Boot fitting/ Foot pain

[ctenidae]

My wife got a new pair of Lange Comp 120 boots. We've had them drilled and fit, and have custom insoles in them. Trouble is, they still hurt her arches. It's not a pressure issue, probably more her foot's not used to being in a "proper" position. Any suggestions? Should she look at more arch support, or could too much actually be causing the problem? What about taping her midfoot, or using a fabric brace? Any suggestions or experiences anyone can share would be great.

[riverc0il]

i'd suggest talking to the people who made the custom footbed. if their work is worth the money they are charging, they will consult with you and fix any issues for free.

[ctenidae]

Good advice, riverc0il, except... the footbeds are the cheap ones (only $20), because the guy figured that's all that was really needed. I'm sure they'll keep working as long as necessary (Ski Haus in Wilmington MA- good guys there), but it's a matter of getting there. I know, a good boot fit is all-important, and we're going that way. i'd like to have some ideas going in, though. Like I said, they're pretty good at Ski Haus, but it's always easier if you can present some ideas rather than go through the 20-questions routine. I'd like to tap into the strength of experience, and all that, and everyone on this forum is pretty good for that.

[sledhaulingmedic]

A lot of the "cheap" footbeds only mold the heel cups. They won't make any accomodations for the arch.

Ski haus generally scores high on the Sled Integrity Scale, so I't give them the benefit of the dought and I'll bet they'll make things right.

[beswift]

A custom footbed from what I have heard isn't always comfortable. For that reason the nature of the pain and the complaint has to be analysed. Does she have any history of arch trouble? I find sometimes that my muscles on the bottom of my feet will suffer cramping the first few days in ski boots. This can be attributed to one's arch. When I sprained my ankle seriously I taped it for years afterwards. There are still minor reminders that I injured it, too. If she never had an injury, you needn't tape it, though. The most common trouble with ski boots or skates for that matter would be the Navicular bone. Mine are grotesquely enlarged and protrude from the inside of my feet. During my late twenties I didn't skate and only skied cross-country. The ankle went back to normal but when I took up Alpine skiing again, it started to protrude again. Basically, if you strive for a tight fit, you put so much pressure on your instep through the tight second-from-the-bottom buckle that it distorts your bone positioning. In my case it isn't painful, but often I have to loosen my buckles in the lift line. Find out if your wife suffers the pain skiing, walking or standing still. Lange has a great buckle system now. They finally got rid of their bail system. Either way you can loosen the buckles and still keep them set for quick buckling at the right settings. Don't alter your boot except as a last resort especially if they are using heat to blow the shell out. I'm curious about the drilling that they did. What did they do?

[riverc0il]

definitely try getting a real custom footbed (if you paid $20, i'm assuming they didn't make a custom mold of the entire foot which is what you're looking for - if the person doing the job recommended the cheap pre-made footbeds, i'd recommend looking else where for the customs!). mine costed upwards of $100 (can't remember for sure), but they were definitely worth it.

[ctenidae]

beswift, I think you may have hit the nail on the proverbial head. She was a figure skater (From age 3 on to 25), and likes her boots as tight as she liked her skates. I think that's the source of her problem. Perhaps loosening that middle buckle will help. She's proabbly needs to let the liner pack out a bit, too. Real custom footbeds liekly won't hurt, either.
As for the drilling, they ground some of the plastic out of the inside of the shell, around the top of her arch and the knobby bone at the base of her big toe to relieve some point-specific pressure. According to her (they're her feet, after all) it tdid the trick, at least for that part.

[beswift]

More than likely she won't like skiing with a loose fit. She will have to throw the buckles back before riding the lift and then buckle them up at the top. Custom footbeds might help, but they don't work for everyone. If you can, try having a pediatrist (spelling?) look at her feet. Your Langes should also have some minor adjustments which can help. Another thing I would recommend would be putting in heated footbeds. I have been skiing with heated boots for 12 years. The cold will make the pain worse. If you have a choice between custom footbeds or heat, I would take the heat. It's also my opinion that a lot of bootfitters are hypesters and will butcher your boot. Try going into other shops (the mountain side ones are the best IMHO) without the boots on slow days. Talk with the bootfitter guys. Try Strand's in Worcester or the guys up at Killington. There is supposedly a guru in Plymouth, N.H., but I'm always leary of guru's.

[sledhaulingmedic]

I've had several full length custom foot beds, two sets which came from Ski Haus in Wilmngton. They have all been very comfortable, and I have very high arches (both main and metatarsal. If they hurt, take them back.

[bigbog]

C...and again...same issues as sled and others have mentioned,

A flimsy footbed won't stabilize her foot in a neutral position. It would be a safe bet that her feet are still rolling around with her insteps either hitting...or missing, which then feels like things are too loose insde...and then the following cranking down with that 2nd buckle, OR, when one's feet start rolling around inside...it's not uncommon to start gripping with her toes...to in some way, affect some degree of stabilization...which of course, over-stretches those tendons underneath the arch.
Greg Hoffman & crew up @GMOL ...at the base of Stratton have always been worth a yearly checkup, as well as Paul Richelson...