can you expalin flex angles?

I’ve also recently bought a pair of Nordica SM8 ski boots and although I haven’t skied in them yet, they seem to be really comfortable (wandering round the house at least!). My only problem was the width of the cuff which seemed a bit tight for my lower leg (not sure if this is common or not?) Fortunately, my friendly neighbourhood boot fitter (I can highly recommend Sayers for those of you in the North East) adjusted them for me so they now fit like slippers, without having to have the buckles on the loosest setting.
It’ll be nice to be able to put boots on in a morning without having to virtually dislocate my ankles to get my feet in – oh, the joys of hire boots… :roll:

Lynn_D,
May I add the following comment to make your "slipper" feeling even better!

Many modern ski boots have a heat sensitive padding within the boot and if you get a boot heater (the very best are ceranic,,non fan types) and use this heat at night,,you will never ever again put on a ski boot "cold"!

There are two basic reasons why all skiers should do this.
1. better fit and comfort
2, better all day skiing feeling, since the heat within ski boot will remain within boot for many hours so while others are feeling the cold toes,,you are toasty warm!

Now for you ski fanatics try this.
A warm air unit at home and a second smaller unit which you can plug in car electrical system! Often I drive 3-4 hours to get to ski resort. I have discovered that many cars have a plug at rear! While I drive boots heat up!


I am testing this season a ski bag that looks like a ordinary pack sac but really is an electricaly heated back pack so that your gloves, boots and yes even underwear can be heated! Many of the national team racers are using this bag!

Thought i may as well throw in my answer to the original question because i'm bored and TV isnt what it used to be.

--deep breath--

The flex index on a boot is little more than a rough guide to the stiffness of the boot. Please do not assume they test this in any practically applicable way. The stiffness of the boot will depend on; manufacturer, foot size and shape, calve thickness, temperature, body weight distribution and a whole load of other jazz.

When i pick up a new boot i tend to stick it on in the shop, bang the back of your heel into the floor (thats an important bit), then check to see if you can flex the boot without a ski on. I find this is a nice indicator as its easier to flex a boot in a ski but harder because at that point they are usually a hell of a lot colder.

I would not suggest ALWAYS getting a softer boot than you think you want especially if you are looking to improve quickly (like you've just enrolled on a 2 week intensive training course or something). If you only ski on piste dont be afraid to go harder, this is especially important if you have got to the point where you are learning to drive the ski out of the turn. For cruising, off-piste and jumps go softer and if you want to do all of the above, listen to the guy in the shop (unless it is snow and rock, in which case listen to him/her and get a second person to check that they are not a trained monkey).

As for comfort, best piece of advice I can give you is, 99.99% of proper fitting boots used for more than tootling around will hurt for the first couple of days, get over it. I also like heat moulded foot beds. Other than that all the rest of the advice seems pretty solid to me.

Peace out

dulcamara wrote:

As for comfort, best piece of advice I can give you is, 99.99% of proper fitting boots used for more than tootling around will hurt for the first couple of days, get over it.

That's the part that most people do not believe. I always think, if you don't have doubts that the boots are too small for the first week, they are likely to finish up being too big. I'm sure most people are rattling around in their boots, but either don't want to admit they've blown a couple of hundred quid on the wrong size, or they live in ignorance of the control that is possible. As you say though, for just tootling around, it's not quite so important.

Trencher

skidaddle wrote:I use a 110 flex boot, with a narrow last, because I have low volume feet and quite thin ankles. They are very comfy and give me the fit I was after - no other softer boot has ever done this and although I would never go stiffer than 110, I have yet to try a 100 flex or softer boot to fit as well as my current pair.

These will be the boots that you told me were Race Boots. You were quite certain and very insistent on the "race" bit IIRC.

With a Flex of 110.

Egg and Spoon race perhaps?

I rest my case.

:D

ise wrote:

That day on the North Face Chris was wearing some low flex Heads and sine we both had really tired boots the flex would have been lower than the published figure.

The boots that Chris was using defy accurate description. They were just totally knackered.I had trouble identifying the make let alone the model. The liners were disintergrating and IIRC he was wearing at least 2 pairs of socks, with an ordinary pair of shoe socks somewhere in the mix. I really can't imagine any hire shop having the nerve to try and rent boots in a similar condition. I would not willingly put my feet near such horrible footwear.

He made this skiing lark look a doddle though 8)

bandit wrote:

skidaddle wrote:I use a 110 flex boot, with a narrow last, because I have low volume feet and quite thin ankles. They are very comfy and give me the fit I was after - no other softer boot has ever done this and although I would never go stiffer than 110, I have yet to try a 100 flex or softer boot to fit as well as my current pair.

These will be the boots that you told me were Race Boots. You were quite certain and very insistent on the "race" bit IIRC.

With a Flex of 110.

Egg and Spoon race perhaps?

I rest my case.

:D

I dont understand what case you are supposed to be resting here Bandit. Are you saying you cant get a race boot with a 110 flex?

Tony_H wrote:

bandit wrote:

skidaddle wrote:I use a 110 flex boot, with a narrow last, because I have low volume feet and quite thin ankles. They are very comfy and give me the fit I was after - no other softer boot has ever done this and although I would never go stiffer than 110, I have yet to try a 100 flex or softer boot to fit as well as my current pair.

These will be the boots that you told me were Race Boots. You were quite certain and very insistent on the "race" bit IIRC.

With a Flex of 110.

Egg and Spoon race perhaps?

I rest my case.

:D

I dont understand what case you are supposed to be resting here Bandit. Are you saying you cant get a race boot with a 110 flex?

Why not read the rest of the thread you are posting on......

pavelski wrote:
Some reference values will help you at this point!

Racing boot flex index ( for top level World CUP racers) is in the 150 range.


Expert skiers/Regional, national racers tend to have boots in the 120-130 range.

Expert skiers tend to have boots with a flex range of 90-110

Skidaddle's particular race boots seem to be missing something. If they were mine I would be taking them back for a refund :D