Any suggestions? abt. level 7 skier. Very wide forefoot, narrow heel, calves, not big (Kind of long thin legs). My current Tecnicas fit well, but are way packed down. Tried new Head S9's which I thot I'd love but my feet tingled after a very short while. Was wondering if another Tecnica would be ok or maybe a Nordica boot - have read that the Speed-Machine runs wide, but then the heel might not be narrow enough. Will go to a shop, but would like an idea of what I'm looking for. Is boot-shopping the worst for everyone?!
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Ski boots for wide forefeet
- Thread starter snowgem
- Start date
skigrl27
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have very strange feet. Overall, my feet are very skinny...but my forefoot is wide. Long toes, skinny heels, bony ankles, extra bones, high arches.
I love my Nordica Speedmachine's. I have the 12's & they are the stiffest of the line...but you can go with a less stiff pair, certainly. I find them nice & snug in the heel, but still have plenty of space for my toes too.
Just keep tryin' them all on!!
I love my Nordica Speedmachine's. I have the 12's & they are the stiffest of the line...but you can go with a less stiff pair, certainly. I find them nice & snug in the heel, but still have plenty of space for my toes too.
Just keep tryin' them all on!!
MaineSkiLady
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
If the brand fits...
Sounds about like me, even in leg/foot description. I was in the same shoes (boots? haha) earlier this season. Key phrase you said is "current Tecnicas fit well but are way packed down." Been there. I asked for advice here but eventually wound up going w/Tecnica again. Went from a Rival X9L to Attiva Flame. Very happy. An online purchase for <$250, put in my footbeds and went skiing. No other adjustments required. If you had the same luck with your Tecnicas, this just might be your best option. I know these will pack, but for what I paid, oh well - Ill deal with that day when it comes and (hopefully) get another pair. I know people who spent at least double, sometimes triple that amount and still aren't dialed in. Doesn't seem like the last or fit of the previous and current boot are that much different, which delighted me. Surely wouldn't hurt to try on others, but in my case, I'm way impatient and didn't want to deal with shimming or overlaying my packed boots. Old saying, "If the shoe fits...." Good luck. Hope you are as lucky as I was!
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Find a boot that fits your heel, ankle, instep and calf perfectly first. A good shop can then easily stretch and/or grind the toe box to give your piggies or bunions plenty of room.
Lange race boots are the only thing narrow enough in the heel for me, but then I needed a heel lift to get my fat/low calves up out of the cuff, saddle and C pads to take up the extra space behind my Achilles tendon and pad around my super bony ankles, then significant grinding on the toe box for wiggle room. It took 3 visits to the fitter, but almost 2 years later and I'm still a super happy camper.
Lange race boots are the only thing narrow enough in the heel for me, but then I needed a heel lift to get my fat/low calves up out of the cuff, saddle and C pads to take up the extra space behind my Achilles tendon and pad around my super bony ankles, then significant grinding on the toe box for wiggle room. It took 3 visits to the fitter, but almost 2 years later and I'm still a super happy camper.
perma-grin
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm going to second those Olympia Speedmachine 12's. If they feel a little burley try the 10's. Nice and edgy! But always use a good bootfitter!
veggielasagna
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Try the Atomic "B" line. I have a D-E width forefoot and narrow heel. The one place my B70's aren't great is my calves (I have large calves). So they might work really well for you! I have orthodics stuck in mine and they're still good, they pack out after about 5 days out...then are pretty set by about 10 : ) Good luck!
-veggielasagna
-veggielasagna
Solincia
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have very wide forefeet. Most womans dress shoes just dont work for me because of it.
I just bought a pair of Technica Attiva's, they fit wonderfully. I have big feet a high instep, longer 2nd toe than my big toe, wide at the front, fairly narrow at the back, and boney ankles. Also, big calves!
I tried on multiple pair <at a bootfitter> and we found the Technica Attiva's were the best.
Definately go to a bootfitter and try on different styles.. these ladies have tought me sooo much!
I just bought a pair of Technica Attiva's, they fit wonderfully. I have big feet a high instep, longer 2nd toe than my big toe, wide at the front, fairly narrow at the back, and boney ankles. Also, big calves!
I tried on multiple pair <at a bootfitter> and we found the Technica Attiva's were the best.
Definately go to a bootfitter and try on different styles.. these ladies have tought me sooo much!
alisongannett
Diva in Training
The HEAD S-9 you mentioned is quite narrow for a head boot.
Try the only women's specific boot on the market (all others are women's liner and men's shell) THE HEAD DREAM.
It has the ultimate narrow heel and very wide forefoot. It comes in three stiffnesses - the 8, 9, and 10, and next year a stiffer DREAM 12.
Try the only women's specific boot on the market (all others are women's liner and men's shell) THE HEAD DREAM.
It has the ultimate narrow heel and very wide forefoot. It comes in three stiffnesses - the 8, 9, and 10, and next year a stiffer DREAM 12.
Did it!
Thanks much for all the inputs. I went ready to the stores with suggestions! So much so that, when I asked for specifics and rejected some suggestions, the somewhat arrogant saleman made a rude comment about how I already knew everything! Grrrrr. He was also trying to put me in a boot with a liner that was too big (Tecnica 24.5's - when I can take a 24) 'cuz that's what he had left. Didn't buy there!
I love love my packed out Tecnica's but since am between 23 and 24 shells - one a bit big, the other a bit small, have been looking for an alternative. I tried the Head Thangs and found them tight. It's also been difficult finding a good selection due to late-season. Finally, settled on one of the Atomic B's in a 23.5. I am hoping I bot them because I think they're good, not just because I was tired of looking and discouraged! Time on the slopes will tell. They're bit soft, but since I am not heavy may be ok. The fit is snug tolerable and they were way on sale, so if they don't work out can always look for something else.
The good thing is that I found a Ski Mag gold-medal winning boot fitting shop here in CT - Alpine Haus on the Silas Deane in Wethersfield, if anyone is interested!
Thanks much for all the inputs. I went ready to the stores with suggestions! So much so that, when I asked for specifics and rejected some suggestions, the somewhat arrogant saleman made a rude comment about how I already knew everything! Grrrrr. He was also trying to put me in a boot with a liner that was too big (Tecnica 24.5's - when I can take a 24) 'cuz that's what he had left. Didn't buy there!
I love love my packed out Tecnica's but since am between 23 and 24 shells - one a bit big, the other a bit small, have been looking for an alternative. I tried the Head Thangs and found them tight. It's also been difficult finding a good selection due to late-season. Finally, settled on one of the Atomic B's in a 23.5. I am hoping I bot them because I think they're good, not just because I was tired of looking and discouraged! Time on the slopes will tell. They're bit soft, but since I am not heavy may be ok. The fit is snug tolerable and they were way on sale, so if they don't work out can always look for something else.
The good thing is that I found a Ski Mag gold-medal winning boot fitting shop here in CT - Alpine Haus on the Silas Deane in Wethersfield, if anyone is interested!
Sorrrrry about my double posts 
I know how it happened - wasn't signed in, submitted the post, was told to sign in, then wasn't directed to the post after signing in, so assumed I needed to resubmit the post, and then it there it was twice. 
Anyway, got boots!!! Will report back on how they work.
I know how it happened - wasn't signed in, submitted the post, was told to sign in, then wasn't directed to the post after signing in, so assumed I needed to resubmit the post, and then it there it was twice. Anyway, got boots!!! Will report back on how they work.
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
No worries, I got it deleted.Sorrrrry about my double posts
Anyway, got boots!!! Will report back on how they work.
alisongannett
Diva in Training
Quick tip for buying new boots, (especially if you have a wide foot like mine) - when you have new boots, wear them with a panty-hose like dress sock for the first three weeks. Then I switch to a light ski sock like Smartwool women's light race, and then after a year, switch to a medium weight sock.
Also make sure to try on new boots with the dress-sock-panty hose like sock- that way you can really feel how the boot will fit when it packs out.
If I had tried on the HEAD Dream boot with a regular sock, I never would have purchased it. But now, a year later, I'm in the medium weight Smartwool sock (the cute women's one with fun stripes).
Also make sure to try on new boots with the dress-sock-panty hose like sock- that way you can really feel how the boot will fit when it packs out.
If I had tried on the HEAD Dream boot with a regular sock, I never would have purchased it. But now, a year later, I'm in the medium weight Smartwool sock (the cute women's one with fun stripes).
veggielasagna
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Gretchen,
My Atomics have worked out pretty well. Aside from being a bit soft like you mentioned they are great. They definitely pack out after some skiing. Let us know how you like them!
-veggielasagna
My Atomics have worked out pretty well. Aside from being a bit soft like you mentioned they are great. They definitely pack out after some skiing. Let us know how you like them!
-veggielasagna
Snowag and voklgirl: great tips for new boots. At some point may revisit the Thangs - they were almost impossible to put on and hurt big time. Maybe needed a larger size? Never got even to see the Speedmachine's. Stock so limited this late in the year. And, Veggielasagna, thanks for the feedback. It was because of your mentioning the Atomics that I was receptive when the salesperson presented them. And, way on sale. Will post how they perform after the weekend! Fresh snow coming to the northeast tonight. 
Could be a good spring, and plenty of time to pack out the boots!
Robyn - that duplicate post got deleted so quickly! Thanks. Or is it done automatically? Just think, hardly anyone would've known if I hadn't apologized about it!
Could be a good spring, and plenty of time to pack out the boots!Robyn - that duplicate post got deleted so quickly! Thanks. Or is it done automatically? Just think, hardly anyone would've known if I hadn't apologized about it!
SnowAg, I'm not convinced that a nylon type sock is a good thing when breaking in a boot.
I went to a great bootfitter when I had my boots fitted, and he recommended that you get a boot that fits the form of your foot, be fitted with, and break your boot in, with the sock you intend to use.
It worked for me, and I'm still loving my Dalbello Storm in its second season!(with the same sock)
I went to a great bootfitter when I had my boots fitted, and he recommended that you get a boot that fits the form of your foot, be fitted with, and break your boot in, with the sock you intend to use.
It worked for me, and I'm still loving my Dalbello Storm in its second season!(with the same sock)
Solincia
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Gretchen, I had the same problem at the first place I went to. I'm definately a 27 <big feet> and he was trying his best to put me into a 26.5... then he only had one 27.
I called a place closer to me that I had forgotten about, and fortunately they had about 10 different 27's to check out. I ended up with a technica attiva.
I was very frustrated at the first shop... I feel your pain and annoyance!
As far as breaking in - I can understand that the boot needs to break into the form of your foot with the socks that will be worn - but on the other hand, almost seems like the "form" of your foot would remain the same, just a little thinner with thinner socks, except maybe the padding would be a bit different. Maybe there's just no way around getting through breaking in boots! I do know that after my boots got very packed down I switched to thicker socks, and they really helped, but know thicker socks are not recommended.
Curious, anyone have more than 1 pair of boots taht they switch out?
(Is this a new topic?!)
Curious, anyone have more than 1 pair of boots taht they switch out?
(Is this a new topic?!)
MaineSkiLady
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
DH does. They are identical boots with slightly different liners: Tecnica hot form vs ultra fit. The hot forms are pinching him somewhere, so he has switched back to the older ultra fit pair, in order to make an assessment as to the fit issue (which up until now has not been a problem with the hot form - stay tuned).
Solincia, a 27 Tecnica shell??? Boy, I thought I had the biggest feet on the planet (female)! Guess not. I wear a street shoe size 11. I'm in a 26.5, same model, which Tecnica lists as the equivalent to a street size 9.5. I don't believe that, couldn't be right. My boots fit me perfectly. Or, well, at least as perfectly as anything could with feet like mine. And this is my 4th pair of 26.5 Tecnica, with a partial left foot thin shim.
Native Vail Gal
Banned
Stay away from Lovely Langes! They like a very skinny foot! Only boot I can keep on my feet! 
