He acknowledged Master Fit certification, tactfully stated, the training is good, the piece of paper cool, but bunches of boots and bunches of feet make a fitter.
An Excellent comment.
So, how much was techno sales fluff and how much substance? Well, the fitter clearly supports the notion of creating as much symmetry in alignment as possible to get one flat on skis. But he also expressed that he has seen far worse, asserting that the degree of correction needed in my case was relatively mild. He explained that while a custom footbed would definitely resolve my alignment issue and improve the overall synergy between my foot and ski, he pointed out that at my current level, it would probably not prompt a performance epiphany. An honest revelation that I appreciated. So much so, I went with my gut and purchased a custom footbed. Every little bit helps right? What's another few bucks if you're already in the poo-house.
I would have made the same decision. Maybe no epiphanyin the short term, but building a house on a sound foundation is always a good plan.
While he plumb bobbed (yes I said plumb bobbed) my knee cap as I flexed forward in the boots, he noticed I had to exert a fair amount of effort (at room temp) to get the knee cap to cover up my big toe.
The plumb bobbing is common. That checks static alignment of the center of mass of the knee over somewhere on the toes (I think between the big and second toe).
Boot fits great but may be too stiff to allow enough forward flexion to engage tips. I do think the fitter is competent and honest?.but ..... Anyone heard of this problem and subsequent boot modification? Thoughts please on door #'s 1 - 3?
Now we are at the limits of my knowledge, so hopefully someone else will chime in. I had the flex of my boots softened in the same manner, so I would say that's a valid option. There are other options for moving your knee forward -- for example, putting a shim under the heels. If they are adjustable, moving ski bindings forward, as Gary mentioned, will move your center of mass forward on the ski.
I don't agree that bending the boot is a goal. Balance is the goal, and when you get out of balance the boot cuff is a lever you can use to regain balance. I guess I think that if the pressure pad doo-dad showed the balance distribution that he was satisfied with, then I wouldn't worry too much about the flex, but I would file the information away or I might ask if he thinks you should have a shim under the heel. Perhaps you have short lower legs and longer femurs or something like that. If he was comfortable that you had the right size and that they are a good fit for your foot width, then keep the boots. Getting more upper body weight over the front of the ski will happen over time as well. Time to ski?!
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