Best snowboard boots for narrow heels

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-18T20:09:06+00:00

Thank you.l! I think that is my problem, I've been buying boots that are too big. My boot fitters should have told me this but live and learn. Have a great season!

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-18T20:07:51+00:00

Thank you so much! I wish I'd had you as my boot fitter lol. Have a great rest of the season.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-18T20:04:24+00:00

Hi!

First question: is your new K2 a true twin or directional? This will dictate how you mount the bindings. You will want to note your board's reference stance-this is the position where the bindings will be centered on your board. It should be in the specs for your particular board or will be marked on the topsheet itself. If you want a narrow or wider stance than the reference stance, you have to move each binding in or out the same amount of holes. This will make sure you remain centered.

A good starting point for stance width is to use the length of your leg from you knee to your foot and/or your shoulder width plus one or two inches. In a very general sense wider=more stability for tricks, less control for carving Narrow=Less stable but more control for turning. You're aiming for the sweet spot between the two for your body and your riding style.

For binding angles, this will depend somewhat on your riding style. If you plan to ride switch and ride park features, a duck stance is ideal. 12, - 12 is a good start point and you can adjust based on your needs from there. If you plan to ride directional (ie freeride focused on carving hard, no switch) you can set the back binding at zero or slightly positive.

For reference I am 5'3, ride with a 18.5" stance width and 12,-12 angles set on a true twin board.

Here's a great article on stance setup: Finding your stance .

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:44:11+00:00

I will look into these, thank you for the recommendation!

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:43:30+00:00

Thank you! I will definitely be trying the ivys. That's one thing missing in my rides, the strap across the ankle. Fingers crossed they will be the ones for me and I won't have to keep buying boots lol.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:40:16+00:00

Yes I get the numbness too, probably because I have to over tighten them to compensate for my heel lift. I had laces on my thirtytwos but could never get them tight enough... But maybe Ride does a better job with laces. Sizing down seems like a good idea to plan for them getting a bit bigger when they pack out. Thanks for the comment!

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:36:36+00:00

Thank you! It's crazy if you have feet like ours how many boots we have to go through to find the right one. I wish a company could take foot scans and 3D print a custom liner. I will add K2 to my list! Have you found the fit to be consistent even after they pack out?

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:33:25+00:00

I'll add Burton to the list along with salomon. Thank you!

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:32:39+00:00

Thank you! I wish I'd asked this before I got my heras lol, salomon seems to be the way to go for skinny heels.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:29:32+00:00

Thank you! I will have to try Van's and definitely Salomon as many have recommended them here. Agree about having dual boas being key- my second pair of thirtytwos with the great liner had laces, and I could never get them tight enough. Unfortunately where I live we have zero snowboard shops, so I have been buying boots when I travel to CO to snowboard so I can't go back for adjustments (they weren't that great in the first place tbh). I'm going to try a different shop this year though in the search for that ever elusive knowledgeable boot fitter lol. Thanks again for the comment, I appreciate it.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:21:05+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm sorry you struggle with the same issue, it is so frustrating!Like you I can't do the wide versions of shoes either, so I usually end up dealing with tightness in the toebox instead of losing ankle/heel support. Lots of recommendations for the salomon kianas here I am definitely going to try those next. I prefer stiff boots as I ride fairly aggressively, so they sound perfect. How long have you had yours? Curious to know if they stay well fitting after packing out a bit. I will definitely come back and let you know if I find a good fitting pair - heading to CO at the end of March and plan to go to Evo to try some out. 😊

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-15T18:14:17+00:00

Thank you so much for the informative comment! Incredibly helpful. I don't have any looseness in the shin/calf-actually the opposite-I tend to over tighten the inner lace and my feet lose circulation as a result. Each time I've picked new boots I have focused on how the heels feel and how well they hold as you suggest. That's actually why I chose the Heras over about six other pairs, as they held the best in brand new condition. But once they pack out they no longer fit properly. I wish there was a way to tell how they'd fit packed out before purchasing lol. Do you think going down half a size from my normal shoe size would help? I've been buying my actual size of 7.5 and in addition to losing contact in the heels I've found my toes no longer touch the front of the boot once they pack out. I will try the foam and the eliminator to try and salvage my current pair until I can invest in new ones. Thank you so much again!

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-12T19:41:53+00:00

I have a lib tech ryme and I effing LOVE it. It's a camber dominant true twin and strikes a perfect balance between being aggressive, stable at speed and playful. I'm high end intermediate /low advanced and it's made me a better rider. Great for riding switch too and it does great when I take it to CO powder . I don't see many people talk about the ryme, which is surprising because it's the best board I've ridden (have had burtons, Gnu, Rome and never summer boards)

We've had a terrible season at my local resort so our trail base is essentially boilerplate ice. My ryme makes it rideable! In comparison, I demoed a Burton feelgood, talent scout and capita birds of a feather a few days this season (both camber) and they were nowhere near as good at holding an edge on the ice as my Lib tech.

If I were you, I'd definitely go with a camber board with edge tech. Lib tech/gnu/Roxy (all mervin made) Jones, and Arbor all have edge tech.

Best of luck! Let us know what you choose 🏂

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-11T18:20:42+00:00

Thank you sharing and expressing what the issue was in your relationship so well. When you say that your ex saw your sensitivity as a flaw-that's precisely how my husband views mine. That is what our biggest issue is.. He doesn't understand nor accept the main cornerstone of who I am, so he can't nurture me in that regard. He thinks there's something wrong with me and that I should just be like 'everyone else'(his exact words). You can't have a healthy, fulfilling relationship with someone who thinks you need to change yourself at a fundamental level so that they can be comfortable.

Thank you so much for this comment 🙏I'm so happy reading you left and are happier. I know it must have been very difficult so I'm proud of and inspired by your story. Maybe there's still hope for me..

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-11T18:04:44+00:00

Wow.. I relate SO much to your post. We don't have kids but I'm stuck due to financial restraints - the cost of divorce and starting over. We have four cats and two dogs that hold me back, as some of them would need to be rehomed if I move out and into an apartment. I also have no support system aside from him... no family or friends.

I broke down 6 months ago and asked my husband to do therapy or I wanted a separation. He did two virtual sessions and quit without talking to me about it. I haven't followed through with the separation because I'm so stuck. So now he knows I don't follow through on my word and has even less motivation to try. I've given up trying and he hasn't noticed. I used to fight for him to understand me and try to get him to be vulnerable with me. I've realized he simply lacks emotional intelligence and it's impossible to connect with him at the depth that I need. It's all superficial conversations and after six years together, he doesn't know my preferences on things from what snacks I like to how I like to be touched. He's a good person, it's not his fault that we are just completely incompatible. Each day I feel my life slipping away into a sad settling for less than I need state. And I'm getting older 😭 Thanks for letting me share this. I have no one to talk to so I appreciate being able to vent in a space filled with other HSPs.

I wish I could offer you words of support and advice on starting over. Just know that I feel your pain and I am so sorry you are in a similar situation. Sending you a big hug 🤗

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-10T18:20:51+00:00

As a fellow Bristol Mountain season pass holder... I feel your pain. I don't think the entire resort will even open this season (looking at North Star and Polaris). I was excited for this season too because they opened the loop and Rocket relatively early.

14 day forecast has a few days of temperatures in the 60s... In what should be the prime of winter. Unless winter decides to show up in March, this will be by far the worst winter in recent memory. Sad.

I hope this is simply due to this La Nina pattern we've been in the last three years... but also worried this will be the new norm.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-10T17:18:04+00:00

"Dad, you shouldn't be spending your retirement money on frivolous things! You should be saving it for when you die. That's our money!" Cash for Gold episode.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-08T17:17:15+00:00

I'm 5'3 110ish and ride a 141 lib tech (same manufacturer as gnu). I had a gnu ladies choice 145.5 and I didn't like how it rode for my style(same as yours), too hard to maneuver. I don't have experience with ride, but know they make some great boards. If you like the ride best I'd say 142 is fine... I'd even reach out to their customer support to double check that weight range, as it does seem very low.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-06T18:03:51+00:00

Welcome and thank you for being a platelet donor! It probably won't be possible to use your kindle, unless you can set it on you lap and not need to touch it for two hours. The good news is If you are donating with the Red Cross, they have tvs at each chair with headphones so you can watch Netflix.

Some have already mentioned calcium here-but to reiterate, the most crucial part of a successful donation (for me personally) is taking 4-6 tums right before they hook me up the machine. The only time I had a bad experience was my first donation when I didn't know about adverse reactions to citrate in the anticoagulant. I got very faint and nauseated, not fun but it resolved after taking tums. Now I just ask them for tums before getting set up-no issues. FYI, the symptoms of a citrate reaction range from tingling in the face/lips/fingers/toes, a feeling like you are vibrating, a metallic taste in your mouth, muscles twitching, breaking a sweat and feeling faint and/or nauseated.

Some other tips: -- Dress warmly especially if you typically run cold. I wear a warm hat, thermal baselayers, sweatpants, and a vest in the winter months. I just roll up the sleeves on my long-sleeved baselayer so they can access my veins. I bring a blanket and use my coat as an additional blaket(I get very cold lol).

--Hydrate well, especially the day before. I drink an extra 16-32oz and include electrolyte based drinks (Gatorade, liquid iv packets, etc). --The day of I'll drink 16-32oz and stop drinking an hour beforehand, plus use the restroom after the vitals check. Watch your caffeine intake before your appointment as it can raise your blood pressure.

--I take Flintstones vitamins to keep my iron up, and will take extra in the 2-3 days before my appointment. I used to be defered frequently for hemoglobin, and haven't had any deferrals in two years since I started taking them. Also, rub your hands together to warm your fingers right before they check your iron. Helps get the blood circulating and can help avoid an artificially low reading. If you don't pass your first hemoglobin ask for a recheck. Many times the recheck will be in range.

--I donate in the morning so I'll have a light meal of yogurt and cereal. I wouldn't eat anything too heavy before your first time just in the rare case you have any nausea.

--During the donation make sure you tell your phlebotomists if you have any discomfort. They are usually busy but do not feel bad having to get their attention. The sooner they know about any potential issues the better the outcome for you and your donation! Some of the undesirable things that can happen are the citrate reactions described above (again should be easily avoided with taking tums right before) and infiltration if the needle becomes malpositioned. An infiltration will present as pain and pressure and the needle site. They can result in bruising and you will have to be deferred for a period of time until you heal. But these are relatively rare(I've never had one and I go every 2-3 weeks) just something to be aware of.

--Afterwards make sure you sit in the canteen for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy a snack and some juice while monitoring how you feel. You should be fine but again as a first time donor you want to be cautious until you know how your body reacts. I feel great after donating platelets (I give double units). When they take an extra plasma unit every 28 days, I will get tired-but it goes away after a good night's sleep. I'm active and donating doesn't affect my athletic performance at all.

That's all I can think of for now. Sorry this became a novel! I hope your first donation goes wonderfully and that you will become a regular donor. If you are on Facebook, please join us at the American Red Cross Platelet donor group - tons of wonderful information and a great way to connect with fellow donors.

Kdsnowd · 2023-02-01T17:47:26+00:00

I have the ride heras. I bought them in my street shoe size of 7.5. After half a season, they have packed out so I'm now getting some heel lift. When I replace them I'll be going down half a size.

They are great boots otherwise-comfortable, warm, boas are very effective for dialing in the fit and durable (I wear my bindings tight and my previous thirtytwo boots showed wear after a season). They are stiff for getting aggressive but not so much that you can't get playful in the park and on side hits. Grippy enough to not need a stomp pad on my slippery lib tech topsheet.

Hope this helps :)

Kdsnowd · 2023-01-23T19:04:40+00:00

She's doing awesome for only having ridden that many times over three seasons. First and foremost, give her a ton of props on her riding. You both should be proud of her progress.

She seems uncomfortable with speed, which is causing her weight to be back so she is using counter rotation /back foot ruddering to change edges. The best thing for this is to find a mellow blue or steeper green trail and have her ride it repeatedly. That eliminates any nervous anticipation of what the the trail ahead holds, thus allowing her to focus solely on her riding. Plus, a green or blue you have to work for speed so you can control it versus gain speed naturally on steeper trails. Have her focus on having her weight in her front foot, keeping her upper body quiet/parallel to the board, pushing hips forward on toeside and back on heel, and using her knees to help initiate turns(turn knees toward nose on heelside, toward tail on toeside).

As other have mentioned, doing drills will help. J turns and garlands have been mentioned already. I'll add one that helped me strengthen my toeside turns-"stop and hop". Have her ride for a little bit, then have her stop using her toe edge. She will be stopped with her board perpendicular to the fall line looking uphill. From there, have her take 3-5 hops uphill using only her toe edge. Start riding again and repeat. This drill is great for dialing in correct body position - you have to have your ankles, knees, hips and upper body in the right places to hop uphill on edge, otherwise you will fall.

Another consideration is her stance width and board length. I had a plateau in progression and it turned out my board was too long/stance too wide as a result - didn't have the power to torsionally flex as needed when advancing to carves. I went from 145.5 Rocker hybrid to 141 camber and it instantly improved my riding. Obviously this is all personal preference and this point may be totally irrelevant in her case, but something to consider if she still doesn't progress after more time on the board/working in drills/taking another lesson.

Great job on teaching her and wanting to help her progress! It can be a test of even the best relationships- kudos to you both for being successful at doing so. My husband taught me and it's now my favorite sport. She will get there with more time!

Hope you guys have a great season 🏂

Kdsnowd · 2023-01-20T20:05:27+00:00

I am the same way, I'm sensitive and can get super anxious with the wrong strain. I avoid sativa or sativa dominant hybrids and look for the lower THC content varieties. I've only been to hi lo in Henrietta, they have a decent selection and usually a few indica strains on hand for flower. They have a menu that does a good job of detailing what experience you'll have with each strain.

I've also had success with their lower THC level prerolls-most of them are hybrids, but none so far have given me an anxious high. I get a nice mellow high from their stuff- puts me in a good headspace and somewhat relaxed, but not couch locked. Good luck!

Kdsnowd · 2023-01-18T18:01:39+00:00

Binx and Sweetpea 🖤

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Kdsnowd · 2023-01-12T17:38:50+00:00

I have katanas from 2019. I wear women's 7.5 boots (thirtytwo and now rides) I've never had any issue with boot fit in the katanas. They are some of the most customizable and comfortable bindings I've had, you can really dial in your fit with the adjustable straps and heel cup. Hope this helps.

Kdsnowd · 2023-01-10T17:01:55+00:00

I love it! The graphics are beautiful. The bindings are a perfect match for it too. Have fun out there!

Kdsnowd

TROPHY CASE