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Boot fit problems - shinbang

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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
First Post!

About a year ago I bought new boots, Salomon Guns, had them fitted properly at a reputable shop and got the custom footbeds too.
After they packed out everything was dandy for the first 8 weeks skiing I did last year and then towards the end of the season I started getting heinous shin bang in them. My last week of the season I had a mammoth park session one day at the end of which i could barely walk, had to take a day off and then ski'd doped up on ibuprofen and with ibuprofen gel on my shins just to make it bare-able for the rest of the week.

So anyway I thought a whole summer off will sort them out, it didn't, first time back on a kicker this year, a couple of backseat landings and the things are killing me again.

I've spoken to my boot fitter who says he can pack some foam into the liners around my calves but can't do anything with the tongue and didn't really suggest anything else.
To me it really feels like its the boot flexing around the top buckle and its the buckle thats hurting my shin and the pain is really isolated in one spot at about buckle height. Is this possible?


What i'm really looking for is advice on whether padding out the liners will do the job or whether its new boot time again after only about 9 weeks total use?
I don't want to unnecessarily spend a lot of money on new ones but even more so I CANT get out to the alps in 4 weeks time and have it come back to haunt me on the first day out there.

And if i'm going to buy new boots, what are the most shinbang proof boots on the market!?

Cheers guys,
Harry
Nov 16 2008 8:35PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
Well, I don't really know if what they're going to do will help. Have you tried booster straps? They're meant to eliminate shin bang.

Also, in response to your last question, generally softer boots will be better against shin bang. The spk is basically shinbang proof, but if you ski in a gun boot you're not gonna fit in an spk at all.
Nov 16 2008 8:42PM
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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
Yeah, narrow feet man.
Nov 16 2008 8:45PM
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ryanwar6
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 114
when you flex forward in your boots with them fully buckled, does it create space between your calf and the back part of the liner? If so, you should get some of the foam and put it on the outside of the tongue of the boot. This problem is a pain in the ass and can really only be helped by having a boot that fits your correctly in the calf area. Of course landing backseat doesn't help at all, but one or two backseat landings shouldn't do that to you.

Let me know if that is the case or not and whether you need a better explanation of what to do.
Nov 16 2008 9:00PM
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TimmyK
Posts: 779 - Karma: 15
in your situation there are a few possible problems.  if the flex is too stiff you can cut the flex cuts.  if the tongue is too hard or there is room in the cuff, foam or an eliminator tongue can be added.  you said you have a foot bed so it probly is from your foot pronating.  i'd first start with a booster strap, and check for room in the calf area, if so i'd either add foam to fill the gap or if excessive add an eliminator tongue. 
Nov 16 2008 9:19PM
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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
Click for larger image

Thats with the top buckle on its tightest and the power strap cranked on hard.

Its odd because I never even knew i could get the boot that tight, i'm starting to wonder if since i stopped doing any other competitive sport i've lost a lot of my calve muscle and thats causing some of my issues.
Nov 16 2008 9:48PM
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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
Reckon an eliminator tongue will be a quickfix?
Nov 17 2008 4:33PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
They didn't do anything for me, but they might work for you. I wouldn't get too stoked on them though.
Nov 17 2008 5:44PM
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ryanwar6
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 114
are you flexing forward there, or just putting your shin to the front? Either way, a well cut piece of foam from your shop placed on the outside of your liner's tongue will solve the problem.

You can go with an eliminator tongue if you would like, but you could probably save yourself $25-$40 just going with the foam.
Nov 17 2008 5:49PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
I agree with ryanwar6 on this one.
you should not have to buckle your top buckle all the way in, chances are the calf of the boot is too big. Putting some high density foam on the toung is not a bad idea, The other option is to do a shit ton of calf lifts until your calf fill the space.
Nov 17 2008 7:21PM
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crzyskier311xxx
Posts: 515 - Karma: 12
I like the booster strap idea, I used them on my old 1080 boots along with tongue elimanators and they worked out just fine (I use custom insoles as well).  I have the spk pros now and the shinbang is virtually gone.
Nov 17 2008 7:23PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
also you could try moving the power strap between the shell and the liner.
Nov 17 2008 8:27PM
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yeahitsdave
Posts: 1315 - Karma: 10
when you flex the boot, are you flexing the whole upper, or is the back of the cuff staying in place? if the cuff is staying in place, v cuts will help let you get better flex out of the boot.

but before doing that (as its permanent) pad the tongue and give that a try.
Nov 17 2008 8:36PM
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