Asnes Tind 76 / 85

[Cannatonic]

The XCD commune sounds good to me! My hopes for a backcountry commune in the abandoned Burke base lodge were dashed when they were bought out. Maybe we can move into LJ's basement and start the commune there with all the skis?

Great idea though, we could also start with a couple of festival-type events at BC ski locations in Quebec and go from there.

[Cannatonic]

Who's making nnn boots in EEEE? I never found any that were even close to fitting. I need to get an East coast quiver going and I see a lot of good skis out there so whats the widest boot?

the widest NNNBC boots I ever tried were the Lundhags, but they still weren't wide enough for EEEE.

http://www.lundhags.com/Products/Nordic-Skating

[lowangle al]

Thanks Cannatonic, they look like nice boots. Are they available in the US? If you have EEEE feet were you able to find a nnn bc boot that works for you. My three pin boots are at least a size and a half too big and even at that I can't lace them tight around my foot w\o pain. The only boots that I have that are close to my size are plastic with moldable liners. I have always relied on a tight fit around my ankle for control.

[Cannatonic]

Al - same here! My bunions and width are so bad that plastic boots are also very difficult. No, the Lundhags are not available in the US, they have to be ordered from Germany.

as I've posted before my solution for nordic ski touring was welted leathers on 75mm soles and a massive stretching with these - it can turn a leather boot into EEEE after a couple weeks of stretching. I've successfully done it to Antarctics, some old Garmont Tour boots, and Andrew Zenith, also my Alico hiking boots:

https://www.footfitter.com/footfitter-p ... -stretcher

[lowangle al]

So you're not a New Nordic Nerd either. If we meet at the NNN rondevous I'll let you try my skis.

As far as my fat feet go I've had good luck with Red Wing work boots. Certain models come in EEEE, they call it H width. I've finally found a shoe/boot that fits and I can wear them with the insoles in and a medium weight sock, which I haven't been able to do with boots two sizes too big in the past.

Thanks for the stretcher idea, I have some but they didn't work for me, but then I didn't try hard enough.

[bgregoire]

Al - same here! My bunions and width are so bad that plastic boots are also very difficult. No, the Lundhags are not available in the US, they have to be ordered from Germany.

as I've posted before my solution for nordic ski touring was welted leathers on 75mm soles and a massive stretching with these - it can turn a leather boot into EEEE after a couple weeks of stretching. I've successfully done it to Antarctics, some old Garmont Tour boots, and Andrew Zenith, also my Alico hiking boots:

https://www.footfitter.com/footfitter-p ... -stretcher

Canno,

I have since purschaced those stretchers. Well made! But i have not yet managed stretching my tough as rock Alicos with them, please give us your recipe!

[Cannatonic]

Which Alico's are they? I don't think you'll get much stretch on the Alico Double, but my Ski Marches have stretched quite a bit.

I like to apply some grease to the boot in advance, let it soak in for a while. Use the stretcher with the black plugs attached to the sides, they will add way more volume. Don't stretch it all at once, do it gradually over a few days, leaving the stretchers in place for a couple days each time. You should be able to push a little farther each time. (you probably want to remove the insoles for this, or not, see how it works).

Also, the real secret weapon I learned from Limmer is to use heat- carefully controlled heat. I put a DeLonghi oil space heater into a closet until the temp is around 105-110 degrees. Put the oiled boots in there with the stretchers and the heat helps the oil soak in and the leather expand. Obviously too much heat will destroy the leather.

Another trick I"ve learned is to put a correctly sized rock or block of wood into the heel of the boot behind the stretcher, to keep it pressed into the front of the boot. i.e., insert the closed stretcher into the boot and push it forward, wedge your rock or wood tightly into the space between the back of the stretcher and the heel, and then crank the stretcher open. The block keeps it from moving backward and directs the stretching force sideways. Good luck!!

PS - Al thanks for the tip on Red WIng, I may have to try some of their EE boots.

[bgregoire]

I like to apply some grease to the boot in advance, let it soak in for a while.

Why kind of grease do you suggest? I have Ghee, Vaseline, food-grade machine and bike grease at home right now!

[Cannatonic]

here are some pics! the stretchers with plugs in the right holes. I need to push out the toe protector so I add a plug up front.
this is how my boots spend the summers! I use "Bear Guard" beeswax/oil product, the cans actually make good blocks for behind the stretcher. Any grease or oil-based waterproofing should soften the leather.
Andrew Zenith, Garmont Tour, and Alico Ski March.

Btw, next week I am taking the Ski Marches in to have the ratcheting buckle added by the Limmers - should be interesting!

[lowangle al]

Thanks I'll give it another try.