dshack Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 The last few days, I've been riding hardboots on a freeride board, and I've been getting pretty bad pain on the outside of each shin. I've looked at the shin bang section on carver's almanac, but I'm not quite sure it applies in my case, as instead of a case of repeated pressure against my whole shin, it's more a case of the top of the shell of my boot digging into the side of my shin. I've got two culprits in mind: 1) Instead of stock Head liners, which at least on their ski boots have plastic/rubber on the outside at the top, my boots came with Raichle NT liners, which are foam all the way up. I think if I either cannabilize some old ski liners or find another source of foam-backed plastic, I might be able to attach it to the top couple inches of the liner, and distribute the impact of the shell better. Anyone had this problem or tried something similar? Alternatively, can anyone recommend a sturdier liner for the head boots? 2) I can still pressure into turns easily with my shins, but the pain is really a problem on rutty terrain, where bumps repeatedly slam the shell into my shin (picture sliding out of a regular heelside turn, and the shell of your right boot digging into your calf). Once I realized this, I started trying to absorb a lot more of the shock with knee and ankle flexion, but I think my boots may be too stiff- I really can't bend my ankles near as much as I could on my (too-big) suzukas with the raichle spring thing in the back. It looks like people have both modded the BTS to fit head boots, and also tried a DIY spring system invented by some guy named arnaud. Is one of these a better strategy than the other? I'm a little worried because the 2nd and 3rd buckle seem to be almost hitting each other, and I'm worried that will make increasing the flex of the boots a futile effort. Am I just incompatible with Head boots? Quote
neil sunday Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 Dshack- I had the same problem with the HEAD STRATOS Pros, and went back to riding my Raichle AF 700's. I'm now on the Deeluxe track 700's w/ BTS, and can't be happier. You may want to reconsider riding them if they just dont fit properly. The Head boot isnt really any better than any raichle or deeluxe to have to go through all that modifiying just to make it rideable. I found them (STRATOS PROS) to be too stiff, even when I adjusted the forward lean WAY forward on my rear foot. Good Luck, and remember- Life's too short to ride w/ boot pain! Quote
queequeg Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 You modify the heads to fit the BTS, not the BTS to fit the heads. I installed the BTS last night in addition to the taller "Speed" Thermoflex liners. I personally don't find the Heads to be too stiff, particularly after installing the BTS (I think I am probably going to end up using the red springs). I think you may be able to solve your shin-bang type problems by using the speed liner sold at the bomber store, in combination with a medium-stiff booster strap. The power-strap slot on the back of the heads ends up positioning the booster strap higher than the standard liner on the HSP boots, which is part of why I switched the liner out for the Speed model. With this liner the booster strap sits just above the end of the plastic shell of the boot in front, allowing you to tighten it for upper calf support that will feed into the boot more gently. Judging from flexing the boot in my living room, this is a huge winner. I've been working on improving my boots over the past two days, and once I get the liners molded (tonight) and ride them (tomorrow) I will post a full report with photos, but I think the combination of HSP, BTS, Speed liner and Booster strap, is probably going to be a winning combination, for me at least. cheers! Quote
Fanman Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 I did the exact same thing on my head boots. Speed liners and BTS with Blue springs. I also put the race B-strap on. I don't think the are to stiff at all! Maybee because I also put the softer yellow tounge's in too? I have been riding the Raichle 123's for the past couple of years and they are one of the softest boots out there. With the speed liners in there, these boots fit like a glove and are comfy. I use to do boot-fitting back in the day, but it didn't take any special skill's to get them dialed in. I looked at a BOL post on how to mount the BTS to the head boots and that was also a snap, no pun intended. One thing I will say on that is make sure you get the long pin's for top and bottom! or modify some bolt's like I did? Best of luck! Brett Quote
dshack Posted January 8, 2008 Author Report Posted January 8, 2008 Do the speed liners take up more space then an NT liner? I ask because I measure somewhere around a 24.5 foot, and I'm using a 24 liner in 23.5 boots. The fit is nice, but snug, and I'm worried that if I put in the speed liners, it may be too tight. Are there other liners (zip fits or stock heads) I should look at? Quote
queequeg Posted January 8, 2008 Report Posted January 8, 2008 Do the speed liners take up more space then an NT liner? I ask because I measure somewhere around a 24.5 foot, and I'm using a 24 liner in 23.5 boots. The fit is nice, but snug, and I'm worried that if I put in the speed liners, it may be too tight. Are there other liners (zip fits or stock heads) I should look at? I dont know about the NT liner, but I can compare it with the stock HSP liner: I find that the speed liners seem to offer more room around the ankle and cuff (I am cranking down the instep and cuff buckles MUCH more with the speed liner), and they also offer more room length-wise - however, thet have much thicker material on the footbed than the standard liner, so they result in more vertical pressure bearing down on the top of the flat part of your foot, particularly the area between the peak of your arch to your toes. All feet are different, so YMMV ... Kook out for a thread from me in the next few days detailing my mods to the stratos. Quote
dshack Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Posted January 18, 2008 Anyone know about any of these? http://www.levelninesports.com/accessories-partsmisc-c-27_70.html?osCsid=9ab0c422232db0c53e1cc6a1c6a93e6c They're dirt cheap, and if I could find someone in portland to inject the silicone for me, it seems like the 24.5's would work. Anyone compared head ski boot liners to the snowboard ones? Quote
Fanman Posted January 18, 2008 Report Posted January 18, 2008 I have Head Ski boots and also the Head Stratos Alpine snowboard boots. The liners are matched closly to each other, but I think the skiboot liners were a little longer, but I will have to double check tonight when I get home! Level Nine Sports has some good deals. I got my ski boots and Level gloves from them! I'll let you know by tomorrow about the liner sizing? Later, B Quote
Fanman Posted January 19, 2008 Report Posted January 19, 2008 I did take out both liners to compare. The ski boot liners were 3/8 of an inch or so longer. I did put them in the boots and tried them on and they worked fine, maybee just a little tighter on the toes. I'm sure they will mold up fine for you, worth a chance at that price? Later, B Quote
DiveBomber Posted January 19, 2008 Report Posted January 19, 2008 I did the exact same thing on my head boots. Speed liners and BTS with Blue springs. I also put the race B-strap on. I don't think the are to stiff at all! Maybee because I also put the softer yellow tounge's in too? I have been riding the Raichle 123's for the past couple of years and they are one of the softest boots out there. With the speed liners in there, these boots fit like a glove and are comfy. I use to do boot-fitting back in the day, but it didn't take any special skill's to get them dialed in. I looked at a BOL post on how to mount the BTS to the head boots and that was also a snap, no pun intended. One thing I will say on that is make sure you get the long pin's for top and bottom! or modify some bolt's like I did?Best of luck! Brett Hey bret which color heads to you have? Quote
Fanman Posted January 20, 2008 Report Posted January 20, 2008 I have the S12 Race Grey and Orange Ski Boots 05/06, and I have the Black Head Stratos with the Yellow extra tounge (soft) 06/07 model, but I think it is the same as the currant year? Both are great boots! My old ski and alpine snowboard boots were both Raichle, also good boots! The Heads are a little stiffer in both catigories and are a little better performing for me. They also fit my foot with minimal tweeking! Good luck! Brett Quote
DiveBomber Posted January 20, 2008 Report Posted January 20, 2008 its a opaque yellow right? I always have to put my tounges int he freezer to remeber which is soft and hard, I have a clear yellow and a solid yellow Quote
Fanman Posted January 20, 2008 Report Posted January 20, 2008 Yes, kinda orange-yellow? Also, the BTS kit w/blue spring's really smoothed the ride! Brett Quote
DiveBomber Posted January 20, 2008 Report Posted January 20, 2008 Yes, kinda orange-yellow? Also, the BTS kit w/blue spring's really smoothed the ride! Brett mmm no, mine are yellowy yellow like this Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.