Buying boots at a resort? Break in time? - Snowboarding Forum

ac251404 · 02-01-2013, 08:32 AM

I'm heading out to Whistler in March and I'm thinking I need some better boots. I have flat feet and always struggled with foot pain. I'm hoping I can find someone out there who knows what they are doing and I can finally after all these years get a pain free ride.

I saw my doctor and he said to try some over the counter orthotics and schedule and appt. with the podiatrist. I just have a feeling this guy is going to have no clue when it comes to snow sports so I'm thinking about cancelling the appt.

My only concern is that if I get the boots on the mountain there will be 0 time for me to break them in. What do you guys think? Does heat molded inserts take care of the break in problem? I know it wont do much for the flat foot issue.

thanks

smerdyakov · 02-01-2013, 09:01 AM

I think break in time depends on the boots you get. Whether or not you heat mold them. I've had shop guys suggest ride the boots a bit before heat molding them. Though didn't ask why. I suppose that if you don't need to need mold them don't. In addition I think that if you get properly fitted boots.

I too, suffer from foot pain. I have gone through more boots than I can count on 2 hands in the past year and a half. I would suggest seeing a podiatrist. Ask if the podiatrist is familiar with snow sports. Not sure where you live, but I found a podiatrist in the Puget Sound that specializes in sports including snow sports. Though I would imagine most podiatrists could help you. He/she would probably be able to help you regardless. A simple consultation was a great help to me.

bseracka · 02-01-2013, 10:35 AM

Insoles and eventually professional orthotics are your best bet. Good othotics makers can tailor your inserts for boots.

wrathfuldeity · 02-01-2013, 10:55 AM

all boots break in and then need some adjustment, very general, the higher end the boot the more time to break-in. I do not heat mould 32's focus boas but it will take 6-8 days of full riding to get comfortable and then another 10-12 days and it will need to be fitted with bits of foam. A good snow boot fitter/pedo will be helpful but as you get better, you legs/feet toughen up...you will notice little adjustments that can be made and will help your comfort and performance. Take a look at the boot sticky for some ideas.

m0rph3us · 02-03-2013, 01:08 PM

Break-in time really depends on the boot.

I had a pair of Salomon Dialogue's that took me 5-6 days to break in, although there was nothing too sore in that time, just a bit snug around the ankles.

Then I got a pair of Burton Cartels this season, which had zero break in time. I was up at Whistler for almost 3 weeks, wore them new the first day, no problems at all.

By that time of year, probably a lot of the shops on the mountain there might be starting to run down a bit on stock, so there may not be a huge selection available.

02-01-2013, 08:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
ac251404 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4	Buying boots at a resort? Break in time? I'm heading out to Whistler in March and I'm thinking I need some better boots. I have flat feet and always struggled with foot pain. I'm hoping I can find someone out there who knows what they are doing and I can finally after all these years get a pain free ride. I saw my doctor and he said to try some over the counter orthotics and schedule and appt. with the podiatrist. I just have a feeling this guy is going to have no clue when it comes to snow sports so I'm thinking about cancelling the appt. My only concern is that if I get the boots on the mountain there will be 0 time for me to break them in. What do you guys think? Does heat molded inserts take care of the break in problem? I know it wont do much for the flat foot issue. thanks

02-01-2013, 10:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrathfuldeity Resident poet Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bham Posts: 2,701	all boots break in and then need some adjustment, very general, the higher end the boot the more time to break-in. I do not heat mould 32's focus boas but it will take 6-8 days of full riding to get comfortable and then another 10-12 days and it will need to be fitted with bits of foam. A good snow boot fitter/pedo will be helpful but as you get better, you legs/feet toughen up...you will notice little adjustments that can be made and will help your comfort and performance. Take a look at the boot sticky for some ideas. __________________

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02-01-2013, 09:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
smerdyakov Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 53	I think break in time depends on the boots you get. Whether or not you heat mold them. I've had shop guys suggest ride the boots a bit before heat molding them. Though didn't ask why. I suppose that if you don't need to need mold them don't. In addition I think that if you get properly fitted boots. I too, suffer from foot pain. I have gone through more boots than I can count on 2 hands in the past year and a half. I would suggest seeing a podiatrist. Ask if the podiatrist is familiar with snow sports. Not sure where you live, but I found a podiatrist in the Puget Sound that specializes in sports including snow sports. Though I would imagine most podiatrists could help you. He/she would probably be able to help you regardless. A simple consultation was a great help to me.

02-01-2013, 10:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
bseracka Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 591	Insoles and eventually professional orthotics are your best bet. Good othotics makers can tailor your inserts for boots.

02-03-2013, 01:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
m0rph3us Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 47	Break-in time really depends on the boot. I had a pair of Salomon Dialogue's that took me 5-6 days to break in, although there was nothing too sore in that time, just a bit snug around the ankles. Then I got a pair of Burton Cartels this season, which had zero break in time. I was up at Whistler for almost 3 weeks, wore them new the first day, no problems at all. By that time of year, probably a lot of the shops on the mountain there might be starting to run down a bit on stock, so there may not be a huge selection available.