ZipFit question for Head boots

[bluefish]

Hello everyone. I've recently purchased ZipFit Gara LVs and they are going into a new pair of Head RS 140s. Working to get the fit of the shell correct but notice the Zips are nearly impossible to get into the boot shell without a serious effort. The right foot goes in nearly crooked almost everytime. Not sure if I am missing something. Have not been able to ski them yet but the boot guy says a few days should allow the ZFs to form after heat molding them in the shop. The boot shell is 25.5 and it says it is a 94 last and boot guy says it's the right ZF. Is this correct? Should they be this hard to get into? Thanks!

 

[Matt Merritt]

Just wait until you have to take them off when they're cold...

 

[Drahtguy Kevin]

I run Garas in my RS 140s. Like Matt says, wait until you have to take’em off. That’s when the fun starts. I use a heated boot bag. I couldn’t get the boots on without the shells/liners being warmed. Boot/liner combo performs like Ron Jeremy on Viagra.

 

[bluefish]

Getting them off seems much easier then get them into the shells I suspect because of the levering effect of dropping your knee to the floor. Pulls them right out of the shell.

 

[Andy Mink]

I stepped up to Garas this year along with new Lange Shadows. The first few times of getting into the shell was frustrating as hell. Getting out was easy: Slid my hand between the shell and back of the liner, kept the boot flat on the floor, and rocked forward. Came right out. Then I remembered I had a can of boot slick stuff. I sprayed the back of the liner and a little on the inside back of the shell and around the cuff flaps. Boom! Right in no problem. I imagine any spray lube that dries quickly but leaves a slick surface would work.

 

[Noodler]

Hello everyone. I've recently purchased ZipFit Gara LVs and they are going into a new pair of Head RS 140s. Working to get the fit of the shell correct but notice the Zips are nearly impossible to get into the boot shell without a serious effort. The right foot goes in nearly crooked almost everytime. Not sure if I am missing something. Have not been able to ski them yet but the boot guy says a few days should allow the ZFs to form after heat molding them in the shop. The boot shell is 25.5 and it says it is a 94 last and boot guy says it's the right ZF. Is this correct? Should they be this hard to get into? Thanks!

The answer is in here: https://www.skitalk.com/threads/which-model-zipfit.9876/

But you probably don't want to read all 87 pages. There is a very specific break-in method to get the ZipFit prepared for the shell. It requires heating the ZipFit liner in an oven. If you're a DIY'r I can provide more info, but I highly suggest you do this with a fitter if you've never worked on your own ski gear/boots.

 

[BS Slarver]

Probably take some slack for this but my .02 is, take the laces and Velcro strap off and leave the liners in the shells and ski the crap out of them !
Far less problems with wires and rub in and out every day, mine are daily drivers and going on 400 days of bomber reliability, YMMV

 

[Andy Mink]

Probably take some slack for this but my .02 is, take the laces and Velcro strap off and leave the liners in the shells and ski the crap out of them !
Far less problems with wires and rub in and out every day, mine are daily drivers and going on 400 days of bomber reliability, YMMV

I did take the strap off too. No room for it.

 

[bluefish]

I took the strap off as well. Tried leaving the liner in the shell but didn't seem like the fix. Wondering if there may be too much cork in the liner the way they came?

 

[Noodler]

I took the strap off as well. Tried leaving the liner in the shell but didn't seem like the fix. Wondering if there may be too much cork in the liner the way they came?

Yeah, the strap just adds bulk. Unnecessary.

Have these liners been fitted to the boots yet? Or did you buy them online and just try to stuff them in the shells?

 

[Bob Yoder]

the corsa liner is made for narrow last plug boots like a 94

 

[cem]

the corsa liner is made for narrow last plug boots like a 94

think 92m or 94mm (but in a size 26.5) for 95% of the population using the raptor RS the Gara LV is the correct model

 

[bennettc14]

I took the Zipfit questionnaire a number of times for the Raptor WCR 140 and was always recommended the Corsa. The fit seems right just need to add a decent amount of cork. Those tubes add up!

 

[cem]

I took the Zipfit questionnaire a number of times for the Raptor WCR 140 and was always recommended the Corsa. The fit seems right just need to add a decent amount of cork. Those tubes add up!

this is what i don't like about their recommendation quiz, unless i was fitting a high volume foot into a raptor RS i would go gara all day long, the corsa was really designed to work with the full race shells and will always require a lot of cork in anything else, but i see it was the WRC boot, the issue i have with that specific boot is it is very voluminous in the cuff for a boot of that nature

 

[bluefish]

By way of update, the Zips have a few days skiing in them and they seem to be getting better. I do not like the fact that the tongue cannot be moved because it really is not following the curve of my foot as I would like it to. I do wish I had tried the Corsa first. The boots themselves seem responsive but I note that the bulk of the LV Gara causes the overlap of the shell near the toe area to open a bit allowing snow in. Maybe some duct tape will solve that.

 

[Noodler]

By way of update, the Zips have a few days skiing in them and they seem to be getting better. I do not like the fact that the tongue cannot be moved because it really is not following the curve of my foot as I would like it to. I do wish I had tried the Corsa first. The boots themselves seem responsive but I note that the bulk of the LV Gara causes the overlap of the shell near the toe area to open a bit allowing snow in. Maybe some duct tape will solve that.

I'm asking again, did you follow the correct fitting procedure (described in the ZipFit thread)? Doesn't sound like this liner was introduced to the shell correctly.

 

[bluefish]

Sorry Noodler for failure to respond to earlier question; the fitting was done by a bootfitter who handles Zips here locally. May I ask though, what does introducing the shell to the liner mean exactly?

 

[ScottB]

IF we tell you, we will have to shoot you.

Best to let @Noodler explain, he is the resident expert and has lots of experience.

I am following this thread because I see a Gara LV in my future for my Atomic CS130 which is 96mm last in 27.5, I think similar to your Head Raptor. I did put a Zipfit Gara (before LV and HV) in a CS130 that was one size down from what I ski, and I could not get my foot into it. I could fit my foot easily with the stock liner. They do add volume for sure.

 

[Noodler]

Sorry Noodler for failure to respond to earlier question; the fitting was done by a bootfitter who handles Zips here locally. May I ask though, what does introducing the shell to the liner mean exactly?

Glad to see you're still engaged in this discussion... Where is "locally"? What part of the country are you in? Before I put ideas into your head, can you recount what the fitter's process was to fit your ZipFit liners to your boots?

 

[bluefish]

I am in Maine. In terms of steps, I recall the bootfitter warmed up the liners with hot air then had me put them on in my usual ski socks. Once done he had me sit and wait for the boot shells to be heated in a similar manner. I will add I did have a new, less posted footbed made since my old ones did not allow for much foot articulation which had long caused massive cramping in my arches.

Once the shells were warmed, I got into them and buckled in and stayed that way until they cooled. There were a couple of spots in the shells in need of immediate relief so those spots were ground and a couple others were punched. He then told me to ski for a few days and said the material in the liners would flow where it needed to be after a few days of skiing.

So far I have five days in them. I have a tiny heater I bring with me in my bag. I usually warm the liners a bit then warm the shells and get into them. There remains a few problem areas but they have become more comfortable.