Do I need new boot liners and how do I get them?

A snowHead

I have a a pair of Head Dream Thang 10 boots bought in autumn 2007 at the last snowheads bootfitting day at Lockwoods. When I got them they were very snug indeed but bedded in after about a week's sking and were uber-comfortable while still snug until this season. I really felt the responsiveness of the skis and never had any foot movement at all.

Up till now I have only had to crank them tighter a little bit during the day as they warm up and once they were on and fastened never needed to loosen them until back in the boot room at the end of the day. I've skied about 12 weeks in them, maybe a bit more.

This season I have had to really crank them up, about 4 notches on the calf (even after having moved the buckle bit in a notch to make a tighter fit) , 2-3 on the ankle and 2 on the foot (used to be only on notch 1 on ankle and foot with a little micro adjustment). I have been having heel lift and a distinct feeling that I might do a "superman" out of the boot in some cases!). If I crank them too soon I get cramp but if I don't tighten them up I don't feel they are secure.

So, do I need new liners? How do I get them and how will I go about fitting? (or do I need new boots - the shells are fine, though)

thanks

A snowHead

are you sure your feet are not shrinking Smile

till some real boot people come along look at the zipfit website

http://www.zipfit.com/

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

kevindonkleywood, my feet are definitely not shrinking LOL - although I did go down half a shoe size some years ago after weight loss.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

You need new liners.

Real boot people will give precise advise shortly I'm sure but as an ordinary punter, all I can say I was in exactly your position bootswise about six weeks ago.

After much indecisiveness, I went to see Profeet in West London and they gave me three options - 1 and 2 involved new customised liners in the old shells, 3 was a new pair of boots.

I chose new liners. It was expensive (the same as a new pair of boots!) but as soon as I skied in them I knew it was worth every single penny.

There will be other places besides Profeet which offer the same service.

You won't regret it!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

holidayloverxx, I got some recently for my Salomons, if you remember they were causing me pain in December, after about 15 weeks use. Lockwoods sorted me with some Salomon ones for about £50. They feel like new boots again now.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Probably best to do a shell test just to make sure the boots aren't too big.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

I'd go and see a bootfitter. We can all have a guess on this stuff, but the simple reality is that they need to see and feel it to tell you what the best fix is.

No point spending £200 on new liners all custom made and everything to find out after another few weeks skiing that your boots are the wrong size/shape.

I've had a bit of heel lift before, which was rectified with a couple of foam pads about 1 inch by 2 inches stuck to the outside of the liner around the achilles. It was a short term fix for a small amount of heel lift, but it was free. Sounds like you need something more drastic, but a fitter is the answer.

From Chelmsford it isn't a million miles to Bicester. Might be worth the trip.

After all it is free

holidayloverxx, If you come out to Bicester let me know and I can meet you for lunch Very Happy

Linds, do you live in Bicester?

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Monium, I've noticed some heel lift this year when I really pushed myself over the front of the skis. I was skiing an all mountain ski and was giving it some welly over the front to get a better edge on hard piste. I had boot trouble for years and really love the pair I have now. Did the pads sort your heel problem permanently? Was it a DIY job?

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

snow reports

Another pair of socks ?

You know it makes sense.

All. thanks for the advice. The boots themselves aren't too big and were properly fitted by Lockwoods under the supervision of CEM and Smallzookeeper.

I feel a trip to Bicester coming on before the EoSB

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

I'm a snowboarder and have owned my existing pair (Salomon Dialogues) since 2006 - I was out in Tignes last week and for the first time in this period my little toe (left foot) was aching badly after less than 3 hours on piste. I had to stop and take the suspect boot off for 15 minutes at a time more or less 3 times / day. I even resorted to buying new pairs of socks at 48 Euros a pop. I presume this is due to the liner getting worn over the years?

A snowHead

holidayloverxx, If you go for Zipfits it could take a good few days for them to bed in and be anywhere near comfortable. Get them sooner rather than later and try and bed them in first, or you may suffer big time. Once they're bedded in they're fantastic and super comfy.

A snowHead

Spyderman, I've PMd CEM and I could get there next week if he can fit me in, so that should leave some time to let them bed in

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

holidayloverxx, the first few days of wearing my new boots with Zipfits last season were pretty agonising when getting the boots on - but after that brilliant. I did think towards the middle of last year that I would need to move the clips as I got to the last but one clippy thing - but they have been fine all this year. The Zipfits really seem to hold my feet in place - and worth every penny - well lots of them! (fitted by CEM)

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Pamski, ditto. Solved the difficulty of getting them on by removing the ZipFit laces. Will put them back in if and when the liners start to pack down and require to be tightened. (No need yet, after six to eight weeks of skiing.)

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

franga, depends on how many days you have put on them?

You'll need to Register first of course.

Monium, Thanks, will look into it.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

kevindonkleywood - probably 20 days in total (doesn't seem that long to me).

Thanks

After all it is free

Hurtle, oh I have always kept the laces in and now really pull them tight - that's after all of last year, except February, and similar this year. But unlike lots of people on here we don't ski 9 to 4.30 every day! Every day - but not all day.

I put the Zipfits on first, lace them tight, then put the shell on.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

snow reports

After buying some professionally fitted Atomic M Tech 80 boots from Profeet and skiing in them for just 30 days, I could no longer get my boots tight enough for my skinny ankles and calves.

Maximilian Schubert of Profeet advised me that boot manufacturer's original liners generally last for 60 days worth of skiing. He told me a custom fitted liner would last for 300 skiing days, provide a completely custom fit around the foot and ankle, as well as a more responsive skiing experience. He also said that all the technicians from the Profeet shop ski with custom liners.

I took his advice and had a custom goo-injected liner fitted. It made a massive difference to my level of control and instantly took my skiing to a new level of ability and enjoyment.

Sounds like he's a good salesman wink

You know it makes sense.

Off to the pie shop next Thursday (via Bcester Village....)

Help!!

Do I need new boot liners and how do I get them?

snowHeads Forum Index >>> Equipment Reviews/Questions