Help Needed: Boot issue: Numb feet

[Catherpillar]

Hi, I’m after some advice on ski boots that are causing my feet to go numb, cold and painful (and I ski in Australia where it's never that cold!) I bought them in a rush after forgetting my old boots on a ski trip. My previous boots were about 10 years old, so I thought it made sense to upgrade anyway. I’ve now skied in these boots for a couple of seasons but can’t get through a full day due to the pain. I’ve been back to the bootfitter multiple times and have almost given up.
I’m heading to Fernie for a two-week ski improvement camp and am torn between taking my old boots or persevering with these, knowing I may not get the most out of the lessons if I can’t feel my feet. I suspect either the boots are slightly small and restricting circulation over the top of my foot, or they’re too aggressive for my skiing and are fighting my stance (possibly if I’m sitting too far back?) - is this even a thing?! They have felt good on some runs, but once the numbness starts, my skiing really suffers. I realise I'm sounding a little 'soft' - I am aware new boots take time to break in but I've never had this much trouble with past boots. Btw, they definitely aren't too big and I'm not cranking the buckles. I'm pretty much not doing up the bottom buckles.

 

[Jilly]

Can you fit both into your luggage? If not, bring the new ones and the Diva's will see who you should see in Fernie!!

Let's go Diva's!

 

[Catherpillar]

That was my first thought and I'll definitely try that but airlines are getting so restrictive on luggage these days and I'm also thinking of buying new skis over there which means bring back 2 sets of skis!

Am I right in thinking not a lot can be done if the problem is that the boot is pressing on the top of my foot and cutting circulation?

 

[contesstant]

That was my first thought and I'll definitely try that but airlines are getting so restrictive on luggage these days and I'm also thinking of buying new skis over there which means bring back 2 sets of skis!

Am I right in thinking not a lot can be done if the problem is that the boot is pressing on the top of my foot and cutting circulation?

Do you like how the boots perform otherwise? If not, I'd be perhaps shopping for boots in Fernie if you have time before the camp (which sounds amazing! Tell us more!)

With that, there are a few tricks that can relieve pressure on the instep, including footbeds (do you have custom ones?) grinding the boot board, some possible targeted heating and stretching, etc. Also, buckling the cuff too tight can cut off circulation.

A quick search brings up this shop in Fernie: https://www.gearhub.ca/our-services..._6XeCoJjokU3aBot13nrh6NR20DEBoteBpj4kaQh04nHE. Probably worth a call or email to set up an appointment.

 

[Catherpillar]

Oh, that place looks good - thank you! Yes, I purchased custom footbeds at the same time as the boots. I spent what I felt was a small fortune on these boots so am somewhat gutted they are not working for me. I have had some runs where I felt like they were going to be great but just haven't been successful at breaking them in.
I did notice tonight that they have a pin at the back that looks like it has two settings: progressive and direct. There's an arrow pointing to direct. Wondering if switching that might help? The boot might be too stiff?
As for the camp, I'm super excited. It's run by nonstopsnow. I live in oz and haven't skied overseas since the pandemic. Leaving my family behind so I can focus on me! Maybe I'll be baking so much fun I'll forget my feet are in a world of pain

 

[Jilly]

This is another one from a goggle search:

All in Skier Services

Fernie Ski Rentals on mountain location around the back of the Griz Inn. We also provide overnight waxing and tuning services, ski concierge, specialized ski and boot fitting services are also available as well as ski concierge and storage!

www.skiallin.ca

My friends daughter moved to Fernie a year ago. I'll see if Mom knows of anything really special.

 

[Catherpillar]

Boot demo! Never hear of that before. Thank you!

 

[amylew11]

Did you demo these boots before you purchased them? If not, I would suggest demoing boots at least for a couple days. Shops should let you try boots, and swap them out for others until you find the ones that feel the best. Usually, they will deduct the cost of demo from the cost of the boots if you decide to buy them, similar to skis.

I'm not an expert on boots, by no means, but I know that boots are usually fit with a "forward" or "athletic stance" in mind. A boot may feel too short if you are standing straight up or leaning back. If you shift your weight forward, applying pressure to the front of your boots, this forces your heals back and naturally creates space for your toes. This is an ideal fit if you have an aggressive approach to your skiing. It sounds like what you have may be too agressive of a fit for your style of skiing right now. Asking for a boot that is geared toward comfort and warmth ,but still a high quality boot, may be something to ask for...but definitely demo them!

Lastly, I think when boots are properly fitted and matched to your skiing style, they should be incredibly comfortable and warm and responsive. You should never have to "tough something out". I also don't believe ski boots "break in". Again, they should be perfect for you and you should want to wear them all day. This was the case for my current boots. My current boots are Dalbello Scorpions 100 flex. These are about 15 years old and they are still comfortable. I bought these when I was only skiing a handful of times a year and then I went awhile without skiing at all due to knee problems. I now live 30 minutes from my local mountain and ski every week. I figured, like you, maybe it was time for some new boots, but frankly, I just can't justify it. My boots still feel great. They are a pretty agressive boot and if I am just standing up straight, my toes do hit the front. But that is how they should fit, do to my style of skiing.

Demo, demo, demo. Boots definitely more that skis. I hope you find what works for you and you wind up loving your boots. Skiing is no fun when your feet are uncomfortable! Best of luck!

 

[Catherpillar]

Thank you. I didn't realise demoing boots was even a thing! They don't do this in Australia that I know of. I only bought these boots as i'd left my old boots at home when I went for a holiday. I never had such problems with my old boots (over 10 years old). Most of last season I went back to skiing in my old boots due to the issues I was having.
I’m lighter, older, skiing a bit slower than I used to, and often waiting around with beginner friends so it makes sense to me that the problems could be due to the boot being too aggressive. I think I should try to travel with both pairs. I'd like to try adjusting these to the progressive/softer setting without the risk of being stuck if they still don’t work. I can’t justify buying another pair, so I’m hoping a good boot fitter can help make these work
I know when my kids were racing they could take one of the pins out of the back of the boot to make it a bit softer. Maybe that's an option too?

 

[contesstant]

I only know if 1 shop in Mammoth that demos boots. It’s not very common.

 

[Jilly]

The only time I've been able to demo boots is at an industry event. It's not thing here either.

 

[diymom]

Wachusett has demo boots, but when I asked about it once out of curiosity I was told that they don't have many models to choose from, and it isn't really meant for deciding which boot to buy, it is more for people who want to demo skis but don't have their own boots yet. In other words an upgraded rental boot.

 

[marzNC]

The only shop I know of traveling around Ikon resorts in recent years is in Taos Ski Valley. Le Ski Mastery apparently lets people demo boots.

 

[amylew11]

Thank you. I didn't realise demoing boots was even a thing! They don't do this in Australia that I know of. I only bought these boots as i'd left my old boots at home when I went for a holiday. I never had such problems with my old boots (over 10 years old). Most of last season I went back to skiing in my old boots due to the issues I was having.
I’m lighter, older, skiing a bit slower than I used to, and often waiting around with beginner friends so it makes sense to me that the problems could be due to the boot being too aggressive. I think I should try to travel with both pairs. I'd like to try adjusting these to the progressive/softer setting without the risk of being stuck if they still don’t work. I can’t justify buying another pair, so I’m hoping a good boot fitter can help make these work
I know when my kids were racing they could take one of the pins out of the back of the boot to make it a bit softer. Maybe that's an option too?

Sounds like it. I am not familiar with that technology. I hope it works out!

 

[amylew11]

I only know if 1 shop in Mammoth that demos boots. It’s not very common.

How funny! Footloose Sports in Mammoth is where I bought my boots! Ha Ha!
I think Kitteridge demos as well.

 

[contesstant]

How funny! Footloose Sports in Mammoth is where I bought my boots! Ha Ha!
I think Kitteridge demos as well.

That’s the one! I know there are a few random places that demo boots, but they are few and far between.

 

[volklgirl]

Can you better explain WHERE the numbness starts? Is there anything you've done that lessens it or makes it worse? Have you tried adding heel lifts or going without the footbeds? How much room do you have in just the liners?

 

[Catherpillar]

Thank for the response. I've not skied in them since last season (it's summer in Australia right now) so I've popped them on to see if I can explain the the feeling! There no one spot that feels painful it's just a loss off feeling in the toe box area. I think it starts from undeneath the ball of my foot (towards the big toe) and then under the toes. I'm trying to wiggle the toes to get feeling in them. It starts to feel like I've got a crease in my socks sitting under my toes! The heel area feels good I think. I haven't tried a heel lift. I did try last year taking out the foot bed and putting on my old foot bed but that didn't help. The liners are snug. Much more snug in the toe area than my old boots but they had packed out a lot. I've been in them for about 20mins now and my toes and under the ball of my foot feel quite numb. Not painful atm but it's about 30 degrees Celsius here!

 

[Briski]

Sounds like a Morton’s neuroma, or at least how mine started.

 

[mustski]

I experience that as well - in every ski boot. My experience may be completely different from yours but …

Does your foot try to rise up at the heel or slide forward in the boot.

I start off with my boots barely tight around the ankle, barely tightened at the cuff, tight across the toes, barely closed across the instep.

The tight toe buckle keeps my foot locked in place so it can’t slide forward. I open that buckle on every chair ride. Once I start to get good blood flow, I tighten up the ankle and then other buckles as needed for performance. I loosen buckles as needed on the chairlift for the first 5 or 6 runs.

All that said … I have terrible ankle dorsiflexion so there is a lot of pressure on my forefoot when skiing. That cuts off the blood flow and my foot goes numb.