Message #14369

[jbotti]

I think that once you ski above an intermediate level stiffer boots really help immensely. There is a big trade off between "forgivemness" and performance. The more performance you have in a boot that you can use, the less "forgiveness" you need. What most people that are afraid of stiff boots don't realize is that soft flexxy boots are slow and will not react quickly. And because they won't perform well it is self fulfilling that the skier feels like he needs more "forgiveness". I went from skiing in 130 and 150 flex boots to the dodge boots which are more like 170-180 flex (there is no stiffer boot). Right now I could not ski in anythuing else because they are so quick and so laterally stiff. I really do think it is a fallacy that skiers need a flexxy boot.

As for getting them on and off, it is all about technique. After 20 days in my dodge boots where there is no give in the boot even when it is warm, I can now get it on and off with no pain and no haslse. Again it ls all technique. With plastic boots, it is best to have them warm from a boot dryer or a Hot Gear bag when you put them on. They will separate like buttter if they are nice and warm. The Hot Gear bag is best for this. Taking them off is about technique. Reach down and place your hand on the cuff just below the instep and pull the cuff away. While doing this start to come out of the boot but only come out enough to release the heel. Now with the heel released, extend your leg and put just your heel on the floor so the toes are facing up. Reach down and grab the two side of the lower/inner boot and with some real force start to separate them. As you are doing this, pull your foot out of the boot. If you separate them enough you will avoid the bear claw that attacks the foot. When 150 boots are really cold, it takes immense strength to separate the Lower/inner boot. Most people wait 10-20 minutes indoors to allow the boot to warm up some. A hair dryer will do this in 1-2 minutes. If you get the technique down well, you can even take off 150 flex boots with minimal pain when they are cold.

Hope this helps Meput.