Burning feet

I really need some advice please.
I am accompanying a school ski party at the end of the month and am dreading it :( as last year I had extreme problems with the hire boots. The boots seem fine until I do them up and start to ski. I get excrutiating pain or rather burning sensation across the balls of my feet :( When I release the clips and move my feet in the boots the burning goes :) but then starts again as soon as I do them up and ski :(
I have large calves and a high instep and am a size 6/39
I know boot hire don't appear to cater for gender, should I insist they look closer at the fit. Last year all they ever did was offer me a different size.
I am a nervous skier and believe tension may have something to do with my posture, I may well not be leaning into the boots enough.
Any suggestions.

Yes. If you are renting, allow some more time and make sure the staff in the shop pay attention to you and odnt just dump some boots with you in the size you said you are.
Different boots fir different feet, and you might find for example that Atomic boots are better for wider feet, Salomons fit narrow feet, etc.
They do have female boots, you need to ask, and make sure the staff have a good look at how they fit you.

Remember, you want newer boots if poss, even if that means paying a small upgrade, its worth it. They should fit tightly on your toe until you lean into your shins, and the toes should then pull away and be comfy, but you must not be able to move the toes side to side.

When doing the clips up, start on the loosest setting, and only do them up so they are flick tight. If you have to strain to pull them across, its too tight. Also, top tip for me is start the day with the boots as loose as you dare, and clip them up a notch after your first run only.

Dont wear tube socks, dont wear 2 pairs of socks, and dont tuck anything inside the boots, eg thermals, linings, etc.

If the boots dont feel right, go back to the shop and make sure they change them for something else. Having sore feet and ill fitting boots WILL ruin your ski holiday.

there are two things possibly three whaich are causing your problems

1 a large calf muscle will push you too far forward in the boot which will load up the ball of the foot, the average ski boot is designed to accept a calf of 13-14" around at the top of the boot (this is actually pretty small).... many boots are adjustable in this area to account for calf size
2 the high istep may be stopping blood flow which will cause cramping,burning and general pain in the ball of the foot, again a fitted boot should have space in this area for your foot
3 based on all the other stuff you said(high instep, large calf) i would guess that there may be a limied fexion at your ankle, this again will load up the ball of the foot and cause the burning sensation you suffer

now... rental boots are going to be pretty limiting, most operations will carry one or two brands at most in rental, thety will not fit you in any way, simply because they can't... not wanting to critise tonys advice but please ignor the salomon fit narrow feet and atomic fit wider feet bit, all brands make boots from 95mm last (very narrow race boot) up to 104/105mm last,( think comfy bucket unless you have very wide feet)

if you are likely to go skiing again then it is probably worht spending a bit of cash and buying your own boots, a well fitted boot with a footbed and some minor alterations could make these trips enjoyable.

one thing to make sure whether you rent or buy, do not fall into the trap of getting aboot too big... when you put your foot in to the boot your toes will touch the front, this should go away when you clip the boot and flex, this will mean the shell holds your foot and you do not end up claming the boot shut to hold your foot which will cut off the blood.... the other big advantage of the smallest (without pain) boot is that it will havea lower cuff which will not come up the calf as much where it is not so big

hope that helps, if you need any more infomation just ask, i am away testing skis from sunday for a week so may not be back in here much, i will be picking up e mails though

good luck

PS if your name is where you are based and you do decide to buy then pop into ski exchange in dry drayton and speak to simon... tell him i told you to ask for him

Thanks cem and Tony H for your help :) . Good advice.
The boots will be supplied by the company that run the school trip quite a big organisation I believe, the young reps do the fitting so might not have much joy there.
I would most certainly consider buying, but what if I buy here in UK and get over to Italy and still have a problem :(
I'm very interested in you saying don't wear tube socks, what socks would you recommend me wearing. I was wearing tube socks with tights underneath :oops: I wonder if they were too bulky thus putting pressure on my instep, flattening and squeezing to cause the burning :evil:
Thanks again for taking the trouble to help me :D

Because ski boots have to fit like a glove (a perfect fitting glove at that), there should be no room for socks to have wrinkles, or bulky seams . Ski socks are careful designed to avoid this. Ski boots are generally quite well insulated, so there is no need for thick bulky socks, which reduce the physical connection between the foot and the boot. Socks should be a wool blend, or sometimes man made fibre, and definitely not containing any cotton. Wearing two layers of sock in a boot, is a recipe for discomfort. Ski socks come in different sizes, so a good fit is assured. Ski socks are fast drying, and are easy to wash overnight. It's important that socks, or thermal pants are not tight on the calf above the boot, so as not to reduce circulation.

If you don't buy ski boots, and have to rent, you may find it helps to take off the shelf inner soles from Boots or somewhere, that you know are comfortable. Alternatively see how the boot feels with no footbed in it. I find I can tolerate much less arch support in a skis boot, than in regular shoes. Take thin, and medium socks so you have some further adjustment of fit. As Cem says, it is really common for people to get boots that are too big, and then over tighten the buckles, which is very uncomfortable. If a ski boot fits well, the lower two buckles could be undone, and you wouldn't notice.



Trencher

Trish Cambridge-King wrote:Thanks cem and Tony H for your help :) . Good advice.
The boots will be supplied by the company that run the school trip quite a big organisation I believe, the young reps do the fitting so might not have much joy there.
I would most certainly consider buying, but what if I buy here in UK and get over to Italy and still have a problem :(
I'm very interested in you saying don't wear tube socks, what socks would you recommend me wearing. I was wearing tube socks with tights underneath :oops: I wonder if they were too bulky thus putting pressure on my instep, flattening and squeezing to cause the burning :evil:
Thanks again for taking the trouble to help me :D

Ok, 2 things here:

1. You need to be more firm with the young reps. They are there to ensure you have a good holiday and provide you with what you need. Dont get fobbed off or moved in quickly just because they are young and in your opinion inexperienced.

2. Never ever ever wear tube socks. They are completely useless and should be banned from the market. ESPECIALLY with something else underneath.
Bin the tube socks, keep the tights for wearing with a skirt.....!
Get some proper ski socks - Bridgedale, Falke, or something similar, preferably with merino wool content. They should be thin with padding in the required parts around the ankle, shin and top of the foot.

I think you will find the socks make a difference, but only a real difference provided you get boots that fit well.

As for buying, most shops will give you some kind of guarantee that if you use them and they cause pain on holiday, you could get partial refund or exchange policy.

CEM sounds like you know what you talking about.

Had this issue for many years. So pain is sooo bad was going to try boarding. Ive tried various boots and insoles with no improvment. Got to the stage were I can no longer get any enjoyment from skiing. Have you ever seen a grown man cry?

Can you recomend anywhere in the St Albans area that might provide a similar service to the ones you recomended.

Or do I give boarding a go.

Cheers any help or advice is much appreciated.

snow & rock in Hemel are good so I hear from friends there.