Question. I have the "Grand Prix Freeride Stealth" (pictured below). Where are the OM fit pockets on this model? I ask as I'm still experiencing a lot of horrible pain/numbness in my insteps (top of my feet right above where the metal eyelets are). Maybe I need to remove some om fit from the tongue if there is any in there?
I skied them the other day and made the mistake of slightly tightening my top two buckles after a few runs and suffered for it horribly. Even loosening the top three buckles while riding on the lift didn't help. They were acceptably painful (barley) before I made this mistake. Once again, I'm not expecting bedroom slippers here; I know ski boots aren't supposed to be super comfy. I'm just looking to be rid of terrible pain.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide!
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My understanding is that none of the ZipFit liners come with any cork material over the midfoot/instep area.
There are three (3) areas to add cork material:
https://www.zipfit.com/en-eu/fitting/
Adding Cork
Do you need to tweak your Zipfit’s to get the perfect fit? Here are some tips to help get your boots dialed.
ZipFit liners are fully customizable with three ports to add (or remove) our heat moldable OMfit cork, the key component to our legendary custom fit. All you will need are some tubes of OMfit cork, our plunger tool, and ideally a way to keep everything warm while you work.
Two ports (or sleeves) are located between the first and second lace loops counting from the front up, one on each side, and the third port is located on the top of the tongue behind the rigid black plastic. These ports, when not in use, are folded over once and tucked away in between the interior and exterior layers of the liner.
To do any fitting work that requires adding or removing cork, locate the ports, which are made of a black synthetic fabric, and pull them out with your nails or gently with a tool such as tweezers. Once pulled out pry the two layers apart sufficiently so they look like a sleeve that the tube of OMfit cork tube can slide into. Pro tip – warming the cork tube up for 15 seconds in the microwave will make application easier.
Now push the tube to into the sack observing were the tip is at by looking at the inside of the liner. Point the end of the tube to where the OMfit material is needed. When the tube is correctly positioned use the plunger to push the OMfit material out of the tube and into the area of sack where it is wanted. Start small by adding only 1/4 or 1/2 of a tube. Remember that it is easier to add cork than to remove it. Once the cork is in place remove the tube and massage the OMfit cork with your fingers to even it out and push it where needed. Once done adding cork the liner the initial fitting process should be redone so that the newly added material takes the anatomical shape of the skiers foot.
Tongue – the tongue pouch can accommodate a significant amount of cork, but again start small and migrate the cork where you want it by kneading the neoprene on the tongue with your thumbs. In extreme cases, skiers with skinny shins have added upwards or 3 tubes of cork to each tongue to achieve the heel lock they desire.
Ankles – each ankle pouch is divided into three channels to help position cork precisely where you want it. There is a channel behind the ankle for increasing hold along the achilles tendon. There is a channel directly over the ankle to add cushion or fill out volume for skiers with smaller ankles. Lastly, there is a channel in front of the ankle that adds security along the sides of the instep and bridge of the foot. Once the tube of cork is inserted into the port, direct it either far toward the back of the boot, right over the ankle, or to the front of the ankle to add volume to your desired location.
In the event that there is too much cork in any particular area, first try warming the liner then massaging it to an area where it is less in the way, if it still is causing problems we recommend finding some kind of implement with no sharp edges to scoop some OMfit cork material out of the sack. We have had success with the handle of a spoon or with a loop of steel wire. In our experience it is rare to need to remove material.