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The Official: "What is wrong with my boots?" Thread
This thread should be seen as an accompaniment to the "How To Buy Ski Boots" thread, more specifically aimed at solving a problem with your existing ski boots. Rather than clog up Gear Talk with countless repeating threads, please dump your boot-fitting related questions here and we will do our best to help you out.
Remember, nothing is a substitute for going to a real boot-fitter; they can see your foot, we can't. So if you can't get to a boot-fitter, or are frustrated with your current one, we can help point you in the right direction. Try to be as descriptive of your problem as possible and post pics if you can. The more information we get from you, the more successful we will hopefully be in helping you out.
tomPietrowskiIt may feel like you are being forced out but I can garentee you won't be. If you were you would actually be feeling pressure under the medial side as the footbed forced you out. What you are feelin is more lickly the edge of the footbed.
Unfortunatly no no you can't really stiffen laterally. Full tilt and really any three piece will always be a bit softer because of the design it's why you don't see three piece used barely anywhere but in the park and moguls these days.
Yeah, you’re right. I took the footbeds out and my foot hangs slightly off the footbed, which makes my foot wrap around the edge.
I guess, i’ll drive up to sure foot in Killington and see what’s up. Won’t hurt. I’ll also pick up an 8 tongue or 10, haven’t decided yet.
So, I have a problem. A big one. My toes get cold, really really really cold. After 8 years in race boots I've had my fair share of frostbitten toes and its finally affecting my skiing. I can hardly make it more than an hour or two before I have to go in regardless of temperature and I don't think its a circulation issue as my hands rarely get cold.
I currently ski in a Technica Cochise Lite with a powerwrap liner, footbeds, and use thin smartwool socks. They were properly fitted, had a bit of boot work done and feel fine in regards to fit.
Is there anything else I can do? Are Hot Tronics going to help?
.MASSHOLE.So, I have a problem. A big one. My toes get cold, really really really cold. After 8 years in race boots I've had my fair share of frostbitten toes and its finally affecting my skiing. I can hardly make it more than an hour or two before I have to go in regardless of temperature and I don't think its a circulation issue as my hands rarely get cold.
I currently ski in a Technica Cochise Lite with a powerwrap liner, footbeds, and use thin smartwool socks. They were properly fitted, had a bit of boot work done and feel fine in regards to fit.
Is there anything else I can do? Are Hot Tronics going to help?
If you have tried everything fit wise then heaters can be a good option. I would not go the hot tronics route though I would go with heated socks like the ones from Lenz ones. They are good as they work with multiple pairs of footwear not just one boot. They is also less volume in the boot as you dont have to have the element cable running under the footbed like you do with conventional heaters. You can even adjust them with an app on your phone. Check them out.
tomPietrowskiIf you have tried everything fit wise then heaters can be a good option. I would not go the hot tronics route though I would go with heated socks like the ones from Lenz ones. They are good as they work with multiple pairs of footwear not just one boot. They is also less volume in the boot as you dont have to have the element cable running under the footbed like you do with conventional heaters. You can even adjust them with an app on your phone. Check them out.
Are they durable? $300 is quite steep for the entire setup.
.MASSHOLE.Are they durable? $300 is quite steep for the entire setup.
They are way more durable then the hot tronic sryke as they are all self contained. $300 is for the full kit you can buy socks alone for $100. Most heat systems will be aroun that cost though so they are not really expensive compared to the completion.
tomPietrowskiIf you have tried everything fit wise then heaters can be a good option. I would not go the hot tronics route though I would go with heated socks like the ones from Lenz ones. They are good as they work with multiple pairs of footwear not just one boot. They is also less volume in the boot as you dont have to have the element cable running under the footbed like you do with conventional heaters. You can even adjust them with an app on your phone. Check them out.
I second the Lenz sock. Way better option than Hotronic or any other add-to-a-footbed system that requires messing up your fit and cutting your liner to pieces.
.MASSHOLE.Are they durable? $300 is quite steep for the entire setup.
Just thought I'd throw in something else here, make sure you're not skiing in a wet liner. Wet liners will make your feet go cold fast and also I find a wet liner doesn't ski as well as a dry one. I got a Peet boot dryer and it works really well. Just turn it on for 1.1/2 to 2 hours and the liners are bone dry. Also if it's going to be a really cold day you could use it to warm up your boots before you go skiing.
I'm having some serious shin problems, granted its only when I land backseat but it seems excessive. My boots are pretty tight up top, I have footbeds, and a booster strap. I'm in the ft b and e boots with a 6 flex tongue, what should I do here?
Bought some Ultralight Darn Tough Socks, and the problem is fixed. Thanks guys.
Also, I took my mom into Teton Village Sports yesterday and got her fitted for new boots. Before today, she was skiing in 14 year old boots. Now she is rocking new Langes with new Aline fully custom footbeds. If she isn't a newfound believer, I don't know who is.
ABallsI'm having some serious shin problems, granted its only when I land backseat but it seems excessive. My boots are pretty tight up top, I have footbeds, and a booster strap. I'm in the ft b and e boots with a 6 flex tongue, what should I do here?
How tight is pretty tight?
Does that model have an Intuition liner, and did you have them heat-molded?
Last but definitely not least, if it's an Intuition Powerwrap liner, which way around are you wrapping the liner at the front?
rozboonHow tight is pretty tight?
Does that model have an Intuition liner, and did you have them heat-molded?
Last but definitely not least, if it's an Intuition Powerwrap liner, which way around are you wrapping the liner at the front?
They are damn tight, I may be able to go even tighter though. Yes they have an intuition liner and yes the liner flaps are in the correct spot.
ABallsThey are damn tight, I may be able to go even tighter though. Yes they have an intuition liner and yes the liner flaps are in the correct spot.
Maybe try loosening them off a little. Depending how the Booster is set up you may be limiting the flex in the tongue, or having your entire weight hit the booster instead of being evenly supported by the front of the boot.
ABallsI'm having some serious shin problems, granted its only when I land backseat but it seems excessive. My boots are pretty tight up top, I have footbeds, and a booster strap. I'm in the ft b and e boots with a 6 flex tongue, what should I do here?
When boots hurt, most often there is a problem with the boot/the fit/the flex etc etc. However, there are times when everything about the fit and the boot look good for the individual skier and pain still exists. When this occurs, it's usually a result of poor skiing technique. A boot-fitter should be able to fix any physical problem with the boot, but if your technique is causing the problem then it's really on you to fix.
The liner in the B&E isn't as thick or supportive as what is in the Seth for example, so you could look into a more supportive Intuition liner. But, if you are continually landing backseat, then the problem will keep happening regardless of what you improve on the boot.
onenerdykidWhen boots hurt, most often there is a problem with the boot/the fit/the flex etc etc. However, there are times when everything about the fit and the boot look good for the individual skier and pain still exists. When this occurs, it's usually a result of poor skiing technique. A boot-fitter should be able to fix any physical problem with the boot, but if your technique is causing the problem then it's really on you to fix.
The liner in the B&E isn't as thick or supportive as what is in the Seth for example, so you could look into a more supportive Intuition liner. But, if you are continually landing backseat, then the problem will keep happening regardless of what you improve on the boot.
Honestly I'd rather know that my boots are fine and its just the technique. I was trying new things on jumps last Friday which was causing a lot of backseat landings, I guess shin bang will happen regardless of how well the boots fit.
The heel hold on my boots is really inconsistent. I have recently bought Lange RX100's, and sometimes my heel doesn't make full contact with the back of the boot, and it has a "floating feel." Some days my left foot feels out of place, and other days, my right feel feels out of place. I really don't know whats the problem here. I went to a professional bootfitter and I even had custom footbeds made. Im going back next Saturday, but im just wondering whats going on. This was the problem with my previous pair of boots as well. The bootfitter tried to counter this by sanding down the foodboard at the bottom of the boot, and that helped but it started to feel "floaty" again the next time I went to put my boots on.
Park_MhoThe heel hold on my boots is really inconsistent. I have recently bought Lange RX100's, and sometimes my heel doesn't make full contact with the back of the boot, and it has a "floating feel." Some days my left foot feels out of place, and other days, my right feel feels out of place. I really don't know whats the problem here. I went to a professional bootfitter and I even had custom footbeds made. Im going back next Saturday, but im just wondering whats going on. This was the problem with my previous pair of boots as well. The bootfitter tried to counter this by sanding down the foodboard at the bottom of the boot, and that helped but it started to feel "floaty" again the next time I went to put my boots on.
Sounds like there is possibly a bit to muc space in the shell that and probably your foot is not being surported well by the footbed. What type of footbed did you get? Do you know how to shell check the boots to see how they fit?
tomPietrowskiSounds like there is possibly a bit to muc space in the shell that and probably your foot is not being surported well by the footbed. What type of footbed did you get? Do you know how to shell check the boots to see how they fit?
I have custom insta-prints. There is about 1/2" when I put my toes to the front of the boot. I sized down from a 27.5 FT Dropkick to a 26.5 RX100 and I measured right at the 26 line when I stood up (I was informed that a 26.5 is the exact same thing as a 26).
I also feel like they are too big because I have to really crank down the buckles to the 2nd to last or last setting in order to have control of my skis.
However, this resulted in me having a shin bang like feeling (like a bruised sensation) right around my extensor:
I kinda worried now, because I think I might have fucked up. If you're wondering, I did go to a pro boot-fitter. He is registered on Americas best Boot-fitters.
Park_MhoI have custom insta-prints. There is about 1/2" when I put my toes to the front of the boot. I sized down from a 27.5 FT Dropkick to a 26.5 RX100 and I measured right at the 26 line when I stood up (I was informed that a 26.5 is the exact same thing as a 26).
I also feel like they are too big because I have to really crank down the buckles to the 2nd to last or last setting in order to have control of my skis.
It sounds like you are in the right size, but it also sounds like the boot is too high volume for you... Are you in the RX 100 medium volume, or low volume?
And did this same boot-fitter do both the shell sizing, boot selection, and footbeds for you? Or different people?
Was there a lower volume boot option brought out for you to try?
onenerdykidIt sounds like you are in the right size, but it also sounds like the boot is too high volume for you... Are you in the RX 100 medium volume, or low volume?
And did this same boot-fitter do both the shell sizing, boot selection, and footbeds for you? Or different people?
Was there a lower volume boot option brought out for you to try?
I believe I am in the medium volume. The same bootfitter made the footbeds, shell fit me and selected the boot. I am not sure if there was a low volume option available, and I did not have the chance to try them on.
Zup newschoolers. I need some help.
I've hurt my foot by stomping tricks way too hard.
I took a landing a little bit deep [I guess] and felt an immediate pain in my left heel, causing me to jump around on one leg for a week and a half. It's now been approximately 3 weeks since I hurt myself and i'm now living as a normal human being (walking, working and all of that nonsense) again but with a slightly sore heel. The heel is now only hurting on the inside instead of as before were it was my whole heel.
I bought new boots this season and got them fitted at a professional.
I did however noticed that my heels started to tingle on impacts and got me a pair of foot-beds and it were a huge difference in both impacts and overall feel. Everything felt amazing and then I got hurt.. I've never hurt my heels skiing before to this level of pain and being forced to take a break.
Has anyone had any experience with heel-issues? How long were you off etc.?
My guess is that I need foot-beds with even higher arch than I already have (I did get the highest ones they had at the shop [and they were fitted by a professional and he also told me they were like foot-beds should be]). Could this guess be right? Should I check into what custom beds have to offer?
I've tried skiing some groomers (get off the ground is not on the map yet) and the boot is constantly putting pressure on the inside of my heel (where my heel are hurting), does this say anything or am I still only sore? Is there anything I could do boot-wise that would get me back on track faster?
Some of the questions and the text itself may be a bit stupid but i'm really starting to get desperate here with the end of the season and everything.
Thanks in advance.
Zup newschoolers. I need some help.
I've hurt my foot by stomping tricks way too hard.
I took a landing a little bit deep [I guess] and felt an immediate pain in my left heel, causing me to jump around on one leg for a week and a half. It's now been approximately 3 weeks since I hurt myself and i'm now living as a normal human being (walking, working and all of that nonsense) again but with a slightly sore heel. The heel is now only hurting on the inside instead of as before were it was my whole heel.
I bought new boots this season and got them fitted at a professional.
I did however noticed that my heels started to tingle on impacts and got me a pair of foot-beds and it were a huge difference in both impacts and overall feel. Everything felt amazing and then I got hurt.. I've never hurt my heels skiing before to this level of pain and being forced to take a break.
Has anyone had any experience with heel-issues? How long were you off etc.?
My guess is that I need foot-beds with even higher arch than I already have (I did get the highest ones they had at the shop [and they were fitted by a professional and he also told me they were like foot-beds should be]). Could this guess be right? Should I check into what custom beds have to offer?
I've tried skiing some groomers (get off the ground is not on the map yet) and the boot is constantly putting pressure on the inside of my heel (where my heel are hurting), does this say anything or am I still only sore? Is there anything I could do boot-wise that would get me back on track faster?
Some of the questions and the text itself may be a bit stupid but i'm really starting to get desperate here with the end of the season and everything.
Thanks in advance.
To clarify, were they custom-made footbeds or just out of a packet ones?
For 99% of people the non-custom ones are a waste of time and money.
If you've got pain on the inside of your heel in general it could be due to your foot sinking into the heel pocket deeper than it's supposed to, in which case a proper footbed with some solid support in this area (and possibly a little bit of a heel-lift) will help you out.
If the pain is on your medial malleolus (the lump on the inside of your ankle) it may help to get a little bit of a punch on your shell around the point. Again though, if you're dropping inside the boot on hard landings the bone will hit the bottom of the pocket made by punching the shell and hurt like hell anyway.
If it's on the bottom of your foot, then it's probably a bit of an unfortunate thing that can happen on really hard landings where the bottom of your calcaneus (the bone at the rear of your foot) squashes the pad on the back of your foot and causes really bad bruising internally. If you get it super bad you can actually split the bottom of your foot open and that's real nasty.
The chances of this happening can be lowered by having a proper footbed, and by making sure the cuff is tight enough, particularly higher on your leg, so that the vertical forces/pressure are spread over your shin and calf instead of concentrated on the bottom of your foot.
rozboonTo clarify, were they custom-made footbeds or just out of a packet ones?
For 99% of people the non-custom ones are a waste of time and money.
If you've got pain on the inside of your heel in general it could be due to your foot sinking into the heel pocket deeper than it's supposed to, in which case a proper footbed with some solid support in this area (and possibly a little bit of a heel-lift) will help you out.
If the pain is on your medial malleolus (the lump on the inside of your ankle) it may help to get a little bit of a punch on your shell around the point. Again though, if you're dropping inside the boot on hard landings the bone will hit the bottom of the pocket made by punching the shell and hurt like hell anyway.
If it's on the bottom of your foot, then it's probably a bit of an unfortunate thing that can happen on really hard landings where the bottom of your calcaneus (the bone at the rear of your foot) squashes the pad on the back of your foot and causes really bad bruising internally. If you get it super bad you can actually split the bottom of your foot open and that's real nasty.
The chances of this happening can be lowered by having a proper footbed, and by making sure the cuff is tight enough, particularly higher on your leg, so that the vertical forces/pressure are spread over your shin and calf instead of concentrated on the bottom of your foot.
Wow, huge thanks for the answer!
To clarify it's the ones out of the packet, and it's the bottom of my heel. Do you recommend me going to another boot fitter and get custom-ones?
Can I do this even if my heel is hurting? I can stand/walk on it and it's not swollen but it's a bit sore. I wont be able to stomp my foot into the ground if that's required.
Sorry about the doublepost/spam.
I tried stepping into my old Fulltilt booters and I cant feel any pain whatsoever in my heel when i'm walking around inside. They also seem extremely more roomy in the heel area (I guess that counts in why it feels better).
Are my Hawx 2.0 boots too snug in the heel area? I and the fitter spent some time making them wider everywhere else but the heel. This is just a wild guess since my ski-boot knowledge is kinda low.
As with the Booter vs Hawx I've never felt that I needed insoles for absorbing impacts. Sure I've had a bunch of tingly feets even in the booters but not at this level where I had to stop skiing and not being able to walk for a week.
I'm a huge promoter of having proper custom footbeds regardless of what boot you're in. It helps comfort, control, circulation (hence warmth) - pretty much everything.
But in your case I don't think it's the issue.
Do you have quite skinny lower legs?
With your boots on and buckled, how many fingers can you get between the liner and your leg, both on the Hawx and the Booters?
HogisSorry about the doublepost/spam.
I tried stepping into my old Fulltilt booters and I cant feel any pain whatsoever in my heel when i'm walking around inside. They also seem extremely more roomy in the heel area (I guess that counts in why it feels better).
Are my Hawx 2.0 boots too snug in the heel area? I and the fitter spent some time making them wider everywhere else but the heel. This is just a wild guess since my ski-boot knowledge is kinda low.
As with the Booter vs Hawx I've never felt that I needed insoles for absorbing impacts. Sure I've had a bunch of tingly feets even in the booters but not at this level where I had to stop skiing and not being able to walk for a week.
Thanks in advance.
rozboonI'm a huge promoter of having proper custom footbeds regardless of what boot you're in. It helps comfort, control, circulation (hence warmth) - pretty much everything.
But in your case I don't think it's the issue.
Do you have quite skinny lower legs?
With your boots on and buckled, how many fingers can you get between the liner and your leg, both on the Hawx and the Booters?
A bruised heel is a real injury that needs some time to heel properly. It has less to do with your how your boot fits and more with landing improperly (knuckling or overshooting). And like any injury, you need to take it easy before skiing again. What your Booter has that the Hawx 2.0 does not is an Intuition liner that does help a bit with added cushioning.
Concerning your Hawx 2.0, like rozboon alluded to, check the shell fit: remove the liner from the shell, step into the shell with a thin ski sock on, slide your foot to the front so your toes barely touch and then check the space behind your heel: 1cm is a high performance fit, 2cm is normal, 3cm is too big. Did your boot-fitter perform the Memory Fit system, the heat molding of the shell and liner so that it totally molds to your foot?
Huge thanks for the answers once again!
Sorry for my impatience tho. I'm defiantly starting to panic as its just a month left of the season. Guess I'm asking if my injure is a boot problem. I'm defiantly gonna check more into custom footbeds, even if that's not the problem.
For my leg-width the liner in the Hawx are pretty tight and don't leave any gap if I buckle them properly. The Booter on the other hand is pretty loose, could probably squeeze 2 fingers in if I buckled them for everyday skiing. If I try my best to minimize the gap I can still get a finger in fairly easy.
Yes, we did the memory fit and heat molding of both liner and shell. They fitted like a glove after they were fitted, really awesome. I did the shell-fit thing in the shop and tried it again now, I would say it's around 2-2,5cm, defiantly not on the small side. What should I do to even out the impact-points?
By the sound it it footbeds and maybe a slight boot board modification will be your best bet now. The footbed will help fill the medial and lateral arches of the foot meaning pressure will be spread more evenly though the foot to better help with impacts. From there a boot fitter could look at adding some soft foam to the heel area of the boot board to again add some extra comfort.
Park_MhoI believe I am in the medium volume. The same bootfitter made the footbeds, shell fit me and selected the boot. I am not sure if there was a low volume option available, and I did not have the chance to try them on.
Park_MhoDoes anyone have advice? Im kinda desperate now.
Thanks
If you are maxing out the buckles to get the fit you want, then you are in a boot that has too much volume for your foot. You will need to go back to your boot-fitter and explain this to him. Hopefully they have a boot-fit guarantee where they can get you into the right fitting boot. If they won't do that, then your only option (besides buying new boots) is to get a foam injection liner. This will create the exact fit you need and it will be expensive, but not as expensive as buying new boots.
If I want custom footbeds, or ones that fit better than the stock POS, do I have to go to a store, or am I able to get heat mold-able ones off the net?
stucciIf I want custom footbeds, or ones that fit better than the stock POS, do I have to go to a store, or am I able to get heat mold-able ones off the net?
Doing heat moldable ones at home is never a good idea because you will certainly mold them improperly and/or they could be the wrong starting shape for your foot.
If you want them done right (which is the entire point of getting them) then you research the best place in your area to get them done at and go there. Custom footbeds are only as good as the person making them, which makes their effectiveness entirely dependent on the skills of person at the shop. Getting the right ones will 100% unquestionably improve the fit of your boots and your skiing, while getting the wrong ones can easily wreck your day.
onenerdykidDoing heat moldable ones at home is never a good idea because you will certainly mold them improperly and/or they could be the wrong starting shape for your foot.
If you want them done right (which is the entire point of getting them) then you research the best place in your area to get them done at and go there. Custom footbeds are only as good as the person making them, which makes their effectiveness entirely dependent on the skills of person at the shop. Getting the right ones will 100% unquestionably improve the fit of your boots and your skiing, while getting the wrong ones can easily wreck your day.
Sweet as. Thanks for the help. I'll definitely get a good pair if I go skiing this year.
I skied all mountain and heavily in the park on a pair of old Salomon race boots for the longest time because I never wanted to shell out for some nice boots that I figured wouldn't ever fit as good.
I never got pain in my Salomon's, even though they were really old and had no flex to them. They fit good!
Then I decided to treat myself to some fancy new full tilts after going into a fitter, getting measured, and looking at my options for some new boots.
I decided on the 2014 full tilt dropkicks for the price point and more park oriented nature.
I let the fitter talk me into some of those shitty "fits everyone" footbeds, and got heat molded, and was stoked to use my new boots.
They felt fine for about 5 minutes, and then I started getting a horrible cramping/annoying pain on the widest point of the lateral side of my foot, kinda where my toes meet the rest of my foot. The longer I wore the boot, the worse it got and it stretched all the way along that kind of "edge" that the lateral side of your foot makes with the bottom of your foot, all the way to near the my heel. It seemed like that whole side of my foot was cramping up or just unhappy.
It also started to feel like that on the bottom of my foot on that side too.
I went back to the fitter and they punched out the boot a couple times to try and give me more space in that area.
They said that would fix it for sure.
That initially helped, but still if I spend even half a day skiing in my boots, that pain returns.
Its not sharp, its just a cramping/burning/annoying pain, but it gets pretty bad the longer I ski.
Instant relief when I take my boots off, or even put less pressure on my feet (ie. putting my feet up).
I went through the proper recommended steps in getting fit for boots, but I'm still have the pain and its starting to get to my skiing (having to quit early, take breaks to take my feet out, etc).
I'd appreciate any advice you can offer, because right now I'm wishing I hadn't even bought new boots haha!
The cruddy footbeds won't be helping things because they will allow your foot to flatten (hence widen) more than a full custom one.
That is why the pain goes away when you take the weight off.
Ideally if your foot was perfectly supported it wouldn't flatten at all but on big hits it's always going to.
A proper footbed would help, but the Dropkick has a pretty narrow last and if you're just outright too wide for it then you'll still struggle.
What model were your old boots, just to compare lasts?
funk~Then I decided to treat myself to some fancy new full tilts
That right there is your numero uno problemo. You went from a boot that actually works and can drive a ski (older sally race boots) to an atrociously worthless piece of shit that has no business being sold to anyone (full tilts).
Unfuck yourself and go get something that doesn't suck.
rozboonThe cruddy footbeds won't be helping things because they will allow your foot to flatten (hence widen) more than a full custom one.
That is why the pain goes away when you take the weight off.
Ideally if your foot was perfectly supported it wouldn't flatten at all but on big hits it's always going to.
A proper footbed would help, but the Dropkick has a pretty narrow last and if you're just outright too wide for it then you'll still struggle.
What model were your old boots, just to compare lasts?
My old boots were a 98mm last, which felt tight on the sides, but never gave me this cramping feeling.
So custom footbeds may be the answer?
I had the exact same cruddy footbeds in my old boots though I believe.
Maybe I am just simply too wide for the drop kicks?
Halfway through this season, I started experiencing pain in my left foot right where the toe little toe meets the foot (I believe this is referred to as the 6th toe region?). Is there anything I can do to minimize this pain until the end of the season and I retire these boots? Also, why might the issue have only started halfway through the season?
s-handHalfway through this season, I started experiencing pain in my left foot right where the toe little toe meets the foot (I believe this is referred to as the 6th toe region?). Is there anything I can do to minimize this pain until the end of the season and I retire these boots? Also, why might the issue have only started halfway through the season?
Where the toe meets the foot is called the metatarsal (met for short), which is more or less the equivalent of a knuckle on your hand. Pain here can be caused by a number of things, but most commonly not having a footbed (or a footbed that does not support you properly). As your ankle pronates inward, the foot has a tendency to slide outward and this results in the 5th met moving into the shell.
And as liners pack out, problems start occuring.
First steps here should always make sure you have a proper footbed, and then if the pain persists you can have the shell ground or stretched in this area to make more room. Do not stretch/grind without a footbed, as this can make the problem worse. And more often than not, a footbed alone fixes the problem. You can also transfer the footbed to your next pair of boots.
onenerdykidWhere the toe meets the foot is called the metatarsal (met for short), which is more or less the equivalent of a knuckle on your hand. Pain here can be caused by a number of things, but most commonly not having a footbed (or a footbed that does not support you properly). As your ankle pronates inward, the foot has a tendency to slide outward and this results in the 5th met moving into the shell.
And as liners pack out, problems start occuring.
First steps here should always make sure you have a proper footbed, and then if the pain persists you can have the shell ground or stretched in this area to make more room. Do not stretch/grind without a footbed, as this can make the problem worse. And more often than not, a footbed alone fixes the problem. You can also transfer the footbed to your next pair of boots.
Awesome thanks! I was going to spring and get new boots next season, but now I might just get good footbeds made first and see how it goes.
funk~My old boots were a 98mm last, which felt tight on the sides, but never gave me this cramping feeling.
So custom footbeds may be the answer?
I had the exact same cruddy footbeds in my old boots though I believe.
Maybe I am just simply too wide for the drop kicks?
The footbed should be the first thing, since it will position your foot in the shell properly. Then, you will know if you need to have the shell stretched a bit on the outside of your foot.
Always do proper footbed first, and then modify the shell around your "new" footshape.
I just wanna say thanks to onedyerkid and everyone who answered me.
I ended up getting custom footbeds, did the heel wider, and the fitter made a pair of small shock-absorbers. I've never had so comfy and solid boots. Feels like a dream, thanks!
