Her ankle and calf don't fit into the junior boot anymore. She needs an adult boot.
To this point, most junior non race boots as Mike says are unisex and err to being very generous in volume. And to Mikes point. a 21 mightbe here correct size but a 22 might be her right size especially if we are dealing with a larger VAMP, ankleIf her ankle and leg do not fit in her current kids 21.5 boot (kid's boots tend to be amorphous) why do you think it will fit in an adult 21.5 performance boot? The heel/ ankle/ calf areas will be much more structured and fitted, not more roomy. I think you are looking down the wrong rabbit hole, a 22 will give tons of options in a more recreational fit that will accomodate a "muscular ankle".
Update. Not much further progress this weekend. Last week my daughter was fit into a Dalbello Panterra 75, 22.5. This boot is long; however, the boot fitter is relatively confident he can stabilize her heel.
She has now tried most of the suggested Junior race boots in 21.5: Lange RX70, Rossignol, and a Dalbello DRS 75. The VAMP angle is not the issue, however the width from back of calf to the front of the shin is the issue. These junior race boots all seem to be built for a skinny ankle and the liner does not wrap properly around her leg creating pressure points on the shin and gaps on the medial and lateral aspects of the leg.
We will keep an eye on options; however, it seems like ideally, we are looking for a women's 21.5, not a junior 21.5. The theme is the junior boots do not have the space in the ankle/calf for her. I have also called around Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY, the women's sizes in that areas start at 22.5 and 23.5. Therefore no differences from here.
Yesterday she was at Corbette's ski shop with a good boot fitter and tried the Lange RS70 SC 21.5 and it does not fit her ankle and calf. The tongue of the liner does not align properly with the rest of the liner. There is too much gap between them. All the pressure comes across the tongue in a tight band. It was tried with and without a heal lift. 2 different boot fitters in 2 different shops have tried variations of this boot (lange and rossi) on her and agree it does not fit. Therefore, I need to find some other solution.eric100,
Philpug gave you the correct answers to your question in his first 2 posts. Go back and read them. The longer you wait the further away from a solution you will be. I say this because there are only a few choices of true 21.5 models available. Once they are built and shipped to the retailers that ordered them, that is all there is. Including in the "fantasy" small boot market in Japan.
Lange RS70, 90, or 110 is the only boot you will find in any retailer that comes in a true 21.5, and is of a design that can be modified for fit and flex change. For every hour that you delay finding those boots another couple are being sold. If Canada does not have them which I suspect is not true, there are a handful of shops like Mud, Sweat and Gears in Ellicotvile, and Starthaus in Truckee that have those boots in stock. Then find a good boot fitter in the Toronto area that will compete the process.
Do this for your daughter the minute you read this thread.
@Jilly Did you end up having the opportunity to talk to any of the industry reps in Ottawa regarding the 21.5 size? ThanksI'm heading to Ottawa next weekend and will be seeing some of the industry reps. I'll ask for you. Not sure about Lange. Atomic doesn't do this show. Salomon, Nordica, Head, Tecnica for sure.
After that I'm hopefully off to Tremblant for a boot fit!
I get you on the liner gap. It can be pretty uncomfortable to buckle up and get your leg pinched between the tongue and liner sides. Have you considered an aftermarket wrap liner? Intuition starts at 22, but they do whole sizes, and for many models they suggest sizing up. So for a 21.5 boot you would get a 22 liner.The tongue of the liner does not align properly with the rest of the liner. There is too much gap between them.
Were you able to find out anything more about Dalbello options? If the race boots are not working, the only other boot that hasn't been discussed is the Dalbello Chakra. I am also wondering if the cabrio shell would solve the issues you mention about her calf?Dalbello does not clearly state size range and I have therefore emailed them. The shop I have been working with sells all three of these lines and according lead fitter who spoke to the reps, he is not aware of availability smaller than 22.5. Very frustrating....