smpayne
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Santa delivered these a few days early, they are very "PRETTY". Ok "pretty" was not a factor in my decission, just an added bonus. I knew my feet were high volume, but I was surprised to see they actually measured D/E (I was expecting around C/D), no wonder I have so many problems.
The boot were very comfortable in the shop, then I had custom footbeds made which made them quite snug. I actually insisted they remove some of material in the toe immediately. I didn't think it was enough, but the bootfitter wanted me to ski on them for 1/2 day before doing anything else (he said definitely not a full day). Is this normal?
I did ski them 2 days later, after a few runs and some slight buckle adjustments they were actually comfortable. I tried them on the softest flex setting with the power strap loose. I was amazed at the difference in how my skis felt underneath. I could feel the skis flex and I seemed to have more power in my abiliity to make the skis carve. My brother's comment to me was "you couldn't feel those turns before, could you?" The truth was "No, I couldn't, but I do now."
Initially, the flex felt softer than my X-Wave 8W, buy now I'm not so sure. I think the boot just flexes differently. 1.) It's a size smaller and therefore fits better 2.) It forms to my calf & ankle area better without pinching (the ankle buckle can be tightened without pinching the upper calf) 3.) The top of the boot is lower. These boots seem to be made for women with a wider fore foot and with lower/larger calfs. At the end of the day, I realized I was using different muscles.
At the end of 1/2 day #1 I was loving these boots, they only started to hurt when I had to walk around in them for about an hour (looking for lost kid who got meeting place confused). However, by the end of 1/2 day #2 I definitely had a blister from the stiching on the liner on one of my toes and tender spots on the insides of my feet (almost same spots on both sides). I already had plans to go back to the bootfitter (in fact he told me to) this week, I think the foot bed may need some tweeking. The blister concerns me, but I am sure the bootfitter should have a solution. I took a sharpie marker to my feet so I remember where the sore points are when I go tomorrow, and I tell my kids not to write on themselves, wait until they see my feet
I did try skiing without the footbeds on Day #2, it helped some of the pain, but not where the blister was and my foot just didn't feel in as much control. I will report again after meeting with the bootfitter, I have high hopes that we can resolve these issues.
The boot were very comfortable in the shop, then I had custom footbeds made which made them quite snug. I actually insisted they remove some of material in the toe immediately. I didn't think it was enough, but the bootfitter wanted me to ski on them for 1/2 day before doing anything else (he said definitely not a full day). Is this normal?
I did ski them 2 days later, after a few runs and some slight buckle adjustments they were actually comfortable. I tried them on the softest flex setting with the power strap loose. I was amazed at the difference in how my skis felt underneath. I could feel the skis flex and I seemed to have more power in my abiliity to make the skis carve. My brother's comment to me was "you couldn't feel those turns before, could you?" The truth was "No, I couldn't, but I do now."
Initially, the flex felt softer than my X-Wave 8W, buy now I'm not so sure. I think the boot just flexes differently. 1.) It's a size smaller and therefore fits better 2.) It forms to my calf & ankle area better without pinching (the ankle buckle can be tightened without pinching the upper calf) 3.) The top of the boot is lower. These boots seem to be made for women with a wider fore foot and with lower/larger calfs. At the end of the day, I realized I was using different muscles.
At the end of 1/2 day #1 I was loving these boots, they only started to hurt when I had to walk around in them for about an hour (looking for lost kid who got meeting place confused). However, by the end of 1/2 day #2 I definitely had a blister from the stiching on the liner on one of my toes and tender spots on the insides of my feet (almost same spots on both sides). I already had plans to go back to the bootfitter (in fact he told me to) this week, I think the foot bed may need some tweeking. The blister concerns me, but I am sure the bootfitter should have a solution. I took a sharpie marker to my feet so I remember where the sore points are when I go tomorrow, and I tell my kids not to write on themselves, wait until they see my feet
I did try skiing without the footbeds on Day #2, it helped some of the pain, but not where the blister was and my foot just didn't feel in as much control. I will report again after meeting with the bootfitter, I have high hopes that we can resolve these issues.
Just wanted to quick add my kudos to this boot as well. Mine are the ultra fit, not hot form. DH has the hot form and was advised by the ski shop NOT to have them plugged in-just ski 'em and let the forming happen as a result of body heat. Has worked for him. (similar/parallel model to women's) 
