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abjectwoe
May, 2025

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Explain to me the purpose of forward lean inserts in boots

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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
I have dalbello rampages and have been just reading around the manual checking out the customizable parts....I was just wondering about forward lean, how more or less lean affects your skiing ability....also would u suggest a moe forward stance to stay out of the backseat?

A quick rundown on the topic would be helpful

feedback appreciated k+
14 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
I would suggest increasing forward lean if you would like to increase your quad strength because the only thing that will change is how much they have to work.
14 years ago
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
So there is really no point?
14 years ago
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PeteySkeety
Posts: 996 - Karma: 209
IMO it changes your stance thus affecting your skiing. Because your supposed to have a athletic / shins against the cuff stance. And I also think you can charge harder skiing with the boot leaning forward more. In park it doesn't really matter though.
14 years ago
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
you suggest giving it a try? imaa straight up park skier so i dont need to "charge" but i was thinkin i might like it for jumps
14 years ago
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PeteySkeety
Posts: 996 - Karma: 209
Yeah try it forsure! You can always switch back. Maybe you'll like it better
14 years ago
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iFail
Posts: 2066 - Karma: 65

When you're racing you're supposed to lean forward a lot, the forward lean just puts you even more over your tips so you go even faster.  That's where it comes from, if you're not just trying to go faster then try out a few boots and see what feels best.

14 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6747 - Karma: 11,771
Forward lean also helps manage the flex/rebound of a ski. For example, our World Cup racers do not like anything more upright than 18 degrees of forward lean because with anything more upright they cannot manage the amount of rebound and pushback that is created when you flex a ski which is that stiff.

part of it also has to do with your subjective flexibility and other biomechanical issues. but if you try your boot with less forward lean then switch to more, you can always go back if you don't like it. it's not going to mess up anything (just remember where you started from so you can go back if you don't like it).
14 years ago
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
thank you your always so helpful!.....guessing from your advice a more forward stance is really for speed not park and pipe..you also mentioned flexibility, I have VERY tight hamstrings ( have difficulty touching my toes) what does this say about boot lean settings for me?
14 years ago
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
i have rampages and i took the foward lean things out of the back i was told that the boot has a little more play when they are out. so i tried it and i like, great for park skiing, and from racing i keep my shins in the front of my boots pretty much all the time, so i still charge and ski park with no noticable difference i just left them out.
14 years ago
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
I've done this...awesome for rails but not enough support for jumps
14 years ago
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
if you race without a lot of forward lean when your tips load up at the top of a turn, especially in slalom, you get shot backseat during the transition. as soon as you start riding your tails in a slalom course you're gonna blow out within the next 5 gates if the hill is at all steep

it just helps manage the snap out of a turn when you throw your skis uphill for the next turn
14 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6747 - Karma: 11,771
Well it depends on what you need, what you like, what you are used to. Take Elias Ambuehl and Jossi Wells for example. Elias is used to a wider, more upright boot, Jossi has a race background. Elias likes around 13 degrees of forward lean, Jossi likes 16-18 degrees (same as our race boot). Both are arguably equally talented riders competing in the same events but they have very different set ups. So to say more forward lean is better for speed and less is better for freestyle doesn't really work all the time (but racers tend to prefer more). You just have to find out what you like and what works best for you.
14 years ago
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
not necessarily if you are a good skier and can control what you are skiing you shouldnt have a problem, just takes a lot more work and effort.
14 years ago
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StReEtPIRATES
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 138
I prefer more forward lean in my boots, mainly because i like to constantly have my knees bent instead of being able to stand straight up. In my opinion it just feels best, and helps to maintain an agressive, powerfull stance.
14 years ago
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9244 - Karma: 5,692
I like mine upright, not like 90 degrees upright but less forward lean. I like to be able to hold my legs at where i want them to be in terms of forward lean.
14 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6747 - Karma: 11,771
but if you are a serious racer, especially on World Cup, you will be slower. Having the right combination of forward lean and ramp angle helps you accelerate out of a turn and if you have to work harder or fight to do it, you will be a bit slower than the guy that doesn't have to do that.
14 years ago
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Lubibaby
Posts: 99 - Karma: -3
I never thought of it like this, but adding some forward lean might help with grabs. Personally, I have weird legs and can't grab truck drivers for my life, let alone nose grabs. Maybe some more angle will bring it closer and make it more comfortable because I have no trouble grabbing in the back. Just a thought though...
14 years ago
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StReEtPIRATES
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 138
For me grabs are all in the pop. If you pop right, grabs will be much easier than if you just reach for them. Some of my friends say that forward lean helps them grab nose, but i really don't feel a difference. Remember, bring your skis to you, dont reach for them because that will fuck up your rotation.
14 years ago
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