Need help on cramping feet.....

[MogulQueen]

Brings up an interesting question. Is this cramping just a temporary thing, i.e. the first few runs and then it improves, or does it happen anytime you get on the steeper stuff, even after you're warmed up?

Usually only happens on steep bump terrain. Not spacey bumps, just the steep and tight ones. It doesn't happen on the first run either. It is usally on the second and third. Once I get in the routine of unbuckling on the lift and letting the blood flow then cranking down again, it seems to get used to it.

 

[Greg]

Usually only happens on steep bump terrain. Not spacey bumps, just the steep and tight ones. It doesn't happen on the first run either. It is usally on the second and third. Once I get in the routine of unbuckling on the lift and letting the blood flow then cranking down again, it seems to get used to it.

Try starting off loose the first several runs. See if that helps. It also forces you to get your feet under you, but it seems like you don't have much trouble there anyway. Still, you probably can't have too much forward pressure.

Captain Tail Gunner signing off!

 

[mondeo]

Did you get your footbeds up at Killington or around here? Who would you recommend?

Got mine at Alpine Haus in Wethersfield. They're ok, but I still have some pain so there's probably better shops out there. I've head good things about Northern Ski Works, but refuse to step foot in that shop again due to a bad pole buying experience.

 

[thorski]

Hmff. Seems like that makes a lot of sense...

Skiers and Boarders use their feet and toe muscles more then other athlete's so they need to stretch those muscles. Stretching your toes will make you a better skier more then custom footbeds will. IMHO

 

[billski]

I read a story about an skier who had just joined a USSA development team. His coach watched him do one run down the slope. At the end of the run, the coach said to him. "You're curling up your toes. Straighten out your toes and do it again." He went back up and was flabbergasted at what a significant difference it made in his performance. Since that time, I've become very aware of what my feet are doing. I used to think they were rigidly locked in there in all respects. Not.

 

[severine]

I only have the stock bootbeds. I have considered getting something better. What are the options on footbeds and what is really worth it? Aren't custom footbeds really expensive?

YES they are worth it! Granted, I have flexible flat feet and have a lot of cramping issues partly due to this, but custom footbeds were the only thing that helped long-term, and I had tried several things along the way. Definitely worth it, IMHO.

Got mine at Alpine Haus in Wethersfield. They're ok, but I still have some pain so there's probably better shops out there.

They really screwed up my unweighted custom footbeds. Would not recommend them. $$$ down the tubes....

I have custom footbeds (Insta-print) and love them. Wouldn't go to stock ever again. A good orthotic will likely last through more than one pair of boots so it's a good investment. Count on probably $150 to have it done. As I understand it Dave Neuman at Ski Market in Avon is one of th ebest around here.

HIGHLY recommend Dave Newman. Yes, he's at Ski Market, but he had his own shop before and really knows what he's doing. IIRC, it was around $150 for unweighted custom footbeds but they were done RIGHT the first time and have helped immensely. I went from not being able to ski in the boots because of the pain (partly due to the improperly made custom footbeds mentioned above) to no pain at all.

Stretch you feet and toes before you ski. That's all you have to do.

This helps, too.

Good luck!

 

[57stevey]

The potassium thing is no joke, by the way. I used to play guitar in bar bands and was prone to cramping in my index finger (barre chords, argh) by the end of the night... potassium supplements kept it well under control. Must work the same for toes I expect

 

[basemoto]

ok since you are having problems on the steeper more advanced terrain it seems like 2 possible issues. One of them has been discussed in great detail "footbeds". I got customs, best investment ever. Second is that on the steeper runs especially bump runs you are using a tremendous amount of quadricep, hamstring and calf muscle. These muscles are starving for oxygen under such loads. So when you get halfway down outer limit at K all of those muscles are using a great amount of the oxygen carried through the vasculature. Basically your feet are put on the back burner. Your body realizes that your thighs and such are higher on the priority list. Ways to aid this include training in the off season which will allow oxygen transport to become more efficient throughout your body and before you throw your body into exercise hell on the mountain, do some warm ups for 5-10 min jumping jacks, light jog and a good strech session. Also when you get to that chair undo the boots, no reason to keep them cranked which constrict blood flow too.

Sorry for the essay

This is also pretty common for people on steeper more challenging terrain, your not the only one!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I would definately try a pair of Superfeet, I use the green ones which are the thickest. Keep in mind that whether you buy a cheap or expensive stock ski boot the foot liner that comes with the boot has basically no arch support. Obviously, this is done cause everyones foot are diferent so starting from a semi flat product works for most.

Our shops have demos for people to try for a few hours. It helps maybe half of the people that try them out. The basic models( there are 4) are $40 and they have new models that come with a silver layer at the bottom of the toes for increased warmth. These are call Red Hots, the ladies version is call Hot Pink, they retail for $55.

If you try them and they don't help then I guess the next step is to see a custom bootfitter. This can be very costly but only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

 

[dmc]

potassium.

eat a banana before every run down ol.

You can buy banana pills to chew for potasium...
Or... just fix your boots and not buckle them too tight initially...

 

[2knees]

The potassium thing is no joke,

i know, it totally works. but i think if you ate about 20 bananas, you might not shit for a month.

 

[bigbog]

I only have the stock bootbeds...

Here's my guess MQ..
Good customs will last years and make every second so much more comfortable with more preciseness in the boot acting to your movement. Think that IS your issue..imho, arch isn't posting/being supported well enough(feeling of tightness as feet slightly do a little sliding..y/n?)....and combine that with some tiger-toegripping and you stretch bottom of unsupported arches.
BobR's water-thing is definitely a must though...

$.01

 

[MR. evil]

I am using A lines footbeds this year and really like them, got them from Skidmarks at Suburban Sports in Berlin. They were about $60 but worth the money. Do a search for A Lines on the forum, they are getting good reviews. Some boot fitters here on AZ swear by them.

 

[severine]

I am using A lines footbeds this year and really like them, got them from Skidmarks at Suburban Sports in Berlin. They were about $60 but worth the money. Do a search for A Lines on the forum, they are getting good reviews. Some boot fitters here on AZ swear by them.

If they're the right size, I have a pair I can sell to her that I only used for about 4 hours. They did not agree with my feet.

 

[drjeff]

Got mine at Alpine Haus in Wethersfield. They're ok, but I still have some pain so there's probably better shops out there. I've head good things about Northern Ski Works, but refuse to step foot in that shop again due to a bad pole buying experience.

Hal at Northern is a magician when it comes to boot problems! I've had uber happy feet with the footbeds he made for me now 7 years ago, and they are still in such good shape that when I got a new pairs of boots on New Year's Eve, not only did the fitter I use not try and sell me a new pair, but literally all that had to be done to them was just a tiny bevel by one of my pinky toes to account for the difference in shape of the shell of my new boot vs. my old shell

 

[MR. evil]

If they're the right size, I have a pair I can sell to her that I only used for about 4 hours. They did not agree with my feet.

I took me about 2 days on them to get adjusted to the feel. Now they feel great. It took Randi 3 days to adjust.

 

[severine]

I took me about 2 days on them to get adjusted to the feel. Now they feel great. It took Randi 3 days to adjust.

The hard part makes my (nearly non-existent) arches very unhappy.

 

[riverc0il]

What are the options on footbeds and what is really worth it? Aren't custom footbeds really expensive?

$150 and worth every penny. Pending your foot doesn't change too much, you can transfer footbeds between boots. Worth looking into if you are experiencing any kind of foot pain. Heck, worth looking into even if you aren't. Highly underrated piece of gear.

You might also consider a thinner sock. A lot of folks wear socks that are too think. Perhaps not buckling the boots down too much if they are tight or buckle them down more if they are too loose.

 

[MogulQueen]

$150 and worth every penny. Pending your foot doesn't change too much, you can transfer footbeds between boots. Worth looking into if you are experiencing any kind of foot pain. Heck, worth looking into even if you aren't. Highly underrated piece of gear.

You might also consider a thinner sock. A lot of folks wear socks that are too think. Perhaps not buckling the boots down too much if they are tight or buckle them down more if they are too loose.

I definately notice that when I have a thicker sock, my feet cramp up faster. This is my one concern with footbeds. Do footbeds take up a lot of space? Will they act like my thick sock? I like to clamp down my boots in the bumps, so loosening them up isn't really an option. I would rather deal with the pain then sacrifice control.

 

[riverc0il]

Perhaps you are clamping down the boots because the boot is not fit right to your foot? Clamping down a boot would put pressure on parts of the foot I would think. I never clamp down my boots. Just buckle em' snug and go rip it. I would think clamping down buckles super tight suggests a poor fit. As far as space, I think custom footbeds will normally be a little thinker than the standard ones but with the added support, you foot would be supported better and maybe you wouldn't need to clamp down? I dunno. Every foot is different and there are different solutions out there. i think most skiers would have better feeling feet with footbeds. I tried to go without in my last AT boot and it sucked.