Internal length change between sizes Atomic Hawx

[weibo]

I tried in a set if 26.5's last week and they were close but maybe too short. I want to try some 27.5's to compare but the closest pair are 4 hours away. Does anyone know if the difference internally is the same as the external difference, 10mm, or what it may be? I will actually try the boot on before ordering/purchasing

[Dee Hubbs]

The metric system is hard.
The 26.5 are 265mm the 27.5 are 275mm.
So yes 10mm difference.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Except they also get wider and taller. The amount that changes may vary by model. In short, a completely different fit.

[Benneke10]

You can gain some length in the shell with a mold, I know people who have downsized aggressively, then molded with double toe caps to successfully regain some length

[weibo]

I guess I should have said does anyone know the actual internal lengths of a 26.5 Hawx Ultra versus the 27.5 actual internal length.

[stuckathuntermtn]

What was the actual shell fit? Is the width good? What about height of the cuff? You're looking at changing all those things when you change sizes.

[Sargentdrufus]

You should be able to between a good boot fitter and Atomic's memory fit system be able to get the room you need. I would explore that route before sizing up

[Dee Hubbs]

I guess I should have said does anyone know the actual internal lengths of a 26.5 Hawx Ultra versus the 27.5 actual internal length.

Yes. The actual internal measurement of a 27.5 is 10mm longer vs the actual internal measurement of a 26.5.

[gregL]

You can gain some length in the shell with a mold, I know people who have downsized aggressively, then molded with double toe caps to successfully regain some length

Memory Fit works remarkably well for tight medial midfoot/navicular issues and tight instep issues, very well for forefoot width issues, not so well for length issues. If you think you're gaining length by doubling up toe caps, it's really just squishing the liner thinner at both ends. Also, the toe on Hawx boots is slightly slanted downward at the end, which adds pressure over the big toe for most people. If you really need more length, it's best to enlist the help of a bootfitter who has an established and efficient toe stretch protocol (you should still do the heat mold first).

[weibo]

I'm trying to think it through too much instead of trying on the 27.5. I know all the changes that will happen with the larger boot, I just want them to magically fit with out trying and doing the needed work.

[mcski]

I tried the 26.5 and it could fit ok but I felt like the 27.5 was would be better considering touring comfort. You may also add the hawk prime into the mix which I think is a bit wider in foot

[Benneke10]

If you really need more length, it's best to enlist the help of a bootfitter who has an established and efficient toe stretch protocol (you should still do the heat mold first).

Appreciate the legit info. What would an real toe stretch protocol involve? Would it require a hydraulic press? Is it safe to do on tech boots?

[gregL]

Appreciate the legit info. What would an real toe stretch protocol involve? Would it require a hydraulic press? Is it safe to do on tech boots?

In the old days, most shops used a hydraulic expander (i.e. Blademaster/Superfeet/Sidas) but it's not "required." Most shops I know have now figured out a good way to do length punches using a lever press and some sort of device to hold the toe welt. In either case it's important to only heat the toe itself and not the sole. Tech boots shouldn't be any different than alpine boots (and may be easier due to thinner plastic at the toe), though IF you warp the sole it will probably be more obvious. By established protocol, I mean they do it routinely with a method they know works.

[Sessiøn]

Paging Oneornerykid.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Omg, answer the fucking question: what is the shell fit?

[onenerdykid]

Yes. The actual internal measurement of a 27.5 is 10mm longer vs the actual internal measurement of a 26.5.

This.

And as someone else has already said, other dimensions will increase as well. It will be a larger fitting boot in every regard.

[gregL]

Omg, answer the fucking question: what is the shell fit?

. . . and a few more:

Are you a 1) a wussie with regard to pain 2) mildly sensitive to pain 3) been ignoring pain in your ski boots for years

Is your forefoot shape 1) highly big-toe dominant and pointy 2) pretty much the shape of the toebox on the boot 3) somewhere in between

Is your footbed 1) somewhat high and very accurately made 2) fairly flat and not really the shape of your arch 3) non-existent

Are your toenails trimmed down to a bare minimum, and maintained over the year?

How much touring will you actually do in this boot?

Etc.

And yes, 10mm different in length, 2mm wider, and about 1.5-2mm taller at the instep

[weibo]

Stuck was that shell fit question for me? It wasn't a question I had thought I needed to answer as I didn't ask about anything but length. I didn't get into the fit too closely as I couldn't compare it to the next size up and the 26.5 was a size down over all previous boots. If it is for me here is what I can give you. Larger dowel (1ish finger) couldn't get in due to heel spurs and heel cup shape, so 1 finger or less shell fit width was tight but I didn't measure. I didn't have my footbeds with me as it was a spur of the moment thing. High big toe in general. I was looking at the 130s not the 130 xtd so no touring in this boot at all. Going to compare fits in a couple weeks and all of these comments will be taken into consideration.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Yes, that question was for you. Shell fit is exactly for determining length. You may want to stand on your innersole inside the shell, or just be sitting so there's less weight on your foot.
Aa performance fit typically means the SMALLER dowel should fit behind your foot. With heal spurs and other problems, you may not want to use the smaller foot as reference point (if you have the usual half size difference in feet). If you really don't like or have problems with a tight fit, use the bigger dowel, just be careful of going too big for your small foot. I go with 1 skinny index finger behind my bigger foot and a finger and a half behind my smaller. This works out to the smaller dowel (half or 3/4"?) more or less working behind both my feet. This works perfectly for length for me, but I do get hotspots along my 5th metatarsals. That's not a length issue, though.
TBH, it sounds a little like you're in the wrong boot. Are you working with a bootfitter? A competent one? You may need to try a bigger size, but you'd need to try something narrower to make up for the change in total volume. You may just need to try a boot with more volume in the same size. You sound in between. Trying to make up for lack of overall width and volume with length is something I used to run into sometimes with the gapers in Westchester who wanted ski boots for the 2 times a year they skied half a day then went to the bar. I feel you on selection being a problem. It's a huge problem this year because of covid shutdowns and can be in general depending on where you live. I would say the Missoula ski and boot selection is a little meh. 3.6 out of 3.6.

tl;dr you may need a different boot overall.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Whoops, just saw you're normally a 27.5. definitely take that into consideration lol. Little confused because larger dowel is usually 1 inch or even 1.25". That's an awfully big single finger.