Relatively new ski boot technology.

[Paul Oberin]

Salomon have a range of ski boots that are a great step forward in my opinion regards fitting, it’s called Custom Shell. The technology has been around for a couple of seasons but is becoming more prevalent throughout the range, the heat moldable area is a product called “Kaprolene” and basically deforms when warmed to a temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius, it does not have memory and can give up too an additional 6mm of width where required. The shell starts out as a 98 /100mm last but if heated and the customer puts it on and wears it while it cools down the fit sets at that shape.
This is so much easier for the boot fitter than trying to estimate the exact amount of stretch required and the exact location for that stretching to be done. The boots are not low performance either, they are offered in a range of flex from 130 in the Race X3 RC CS right down to 85 in a ladies Idol 8 model.

The fit does take up to an hour in total depending on the shop doing the work, the prices are fairly competitive with the Impact 10 CS priced at $799 and the ladies Idol 8 CS at $699, hopefully in time the prices may go even lower and the technology will become available in more boots such as maybe the Atomic range as they have the same owners.

[rider26]

Sounds like a great idea...

How does that process compare in results to a foam injection inner? Seems like an easier option for no-so-difficult to fit feet.

[Paul Oberin]

A foam liner works well, but only suits that particular foot shape, and if that shape changes for any reason you are stuck with it, foaming boot liners requires a high skill level, you also have to start with a shell that suits the foot shape with foam liners as foam will pack out quickly if it is used to fill big gaps, I do foam liners here as well as what I think are far better which is Svenfit liners, a combination of Svenfit liner and custom fit shell from Salomon would be expensive but certainly would fit well for those very difficult feet.

[Paul Oberin]

I sold 2 sets of these today, quite impressed with how well the boots changed shape to suit the foot.

[blutek]

Slightly off topic, I think I saw a "side country" boot advertised - maybe for Niseko type offpiste powder?
Not that I'm up with ski boot technology.

[Paul Oberin]

The Quest is the one you are thinking of most likely.

[Paul Oberin]

I have to fine tune my fitting technique for these boots, I am using the boiling water method for heating the shells as it is the best way of ensuring the right temperature, rather than an oven or heat gun, today I did them one boot at a time but that took me way too long, I now have a brand new extra large (deep) electric frypan that can hold two boots at the same time.

[Ted and Fi]

Paul, if you have a moment could you give us your thoughts on the 'new ski boot ramp angle' as is being promoted by a certain bootfitting outfit... Appears the foot is flatter in the boot so less pressure over the toes and ball of the foot. Is this just advertising or is there something to it. Does it actually work?? For the foot and, rather importantly, for the skiing.

[Paul Oberin]

Ramp angles have always varied a lot amongst different brands and even models within the same brand, it does alter your skiing stance, but then so does the stance height for bindings between brands, what ever you are using you will adapt your style to stay centered if you are good enough and can tell what centered feels like, less pressure over the toes is a good thing for a modern carve ski, but seeing as how carve skis have been around a long time now most boots evolved long ago to suit carve skis.
Some people have limited Dorsiflexion and a lower ramp angle may not suit them, there is a balance board test shops can do to test ramp angle and also binding heights suits your skiing style, any shop that has done a Masterfit clinic will know about this, although some say a balance test while static does not test for centered stance while in motion, but then if that is the case at which particular speed should we adjust for to get a person centered, the deeper you delve into this topic the more confusing it gets.
I think I may have even covered it on my website under the boot fitting section I wrote a while back.
http://www.paulski.com.au/boot-fitting.php

[Silverwitch]

Salomon have a range of ski boots that are a great step forward in my opinion regards fitting, it’s called Custom Shell. The technology has been around for a couple of seasons but is becoming more prevalent throughout the range, the heat moldable area is a product called “Kaprolene” and basically deforms when warmed to a temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius, it does not have memory and can give up too an additional 6mm of width where required. The shell starts out as a 98 /100mm last but if heated and the customer puts it on and wears it while it cools down the fit sets at that shape.
This is so much easier for the boot fitter than trying to estimate the exact amount of stretch required and the exact location for that stretching to be done. The boots are not low performance either, they are offered in a range of flex from 130 in the Race X3 RC CS right down to 85 in a ladies Idol 8 model.

The fit does take up to an hour in total depending on the shop doing the work, the prices are fairly competitive with the Impact 10 CS priced at $799 and the ladies Idol 8 CS at $699, hopefully in time the prices may go even lower and the technology will become available in more boots such as maybe the Atomic range as they have the same owners.

Good info about these boots Paul!

My daughter just got a pair of these today from our ski shop - she is a very lucky girl:) but I am saving money in the long run as they can be heated again and adjusted next year if needs be. My friend who owns the shop has a pair himself and that is a good indication to me of what a great boot they are if they suit your needs/feet!

[Legolas]

snowbrat got new boots last year and he is out of them already!! thinking we'll hire for the next few years...