 Poster: A snowHead
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I have an issue with aching quads when I ski which I originally thought was just due to being relatively unfit and having poor technique but it isn't going away as a get fitter and improve my technique.
I've read that the combination of small feet (size 7) and short legs (5'7") can mean a greater ramp angle (between toe and heel) than would be the case in larger size boots. This can cause the quads to be permanently in tension as I'm never truly standing up straight due to the degree of forward lean. This corresponds to my experience as I find this happening when I stand up for any length of time in my boots e.g. on the Cairngorm funicular.
I've measured the ramp angle on my skis and the bindings are +/-0 (Fischer Fuse) and +2mm (Watea 7 so I think the problem is my boots. My boots are Salomon Mission RS8's which have an approx +10mm between toe and heel and seem to have a relatively greater forward lean in the cuff than some other boots. This pushes my lower leg forward and consequently shifts my thigh and bum backwards to maintain balance thereby permananently tensing the quads. i.e. when I stand up straight I'm not really standing up straight with the load on the joint.
I've crudely tested this by standing in my boots, with and without my skis on, and packing up the toes which does make a noticeable difference.
This topic has been covered before on Snowheads,
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=55437
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=44226&highlight=setup
but I have some specific questions:
- Can this be addressed with the boot rather than packing up the front binding. My piste skis have Railflex bindings and I can't see how they would be shimmed.
- Which boots are likely to be better for me than my current Salomons? N.B. I have quite broad feet. Current boots have a 102mm last.
- The Atomic M series boots have an adjustment which allows the heel end of the footbed to be raised and lowered. Has anyone tried them?
- Can anyone recommend someone in Scotland who could help sort this out for me? A trip to Solutions4Feet in Bicester would be a last resort as I live in Edinburgh.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Snow_Dog, sorry, no help I' afraid, but an interesting question as I'm 5'6", Size 5.75 (just under a 6, annoyingly), prefer to have quite inclined boots from a lean p.o.v. and I've never experienced this.
Watching responses...
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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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RAB
it could be that your tendons/ muscles [eg. hamstrings] are too tight so trying stretching; alternatively, a bespoke footbed could spread the pressure over the entire plantar surface; alternatively, try to lower the back of the boot board or raise the front with shims, but be careful with fit and biomechanics as the hinge points of the foot will not correspond with the boot. Have you tried to reduce forward angle of the boot shaft? Not reversible work to boot and you need an expert [Solutions4feet]: shim the boot sole at the front and grind toe lug to ensure DIN conformity or grind heel face that sits on rear binding but the top of the heel lug will have to be built up with epoxy and ground to Din conformity.
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probaly more about the forard lean of the boot than the ramp angle, do you have the rear spoiler plate in, if so make sure it is out, also, measure round your calf at the top of the boot, if it is more than 14" round then the cuff of the boot needs to be stretched backwards to allow you to srtand a little more upright....
the boot you have is not ideal for having the toes lifted as it has hollow lugs front and back and replaceable sole plates..... it can be done but there ain't a lot of places (read only 2) in the UK with a router set up to do the job and the chances are it could ruin the boot
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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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CEM - My calf round the cuff of the boot is 15.75" so I guess that my largish calves and shortish legs are combining to push my lower leg forward in the boot exaggerating the forward lean. I've taken the spoilers out, as you suggested, which makes a little bit of difference on the basis of a quick test on the living room carpet but doesn't seem to solve the problem.
On the basis of just comparing photographs my Salomon Mission RS8's do seem to have more forward lean (approx 25%) than the Atomic M90's that I mentioned. This was going to be the last season for these boots as I'm beginning to outgrow them so I'll try some others on to see if I can find a pair with less forward lean and an adjustable cuff that fits my calves before doing any specialist customisation on the Salomons.
Thanks for the helpful responses.
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Snow_Dog, the M tech is certainly more upright, but certainly not 25% or even close, maybe 2degrees or so but i would need to measure one to give an accurate answer, don't be fooled by the outer shape of the boot, the shape of the shell can hide a multitude of angles
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i should add that for every 1" over 14" you are pushed forward 1/3" so at 15 3/4" you are being pushed forward almost 2/3" which will put you well out of balance and cause some real nice quad burn (no spoiler is that thick)
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Many thanks CEM. Sounds like I've got to the root of the problem and may be making the trip to Bicester for a proper fitting after all.
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