New boots or liners?

[Chip]

So the stock liners on my Solomon Impact 10 CS boots are at the end of their life finally. The met their demise out in Utah this year. The last couple days in Utah, and then the 4 days in Colorado afterward, I needed to really crank down on the upper buckles, but it worked. However, the boots are over 10 years old. So do I get new boots or replace the liners with aftermarket ones? Overall I’ve really liked the boots, the flex is kind of borderline at 120, but works for me. I can overpower them, but I really don’t do that much.
Will these get to the point where the won’t work with newer bindings in the coming years?

 

[Jilly]

10 year old plastic........new boots, new technology.

 

[François Pugh]

10 year old Solomon ski boots....Get new boots (with new liners).

Start shopping for a boot fitter now.

 

[Chip]

10 year old Solomon ski boots....Get new boots (with new liners).

Start shopping for a boot fitter now.

Got a great boot fitter, so that’s done!

 

[KingGrump]

I needed to really crank down on the upper buckles, but it worked.

Are those buckles being tightened on the cuff or on the lower clog?

 

[Chip]

Are those buckles being tightened on the cuff or on the lower clog?

Cuff only

 

[KingGrump]

Cuff only

That is not where the liners usually pack out. Most likely a technique issue.

 

[François Pugh]

Cuff only

Maybe all you need is a tongue shim

 

[cem]

regardless of it just being the cuff, its a 10+ year old boot, its done its time, replace it, for the most part boots have got a lot more anatomical since the impact was in existence

go speak to your boot fitter now, he/she might have something left over from this season, or if not they will know what you need when the new stock arrives in the fall

 

[Chip]

That is not where the liners usually pack out. Most likely a technique issue.

well if the leg rotating around freely inside the cuff area is a technique, then maybe it is....
but all I know is when I would buckle the boot more, the issue went away

 

[KingGrump]

well if the leg rotating around freely inside the cuff area is a technique, then maybe it is....
but all I know is when I would buckle the boot more, the issue went away

You may be skiing differently from previous times.

FWIW, the cuff buckles do not need to be very tight. Skiing is primary from the feet up. Rather than from the shin down.

 

[Ken_R]

So the stock liners on my Solomon Impact 10 CS boots are at the end of their life finally. The met their demise out in Utah this year. The last couple days in Utah, and then the 4 days in Colorado afterward, I needed to really crank down on the upper buckles, but it worked. However, the boots are over 10 years old. So do I get new boots or replace the liners with aftermarket ones? Overall I’ve really liked the boots, the flex is kind of borderline at 120, but works for me. I can overpower them, but I really don’t do that much.
Will these get to the point where the won’t work with newer bindings in the coming years?

Are your boots 10~12 years old? Say goodbye. Asap. Get new boots.

 

[Chip]

You may be skiing differently from previous times.

FWIW, the cuff buckles do not need to be very tight. Skiing is primary from the feet up. Rather than from the shin down.

So this was during my Utah/Colo trip back in Feb/Mar- skied 25 days straight and it was towards the end of the trip. Something changed in the boot/liner where the skis were just slower to react to the inputs. But once I buckled up a little bit tighter, then everything was back to normal. If my skiing changed due to this, then it was in my head.
My cuff buckles are normally not tight- and I don't even buckle the two clog buckles- and still didn't when this was going on as it didn't help at all.

The first day I noticed it was the last day I skied with @Jim Kenney at Snow Bird. It was really on the steeper terrain where it was very noticeable. On groomers it had no impact. So I just wrote it off to I was just tired after a couple of big ski days. The next day during my second run of the morning I noticed it again. That's when I thought I may have mis-buckled my boots. Checked everything and it was all good. Took another run and the issue was still there. So I tightened the cuff buckles some and the issue went away.

I think after 12 years skiing with these boots (I checked)- it may be time for some new ones...

 

[Paul Lutes]

So this was during my Utah/Colo trip back in Feb/Mar- skied 25 days straight and it was towards the end of the trip. Something changed in the boot/liner where the skis were just slower to react to the inputs. But once I buckled up a little bit tighter, then everything was back to normal. If my skiing changed due to this, then it was in my head.
My cuff buckles are normally not tight- and I don't even buckle the two clog buckles- and still didn't when this was going on as it didn't help at all.

The first day I noticed it was the last day I skied with @Jim Kenney at Snow Bird. It was really on the steeper terrain where it was very noticeable. On groomers it had no impact. So I just wrote it off to I was just tired after a couple of big ski days. The next day during my second run of the morning I noticed it again. That's when I thought I may have mis-buckled my boots. Checked everything and it was all good. Took another run and the issue was still there. So I tightened the cuff buckles some and the issue went away.

I think after 12 years skiing with these boots (I checked)- it may be time for some new ones...

Free heel boots are different, but I've never asked a boot to perform beyond 4 years MAX. Liners every 2 years, although that may change with my most recent liners (super stiff racers). You seem to put a lot of miles/turns in every year - the time for new boots was approximately 6 years ago.

 

[Philpug]

Both.

 

[Chip]

Both.

But I also want another pair of skis...
Might be looking for a place to crash if I get all 3

 

[Chip]

You seem to put a lot of miles/turns in every year - the time for new boots was approximately 6 years ago.

I wish I skied as much as I did this year on a normal basis. I usually get maybe 3-6 days a year. So the boot prolly has about 70 ski days on it at this point. But the performance definitely changed during this trip.

 

[James]

I wish I skied as much as I did this year on a normal basis. I usually get maybe 3-6 days a year. So the boot prolly has about 70 ski days on it at this point. But the performance definitely changed during this trip.

So how much space in shell fit?
Sounds like you have chicken legs.

I suspect those boots are not worth investing nearly $200 in for a liner. Spend that on used skis and get new boots.

 

[Chip]

So how much space in shell fit?
Sounds like you have chicken legs.

I suspect those boots are not worth investing nearly $200 in for a liner. Spend that on used skis and get new boots.

Who you calling chicken legs?- maybe, but again for the last many years the boots were great and fit well.

So it sounds like it's time for new boots and I've reached out to my boot fitter to see what he has in stock now. Waiting to hear back.

 

[James]

but again for the last many years the boots were great and fit well.

. I usually get maybe 3-6 days a year. So the boot prolly has about 70 ski days on it at this point. But the performance definitely changed during this trip.

Yet this year you skied 25 days straight? That’s 4-8 years of your normal skiing.

When you ski 3-6 days/year that has a different calculus in fitting then skiing 25 days/year.

I’m willing to bet these boots were never really appropriate for that level of skiing. That’s why I asked about the shell fit.


Upper cuff always comes more into play on steep terrain or when lots of, I guess we’ll call it, non centripetal push back from the snow. Like chopped powder or chunky stuff that inputs random forces into the boot.