ski boot advice, por favor

[SnowMachine]

Oh, and since we're talking plug boots... Can someone define what that is and why? I have race boots (Lange ZB's) and rec boots. What is a plug boot?

[El Chupacabra]

My understanding is that plug boots have thick wall plastic intended to be ground to fit, not heat moldable (as in bake the whole thing in an oven), narrow last, stiff flex, no walk mode, no changeable soles (no gripwalk), no pin fittings.

They are not intended to be skied out of the box. Fitting work is necessary, they are not really shaped like feet - - more of an approximation that needs to be carved and punched until it resembles your foot.

Liners are very thin, cold, uncomfortable, but precise.

I can't imagine wanting to ski in plugs for general skiing.

[SnowMachine]

So basically a race boot? I am curious where the term plug came from and why. Sorry to take this off topic. I have never heard anyone under 40 refer to boots as plugs.

OP, take the boot you like to ski. If they arent comfortable, make them comfortable. Bring some Yaktrax if you need to walk a bunch.

[beeeom]

A plug refers to the shitty, narrow, ass last that they shove into a plug boot. Then u need to grind and punch the general foot-appproximate-shaped, narrow cavity for ultimate performance. Then the pedantic nerds at blister will think they are Jesus reincarnated for trying to quash the term plug for some unimportant reason. Then the poor blister editors will have to craft 4 painful sentences every single time they want describe a plug boot in the future because theyve vanquished a perfectly good term that conveys the exact meaning in one word.

[SnowMachine]

A plug refers to the shitty, narrow, ass last that they shove into a plug boot. Then u need to grind and punch the general foot-appproximate-shaped, narrow cavity for ultimate performance. Then the pedantic nerds at blister will think they are Jesus reincarnated for trying to quash the term plug for some unimportant reason. Then the poor blister editors will have to craft 4 painful sentences every single time they want describe a plug boot in the future because theyve vanquished a perfectly good term that conveys the exact meaning in one word.

Touche!!! Hahaha. I think the term is pretty well dead, anyway. I can generally guess how old someone is by whether they call them plugs or race boots. I work with race kids every day and spend a lot of time in a boot shop. The only place I hear plug is here or skitalk. I always thought it was a funny term, but it does convey a message and Jonathan does love to hear himself talk.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Not sure the term “plug” is dead, I hear it all the time but I’m around a lot of ex racers and race coaches.

[plugboots]

When I was strong, I broke boot parts. I used Granite Chief as my ski shop, (near the former Squaw Valley), and they used to have a pre-season sale and invite mostly young ski racers and good customers, and all their ski manufacture reps. Gunnar invited me so I could have the Lange rep order me up some boots. The rep said I needed plugboots, so he ordered me a pair in size 9 for my 10.5 feet. A month later or whatever they came in and Gunner had me put them on, which was interesting, since, for example, my toes were curled under my feet. The plastic is extremely thick, (a plug of plastic that comes out of the mold), so it could be dremel tooled away until it fits your foot. There’s no punching those things. I would get some grinding, ski a run, come back and get more grinding, etc. This went on for a week or so, and then on through the season. The “liner” was basically 1/4 inch of foamish stuff.
Anyway, the beauty for me was that they don’t have parts to break except buckles, which I always kept some spares, and the fit never changes. The plastic obviously can’t pack out. Even today in my weak advanced age, I’m always tweaking my buckles on my intuition linered or my zip fit linered boots.

[halliday]

Plug boots take time. You will never git it right on the first visit to your boot fitter. I have a pair of RS 130 plugs that are 12 or 13 years old and are so comfortable that I'll never get rid of them. As comfortable as they are it still feels good to take them off at the end of the day.

[plugboots]

Plug boots take time. You will never git it right on the first visit to your boot fitter. I have a pair of RS 130 plugs that are 12 or 13 years old and are so comfortable that I'll never get rid of them. As comfortable as they are it still feels good to take them off at the end of the day.

For sure.
Although now I have Atomic Hawx with zip fits and taking those damn zip fits on and off every day is wacko. But dang, those zips ski nice.

[SnowMachine]

Yes they do!! Right now I am having a love affair with Intuition wraps. My feet have never been warmer and happier. Life is too short for stock liners, though the Mimic liners are exceptional.

My ZB's have sat in the closet the last two seasons. I am skiing the new Armada boot right now with Intuition wraps. Totally different from a race boot. The fit is absolutely dialed after a proper bake job. Precision will go away as the wraps pack, but it is so easy compared to the hours of grinding and agony of taking off a cold race boot. Skiing over 100 days a year I just don't need that every time I take my boots off.

[Dexter Rutecki]

<p>

Am I the only one to think that getting fitted in 10year old boots is wild?

</p>
<p>
Unusual, sure, but they&#39;re still brand new boots and I&#39;ve actually never purchased boots from the current model year (why would you?? Ski boot tech hasn&#39;t changed in 25+ years). Picked these up for $200 a few years ago and haven&#39;t been able to deal with them until now (was actually scheduled for a fitting a few years back but couldn&#39;t make it and am no longer local to the fitter).</p>
<p>

So basically a race boot? I am curious where the term plug came from and why. Sorry to take this off topic. I have never heard anyone under 40 refer to boots as plugs.

</p>
<p>
Everyone calls them plugs.</p>
<p>

T<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgb(17, 17, 120);">ouche!!! Hahaha. I think the term is pretty well dead, anyway. I can generally guess how old someone is by whether they call them plugs or race boots. I work with race kids every day and spend a lot of time in a boot shop. The only place I hear plug is here or skitalk. I always thought it was a funny term, but it does convey a message and Jonathan does love to hear himself talk.</span>

</p>
<p>
Then they&#39;re probably too young for plugs and in consumer model race boots or junior boots (no plugs) and/or your shop doesn&#39;t do much with ski racers (they typically go into plugs around 14/15). Was on the hill two or three days ago listening to one of my 15 year olds bitch about his new plugs. You definitely can&#39;t tell anything about someone&#39;s age based on use of the term--not a dated term. There is definitely other ski terminology that has changed/is no longer in use, but plug boot is not in that category.</p>

[Dexter Rutecki]

La Grave was money, as always, and the plugs were a good call I think (despite some pain during the many km's of traversing and hiking). Appreciate the thoughts. Would do a TR but given how problematic making any kind of post is here...

[Dexter Rutecki]

<p>
<a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/DRa9QwrUZavxVn6k9">https://photos.app.goo.gl/DRa9QwrUZavxVn6k9</a></p>
<p>
wtf</p>

[cutchoguelandpres@gmail.com]

edit: omg, no clue why this is posting under a dummy email account I set up years ago to send a single email...is this place still fucked the way it was a month or so ago (and for however long before)? Anyway, the boots worked out well but I was in agony a good part of every day. A few more punches or something and will be good to go. Thank god I put the vibram lugs on--some of the hiking was sketchy even with that traction. double edit: guess I already posted the &#39;results&#39; but forgot. Ha. Anyway, maybe the video will work this time.
triple edit: I guess I know the answer to if this place is still fucked or not looking at how the formatting and random insertion of #39 all over the place seems to be. Oh well. This could be my last post here...am guessing many others have given up and abandoned. Had a good run!!