Filling Boot Midsole/insole Gap?

[ten ply]

I picked up a pair of Salomon Shift Pro boots last year and quickly realized that the gap in what I believe is the midsole (the part of the inside of the shell that the sole of the liner sits on) under the balls of my feet (heh) was causing me problems. The best fix I found was to put a pretty thick shim between the liner and the shell, but by the end of the season, that was even beginning to warp into the gap. Plus, adding that extra volume wasn't the best solution.

Has anyone had a problem and filled a gap in the inside of the shell like that? I figure epoxy is the best bet? Any other materials I should consider? Also, ideas on keeping the epoxy flat on the top side under the liner while it sets? I figure sandwich something thin that won't react/melt with the epoxy (plastic wrap/wax paper) under the liner?

Thanks for any ideas.

Adding image to illustrate. Gap is in the midsole/footbed added in red.

[waxman]

your boots are too big

[ten ply]

your boots are too big

Can you elaborate? I added a photoshopped diagram (above) I grabbed from the webs in case I didn't describe the problem spot accurately.

My toes touch when unflexed without the shim. They fit size-wise as all of my boots have in my adult life. Is that gap designed to not be under the ball of the foot normally? I haven't compared, but I might have long-ass toes that could cause the ball to be further back? IDK. I like the boots otherwise (first few days on them and they were ok with the shim), and they fit size-wise the way I want them to. It's just that the ball of my foot pushes into that gap and those couple millimeters of shifting really change things.

[waveshello]

Wondering if his boot boards are missing.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[XXX-er]

try an off the rack foot bed like the sole or surefoot, they will take up room & give you arch support

its possible to alter them by sanding the foam on the bottom

I got a skinny ankle/ high arch/ flat foot so I use a sole to take up room under the arch and I usually sand off the foam just under the toes but YMMV

[ten ply]

Wondering if his boot boards are missing.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

That's the term I needed - boot boards. So the boot boards seem short. The boot board of my last pair goes all the way to under the tip of the toe. These cut short. Like this but maybe another 2 cm shorter, which leaves more of a gap and a ledge. They're not removable and taking a photo in there is near impossible.

[ten ply]

try an off the rack foot bed like the sole or surefoot, they will take up room & give you arch support

its possible to alter them by sanding the foam on the bottom

I got a skinny ankle/ high arch/ flat foot so I use a sole to take up room under the arch and I usually sand off the foam just under the toes but YMMV

I have a high arch too. I usually wear an arch support insert/footbed. The problem could be that I haven't found a footbed with a hard bottom to bridge over that gap. The ball of my foot still sinks. I'm also not explaining this the best , so I apologize to everyone and thank you all for responding so far. As I mentioned just now in another reply, the boot boards seem to be the problem (they seem to be short). Also, since they're not removable and trying to jam a phone or camera into the toe of the boot and take a pic in focus is tough so I can't really show the problem here.

I think filling it, or adding a thin, hard/supportive layer in either the form of a hard-bottomed footbed or just a thin shim that's harder than the ones I've found, is the best bet.

[gregL]

That's the term I needed - boot boards. So the boot boards seem short. The boot board of my last pair goes all the way to under the tip of the toe. These cut short. Like this but maybe another 2 cm shorter, which leaves more of a gap and a ledge. They're not removable and taking a photo in there is near impossible.

If bootboards are cut short like that, it's because the interior of the shell is shaped like that. Why do you say they are not removable? Someone put them in there.

[sierra_cement]

If bootboards are cut short like that, it's because the interior of the shell is shaped like that. Why do you say they are not removable? Someone put them in there.

I have a pair of MTN labs, and solly puts this tacky gum substance under the boot boards, which kind of glues them to the bottom of the shell. I'm guessing they did the same thing with the SHIFT boots? Not easily removable with fingers, but you can (and i have) made a small hook out of a wire clotheshanger, inserted it between the edge of the boot board and the shell, and pried them out that way.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[gregL]

I have a pair of MTN labs, and solly puts this tacky gum substance under the boot boards, which kind of glues them to the bottom of the shell. I'm guessing they did the same thing with the SHIFT boots? Not easily removable with fingers, but you can (and i have) made a small hook out of a wire clotheshanger, inserted it between the edge of the boot board and the shell, and pried them out that way.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

They put a dab of hot glue under the heel, coathanger bent with some needlenose pliers does the trick. Unless they forgot the bootboards or put the wrong size in, it is more probably a footbed problem.

[ten ply]

I have a pair of MTN labs, and solly puts this tacky gum substance under the boot boards, which kind of glues them to the bottom of the shell. I'm guessing they did the same thing with the SHIFT boots? Not easily removable with fingers, but you can (and i have) made a small hook out of a wire clotheshanger, inserted it between the edge of the boot board and the shell, and pried them out that way.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

They put a dab of hot glue under the heel, coathanger bent with some needlenose pliers does the trick. Unless they forgot the bootboards or put the wrong size in, it is more probably a footbed problem.

Thank you both! I'll talk to my shop and see if I can order an alternate boot board. It looks like at least Atomics (which should be the same shell) are readily available in a full length.

I think this is solved. Many thanks to everyone!

[gregL]

Thank you both! I'll talk to my shop and see if I can order an alternate boot board. It looks like at least Atomics (which should be the same shell) are readily available in a full length.

I think this is solved. Many thanks to everyone!

Bootboards are molded to fit exactly into the shape of the boot shell, the Atomic ones do not fit the Shift Pro. Stick your hand inside with the bootboard in place and see if there is actually a dip there (I doubt it); if you need a new bootboard order the exact model and size for your own boot.

[gregL]

I would give you the part number but unfortunately the 20-21 tech manual doesn't list a bootboard for the Shift Pro, only the QST Pro (they may be the same, who knows). One size fits two shell sizes, i.e. 24-25.5, 26-27.5, 28-29.5. Part # for the QST Pro is L39801200, but I"d wait until someone can look at the new tech manual.

[ten ply]

Bootboards are molded to fit exactly into the shape of the boot shell, the Atomic ones do not fit the Shift Pro. Stick your hand inside with the bootboard in place and see if there is actually a dip there (I doubt it); if you need a new bootboard order the exact model and size for your own boot.

I would give you the part number but unfortunately the 20-21 tech manual doesn't list a bootboard for the Shift Pro, only the QST Pro (they may be the same, who knows). One size fits two shell sizes, i.e. 24-25.5, 26-27.5, 28-29.5. Part # for the QST Pro is L39801200, but I"d wait until someone can look at the new tech manual.

Thank you!

[gregL]

Thank you!

Amer Tech Manual 21-22 (Salomon/Atomic/Armada) came out today. Here is the part you are looking for, # L41398900 (I take this to mean that a 26 bootboard fits a shell marked anywhere from 26.0 to 27.5), have a dealer order it for you.

1x2 Shift Pro Innerboot sole 22 / 24 / 26 / 28 / 30

[gregL]

Amer Tech Manual 21-22 (Salomon/Atomic/Armada) came out today. Here is the part you are looking for, # L41398900 (I take this to mean that a 26 bootboard fits a shell marked anywhere from 26.0 to 27.5), have a dealer order it for you.

"1x2 Shift Pro Innerboot sole 22 / 24 / 26 / 28 / 30"

Did you feel inside with the liner out to see if the bootboard is lying flat? It is possible they put in the wrong size bootboard, or someone overheated the boots in the oven (i.e. more than 12-13 minutes), in which case some of the Atomic and Salomon bootboards shrink and roll up at the toe . . .

[ten ply]

Did you feel inside with the liner out to see if the bootboard is lying flat? It is possible they put in the wrong size bootboard, or someone overheated the boots in the oven (i.e. more than 12-13 minutes), in which case some of the Atomic and Salomon bootboards shrink and roll up at the toe . . .

Yes, it's flat. Shells never went in the oven. It seems like the intended design. Talked to local bootfitter and he said he's heard of the problem before and suggested attempting DIY, just not with anything liquid, as that would be a mess.

After a few attempts, I got an in-focus pic of the toe end of my boot, but couldn't get the lens high enough to get an angle that would show the gap. It's between the boot board and those two 1/3 width ridges on either side of the toe area.

[gregL]

Yes, it's flat. Shells never went in the oven. It seems like the intended design. Talked to local bootfitter and he said he's heard of the problem before and suggested attempting DIY, just not with anything liquid, as that would be a mess.

After a few attempts, I got an in-focus pic of the toe end of my boot, but couldn't get the lens high enough to get an angle that would show the gap. It's between the boot board and those two 1/3 width ridges on either side of the toe area.

Try Bondo. Mix it up and quickly smear it in with your fingers (wear a nitrile glove). And you'll be ready if someone runs into you in the ski area parking lot. Also, what kind of footbed are you using? Hard to imagine feeling that gap through a decent footbed.