Sore feet - boots or bindings?

Hi

I bought a pair of Burton ION boots last winter (in Australia) and rode in them all season with some Salomon bindings (I have never liked these bindings as I couldn’t crank them up tight enough).  I tended to get very sore/cramping in the soles of my feet for the first few hours of the day each day I rode during the season (30+ days).  I just put up with it and figured the boots would adapt to the shape of my foot and it would come good.

I then went to the US in January and rode for a couple of weeks and bought some new Burton C60 EST bindings which were so much better bindings but now my feet hurt all day.  The only relief was when I loosened the bindings on the chairlift.

I have definitely stepped up a level in equipment from my previous Salomon boots and bindings, The Burton boots and bindings seem to be better fitting (the boots seem to be the right size and are fine for walking around in) and much better performance but I still get bad cramping in the soles of my feet.

I think it must be a blood flow issue but I don’t really want to have loose bindings as that obviously kills performance.  I have flat feet, which I am sure contribute to the issue but there is no room for orthotics in the boot.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I might be able to fix this?

Thanks

Hey shredder,

Welcome to Boardworld!

Before I go into detail I have a couple of questions…

Do you use footbeds in your snowboard boots? I’m talking custom footbeds, molded exactly to the shape of your feet.

Have you ever worn orthotics in your normal shoes? or have you ever been told that your feet pronate (roll in)?

Have a read of our boot fitting article. In particular read the bottom paragraph about footbeds.

Footbeds

The footbeds which come standard in most snowboard boots provide only minimal arch support. If you want the best possible boot fit, you have to invest in a pair of footbeds. A properly fitted footbed provides support, stability, and comfort. They reduce many boot fit problems, and enhance rider performance.

There are two types of after market footbeds: out of the box and custom molded. The out of the box type is a better option than the standard footbeds in your snowboard boot. You can buy these from any good snowboard store. However, there is no substitute for a custom molded footbed made by an expert boot fitter.

The custom molded type produces a footbed with a mirror image of your foot; this provides not only comfort and support, but excellent board control. They stabilise the foot by cupping the heel and supporting the arch. Custom molded footbeds also assist in lower leg alignment. The footbeds place your feet in the neutral position - aligning your knees and hips, taking enormous pressure off these joints. These are important points to consider in regards to your long term health.

If you want to invest in a pair of footbeds, it is essential you visit your local snowboard store and have your feet assessed by an expert boot fitter.

OK, I posted the above reply before reading this line…

I have flat feet, which I am sure contribute to the issue but there is no room for orthotics in the boot.

You need footbeds. Custom molded footbeds from a good snowboard store. These are designed for snowboarding. They fit in your boots and keep your feet in the neutral position.

For anyone else reading this, if you wear orthotics in your shoes, you must wear footbeds in your snowboard boots. Not only are you going to be uncomfortable when you ride, but you are causing damage to your body. Even if you don’t wear orthotics, I would still highly recommend footbeds for snowboarding.

shredder, if you have any questions please let me know.

Custom foot beds are the go.

You can also get your Burton boot inners moulded as well.
I got mine done last season, made a HUGE difference.

We were actually writing about this last season. Despite the cost foot-beds are the go, they replace the foot-beds you have in your boots and are moulded to YOUR foot shape. I have seen people come into where I work and be about ready to quit riding because of the pain and walk out ready to attack the slopes. The next time I see them they are happy and stoked to be on the slopes again.

My feet do pronate and I normally wear orthotics in my jogging shoes so it sounds like custom footbeds and boot moulding are the go, will definitely get that organised asap.  More than happy to pay for more comfort and performance!  Thanks heaps for the advice.  Great site.  Your section on bindings setup has given me some clarity on what I am meant to be doing there as I have been relying on my local shop to setup my bindings and once up on the mountain haven’t felt confident to adjust them.

Cheers

Shredder

burton liner heat molding doesn’t do that much. On a brand new pair of boots it will save you a few days of breaking in. Since you’ve worn your boots for a long time it won’t have much effect I don’t think.
Obviously get the footbeds. With the pain you’re having I recommend the custom ones. Mine cost $200 at Surefoot in Whistler and my foot pain disappeared.
Other things you can look into are how tight you do up your boots. Things like leaving the lower zone loose-ish and having the top cranked works too.
I use to be a cranked-boots, cranked-bindings type of guy, but this year I tried loose boots and tight bindings to great success. Note, when I say loose, I mean tight enough that I get no heel-lift, but not as tight as I could crank them

If you have been in your boots for more than five days, they are pretty much already heat-molded. The heat generated by your feet slowly shapes the heat moldable liners. In my opinion it’s the better way to do it anyway; saves breaking down the liner unnecessary.

Make sure all your binding straps are adjusted correctly for your boots, and don’t over-tighten your boots or binding straps. You do want them secure, but there is a fine line in which if you strap too hard you will cut off circulation and cause problems.

Where do you live, shredder? I can recommend a good snowboard store to get them made. Thank you for the positive comments, welcome to our community.

I live in Melbourne and do most of my riding at Mt Buller and Hotham.  I try and get overseas every couple of years and did Steamboat USA in January 2010 which was awesome. My local snowboard store is Trigger Brothers in St Kilda. These custom footbeds have me excited.

I have been trying the looser lace up boot approach and it did help, just got to find the happy medium betweeen comfort and performance.

I now know where to come for solutions to my problems, will report back once we get some snow and I have tested them!

Thanks for all your help.

Cheers

Shredder

Trigger Bros will be able to look after you for sure. Let us know how your feet feel after you go riding with the new footbeds. I’m certain it will make a big difference.

Actually, I’ve noticed the same soreness in my feet when my setup changes, i.e. during demos of new equipment or the rare time that I rent a board.

I got some custom footbeds made by Matt at Auski (Trigger Brothers don’t do them) cost $150 and tried them out on the weekend.  Wow what a difference, sore feet gone, am sure they will help performance (but a bit hard to tell on Bourke St which was the only run open) now bring on Hogg’s Back.  Best $150 I have spent on snow gear since my first snowboard boots (and being free of those awful ski boots).  Thanks for the advice…cheaper than a podiatrist!

I picked up some footbeds on saturday morning in jindy before heading up the mountain and after riding with them for 2 days with absolutely no pain at all I couldn’t recommend them enough. Fist day in the boots was a fortnight ago and I didn’t even make it past 3 before I just gave up as my soles were in that much pain. By switching over to something with more arch support I had no pain and would put it down to the fact that with my arch not collapsing anymore I’ve got better circulation through my foot now.

A++++ best $65 i’ve spent and I won’t ever ride without them again.

Thanks for the update shredder and finney. Stoked you guys found the solution to your feet problems. Footbeds make a huge difference!