After reading this thread I'll never complain about losing a toenail again. Although I've made a couple of bad choices my feet are pretty easy to fit. If you're worried about plug boots being too cold would Hotronix or a Boot Glove help?
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Lange WC 160 (ZA-130) Flex
- Thread starter Madroch
- Start date
After reading this thread I'll never complain about losing a toenail again. Although I've made a couple of bad choices my feet are pretty easy to fit. If you're worried about plug boots being too cold would Hotronix or a Boot Glove help?
Never heard of either-- and hoping I never have to-- but thanks!
Lost a toenail in a boot that was too big last year-- my own fault-- driving from the back seat in ice bumps. It has grown back just in time....
snowmonster
New member
I would not put Hotronics in a plug boot. If the boot has been fitted to your foot, you don't want anything in the boot except a footbed, your socks and your feet.
I ski in a Lange WC 120. I take a lot of heat for the color but I like the fit. It's 98 mm across the ball of the foot and that's just about right for my narrow feet but my instep is a bit high so it's a tight squeeze. The flex on the 120s are just right for racing and doing some off-piste. They are a PITA to take off. Usually, I have to sit by the fire and have a drink to warm them up before even trying to remove them. Since the boots you are looking at are stiffer than the 120s, I imagine a wrestling match in the lodge.
My bootfitter is up in NH and he was our resident bootfitter here at AZ in seasons past. I like his work and he's been good to me and my feet.
I ski in a Lange WC 120. I take a lot of heat for the color but I like the fit. It's 98 mm across the ball of the foot and that's just about right for my narrow feet but my instep is a bit high so it's a tight squeeze. The flex on the 120s are just right for racing and doing some off-piste. They are a PITA to take off. Usually, I have to sit by the fire and have a drink to warm them up before even trying to remove them. Since the boots you are looking at are stiffer than the 120s, I imagine a wrestling match in the lodge.
My bootfitter is up in NH and he was our resident bootfitter here at AZ in seasons past. I like his work and he's been good to me and my feet.
WC for the bumps?
That lange is going to be a beast at best. With a lot of work it could work. John Grush who is the guy you're talking about at Ski Tunes knows his stuff. This will be a real project.
For bumps I would still go Krypton ID or Full Tilt. I want to see a picture of your foot and then compare it to bvibert's.
Krypton Rampage is kind of a soft boot with a very plush liner. More of a tweener boot. The Gold ID liner should be dense enough not to pack out. Sizes start at 24.
That lange is going to be a beast at best. With a lot of work it could work. John Grush who is the guy you're talking about at Ski Tunes knows his stuff. This will be a real project.
For bumps I would still go Krypton ID or Full Tilt. I want to see a picture of your foot and then compare it to bvibert's.
Krypton Rampage is kind of a soft boot with a very plush liner. More of a tweener boot. The Gold ID liner should be dense enough not to pack out. Sizes start at 24.
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I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...
I have to hand it to you guys that get so intimate with other peoples' feet.
campgottagopee
New member
IMHO, that 130 will have to be skied VERY aggressivley to work for you---if not you could get a bad case of Lange Bang......I've been in Langes now for 20yrs, like you I have a narrow foot and their boots fit awesome once my guy gets done with them. You may want to look at the Comp 100-120---get those 130's outside and look out
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...
I have to hand it to you guys that get so intimate with other peoples' feet.
It's a little creepy. He was putting red lipstick on my feet...
It's a little creepy. He was putting red lipstick on my feet...
As long as we don't get out the purple lipstick you're okay.............
I have been told that the Comp 100-120 will be too wide--
As to the Kryptons with the Gold liner and the Full Tilt- also told too wide-- as an aside, the flex does not appear too much stiffer than the Pro with the black tongue- albeit the flex is much shorter than in the Pro- you hit a WALL quickly in the WC
According to John Grush- the WC is going to be the best fit- and he maintains (1) the 130 flex will not be a problem (he was even suggesting the 140 for some reason!!!); and (2) if it is- he can fix it.
I am glad to here that John knows his stuff-- the boots are bears-- but I have to say-- (after shamefully admitting that I wear them for an hour or so every night in my skis flexing to try and work them in a little) they fit like a second skin-- a truly amazingingly feeling fit. My feet do not move around in the boot AT ALL-- it would be claustrophibic but for the fact I can wiggle my toes quite a bit without any other portion of the foot moving.
I know there will be hot spots and at least one circulation issue (that appears to be resolving a bit)- but am hoping that after skiing them a few days (or hours, depending upon pain) and a few visits to John- that they will work.
Maybe this weekend I will get a test drive---look out below...
The Rampage was VERY soft (even at its stiffest flex, it would be too soft for me 99% of the time- even in the bumps)- and packed out wildly, as you note.
As I noted in the above thread, the WC don't seem much stiffer than the Pro- maybe even a little softer (at least at room temp)-- but the range of flex is much much shorter.
Happy to show you my foot-- I am an exhibitionist at heart-- disregard the bruising from wearing the WCs around the house.
eastcoastpowderhound
New member
It's a little creepy. He was putting red lipstick on my feet...
you prefer it on your lips huh. low hanging fruit...we need an emoticon for that.
eastcoastpowderhound
New member
if you wanted to, you could make a 150 flex index world cup race boot flex like a rental boot. Grush can do it, all you have to do is ask. ski in them a few times first...good to establish a baseline.
Its easier to make that boot softer than it is to make it look better.
Its easier to make that boot softer than it is to make it look better.
Yeah-- it is a bit much visually in baby blue-- but, if possible, it might be a step up aesthetically from my old Rampage...that was one fugly boot.
Exactly what Grush told me-- ski it to establish a baseline and go very gradually from there... no going back to stiff..
I don't want anything too soft.. just got a little concerned with the whole plug "tag"-I'll let it rip and see how it feels.
Well, a report back is due. Size (25.5) seems to be fine (despite my fear that the 24.5 was the ticket due to toe room in the 25.5), for the moment they are the best fitting and most responsive boot I have owned. Heel and forefoot remain solid. After two days, can keep them buckled on lift without narcotics, and even tightened the microadjuster on the lower buckles (on the first rung) one turn for the last two runs (more out of curiosity than need). No pain, just pressure and responsiveness. If they pack out extensively I will be very dissapointed. I have room to tighten on the first rung, but don't want to ever have to clamp it down to the third or fourth rung and distort the shell like I used to on the Kryptons.
Flex is good so far- no Lange bang-even in bumps- but I have only been out in very warm weather (30-45 on flat mush and the occasional Temptor bumps). While I am a second guesser by nature and profession, I am happy with the size and flex for the moment. If they prove difficult in the cold, will go get them softened.
It is early December, there are bumps to be had on the local hill, and life is good.
Flex is good so far- no Lange bang-even in bumps- but I have only been out in very warm weather (30-45 on flat mush and the occasional Temptor bumps). While I am a second guesser by nature and profession, I am happy with the size and flex for the moment. If they prove difficult in the cold, will go get them softened.
It is early December, there are bumps to be had on the local hill, and life is good.
trtaylor
Member
One accessory you might consider adding is a Booster Strap. If your not familiar with it, it is an eleastic strap that replaces the stock velcro powerstrap. Ask your bootfitter, he'll know about it.
Also, keep the boots warm on the way to the hill. That makes putting them on much easier.
Did that, and had no problem putting them on, but removing them, even after skiing only in 30 degree whether was a PITA. I pulled a stomach muscle (or some internal organ or another-not sure I actually have "muscle" in there) pulling them off on Sat. night (insert joke here, I know). Still sore today. I can only imagine the effort I will need to de-boot in mid Jan in VT.
Will bring a blow dryer and see if that helps...
Forgot to ask, what will the Booster Stap add? The standard strap seemed okay- quite sturdy- but I don't know where the Booster would go and what it would accomplish. But, as my wife will attest, if I can spend more money in pursuit of ski gadgets/gear I will, so let me know?
Anything else I may need-- besides something truly useful like more lessons?
Anything else I may need-- besides something truly useful like more lessons?
eastcoastpowderhound
New member
booster straps are elastic, the stock velcro strap is not..it's fixed, no give, no absorbtion, no rebound. boosters are the balls...I always add them to my boots, keeps a 100% consistently snug fit around your upper leg.
snowmonster
New member
From one Lange man to another: Unbuckle your boots then have a beer in the lodge before you even attempt to remove those boots. Better yet, get your boots near a fire or a heat source to warm them up. Langes are great on the hill but a total PITA to remove. The stiffer they are rated the bigger the pain.
Booster straps are great but if you have big soccer playing calves like me, you may not need them.
Booster straps are great but if you have big soccer playing calves like me, you may not need them.
Skied in them in 18 degree weather Sat. night-- got quite stiff-- still worked in the bumps on temptor but were noticeably firmer... if they get much stiffer in even colder weather, may need to soften them a tad.
When I went to unbuckle them- the shells did not move at all- frozen into place... yikes
When I went to unbuckle them- the shells did not move at all- frozen into place... yikes
