How to tell?...

[KingGrump]

There’s an examiner telling people boots, the shells, are done after 40 days. Can’t make this stuff up.

Does he sell boots on the side?

 

[cantunamunch]

Yep. I mean outside of wcup or high level racing, who in their right mind would go through a bootfitting again after 40 days? I’d have to get the boot for free.

I mean, were they just spraying for the sake of noise and spittle, to get in peoples heads about gear reliance, some other reason? or did they have a genuine, evidence-based case to make?

Does he sell boots on the side?

If they are, haven't they just shot the value of their own sales stock in the ...foot?

 

[James]

or did they have a genuine, evidence-based case to make?

I mean we’re talking psia here. The ‘s’ isn’t for science. No, based on “feelings” of the boot. Springiness I think. I got this second hand. But it wasn’t said just once to the person.

The sad thing is people buy this stuff. It’s incredibly hard to make a case against stuff like this once they buy the concept.

 

[François Pugh]

Maybe 40 days in a heated boot bag set on high is too much for some boot shells?

 

[cantunamunch]

No, based on “feelings” of the boot. Springiness I think. I got this second hand. But it wasn’t said just once to the person.

I am perfectly willing to allow that this person has better sensitivity to their boot than I do. IF I take that as true, I can see that they might be able to sense the difference between a fresh, full-dose-of-moulding-plasticisers boot and one that has been through 40 days of thermocycling down to VT/QC ski temps. Which gives away my notion of what actually might be going on.

 

[James]

I am perfectly willing to allow that this person has better sensitivity to their boot than I do. IF I take that as true, I can see that they might be able to sense the difference between a fresh, full-dose-of-moulding-plasticisers boot and one that has been through 40 days of thermocycling down to VT/QC ski temps. Which gives away my notion of what actually might be going on.

That’s pretty much how I interpreted it. However, the person’s comment was, “no, like done. It’s no good anymore.” I will try to get more clarification.

 

[tomahawkins]

Heard the Global Skiing podcast where Eric Schlopy says his Nordicas skied better cracked?

Bode related a similar experience.

 

[tomahawkins]

I currently have the Full Tilt Wrap Liner which I think in awesome for getting in and out of the boot (shell opens up and very easy). Does anyone know what boot vendors make boots with factory liners that are of this style (open up in the front vs a tongue style). I really prefer that kind of liner unless there's a technical downside to it.

I skied Intuition liners with Full Tilts last season. Pretty good, but I found the heel pocket lacking and had to compensate by periodically cranking the buckles. My current boots and liners have a better heel pocket with much better heel hold-down that I get the same performance with less cuff tension.

 

[GA49]

I'm trying on my Fischer 90s and I'm able to compress the boots but it's not clear of I'm "folding" the boot like others describe and how much force to apply to make that happen. What should I look for?

 

[zircon]

In my experience, “folding” them is more of a feeling you get on snow when you need to make a quick course correction and the flex bottoms out before your skis turn. How much are you able to compress the boot? Visibly? Just by closing the ankle?

 

[Tony Storaro]

Yep. I mean outside of wcup or high level racing, who in their right mind would go through a bootfitting again after 40 days? I’d have to get the boot for free.

If I had to go through the whole nightmare of the bootfitting every 40 days, I’d just give up skiing.

 

[GA49]

In my experience, “folding” them is more of a feeling you get on snow when you need to make a quick course correction and the flex bottoms out before your skis turn. How much are you able to compress the boot? Visibly? Just by closing the ankle?

The shape of the boot changes visibly, the plastic near the #2 buckle on the top of the foot toward the leg folds upward a little and other deformations, but I'm also pressing hard against the tounge.

 

[cantunamunch]

The shape of the boot changes visibly, the plastic near the #2 buckle on the top of the foot toward the leg folds upward a little and other deformations, but I'm also pressing hard against the tounge.

Eh, the real issue is how much feedback that boot will give you on snow.

Will you be able to feel pressure against the tips?

Or will it essentially be a rollerblade bootie - no feedback until you're out of degrees of motion.

 

[zircon]

The shape of the boot changes visibly, the plastic near the #2 buckle on the top of the foot toward the leg folds upward a little and other deformations, but I'm also pressing hard against the tounge.

Eh, the real issue is how much feedback that boot will give you on snow.

Will you be able to feel pressure against the tips?

Or will it essentially be a rollerblade bootie - no feedback until you're out of degrees of motion.

Visible deformation without a 5 foot lever attached to the bottom? That’s almost certainly going to fold under any of the technically inclined skis we recommended him in his other thread. Which he should still get, because skill building is fun (or that’s what I keep telling myself when the snow sucks)

 

[GA49]

Eh, the real issue is how much feedback that boot will give you on snow.

Will you be able to feel pressure against the tips?

Or will it essentially be a rollerblade bootie - no feedback until you're out of degrees of motion.

How is this determined in a boot fitting environment?

 

[James]

Lot of boots flex by deformation. That in itself means nothing.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Can we just all agree that 90 flex is not for 200+ guy and be over with all this?

 

[zircon]

Lot of boots flex by deformation. That in itself means nothing.

One might even say that flexing is a type of deformation. But let’s limit the physicists to the Ski School forum.

 

[cantunamunch]

How is this determined in a boot fitting environment?

Through your sense and feel of what feedback the boot is giving you. Adequate or in?

 

[James]

Can we just all agree that 90 flex is not for 200+ guy and be over with all this?

I thought that was a given already?

The whole marry the boots thing is a ctock. Be willing to walk away. But you’ve got to start somewhere. Trying to find the perfect boot…