Boot Fit Tips

you should also try to buy the boots in the afternoon or evening, cause your feet are more swollen than in the morning, because you usually haven't walked that much by then.

Toe pain and boots...

I've been riding my Vans for about 3 years, I do about 30-40 days a season. I like the boot, they broke in well. EXCEPT...
I seem to be developing a pinched nerve in my front (left) foot, Morton's Neuroma. Its especially nasty while on a long flat traverse where you're holding toe edge for extended time. I can make it go away by releasing the toe strap, and toe boa, and can clear it up while on the lift.

Morton's Neuroma is something that can get worse if left unchecked. mine seems to be increasing in frequency. I'm going to see a boot fitter and see if the toe box on my vans can be widened or material cut out of my inner liner near the toes.

hopefully I wont have to buy new boots but I wouldn't be surprised if that's the direction this takes...

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mortons-neuroma/DS00468

very informative thread, good info here

Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic I'm glad this thread finally got the Sticky it deserves.   While this next bit is more of an update for Kimchi, it may be useful for others wondering how helpful boot work can be... The smashing & bruising of the tips of my middle toes seems to have been remedied by the adjustments the custom boot fitters out at Helm of Sun Valley in San Mateo did way back in Sept (http://www.helmsports.com/boot_fitting). I had ZERO issues w/ my toes during the first 2 days of the season I FINALLY got in a week or so ago.   The other trouble spots may need a bit more tweaking as I still felt some minor discomfort on the mounds. Plus, I felt VERY VERY slight pressure on the top of my foot. I'm riding again this wknd and hope to pinpoint any & all remainings problems before my next visit for more boot work. Glad to hear. I'm still on first couple days with my Imperials, so I may need to make a visit down to them.

Originally posted by ianbejamin Maybe someone could touch on heel lift a bit? It seems every boot i try on my heel slips up, even when there is a correct size. Is this normal?   Originally posted by bataleon155 a little heel lift is normal. because not all ankles are the same. if you worry, you can always throw in some j-bars in there.   Originally posted by CLoSeR Some brands handle heel lift better than others, but then as we all have different sized feet and ankles it's all about finding the best fit. Ideally you want no heel lift, but a little is ok.   Originally posted by kimchijajonshim It's not ideal. I aim for as little heel lift as I can get. You probably have skinny ankles. The thing that helped me with heel lift was not only filling in the space around the ankles with j-bars / wraps of some kind, but also filling in the space in front of my shins. The less you can displace your legs in that place, the more efficient your energy transfer, and the less you put your heels in a position to slip in the first place.

ianbejamin,

Some brands handle heel lift better than others, but then as we all have different sized feet and ankles it's all about finding the best fit.

Ideally you want no heel lift, but a little is ok. In my case the Nitro Reverb TLS boots worked great with my heel, and I have zero lift. The liner is shaped in a way that it really grabs hold.

If you haven't already, try some Nitro boots.

Maybe someone could touch on heel lift a bit? It seems every boot i try on my heel slips up, even when there is a correct size. Is this normal?

This forum helped. Ive read reviews of the boots that i had bought which were nike zoom force 1's. I never had the chance to try them on in person so it was a riskbuying it. When they came my toes touched the end and i thought to my self wow wrong size. but they were heat moldeable so after that they fit perfect! I love this thread!

I'm glad this thread finally got the Sticky it deserves.

Thanks for this post considering the fact that I'm a new rider. This will help out a lot in the purchase of my first pair of boots!

i didnt know that they had "boot fitters". I do know that any sort of discomfort will be multiplied on the mountain, in the cold, after several hours of boarding. It's all about comfort regardless of price. Even if the cheapest boot fits me the best (though I doubt it) it's probably the one I'd get.

Kudos to an amazing write up. Nicely done and very objective writing about something that is so personal and different to each person. An awesome guide especially for noobs like myself....thank you!

kimchijajonshim, gotta say thanks for the guide.  I read it thoroughly last week and this past weekend, went to get new boots with your guide firmly implanted in my noggin.  Went to 3 different shops to try as many boots as I could, and This is how it went down, so that people actually understand what the heck is goin on and how important it is to try it on....

Excellent guide, I will be pointing people here for information with the next "which boots are best" topic is created.

I like the guide suggested spent a few hours at my local store trying on many brands to find the best fit.

Le bumpidy.

Ride is somewhat narrow.

I was wondering what the skinniest boots are, of course I would go to a bit fiiter , but just to narrow it down I have very skinny fit (narrow) and I also have high arches..who should i check out first?

This is very helpful! Thank you so much!

Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic Back on the topic of boot fit, I went to Helm after the showroom sale on Sat. I think I mentioned before that I called 'em earlier in the week and that I could come in w/ my boots anytime during business hours. Even though I had to come back the next day (today), which is more than understandable, to try out my newly-stretched boots, it looks like my issues may be fixed. They felt a bit more comfy, but I told 'em that I'll likely come back to them a day or so after my first day back on the snow to see how my feet feel. Just like w/ the initial fit, it's tough to get a sense of all the nuances w/o actually putting your feet/ankles/shins/calves thru their paces. The boot tech also suggested maybe carpet riding to feel things out.   So basically, we've got a good gameplan set to get the best fit possible. I'll definitely recommend them to others. They're all about wanting their customers leaving w/ happy feet! Another plus is that they're one of the few shops that carry Never Summer! Did they stretch your shell?  I've heard different things on that, some bootfitters say they won't do it on snowboard boots, but I've heard a couple snowboarders tell me they've gotten it done and it worked out.

Looks like you've found best way to solve boot fit challenge.
Wish you luck with that!

Still I got a request. If anyone has pics of those fitting pads in close-up I would really appreciate it. I would like to see these closer.

Originally posted by hana24 ^ At least the cephalopod likes me

Originally posted by hana24 Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic Originally posted by kimchijajonshim I can count on one hand the competent snowboarder boot-fitters I've met outside a mountain-setting.   I posted earlier on the Bay Area Yahoo group for riders & skiers inquiring about this very piece of knowledge you might have. Hook a brotha up! I can't remember his name, but the manager at Action Sports in San Carlos has a fair bit of boot fitting experience.  It's been a while since I worked there, but the guys at Any Mountain shops are generally good (although it might be a skier).  I'd give them a call and ask who their bootfitter is, and then ask that person specifically about his/her qualifications.   Grazie. I'll check into them, too.   I did a mild online search and the only place NOT ski-boot fitter only was Helm of Sun Valley in San Mateo. I actually called 'em up right before my class just to inquire if they're already able to fit folks since I assumed they're still in summer mode w/ their kite-, wake-, windsurf-board & ski goods.   I was kinda surprised they were because before ringing them I had called CalSki Co. in Berkeley to get a rec for a snowboard boot fitter in the event that CalSki did strictly ski boots as their website leads me to believe. CalSki is only open on wknds til the season is upon us.   Anyway... then, in my rush, I only asked Helm about their hours thru the wknd and to confirm that they're able to see if my latest Forums are salvagable as a good fit.   Wish me luck as I'm hoping to have one of 'em take a look-see this wknd! Yea, Bay area is tough.  Sierra (and before that, Tri-City) apparently killed off a ton of small shops in the area 10-15 years ago.  Not that may left with any kind of expertise. Come to think of it, I don't know if they have boot fitting expertise per se, but the folks at Sports Basement are worth talking to.  I've shot the breeze with them in the past at various stores and they seem really on top of things. Is that Bay Area Yahoo Group pretty active?  I need a crew when I get back down to the Bay, none of my friends are that into riding as I am. Where do you go to school? They just don't want to hang out with you

Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic Originally posted by kimchijajonshim I can count on one hand the competent snowboarder boot-fitters I've met outside a mountain-setting.   I posted earlier on the Bay Area Yahoo group for riders & skiers inquiring about this very piece of knowledge you might have. Hook a brotha up! I can't remember his name, but the manager at Action Sports in San Carlos has a fair bit of boot fitting experience.  It's been a while since I worked there, but the guys at Any Mountain shops are generally good (although it might be a skier).  I'd give them a call and ask who their bootfitter is, and then ask that person specifically about his/her qualifications.   Grazie. I'll check into them, too.   I did a mild online search and the only place NOT ski-boot fitter only was Helm of Sun Valley in San Mateo. I actually called 'em up right before my class just to inquire if they're already able to fit folks since I assumed they're still in summer mode w/ their kite-, wake-, windsurf-board & ski goods.   I was kinda surprised they were because before ringing them I had called CalSki Co. in Berkeley to get a rec for a snowboard boot fitter in the event that CalSki did strictly ski boots as their website leads me to believe. CalSki is only open on wknds til the season is upon us.   Anyway... then, in my rush, I only asked Helm about their hours thru the wknd and to confirm that they're able to see if my latest Forums are salvagable as a good fit.   Wish me luck as I'm hoping to have one of 'em take a look-see this wknd! Yea, Bay area is tough.  Sierra (and before that, Tri-City) apparently killed off a ton of small shops in the area 10-15 years ago.  Not that may left with any kind of expertise. Come to think of it, I don't know if they have boot fitting expertise per se, but the folks at Sports Basement are worth talking to.  I've shot the breeze with them in the past at various stores and they seem really on top of things. Is that Bay Area Yahoo Group pretty active?  I need a crew when I get back down to the Bay, none of my friends are that into riding as I am. Where do you go to school?

They just don't want to hang out with you

Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by Settraxi How about..boot size? If I am size 11..is there anyway to guess if a size 12 will fit? Say..I have no local vendors to check out? Basically the entire point of my point is that there's no way to tell until you try stuff on. Different brands size differently, even sometimes from model to model within the same brand. Buy it and pray, basically.

Originally posted by kimchijajonshim Originally posted by boardoholic Originally posted by kimchijajonshim I can count on one hand the competent snowboarder boot-fitters I've met outside a mountain-setting.   I posted earlier on the Bay Area Yahoo group for riders & skiers inquiring about this very piece of knowledge you might have. Hook a brotha up! I can't remember his name, but the manager at Action Sports in San Carlos has a fair bit of boot fitting experience.  It's been a while since I worked there, but the guys at Any Mountain shops are generally good (although it might be a skier).  I'd give them a call and ask who their bootfitter is, and then ask that person specifically about his/her qualifications.

Originally posted by boardoholic Originally posted by kimchijajonshim I can count on one hand the competent snowboarder boot-fitters I've met outside a mountain-setting.   I posted earlier on the Bay Area Yahoo group for riders & skiers inquiring about this very piece of knowledge you might have. Hook a brotha up!