's possible, but the fit on foot width feels just perfect. Snug as anything, but my right heel 'lifts' when I shift my weight. Unless I basically tie it down with tighter clipping.
It's possible it's too wide on the right foot, but it doesn't feel like my foot at any point other than my heel is moving, the rest remains snug,the heel just lifts and gets 'free'.
...if that makes sense ha-ha!...
I'll try some cereal packets, I thought perhaps something waterproof might do the trick. I've done a few 'fixes' in my time, for many sports, so was thinking about a homemade waterproof resin/epoxy that sets hard. I could use a shaped something or other to build it up when I poured it, and then shave it if it was too large. Obviously if someone has a tried and tested solution then I'll go for that first.
Cheers!
/edit - realise this post will probably spawn a freehell is the win conversation etc...
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Beer mats work for me
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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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fr0sty, I got a cheap thin doormat from the local pound stretchers, dense and easy to cut - its still in my boot and I've skied on it lots.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorbothane heel cushion maybe? Used these in lots of outdoor footwear over the years.
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fr0sty, Have you thought of putting something over the instep instead?
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Amateur podiatrist here so take this with a heavy pinch of salt (apologies to CEM and others), but, if it sounds good to you, give it a try. If it doesn't work then try something else. Keep experimenting and then, when you do go to a bootfitter, you can explain what works for you and what doesn't.
I'll take a punt and guess that you have no (or little in the way of) footbeds inside your liners. This means your foot is poorly supported this allows it to move around. Try some footbeds - something Superfeet or the Vasyli sports insoles from Boots. The latter are particularly supportive - but are really intended for use in softer shoes.
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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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Thanks for the ideas folks. I have some insoles of different sorts accumulated over the years - I expect I could butcher one to try and fit it (either whole or in part), or try one of these ideas instead. Mostly common sense it seems, just asked out of curiosity more than anything else.
altis, I have no footbed - yet. As I said, a short term solution in the interim before visiting a bootfitter. Currently I can't get to one, and I can't enjoy skiing when my heel moves like this, so a short-term solution is needed. I'm confident the boots are spot on for length and width, as i said my left boot is one of the finest fits I've ever experienced. If I could solve this then they both would be!
comprex, tell me more of what you have in mind.
Cheers folks!
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fr0sty, hope the loose boot is on your short leg, otherwise this will now be your long leg with a single sided heel raise and the position of your pelvis will change too 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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anarchicsaltire, I know, I know, it opens up so many potential problems but it's possible that it might work short-term, so I'll give it a go.
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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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fr0sty,
This is what you are looking for, Its not the longterm answer to your problem though.
http://www.nevisport.com/catdetail-3-catdetail1_id-71-catdetail2_id-101-product_id-462661
They are quite firm so wont compress much put them under you footbed.
I put these in a pair of boots as a short term fix. They did snug them up quite a bit. The diagnosis of my problem was boots a size too big. Now I'm in boots of correct size and much better happier skier.
Putting bits under the heels is a mickey mouse solution. Heel lifts are used by bootfitters to help with biomechanics issues not to take up space (although in some ski shops they use them to solve everything). If you cant flex your ankles correctly a heel lift can open the joint and increase your range of movement.
You need to do a shell check to see if your boots are the right size. Bare foot in boot toe touchin front of shell how much space between heel and back of shell????? Trying them on with the liner is just trying on the liner when it packs out as you ski your foot wont be held securely. My last boots were exactly the same. Felt fine, even snug, but a few good hard runs and my feet were rattling around in them. Had to over tighten which made them uncomfortable and created pressure points. Now in same boot 1 size smaller dont even need to close the bottom buckles and I can ski hard all day with out them loosening.
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| fr0sty wrote: |
comprex, tell me more of what you have in mind.
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Exactly what you'd think: a thin, softish pad, cut to fit across the instep, worn inside the sock so as to stay in place.
neoprene (thin mouse pad) as a first prototype, though I'd probably use EVA or plastazote because those can be heat moulded and rasped to adapt for thickness.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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carroz, if it truly -is- a temporary fix, then fr0sty can just pinch a mousepad or two from work?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Folks, thanks for all the input so far. I've done the shell test etc. I'm careless (a 'sales' mug!) for not buying from a fitter, especially knowing the score, but I've had a good look at them before I ever tried to ski in them.
The heel 'lifts' and there is a noticeable left-to-right motion (or slop) when initiating turns. It's noticeable enough that I feel loss of control, so for me that's reason enough to effect a fix, quick or otherwise.
I will go to the fitter, (undoubtedly Colin), but it's not presently practical. So I was looking for a short-term fix.
I'm currently trying to engineer something which simply braces tighter around my right ankle, a bit like a custom liner might, to keep the heel down where it should be - if I could find a solution with this then the fit would be excellent.
I clearly have a freakishly slender right heel! - I know this! ha-ha!
Cheers!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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fr0sty, You could try putting some padding on the outsides of the liner, maybe start with an 'L' shaped piece behind and below each ankle bone.
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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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fr0sty, PM me the boot make , model and size ,if you want to send a picture of your foot you can do...i will post you some pads to stick to the liner to hold the heel and ankle down...may be next week though when i get off the plane and back to the office
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CEM, that's very kind of you. I'll take some photos and then PM you all of the information.
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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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not a problem
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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fr0sty,
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I'll take some photos
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That will be a bit of a challenge, mightbe easier if someone took them for you
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Is there a sanctified-super-mega-snowHead category?
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Hurtle, yeah. You were the first member 
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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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