Boot Adjustment Question

[CMCM]

Last winter after I got a new pair of Salomon Origins (wider and 12 cm longer than my previous skis), I noticed I was getting too far back more than I ever had before on my Nordicas.

I was in the ski shop where I bought both my skis and boots, and the boot fitter there mentioned bringing in my boots and getting some sort of adjustment to put me more forward....I think it was something in the heel area to raise the heel more.

Do any of you know about this....good idea?

 

[volklgirl]

He's probably talking about putting in heel lifts. Whether or not it's a good idea depends on a lot of things:

• Do you have room in your boots for that?
• Did you have the same issues with these boots and other skis?
• Do you have any other boot fit issues?

Some people need heel lifts and some don't. In many cases, tipping your body farther forward actually causes you to sit back MORE. Since the Origin is a female specific ski, it should already have a forward mount on the binding, but maybe going farther forward is the answer. Or maybe the ski is too stiff or soft for you. Or maybe they require better technique, and lessons are the answer.

Without seeing you ski and knowing how the boot fits, that's a really hard question to answer. If you have room, try it and see....it's a quick and simple adjustment and easy enough to get rid of if it makes it worse.

 

[CMCM]

He's probably talking about putting in heel lifts. Whether or not it's a good idea depends on a lot of things:

• Do you have room in your boots for that?
• Did you have the same issues with these boots and other skis?
• Do you have any other boot fit issues?

Some people need heel lifts and some don't. In many cases, tipping your body farther forward actually causes you to sit back MORE. Since the Origin is a female specific ski, it should already have a forward mount on the binding, but maybe going farther forward is the answer. Or maybe the ski is too stiff or soft for you. Or maybe they require better technique, and lessons are the answer.

Without seeing you ski and knowing how the boot fits, that's a really hard question to answer. If you have room, try it and see....it's a quick and simple adjustment and easy enough to get rid of if it makes it worse.

I had the same boots which I used with my Nordica Serenity, which was 150 cm and 68 at the waist. I'd class myself as a mid intermediate skier, not aggressive, and I stay mostly on groomers. I had been pleased with myself because I'd finally gotten to the point where I was well balanced and I never seemed to get too far back or too far forward. With the Origins, however, I found myself too far back a LOT, although I never fell on them. But I was surprised by this and couldn't figure out what was going on.

Here are some comparative things:

I'm 5'7", about 150 lbs.
Previous Nordicas: Serenity, a low intermediate ski but not terribly soft, 150cm with a 68 waist.

Origins: 162 cm, 75 waist. They don't seem any stiffer than my Nordicas.

In good snow conditions (i.e. packed, some soft top layer, even moderate powder) they are fabulous fabulous fabulous. But in less than ideal conditions (especially the soft stuff I encountered at the end of the season) I had more trouble with them.

Other boot comments: I got new boots mid season and have custom foot pads in them. They fit perfectly and don't need anything done in that regard. I don't really know if there would be additional room for some sort of lift.

Lessons: I take them periodically. Last season I took a private with Squaw's top female instructor, who said she'd rate me as a high intermediate. (I'm not sure I agree!!). Her main criticism was that I just need to be a bit faster and more aggressive and confident. She thought my technique was pretty good. At the time I took the lesson, I was still on my Nordicas.

I'm also wondering if the 162 cm ski is just harder to turn etc., perhaps too long for me? Maybe I'd do better at 154-156 or so.

 

[Jilly]

You've gone from 150 to 162 in length. This could be part and I mean part of the equation here. 12cm=5" in length of the ski. So longer and stiffer ski (although I'm sure of the Nordica, but I've skied the Origins). Maybe a tune up lesson, ski along would be an idea. But, try the heel lifts, I used them for years until the last pair of boots. The built in lift was enough. You can always take them out.

 

[Christy]

My bootfitter put in heel lifts and the difference was amazing. I was previously getting thrown into the back seat a lot but after the lifts my balance was SO much better. Like others said it's easy to take them out so why not try it and see?