Need help on cramping feet.....

[MogulQueen]

Had your exact issue in the mid 80's-- my foot cramped awefully around the arch, particularly on steep bump runs. Went to a lower volume narrower and smaller shell (AA width here)- was told that scrunching toes to stop foot movement was a likely culprit. I don't know if that was it, but never cramped again in the new shell. Necessary addendum- ended up in a too wide shell again two seasons ago after it packed out-- (won't tell you who sold me the boot as I should have known better, yet I had been out of the sport for years and didn't push hard enough for a tighter boot- even though the little voice in my head was screaming that the boot was going to be too wide when it packed out) - no cramp, just noticeable delay on transferring movement from foot to ski, so who knows-- maybe it was't the fit, or the boot, or my lack of banana's or custom inserts. I still think it was a fit issue with me.

I have been noticing that I really scrunch up my toes on the steep bump runs. I try to remember to relax them, but I seem to forget. So now I'm thinking about what you have said about the boot being too big. Because I have too really crank the buckles tight to get a "good" fit. I thinking that maybe the footbeds might help this problem? Or a new boot, but I just can't afford a new boot this year.

 

[Greg]

I have been noticing that I really scrunch up my toes on the steep bump runs. I try to remember to relax them, but I seem to forget. So now I'm thinking about what you have said about the boot being too big. Because I have too really crank the buckles tight to get a "good" fit. I thinking that maybe the footbeds might help this problem? Or a new boot, but I just can't afford a new boot this year.

Most people are in boots that are too big. Typically a good fit is 1 1/2 - 2 sizes smaller than your street shoe size (based on a mondo point sizing). For example, my street shoe is about a 11.5 or 12 which is a 29.5 or 30 mondo point size. I'm in a size 28 shell which equates to a size 10 in street shoe. Conversion chart here:

http://www.snowshack.com/skiboot-sizing.html

Obviously, this is a rough estimate. A good boot fitter will shell size you with the liner pulled out of the boot. You should only have a finger to a finger and half width behind your heel in the empty shell while your toes are touching the front of the boot.

You could always start with either generic or custom orthotics. that will take up at least some room so it might help.

 

[SIKSKIER]

If you have to crank down your boots than you've found the problem.You doing two things here.First,restricting bloodflow which will starve the foot of O2 and can lead to cramping.I'm surprized you dont talk about cold feet also.Second,it sure sounds like your boots are not sized correct if you need to really crank them down and this will lead to excess movement and subsequently curling your toes down to compensate.You may be able to take up some of that extra volume under the toe box area by shimming up under the footbed and above the soleplate.

 

[MR. evil]

Very early last season my boots packed out and it became clear that my boot were too large. At the time I didn’t have the money for new boots so I went and saw Dave Newman at SkiMarket in Avon. He was able to line the inside base of the shell with some thin, but very dense neoprene to reduce the boot volume in the up and down direction. He also added neoprene heel cups to the backside of my liners to reduce volume in the front back direction. He was very upfront that this would only be a temporary fix to give me some time to save up for new boots. After his magic the boots felt great for a couple of months until the material he added started to deteriorate. By that time I was able to save up for some new Krypton’s.

If you boots are too large I am not sure new footbeds will fix anything, it may even make the fit worse. Early this season on my first couple of days out my new boots felt way too tight in the toe box. I went to see Peter at Suburban Sports who sold me the Krypton’s. I explained the problem and he threw some aftermarket footbeds in my boots. I immediately noticed more room in the toe box. He explained that when the arch of your foot isn’t supported properly you foot will actually spread out and become wider. In my case adding footbeds gave me more room in my boots, which may be the last thing you want. If I was you I would go see either Dave Newman at SkiMarket (call ahead first) or Peter at Suburban Sports, bring you boots and see what they recommend. At the very least they should let you throw some aftermarket footbeds in your boots to see if they feel better.

 

[Mildcat]

I had the same problem two years ago. The boots I had were just a smidge to wide and my foot would roll a little in the boot. I would put extra pressure on the blade of my foot to keep it from rolling (not even realizing I was doing it) and it would make my foot cramp up big time. The cramping would eventually stop but the first hour or two was painful. Last year I bought a pair of narrower boots and haven't had any problems with them.

A friend of mine had the problem when his boots packed out and he had Intuition Liners put into them. That cured the problem for him.

 

[powpig2002]

STEP AWAY FROM THE A LINES. tried to save some bucks by using them. led to all kinds of probs. lower back issues, knee alignment probs, intense pain in soles of feet. went back to my old cork customs, probs solved. talked to jeff socum(sp?) who was a sponsor here.when i told him i was on a lines he told me ,diplomaticly,they were shiet. i got an hour lecture on foot bone structure and knee alignment. info overload.anyway if you should decide to give them a try make sure the shop will let you return them. and it shouldn't take 2 days to get used to them. shop i deal with got out of them after 1 season. go with customs. they cost more but they are worth it. just trying to help

 

[Madroch]

If you do suspect fit, and want to try and avoid the cost of new boots or bootfitter- try tognor toolworks- they have neoprene inserts for tongue and sides, and other sole inserts (can't remember the material) that really helped me tighten up my boots two years ago and that held me over until I could afford new boots.

I'm with others who suspect that anyone who has to "crank" their boots may be in boots that are too big. I currently (after 60 plus days in them) buckle my boots on first rung on tow and instep, I can't go any tighter wihout cutting off circulation and intense numbness/pain. When I need extra snugness (when my feet shrink in the real cold)- I microadjust but still leave them on the first rung. They fit like a very very firm glove everywhere- but no pressure points. I can leave them buckled all day, even on lifts and in lodge- with no pain- except on really warm days (60+) when my feet expand I occassionally have to unbuckle on lift due to pain- but that usually subsides as day progresses. Had a bootfitter select and fit the shell, with some minor modifications. Of course, the boot is cold as hell due to very thin race liner and snug fit-- but you can't have it all, or so I suspect. Bootgloves help some.