I am always interested to read the differing opinions about boot stiffness. (different from flex, a component really) I was waiting to see if @Chris Geib would chime in. I think that a consistent, even flex is as important as stiffness. When going to the BD liner, my boots are much softer but I have more control over the boot because of a very even and predictable flex pattern. I am enjoying @ScotsSkier 's comments and sitting here nodding my head and saying "yes".
Hey @Ron ,
Boots, eh. Ugh…
I think I would summarize it like this: Boots suck!
Past that it gets complicated. Certainly more complicated in my mind then soft vs stiff …which is where good boot fitters, good coaches and our own level of understanding and involvement in the process come together along with our type of skiing, ability and personal preference.
As you know I ski in a somewhat stiff boot and it works for me. I do not think it is the answer for everyone.
I have also gone to lengths to work with boot fitters and coaches, and to experiment with all the parameters that @bud heishman has detailed as part of his fitting, alignment and balancing process. And I am still experimenting.
My experience is most people associate fit with “comfort” and stop there - most often in a boot that doesn’t fit, and while initially comfortable ultimately becomes uncomfortable.
I believe the stiffer boot you gravitate toward the more dialed in your alignment needs to be; I cannot stress that enough. As Bud explains all the time, that starts under your foot and builds from there in a properly shaped and fit boot for your foot/leg. My experience has shown that changing the size of the same boot or setup for you in the boot can dramatically effect how soft or stiff the same boot feels to you.
As we ratchet up into higher and higher performance boots I think we go past the point of being able to rely on the boot fitter to provide us a solution. We need to own the process as much or more then they do, and be willing to experiment and fail. That takes time, motivation, and effort (probably some money too!) to accumulate the experience, knowledge and understanding. Typical for the first few times to be less then ideal! …yes, that rotten boot fitter sold you a boot that was too big ...because of the rotten input/feedback you gave them
To your point about flex. My thought is to achieve that even flex you refer to you need to be properly positioned in the boot (of the correct size/shape) with the boot then properly balanced. But a softer boot can also allow you to “move” and compensate for less then ideal positioning or alignment; they are also more forgiving of your miss-timed or inaccurate movements.
I wonder about the “very even” flex. Progressive maybe? Predictable and progressive maybe?? …so it gives you more back as you feed it more? I think this is where Phil was going with the quality/price thing. The cheap boot gives you little or nothing and goes till it bottoms out then stops abruptly as it tries to pinch off the front half of your foot while the better boot builds progressively to support you as the load increases.
I think more along the lines of the boot being there to support me under load vs using it primarily as a lever. That said, if I get out of position I want a solid boot there to work against to put myself back in order. A skier with more of a shins to tips style might look at this differently.
Type of skiing or technique maybe feeds in to determine preference (not right/wrong.) For example, I generally like to ski from this mogul to the next with my skis running primarily along their length as I feed the tips into the new mogul so I use the entire running length of the ski up to the top of the boot cuff as part of the complete suspension; otherwise I might prefer a different amount of give in my boot if I primarily use pivot, slip, bang as my mogul technique! Similarly if you are moving in harmony with the boot then it will not seem stiff, but if your alignment or movements are such you are in conflict with the boot then it will feel overly stiff and punishing; to that end, however, I would say there is some merit to having a stiff enough boot that they give you a proper reckoning if you are moving too inaccurately!
Many express stiff tight fitting race boots are uncomfortable. I think those two need taken apart. Stiffness of the shell does not dictate the fit/comfort. I skied for many years in a plug boot that was very comfortable until about 2 years ago when I injured my foot right before ski season. Prior to that I could ski all day without ever having to touch my buckles after the first run or two in a boot that is 2 or 2+ sizes smaller then my foot measures. It takes 3-4 hours of grinding on that boot to get that comfortable fit sculpted (and who wants to spend that much time with their boot fitter!) Since the injury, I have been trying to get that level of comfort back again over the past two seasons and my foot is now feeling right again just now, so I think I’ll have it back this season. However, I’m also intrigued by the BD foam liners that have been discussed, so I’m going to visit our boot guru Bud in the next couple weeks when our schedules allow to get some of them setup. Which liner did you get????
Well I guess that’s some tinder for the fire!
Best,
Chris
