Q for Those With Neoprene Boot Covers

[ISki]

Would they keep leaky boots drier?

My boot are not watertight. I know the covers are made for the cold, but perhaps they would reduce leaking. Snow seeps into the overlap area.

Does the bottom of the cover really not touch the ski or interfer with binding action?

Thanks!

 

[ski diva]

I have neoprene boot covers, but I can't say anything about the leaking problem because it's not a problem when I don't use them. I can say, however, that they do not interfere with the binding action. So you don't have to worry about that.

 

[Jilly]

Duct Tape by Dear:D :D Skiing in Lange's are we??

 

[ski diva]

Not sure I understand, Jilly.

I re-read my post, and maybe it was hard to understand. What I meant to say was that 1) no, I don't have a leaking problem, with or without the boot gloves, and 2) I don't have a problem using them with the bindings, either.

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

 

[Jilly]

Not you SkiDiva - ISki. Everyone who skis in Lange boots knows that you also need to buy duct tape. They always leak on top near the toes!!

 

[ski diva]

Oops. Sorry bout that.

However, I do have Lange boots: Lange Banshees, customized by Sure Foot. No problems. In fact, I love them!

 

[ISki]

Ah, Duct Tape! A most excellent idea. If it comes in black, sold!

Nordica!

 

[Jilly]

Well silver makes you go fast :D Just kidding but sometimes you have to bribe the children into things. I know that about 10 years ago we had an ladies day for Ontario instructors at Collingwood. As a collective group we let the industry rep's from the boot companies really have it. Fit, choices, and this exact problem of leaking (especially in Lange small size boots). Thank goodness they listened to some it. One of the top lady instructors actual put a flap of neoprene on her top overlap and re-installed the buckles. She said it worked, so try the booties first if you have them. The duct tape is really ugly, but it works to. Good for the end of season "there's only two days left" on the gloves too.

 

[liquidfeet]

I always use boot gloves, but it's for the cold. I'm in Atomic boots.

There is no problem with the bindings.

The only potential problem is if you want to adjust your buckles while out on the slopes. You can't. They are covered up.

But I swear by my boot gloves. They keep the wind out of my toes. Or something - they make my feet warmer.

 

[Quiver Queen]

I ski with boot gloves on the real cold days, and for that they're indispensible; I'll even put a toe warmer on top of the boot under the glove. No problem with bindings, provided you pull the front edge of the glove up above toe lip until your bindings are set. As for leaking, I'd think they'd help since they completely cover the lower buckles, but a good boot technician should be able to help as well.
Dawn

 

[mkhouse]

I used to use boot gloves on my old pair of Langes, but my current pair (Comp 100's bought fall of '02) don't leak. I found that the boot gloves got all full of snow on some days, and my boots would leak anyhow. I switched from boot gloves to the Hotronic battery powered heaters a few years ago, and LOVE the Hotronics. If you have custom footbeds, there's a kit you can get that works with custom footbeds, or they have footbeds with the warmer coil built in. I've been using them with my custom footbeds for 6 years now and swear by them. They're on the pricey side, but well worth it. I recommend the duct tape / Hotronic combo.

 

[liquidfeet]

Here's a question about the Hotronics. I have them, and when I turn them on to high heat, I can barely feel any difference. I never use low or medium heat -- no point in that. Then they run out of juice before lunch. If I want to get them to last a little longer, I have to turn them off everytime I get to the top of the slope, and back on when I get back on the lift. A royal PITA. Especially since I don't wear my glasses and can't read the labels on them, since they are so small and dark. (Kinda like a remote control for the TV/DVD player, dark and small markings.) I had mine checked overnight at the store where I bought them and they do charge appropriately, and hold the charge like they are supposed to. So I reallly have been disappointed in my Hotronics. What an expensive mistake!

But for those of you who love yours, I am wondering, do you just need less warmth than me? Or do yours perform better than mine???? Or are there different versions of the Hotronics, and I have the less powerful versions???

 

[ski diva]

I've heard other people complain of the same problem. I think Hotronics has a new version out that supposedly keeps a charge longer and is easier to operate.

 

[mkhouse]

I have no idea! I have the ones for custom footbeds, and they work great -- I can't turn them above 2 except when it's extremely cold out, because the balls of my feet start to feel like they're burning. Mine can actually get too hot. I can't tell you, but I'm sorry they're not working out for you.

 

[HotChocolate]

Leaky Langes huh! Gheesh and I thought I was loosing my mind or something!

I have the boot covers and love them on the really cold days, just remember to take them off when you go inside!!! I don't have any problems with them interferring with my bindings either.

Heaters...here's a funny story it was on a warm spring day (late March) at Smuggs and one of my club sisters came out of her condo to hop on the shuttle where we were all baking inside as we waited for her. She had not taken her boot heaters off, of course me being the ever observant person I am I happened to point it out to my van mates. The whole entire van roared in laughter when she boarded. She didn't have a clue.