Boots - ongoing issues

[Pebbly]

Hi all,

I’ve posted here before about the issues I’ve had trying to find boots that fit. Thank you for the advice received before. For one reason or another I’ve not managed to have a proper appointment with a boot fitter (yet!) - that’s priority 1 before next season.

I did manage to have a foot analysis done - and it appears my feet are even smaller than I thought. 21.9 & 21.6 length. 7.9 width, with fairly high arches, overall height of my foot is ‘average’ (5cm).

So that’s brings to me to my question - are these measurements actually really small? I was planning on booking in with a boot fitter in the autumn when stock is best, but I’m just wondering if these measurements fall into the having to preorder way ahead of time category. I’m not near to a fitter, so hoping to avoid a wasted trip and more problems next season.

 

[Jilly]

I would suggest that when you book your appointment you mention that you have small feet. Ask if they have boots available in the smaller ladies sizes. Then let them measure you. They are looking for more than you length of foot and high arches. But that's a good start. There is the whole anatomy of the foot. Wide forefoot. Narrow ankle. Where the calf muscle ends.

Good luck. It's a process, but once you've been through the whole experience you'll never not have it done.

 

[scandium]

I think as others have said previously - 21.5 is never on sale and it is hard to find. 22.5 is also less common. So absolutely you will need to find a fitter who either stocks that size in their inventory. On this forum many of us have had multiple pairs of not-right boots, so we are somewhat attached when we do find a good pair and a good bootfitter - whether that means long drives, flights, or (the horror!!) having to take a couple of hours out of a ski day.

 

[tinymoose]

FWIW, at your size (looked at previous posts and you've got an inch on me and I'm a hair heavier than you), you can also look at kid's race boots. I'm 5'1", 103lbsish and in Atomic jr race boots.. My feet are actually much larger than yours, 23/23.5, but yes to answer your question you have very short feet but not beyond what other women have here. Don't go for kids recreational boots, they won't be enough as an adult, but kids race gear would def be on the table for you fit-wise.

ETA: you can also do women's boots, I've had smaller, softer women's boots just throwing out other options as well

 

[MissySki]

I would definitely call ahead with your potential sizing to ensure a given shop has stock in your size range, especially if you are going somewhere out of your way. Unfortunately, small sizes can be harder to find in general, and not many adult women's boots go all the way down to 21.5 as some here can attest to. Which might also limit your locations that do have them available to try on. @tinymoose makes a good point to also look into the potential of having more selection at your size in higher end junior boots too. A shop with a good following of race families could be a good spot to start with.

Where are you located? Perhaps some folks here can make suggestions of good bootfitters to inquire with in your area.

 

[SnowHot]

21.5s are extremely scarce—not only in terms of manufacturers producing them, but also shops choosing to stock them. And when a shop does carry them, it’s usually only one or two pairs.

Where are you located? You’ll want to start making calls now, and in many cases, you may need to purchase sight unseen just to secure a pair. The good news is that shops that do stock 21.5s are typically higher-end retailers with skilled bootfitters who understand how to work with smaller sizes.

Your brand options are limited: Lange/Rossignol, Atomic, Fischer, Kastle and Dalbello are generally the only manufacturers offering boots in a true 21.5. Most of these will be race-derived shells—meaning they’ll come in stiffer flexes (110+) and race colors.

Be ready to act quickly once new inventory starts arriving. These sizes disappear fast.

 

[contesstant]

The issue that hasn't been mentioned here is that you measure a 21.5 which means a 20.5 would likely be the size you actually want to be in, especially if you're measured width is 79mm. The variable that also isn't mentioned is your ankle size and instep measurement. When your feet are as small and narrow as yours are, you are definitely in junior race boot territory. Welcome to the club. It's an a**-pain! I measure a 23 but an 83mm width with tiny ankles and a low instep. No stock boot liner works for me and a junior race boot is a must. I still end up adding padding (usually layers of duct tape) over toe area because I get so much side-to-side movement at the forefoot. Every season, I want to throw in the towel so many times just due to boots. So, before you go see a fitter, make a phone call and explain your foot to them!

On that note, where are you located and where are you considering traveling to for boots?

 

[MissySki]

The issue that hasn't been mentioned here is that you measure a 21.5 which means a 20.5 would likely be the size you actually want to be in, especially if you're measured width is 79mm. The variable that also isn't mentioned is your ankle size and instep measurement. When your feet are as small and narrow as yours are, you are definitely in junior race boot territory. Welcome to the club. It's an a**-pain! I measure a 23 but an 83mm width with tiny ankles and a low instep. No stock boot liner works for me and a junior race boot is a must. I still end up adding padding (usually layers of duct tape) over toe area because I get so much side-to-side movement at the forefoot. Every season, I want to throw in the towel so many times just due to boots. So, before you go see a fitter, make a phone call and explain your foot to them!

On that note, where are you located and where are you considering traveling to for boots?

I’m still amazed at how low volume your feet are after seeing them at Alta this year @contesstant !! Really puts your boot saga into perspective, and how tough it’s been to be able to find the perfect fit. Though you seem in such a better place now than you once were at least!! I can just totally understand how hard it’s been, as I feel a lot of low volume instep and ankle woes myself… but you are on a different level of difficulty all around for sure.

 

[Pebbly]

The issue that hasn't been mentioned here is that you measure a 21.5 which means a 20.5 would likely be the size you actually want to be in, especially if you're measured width is 79mm. The variable that also isn't mentioned is your ankle size and instep measurement. When your feet are as small and narrow as yours are, you are definitely in junior race boot territory. Welcome to the club. It's an a**-pain! I measure a 23 but an 83mm width with tiny ankles and a low instep. No stock boot liner works for me and a junior race boot is a must. I still end up adding padding (usually layers of duct tape) over toe area because I get so much side-to-side movement at the forefoot. Every season, I want to throw in the towel so many times just due to boots. So, before you go see a fitter, make a phone call and explain your foot to them!

On that note, where are you located and where are you considering traveling to for boots?

I suspect that’ll be the issue, but it seems 20 is definitely kids-only territory.

Thank you for the advice, that sounds like an absolute nightmare for you!

I’m in the UK, so I’ve heard good things about solutions 4 feet which is probably the closest proper boot fitter.

 

[Pebbly]

Thank you for the advice. I’m in the UK, looking around I think there are a couple options so I’ll give them a ring, and hopefully some magic can be worked by next season.