vivithemage

I like the boots, they fit well, but man, my feet go numb real quick.

What kind of boots should I look at? I want to try some new ones this year that do not make my entire foot go numb within 30 minutes.

I was thinking some burton rulers? I can get them for $130 on sale right now, in my size.

lonerider

If you feet go numb, they clearly don't fit well. In the store your boots should be pretty cozy/snug all around with no empty spaces or any pressure points at all.

Anyone who recommends you a boot without knowing what type of foot you have is an idiot. Do you have a narrow / wide heel? Do you have a narrow/wide toes?

I have extremely narrow/skinny ankles with a medium wide toebox. I have been using Nitro boots with great success. If you have a wide heel, they will probably will be too narrow for you.

poutanen

I don't want to sound like a dick but are you over tightening them? I find I have to tighten my boots about 75% of the way in the morning. Wait until the blood gets circulating well for a few runs. Then I cinch them down tighter.

There's a tradeoff with boot size, you want them to be pretty much as tight as you can get without being uncomfortable or cutting off circulation. A good fitting boot you don't have to tighten as much as a poor fit.

Also, how tight are you wrenching on your straps? Do the bindings fit the boots or are they too big?

Just want to rule out all problems before you have to fork out money.

lonerider

If he is over-tightening them then they're probably too big/wide for him. Snowboard boots are not slippers they should feel a little stiff and a little snug in the store as they will pack out and soften a little with use.

vivithemage

This is good advice, I tried it last winter every time, looser, really loose, tight, not too tight, would also vary that on my straps too, nothing would matter, about 30-40 minutes in, both feet are equally numb...the only thing that I have had that has not changed are my boots. That is why I am thinking of those newer burton's.

I have a normal heel, but a flat/wide front/toe area though.

poutanen

It could be a habit too... I used to buy boots that were too big and got used to over tightening to compensate. When I finally bought proper fitting boots it took me a while to realize I didn't need to tighten as much. Overtightening a tight boot hurts just as much as overtightening a loose one!

vivithemage

So I should probably try a few pairs in store again, and have them be 100% snug (but not numbingly so), and not just get on because it's on sale?

Any good brands/boots that cater to wider front feet?

Nivek

K2 and certain Salomon's if you don't also have a wide heel. But even then every model is going to very, make sure you try stuff on.

and GET RID OF THE STOCK INSOLES. They are slim slabs of useless supportless foam and do nothing. Look at Remind and Superfeet.

__________________
Snowboarding Sucks.

vivithemage

I am usually good with stock insoles, I am with shoes too, never felt the need for insoles. How do they help in boarding situation?

Nivek

Your feet are going numb, you really think you're "good" with stock insoles? You're completely locked into a position and your ankle is relatively immobilized in your boot. This means you don't have the range of motion necessary for proper foot action so your foot can't support itself right. Getting after market insoles with a good stiff supportive heel pocket keeps your heel in place and supports it, thereby controlling the rest of your foot and providing the support it needs. In every day life I support minimalist footwear as I think most shoes are too supportive and don't let your foot do its own job. But with shoes your ankle is free and you have your whole range of motion to let your foot do its job. So in shoes you might not need them, in big stiff snowboards boots you do.

__________________
Snowboarding Sucks.