Question: Lifter Plates on Boots?

[SallyCat]

I recently had custom footbeds made for my new and never-worn Lange RS 100's that I picked up at the end of last season. They do not have replaceable soles, so I bought some "Ski Skooty's" (removable sole protectors) to protect them when I'm walking around the lodge. I never walk in from the parking lot in my ski boots.

The boot fitter mentioned that if I wanted, they could put lifter plates on the boots that would be replaceable when they wear. I didn't and still don't know anything about this option. Here are my concerns:

1. Would the plates make it necessary to adjust all of my bindings for a different-size sole?
2. Would they affect my skiing, given that the boot would sit a bit higher on the ski?
3. Are theses plates necessary of I'm careful about taking care of my boot soles?
4. I'm not sure what concern number four is. General anxiety about planing and drilling something onto my beautiful new boots that fit so well? Probably that.

Thank you all for any insight.

 

[W8N2SKI]

IF the RS is like the XT, they will have non-skid soles standard on the boot. I think (think!) that they can be replaced when they get worn down. Something to check.

I'd be nervous about something called "lifter plates." I'd be concerned it would affect my alignment. Maybe your bootfitter wasn't being specific enough. It might be worth asking for a more detailed explanation.

 

[Jilly]

If he's doing what I think which would be like having an alignment done. Because that it what I have after he ground the toes and soles of my boots. The boots are clear and I have these black pads on the bottom.

I'm not sure how far you can adjust a toe or heel piece for height.

 

[KatyPerrey]

JMO- I wouldn't have it done. If the boot fitter messes up even a little you are screwed! I use cat tracks religiously when not on a snowy surface.

 

[SallyCat]

Thanks, all! @KatyPerrey that's exactly my fear.

I said no to the plates at the time based on a tingling spidey-sense, and now I'm certain that was the right decision.

 

[W8N2SKI]

Well duh, you said right off the bat that the soles weren't replaceable. Next time I'll read more carefully. Sounds to me too like you are making the right decision. I don't do a lot of walking on non-snow covered surfaces, but now you have me thinking I should probably pick up a pair of cat-tracks. I wasn't familiar w/the lay out at Snowmass before I went last year and I ended up walking on cement surfaces more than I would've liked.

This reminds me of something else - though it may be an anachronism now. Back when I got my first shaped skis (K2-4's), the shop guy asked if I wanted lifters on my bindings. Supposedly, boots back then were still designed for straight skis, yada, yada. I can't recall if I ever had that done (I don't think so).

Do folks still monkey around w/lifters, etc. on bindings?

 

[Jilly]

Most system bindings have a plate of some type and race skiers use them. Not much good on wide boards.

 

[sibhusky]

When skis were narrower I worried about plates to avoid boot out. But the last pair of skis I had them on was 78 under foot. My newer "narrow" skis are 82 and don't have separate plates, but do have race bindings, so I think the stand height is still a bit more than the atrocious bindings (Griffons) I have on my powder skis.

I remember booting out once maybe two seasons back, but can't remember what pair of skis that was.

EDIT: Found it was with my powder skis. Pretty surprising. The sensation is pretty recognizable though.

 

[SallyCat]

@sibhusky What don't you like about the Griffons? I have them on a couple of skis. Honestly, I'm not a good enough skier to know the difference between bindings, as long as they fit my DIN; I think the Griffons I have were just on sale/available in the size I needed.

 

[volklgirl]

@SallyCat - Many of us, particularly if you have Vibram soles on your boots, have issues with the entire "Royal Family" heel pieces. They're almost impossible to get into without stomping hard, and if you're in powder, or have snow in the binding or on the boot sole (even the tiniest amount), you're completely screwed.

 

[VickiK]

Sounds like me and my Squires, that were replaced by Heads.

 

[SallyCat]

Ah, yes--I have noticed that.

 

[santacruz skier]

Sounds like me and my Squires, that were replaced by Heads.

@VickiK how old were your squires? I bought new Squires to put on my Sambas and was told they no longer have that problem. Hope not!

 

[VickiK]

My Squires were from 2011. I replaced them in 2013 or 14. I'd heard the same thing later, that they fixed the issue. Hope yours are ok.

I originally bought Atomic bindings to replace the Squires, and the shop in Mammoth advised against them because of the hole patterns being too close together. They showed me the variances (right word?) with the jig. I bought the Heads and they worked out.

 

[santacruz skier]

My Squires were from 2011. I replaced them in 2013 or 14. I'd heard the same thing later, that they fixed the issue. Hope yours are ok.

I originally bought Atomic bindings to replace the Squires, and the shop in Mammoth advised against them because of the hole patterns being too close together. They showed me the variances (right word?) with the jig. I bought the Heads and they worked out.

Oh good. Mine are 2016

 

[sibhusky]

I do have Vibram on the boots, but the issue is the toe height adjustment. You have to over tighten it constantly. You can see the toe actually moving in the binding with the merest flexing of the foot and it makes a loud creaking noise every time! So every turn down the hill is CREAK CREAK CREAK CREAK. Not so bad if there some ice, but these are on my powder skis, when things are pretty silent except for this constant creaking noise. I brought them back every week for adjustment for a while until they showed me what to do. I have been skiing over forty years and have other skis now and this is the only pair of bindings I've every had that made constant noise PLUS YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT'S MOVING AROUND. It was funny, I was behind some guy on a cat track and could hear his bindings, so I skied up to him and said something. Yes, they were Griffons and it was driving him crazy as well. Yes, the step in is a bit stiff, but not that bad after several years. But this noise is so loud that I've actually considered replacing the bindings. I think it's the amount of plastic in them? Maybe too much emphasis on lightness?

 

[SallyCat]

Picked up my new, plate-less boots today. Not the most stylish look, but the high socks do cover my mountain biking scars. I can't wait to see how much of a difference it makes to ski in well-fitting boots.

 

[Jilly]

I really do love Lange blue. Nothing like well fitting boots.