facialhairtuesday

Boots were sold! Thanks all

The sticker on the side of the boot says: MONDO: 28.0 EURO: 43 USA: 10 UK: 9 and the shell has 285 on the footbed (when you take the liner out). I wear a 9 or 9-1/2, and just got really bad advice when I bought the boots. I had looked online for hardboot sizing, and I knew about the 1-2 fingers between your heel and the shell concept, but the guy I bought them from (who runs a small bike and ski shop, and was a "long time hardbooter", so it wasn't just some dude on craigslist) said that that method was for racers, and I would just end up with black and blue feet, etc. etc. garbage. Turns out he's full of crap and the boots are actually too big, but he wouldn't accept a return after 30 days, so my loss is your gain. I also took some pictures of the liners. The blue stuff is extra foam the guys at Surefoot stuck on for me because I was getting terrible shin bang because the boots are too big, but it peels right off. The liners have never been molded.

I have a pair of lightly used (2 seasons worth) Head Stratos Pro boots for sale. Boots are in excellent condition, extra set of standard heels, both sets of tongues (black = stiff and orange = less-stiff), and new, never used, never molded stock insoles included. Includes adjustable lean mechanism with "walk" mode, and straps on both the liner and shell to crank down. The boots are too big for me and I need to get rid of them so that I can afford boots that actually fit. $200 o.b.o. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

I'll be there, anyone want to join? Super good deals this weekend, $69 for lodging and lift ticket...good for us poor folk.... :)

I have a lightly used 1 season old pair of Stratos Pros (This model: http://bomberonline.com/store/boots/head_stratos.cfm) in Mondo 28 that I need to sell. To make a long story short, the shop I bought them from did a terrible job at sizing me (I was new to hardbooting and hadn't come across the very handy boot sizing instructions here on BOL) and they're a size too big. The partially moldable liners have never been molded and are essentially unused (I have custom footbeds in the boots). There are a few scuffs on the boot, but they're basically brand new. Boots come with spare sole pads (the ones on there look brand new though), and both tongues (flexy yellow ones and stiff black ones) I'd like $300 obo (But please, just make an offer and we'll see what we can work out) Or, if anyone has a comparable pair in M27, I'd be willing to trade Someone please help a brother out and let me carve in boots that are the right size!! Thanks boys and girls

Awesome...I'll definitely try to make it out to Ward, thats nice and close

So a couple of the guys on the forum have volunteered their services with regards to helping out a new hardbooter (me) and while I greatly appreciate the offers, and plan on taking them up on it at some point this season, I just spent a few days out in colorado and my carving was...poor...to say the least. granted, we were at mary jane, which isn't exactly the most carving friendly terrain/snow, but still.... So I wanted to find out if anyone had any recommendations for instructors around Boston (like, 2 - 2.5 hours from boston max) that could help me out, or if it's not worth the $ and I should just go with one of the guys that has volunteered to help Thanks mucho

This is the experience I had with them too Also, I should ask, am I risking damage to the boots by riding with them in walk mode?

I could definitely use the help of a more experienced hardbooter, so I'll definitely get in contact with him. Thanks for the suggestion!

I guess I should clarify...the problem is not that I can't get enough flex out of the boots....when I leave them in walk mode and have the soft tongues in, they're fine...my original question was based on my confusion of WHY people want stiff boots, as I was unable to effectively control the board when my boots were in "stiff mode" Its definitely possible, though, that I'm using "softboot" technique and not hardboot technique, just like lonbordin said

No, I left them both in walk mode.

I'll admit, with the soft tongues in and in walk mode, they're really not too bad. I actually think the Deeluxe boots fit my feet better, but 1) I don't have the $ to buy a different pair of boots, and 2) I had a HUGE hassle with the shop I got the boots at in the first place (wrong size, wouldn't exchange, etc. etc) so I'm sticking with these for the time being...I can't handle any more boot drama

Probably should have included that. 5'9", 170 lbs, 29ish" inseam, 19" stance; ~57 front, 52 or so rear. ~3 deg toe lift in front, 3 deg heel lift + 4 deg inward cant in the rear (I'm using Cateks OS2s)...my knees are mildly ruined from competitive running so I needed the inward cant, otherwise my knees are just screaming and fighting the boots. And I'm riding on a Burton Coil 166 (I know, not the greatest, but I got it for SUPER cheap years ago, and I'm easing my way into this...new board next season) The stance is as comfortable as can be for me (its the first time in recent memory that after a full day on the hill, my quads and calves aren't in complete screaming pain), but I realize that I'm brand new to hard booting, so I'm planning on messing with my binding angles, etc. at least a little bit just to make sure.

So, I'm looking for a little explanation about why everyone seems to want super stiff boots. I rode in my hard boots (HSPs, no BTS) for the first time last weekend (after years of softboot carving), and I found them to be so stiff that I couldn't effectively turn the board...it was really just awkward and uncomfortable. I put the softer (orange) tongues in, and even resorted to leaving the boots in walk mode, otherwise I found them to be unbearably stiff. Granted, I was laying down only mediocre toe-side carves, and my heel side carves were non-existent, but it was my first day out in like 4 years....and when the boots were any stiffer (not in walk mode/stiff tongues/etc.) it just got worse. I know, stiff boots let you "transfer more power" etc. etc., but I don't seem to be able to translate power into an actual turn. I also expect someone to say that it was because I'm not used to higher binding angles, but I ran the same angles in my softboots that I have on my hardboots and never had trouble before. So, I guess my question is, does anyone have any suggestions/ideas about why the stiff boot was so uncomfortable/unhelpful to my turning, or is it just a matter of getting used to being in hardboots and eventually I'll be able to carve again?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a slim helmet? I had an old Boeri that I need to replace, but it made my head look like a beach ball, and I'd like something a little more streamlined Any suggestions?