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Help Needed: Boot Issues: Wide calf, pain, and severe foot numbness
- Thread starter chewie
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- bootfitter boots pain plus size
chewie
Diva in Training
After looking at that photo I can definitely see what you all are pointing out. I do think I put it on wrong when I was trying to show pics last night, but I just did it again and it doesn't change much.
The tongue is definitely flat against my shin and sitting on my ankle, but given the width of my calf and ankle, I think it just looks a little funny even though it feels on right.
Here's a video of me leaning forward in the boot show what I mean about the buckle hitting the top of the boot:
drive.google.com
The tongue is definitely flat against my shin and sitting on my ankle, but given the width of my calf and ankle, I think it just looks a little funny even though it feels on right.
I was wearing my targeted cushion socks, but I do have the zero cushion ones as well so I will try that next time! There was no footrest on the lift I rode, so I will be unbuckling in the future.
At this point, that's what I'm thinking. I'll have to go back to the boot fitter and see what he can do. There is already no heel lift in there.
Here's a video of me leaning forward in the boot show what I mean about the buckle hitting the top of the boot:
20260106_175610 (2).mp4
drive.google.com
Is the tongue seated properly in the lower part of the boot?. Is there an adjustment where the whole tongue can be pulled away and reset. I have this on my Salomon and since Atomic is a sister company, it could have it too. You'll have to remove the liner to do this.
So they felt good in the shop, though, correct? After glancing at the video, it looks like it's just not the right fit for you. Did he have you try on several boots? (Or at least two or three?)After looking at that photo I can definitely see what you all are pointing out. I do think I put it on wrong when I was trying to show pics last night, but I just did it again and it doesn't change much.
View attachment 25846
The tongue is definitely flat against my shin and sitting on my ankle, but given the width of my calf and ankle, I think it just looks a little funny even though it feels on right.
View attachment 25847
I was wearing my targeted cushion socks, but I do have the zero cushion ones as well so I will try that next time! There was no footrest on the lift I rode, so I will be unbuckling in the future.
At this point, that's what I'm thinking. I'll have to go back to the boot fitter and see what he can do. There is already no heel lift in there.
Here's a video of me leaning forward in the boot show what I mean about the buckle hitting the top of the boot:
20260106_175610 (2).mp4
chewie
Diva in Training
I tried on at least 3 boots from different brands, but I definitely have really tricky proportions. He discussed the options with another bootfitter there, tried a few boots, made tons of adjustments, and then brought over a third bootfitter for another opinion at the end to help with some final adjustments. They felt great in the shop, and they feel great at home, they just look a little funny on because they're stretched to their limit. I think this is really as good as I'm going to get with boots.
I wouldn't care what they look like if it wasn't for loosing feeling in my feet so fast once I'm on the mountain. This concern I have with the buckle pushing down on the top of my boot happened with my old boots too, I have a feeling it's just how I'm built.
I think my next step is to wear them around the house for a bit to find the pressure points and see if the doctor says there are any issues with nerves where those points are.
Fingers crossed I come back with a good update soon!
Iwannaski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
So, I think I read the whole thread, and way smarter people have already chimed in, but I’ll tell you personal experience. Last year, my liners were a little packed out, so I had the fitter tighten them up with some padding. It was intense and the first few outings were NOT comfortable. BUT, what I figured out early this season was that I had gotten sloppy with the tongue when the liners were too loose, and I wasn’t pulling it up into the right position. So it would press into the top of my foot and cut off sensation/circulation, PARTICULARLY when I was sitting on the lift.
The real fix is proper insertion, but if your foot is dangling from the chair (no footrest) I would suggest clenching your glutes and hamstrings during the ride and pulling your toes up? That seemed to help the circulation to my foot on that one day and helped me not be numb at the start of my run.
Based on what I see in the pic, I’d assume that the pressure on the front of your joint isn’t as smooth as it should/could be, so you may be be experiencing the same thing. While getting the real issue fixed, try the isometric thing on the chair to overcome the numbness?
The real fix is proper insertion, but if your foot is dangling from the chair (no footrest) I would suggest clenching your glutes and hamstrings during the ride and pulling your toes up? That seemed to help the circulation to my foot on that one day and helped me not be numb at the start of my run.
Based on what I see in the pic, I’d assume that the pressure on the front of your joint isn’t as smooth as it should/could be, so you may be be experiencing the same thing. While getting the real issue fixed, try the isometric thing on the chair to overcome the numbness?
So that's a good sign that three fitters were in some way involved and you tried on several. I apologize if you mentioned this, but did they heat mold them, both liners and shells?
Wearing them around the house to look for pressure points will also help break them in. Take pictures of any areas that are showing pressure points so you can share them with the fitter. Maybe you can call him and share the pictures via email or text to get some ideas to try before you trek 3 hours? The buckle strap that looks to be cutting into the foot of the boot can be shaved down a bit to allow for some more clearance there. I had to have that done on a pair of boots because I'm in such a small boot, it's not unusual for there to be no clearance there because of the size of the boot. **Lighbulb!** Maybe that's why the BOA cuff feels so good to me! No buckle there interfering with the flex.
When can you ski again? Is there a gondola you can ride so you can see if this issue only rears its head on a lift with no foot rest? FWIW, I'm working in new boots myself and tried the stock liner yesterday after trying two others. I also put a very tight knee sleeve on my right knee. My toes fell asleep from the ball of my right foot forward, and loosening the BOA did nothing. I believe it was the knee sleeve cutting off circulation to my foot, and using the footrest did nothing to alleviate the pain.
brooksnow
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
You're right, it's not about how the boots look, it's about how the boots fit.
Keep at it. Your bootfitter may be able to get these boots to fit, or may have to try another brand/style. You do not have to put up with boots that fit so poorly your feet are going numb.
Divas have read about my boot fitting challenges and solution many times. I have a very high volume foot, wide and square like a toddler's foot and with a crazy high instep. Like I've said in this thread, I thought it was normal to have overlap boots not overlap at my instep. The solution for me was Dalbello cabrio style boots that have two sides with a wide space and a tongue over the instep, like these: Dalbello Panterra 105. Other Divas with high insteps have had success with other boots.
I'm a bit late to this discussion but here's my take for what it is worth. I quit skiing for 18 years because I had excrutiation foot and leg pain when skiing. Like you, all seemed to be fine until I got on the slopes. I too went to a variety of doctors to diagnose the issue including one that put catheters into my calves and had me walk on a treadmill to determine if too restrictive calf fascia was the issue. The cure was worse than the problem so I quit the sport. I've now been back at it for 22 years. It was the boots that was the problem all along. Your issue seems so similar that I strongly believe it is your boots. Not all boot fitters are cut from the same cloth yet all assert that they are the best. My first suggestion is to find one that has been trained by Bob Gleason of the Boot Doctor or one of his people. I don't know where you are located but if in Colorado, there are a couple of really good boot fitters in the area. The gap in the front of the boot that others have mentioned is concerning. It doesn't appear that that boot fits you properly. I agree that it doesn't appear to have enough volume over your instep. That is the kiss of death in terms of foot pain. Constriction around the calf as others have mentioned is also a prescription for pain. I also agree that wearing thin socks will help. I prefer skiing a boot with a performance fit, but to do so requires an expert fitter. I flip the buckles open before I get on the lift and close then when getting off which also helps. I'm not familiar with the boot your reference although someone mentioned they ski the same boot and have a low volume foot. That does not seem to be your situation. I have a high instep, bigger calves and medium to slighly higher volume foot. I ski a Nordica Speedmachine. They make several models of varying flex and tend to be wider. Because I like a precision fit, I have to have the toe box punched out a bit to prevent pinching my toes together. Just a thought. Good luck. Skiing is too great a sport to suffer with foot pain.
chewie
Diva in Training
They did not heat mold them, they felt good on so it didn't really feel necessary, but he did say that's something they can do so I might have to try that. He spent like 20 minutes in the back room widening the calf area and I'm not 100% sure what else he did to modify, but I know he did several tweaks.
I won't be skiing again until next weekend, but I do think I'm going to head back to the bootfitter first. They're 3 hours away from me, but they're only ~1 hour away from our family house near the mountain so I'm probably just going to make a weekend out of it. I also plan to try sitting on a stool with the boots and skis on inside for a bit to see if they give me any pain and look at pressure points/red spots so I can identify exactly where it's coming from.
The first thing he tried on me was a cabrio style boot! It was really neat. We couldn't get it to close right so it didn't seem like right choice. I did call and ask though, they have other cabrio style boots so I'm going to be able to try more.
Really appreciate this take, knowing that others have been through similar situations and came out with good foots at the end is better. Your feet sound like mine, so I'm going to ask to try the Nordica Speedmachine next.
Unfortunately I'm not in Colorado, I'm based in Massachusetts and went to a fitter in New Hampshire. This place was recommended by the first boot fitter I saw when she said she couldn't help me, and I do think they did a good job, I think I just need more boot options to try.
I am willing to drive anywhere in New England for an expert bootfitter though, so I might have to go somewhere else next if this place doesn't stock enough boots for me to find the right fit.
To be honest, if I don't get this resolved in the next few months I'm willing to fly to Colorado for a fitting.
There is an Australian woman by the name of Sam that the last time I knew worked at the Boot Doctors ( now Christy Sports) in Telluride. The shop used to be owned by Bob Gleason, the expert boot fitting trainer that I mentioned. I have heard very good reports about her. You might call her to ask if she knows someone in your area. I think it is a fairly small circle of really good fitters. You'll likely need a couple of tweaks even when you get the right boot after you ski into them so finding someone in your area is the best. Their number is 970.728.4581. There is also a woman at Powder 7 that has been to all of Bob's master boot fitter courses. She is very good, knows her stuff and is the one I use so if you do come to Denver, I could hook you up with her.
I'm surprised he didn't heat mold at the very least the liner. Please keep us posted!
chewie
Diva in Training
Here's my update:
Good news - I saw the sports medicine orthopedic doc and he said there is nothing wrong with my feet. I have no alignment issues and my arch is perfectly neutral. No issues with nerves or compression. He said not every ski boot brand works for every foot, and I probably just need to try something else.
Bad news - I went back to the shop that sold me the Atomics. I worked with a different fitter, they were great and immediately agreed it wasn't the right boot and gave me more options to try on. I tried on the boot I had bought and he took one look and said it wasn't the ideal fit.
Unfortunately I tried on every boot in the shop and nothing fit in a way the bootfitter was comfortable with. He said the best he thinks he can do is the 25.5 Atomic Magnas, which is a wider boot than the first boot I bought from them, so it fit my calf but not my foot. He could add in a spacer and customize it to make it a more narrow fit. Instead of doing that, I decided to just return the Atomic Hawx Prime boots and try somewhere else with more brands to offer. I had no problems returning the boots and the shop was very supportive.
I went to another boot fitter and tried a few boots. He suggested just adding a spacer under the footbed of my old K2 BFCs to take up more space in the boot and make them a bit more snug. That's a $10 solution so I'm going to give it a try.
Tomorrow I'm going to go skiing in my old 26.5 K2 BFCs with the spacer under the foot bed. They don't fit perfect, but better than they did before. I'm going to take a lesson because our current theory is that my pain comes more from my bad skiing form than from the boot fit. If I can learn to ski better, I might have an easier time with the boots.
I'm also going to follow all the other tips of wearing the right socks and unbuckling for the lift ride. We'll see how that goes. At the very least I know I'll be able to ski the greens with confidence. I don't think I'll ever be able to improve and expand to steeper terrain with boots that are a size too big, but at least if this solution is tolerable I can enjoy some easy skiing for the rest of the season.
Good news - I saw the sports medicine orthopedic doc and he said there is nothing wrong with my feet. I have no alignment issues and my arch is perfectly neutral. No issues with nerves or compression. He said not every ski boot brand works for every foot, and I probably just need to try something else.
Bad news - I went back to the shop that sold me the Atomics. I worked with a different fitter, they were great and immediately agreed it wasn't the right boot and gave me more options to try on. I tried on the boot I had bought and he took one look and said it wasn't the ideal fit.
Unfortunately I tried on every boot in the shop and nothing fit in a way the bootfitter was comfortable with. He said the best he thinks he can do is the 25.5 Atomic Magnas, which is a wider boot than the first boot I bought from them, so it fit my calf but not my foot. He could add in a spacer and customize it to make it a more narrow fit. Instead of doing that, I decided to just return the Atomic Hawx Prime boots and try somewhere else with more brands to offer. I had no problems returning the boots and the shop was very supportive.
I went to another boot fitter and tried a few boots. He suggested just adding a spacer under the footbed of my old K2 BFCs to take up more space in the boot and make them a bit more snug. That's a $10 solution so I'm going to give it a try.
Tomorrow I'm going to go skiing in my old 26.5 K2 BFCs with the spacer under the foot bed. They don't fit perfect, but better than they did before. I'm going to take a lesson because our current theory is that my pain comes more from my bad skiing form than from the boot fit. If I can learn to ski better, I might have an easier time with the boots.
I'm also going to follow all the other tips of wearing the right socks and unbuckling for the lift ride. We'll see how that goes. At the very least I know I'll be able to ski the greens with confidence. I don't think I'll ever be able to improve and expand to steeper terrain with boots that are a size too big, but at least if this solution is tolerable I can enjoy some easy skiing for the rest of the season.
NewEnglandSkier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Thanks for the update! I'm glad you were able to return the Atomics with no issues. That is great customer service. Putting a shim under the footbed is a viable solution at least short-term. I'm glad that shop didn't try to put you into something else that also wouldn't work. Enjoy the lesson!!
brooksnow
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Sorry that the boots wouldn't work, but happy that the shop recognized that they didn't have anything for you.
At this point in the season the boot selection is hit or miss. Your best bet may be to try for new boots next fall when the stores have their biggest selection. Contact the bootfitters you liked to get the best timing.
Please report back on how the shim works and what you learn in your lesson.
At this point in the season the boot selection is hit or miss. Your best bet may be to try for new boots next fall when the stores have their biggest selection. Contact the bootfitters you liked to get the best timing.
Please report back on how the shim works and what you learn in your lesson.
I am not convinced that bad Ski form is contributing to any of your problem however, taking a lesson and developing better skills is always a good idea! Good luck and I hope some of your foot problems resolve.
chewie
Diva in Training
HAPPY UPDATE! Solved my boot issues!
I wanted to share my whole experience in case it helps someone else who’s struggling like I was.
I went to The Ski Monster in Boston last week for a boot fitting and worked with George. He was fantastic. He re-measured everything, really listened to me, and took the time to over-explain everything so I understood the boots.
What the appointment was like at Ski Monster:
Boot selection & fitting process:
I skied in them last night and they’ve been better than I ever thought I’d get. No foot pain, no numbness at all. I skied at night in 14-degree weather, the coldest conditions I’ve ever been in, and my feet were totally fine. I also have much better control and no longer feel like my foot is moving around in the boot.
I feel so much better, so much more confident and comfortable. I'm going out again tomorrow and I'm taking a 1:1 private lesson because I can tell I'll be able to improve a lot with these boots.
And for the grand reveal, drumroll…
I’m now in K2 BFCs! Yes, the same model I had before, but in the correct size (25.5 instead of 26.5) and a higher flex (100 instead of 75).
Turns out the boot itself wasn’t the problem, the size, setup, and fitting process were.
Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement! If anyone else in the New England area is dealing with similar issues, I highly recommend George at Ski Monster. They have a huge inventory, are honest and thoughtful bootfitters, and clearly have a lot of experience with tricky feet.
I wanted to share my whole experience in case it helps someone else who’s struggling like I was.
I went to The Ski Monster in Boston last week for a boot fitting and worked with George. He was fantastic. He re-measured everything, really listened to me, and took the time to over-explain everything so I understood the boots.
What the appointment was like at Ski Monster:
- You book a real appointment time and can choose your boot fitter. They do not accept walk-ins.
- The experience is completely 1:1. They have really comfy seating and make it feel like a very personalized experience.
- I left notes in the comment section when I was booking my appointment, and George clearly read them. He came over already understanding my issues and asking questions.
- He explained that numbness usually comes from one of three places: the top of the foot, the ankle, or the calf. For me, it was the top of the foot (instep).
- He measured my feet barefoot, then had me stand on a high-tech scanner that took far more detailed measurements than I’d had anywhere else.
- At no point did he try to upsell me. He didn’t push the most expensive boot. I was worried the shop would be pricier because it’s in Boston, but the boots I bought were cheaper than the ones I bought earlier this season.
Boot selection & fitting process:
- He brought out an Atomic first and explained exactly how it should feel and how to tell the difference between pressure that needs shell work vs. a boot that’s just wrong. That first boot wasn’t right for me.
- The second boot felt great. He explained why it worked better for my foot shape. I asked to try one more just to be sure, but quickly went back to the second one.
- Once I committed to that boot, he adjusted the buckles. He had also noticed an alignment irregularity with my shins when I leaned forward. He adjusted the calf alignment inward and explained what he was seeing (and why it would have caused pain down the line if left alone).
- Finally, he heat molded both the liner and the shell. During that process, he pointed out that the shell would visibly shape around my ankle area to create the space I needed. This explained the pain and numbness I’d had before from pressure on the top of my foot. I could actually seethe difference the heat molding made.
I skied in them last night and they’ve been better than I ever thought I’d get. No foot pain, no numbness at all. I skied at night in 14-degree weather, the coldest conditions I’ve ever been in, and my feet were totally fine. I also have much better control and no longer feel like my foot is moving around in the boot.
I feel so much better, so much more confident and comfortable. I'm going out again tomorrow and I'm taking a 1:1 private lesson because I can tell I'll be able to improve a lot with these boots.
And for the grand reveal, drumroll…
I’m now in K2 BFCs! Yes, the same model I had before, but in the correct size (25.5 instead of 26.5) and a higher flex (100 instead of 75).
Turns out the boot itself wasn’t the problem, the size, setup, and fitting process were.
Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement! If anyone else in the New England area is dealing with similar issues, I highly recommend George at Ski Monster. They have a huge inventory, are honest and thoughtful bootfitters, and clearly have a lot of experience with tricky feet.
HuntersEmma57
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I am a woman with a high instep and very athletic, shapely calves, with adult sons and grandsons who inherited my legs. NONE of us can tolerate Boa on any shoe or boot no matter what generation of design. Some of us just can't.
The wire compresses over veins and nerves on the top of the foot and intense burning, cramping, and suffering ensues. We need the micro-adjustment allowed by standard buckles.
Also, My snowboarder son has blown out the Boa on every single pair of even top of the line snowboard boots. Oh the cussing I've heard as now it's hard to find snowboard boots that don't have Boa systems.
Also, since I ski in tight trees (baby aspens to big pines) that bulky dial mechanism on the side looks like a hazard for grabbing onto or bumping into solid objects. My pants and boots have many contact scars. I was shocked to see how far those Boa things stick out.
I 100% agree that gap is not right. It's highly unlikely that a sock change can cure that, but I'd still recommend using a thin sock for improved feel.
I love my custom Daleboots as they have just 3 buckles and a booster strap. The single buckle over the foot is at an angle so it doesn't compress that part of my high arch. They're also super easy to get on/off.
I have the Intuition wrap liner and that eliminates the tongue budge and hard edge compression and distributes the pressure evenly providing stiffness without feeling stiff like rigid plastic that would leave compression marks on my calves.
What I've been told when getting custom boots:
Both boot builders emphasized not over buckling over the top of the foot (ever) and to take a few runs with all the buckles not as tight until the boot warms up and packs down a bit.
They insisted that the buckles on top of the foot do NOT ever need to be cranked tight if the boot is fitted correctly. The key fit is the heel and ankle so the leg can drive the ski. The buckles on the shaft should be quite snug. If your heel is lifting, tighten the shaft buckles and booster strap, not over the foot. As you experienced, if the boot is too wide, you can't drive the ski and overtightening the buckles won't cure foot slop from a boot that too wide.
Good luck. I know how frustrating chasing boots can be.
Last thought: Have you tried men's boots?
The wire compresses over veins and nerves on the top of the foot and intense burning, cramping, and suffering ensues. We need the micro-adjustment allowed by standard buckles.
Also, My snowboarder son has blown out the Boa on every single pair of even top of the line snowboard boots. Oh the cussing I've heard as now it's hard to find snowboard boots that don't have Boa systems.
Also, since I ski in tight trees (baby aspens to big pines) that bulky dial mechanism on the side looks like a hazard for grabbing onto or bumping into solid objects. My pants and boots have many contact scars. I was shocked to see how far those Boa things stick out.
I 100% agree that gap is not right. It's highly unlikely that a sock change can cure that, but I'd still recommend using a thin sock for improved feel.
I love my custom Daleboots as they have just 3 buckles and a booster strap. The single buckle over the foot is at an angle so it doesn't compress that part of my high arch. They're also super easy to get on/off.
I have the Intuition wrap liner and that eliminates the tongue budge and hard edge compression and distributes the pressure evenly providing stiffness without feeling stiff like rigid plastic that would leave compression marks on my calves.
What I've been told when getting custom boots:
Both boot builders emphasized not over buckling over the top of the foot (ever) and to take a few runs with all the buckles not as tight until the boot warms up and packs down a bit.
They insisted that the buckles on top of the foot do NOT ever need to be cranked tight if the boot is fitted correctly. The key fit is the heel and ankle so the leg can drive the ski. The buckles on the shaft should be quite snug. If your heel is lifting, tighten the shaft buckles and booster strap, not over the foot. As you experienced, if the boot is too wide, you can't drive the ski and overtightening the buckles won't cure foot slop from a boot that too wide.
Good luck. I know how frustrating chasing boots can be.
Last thought: Have you tried men's boots?
HuntersEmma57
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Apologies -- I just saw you found a solution! YAAAAAAAA!!!
