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#1
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Fischer Boot Sizing
When Eli was demo'ing Centrix boots at the Birkie a couple years ago, I
skied on a pair of size 40s, and they fit great except my toes were rubbing the front end. Last year, I again tried on the 40s and I got the same fit...just a touch too short. This year, I ordered the 40s and was expecting to have them stretched in length, and bingo, they fit right out of the box. Huh, I guess either I'm lucky in getting a mis-manufacture, my feet got shorter, or maybe, just maybe, Fischer lengthened their boots just a fraction. Also, I think the upper material has definitely improved, both inside and out. Jay Wenner |
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#2
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I was interested in buying a pair of Centrixs last year. I spoke with a
sponsered skier who said he/she would not buy a pair...only used them because they were given to him/her. My Salomon Carbons are pure hell on the balls of my feet - I can skate for about an hour and then it becomes almost unbearable. So I need to switch boots and, hopefully, I can do it without changing my binding system, also. Hopefully the changes Fischer has made are improvements, though I will demo before I pull the trigger.... Jim |
#3
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I'm thinking about making the switch to Fischer. My Salomon Carbons are
destroying my feet. The pain in the ball of my foot becomes unbearable after about 1.5 hours of skating -even after I exchanged for a larger size. I talked to a Fischer sponsered atheletes last year and he/she said they wouldn't buy Fischer Centrix if he/she were an ordinary consumer - only using them because they were given the boots. Hopefully the changes made to this years model are improvements. I will demo before I pull the trigger.... Jim |
#4
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Jim,
Get on eBay. There have been a lot of Salomon skate, classic and combi (and pre-Centrix Fischer) boots for sale at roughly half price. I just got a pair of second generation Salomon bumblebee classics for $110 + S/H. Also look at the completed auctions. Gene Jim Howe wrote: I was interested in buying a pair of Centrixs last year. I spoke with a sponsered skier who said he/she would not buy a pair...only used them because they were given to him/her. My Salomon Carbons are pure hell on the balls of my feet - I can skate for about an hour and then it becomes almost unbearable. So I need to switch boots and, hopefully, I can do it without changing my binding system, also. Hopefully the changes Fischer has made are improvements, though I will demo before I pull the trigger.... Jim |
#5
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Forgot to mention the idea of shoe stretchers. I've got the wooden
screw kind, with some metal ovals that pop in holes on the sides (drilled some extra). After a week with the stretchers, my new Skate 9 bumblebees have done me well on two two-hour rollerskis. Gene Jim Howe wrote: I was interested in buying a pair of Centrixs last year. I spoke with a sponsered skier who said he/she would not buy a pair...only used them because they were given to him/her. My Salomon Carbons are pure hell on the balls of my feet - I can skate for about an hour and then it becomes almost unbearable. So I need to switch boots and, hopefully, I can do it without changing my binding system, also. Hopefully the changes Fischer has made are improvements, though I will demo before I pull the trigger.... Jim |
#6
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Gene,
I keep looking on ebay - I saw a large selection off Salomon Race Skates, but not my size. I will keep looking... I've tried stretching my Carbons with a shoe horn, but I still have problems. I'll look for a shoe stretcher, although I think it's the lack of a decent sole on the Carbons that is giving me problems - that and the fact they are a low to medium volume toe box. I think the Fischer Centrix have a wide toe box, if I'm not mistaken. Thanks for the information, Jim |
#7
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I think most people will agree that:
Salomon 911/9.1 was a narrow or "low volume" boot Salomon Pilot (yellow) was a wider or "higher volume" boot Salomon Carbon is low volume boot Fischer Centrix is a high volume boot So Salomon seems to have gone back and forth on width, and now offers two widths (Race and Carbon). I _think_ the Fischer boots have tweaked the fit to slightly longer (I presume to be a more universal fit) and it wouldn't surprise me to see Fischer offer a couple widths in the future. Also, I think the 40 Centrix is probably comparible to a 40 2/3 Salomon in length. Alpina? Man I have no idea. Jay Wenner |
#8
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When I tried on the Centrix last year, Armen at Finn Sisu said that some
people were sizing smaller as compared to Salomon, but that wasn't the case for me in length. Fischer claims the skate boot last this year hasn't changed, but there are reports... The new classic boot feels lighter and has definitely been brought down to a wide in the forefoot, but still has a big heel and no adjustment. They have included a second insole as an option. People in Austria have big feet? Gene "Bjorn A. Payne Diaz" wrote: I think most people will agree that: Salomon 911/9.1 was a narrow or "low volume" boot Salomon Pilot (yellow) was a wider or "higher volume" boot Salomon Carbon is low volume boot Fischer Centrix is a high volume boot So Salomon seems to have gone back and forth on width, and now offers two widths (Race and Carbon). I _think_ the Fischer boots have tweaked the fit to slightly longer (I presume to be a more universal fit) and it wouldn't surprise me to see Fischer offer a couple widths in the future. Also, I think the 40 Centrix is probably comparible to a 40 2/3 Salomon in length. Alpina? Man I have no idea. Jay Wenner |
#9
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I like the look of the new Alpina racing model. I guess Kris Freeman
does to, although it would be interesting to find out if they approached him or he went to them. I believe he started out on Fischer Centrix last year and by the end of the year, if I'm not mistaken, he was racing on Rossignol Xiums at the Colorado Spring Series... |
#10
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Two weeks ago, we did the four hour drive down to Mpls for 'Fischer
University'. Fischer USA flew in Adi Luzlbauer (Centrix boot engineer) and Hans Hubinger (Nordic race ski engineer) from Austria to present this years product improvements. Adi is a 'shoe maker' by profession and is very passionate about making the best boot. They have some good design ideas worth trying. The name 'Centrix' means to 'center' the foot in the boot for a stable position. By having a rounded last, the foot is snuggled into the boot. The image Adi presented was a round ball on a flat surface - the ball (your foot) wants to roll and is not stable. Now put the ball into a valley. It will find the bottom and not rock from side to side. They call this the 'Integrated footbed' The integrated footbed works in combination with the 'tape lacing'. These are 5 'straps' running across the top and upper portion of the boot to lock the foot into the heel of the boot. The idea I believe, is similar to the straps on cycling shoes. Only the foot is more cradled into the heel of the boot rather than pushed down from above, as in a cycling shoe. Adi demonstrated how a person should put on the boot. First, the outer cover is 'peeled down', opening up the inner boot. For me, this is a big improvement over the Salomon Carbon boot, which is difficult to get into. Next, sit down and push the foot into the heel (this was his most important item). Tighten the laces, starting at the bottom, with not too much pressure on the instep. He also said the toes should be able to wiggle. This is a design feature to help keep your feet warm. While I can ski all day in the Salomon Skate 9, I could only use the Salomon Carbons in races and had to use the 'chemical toe warmers' to keep my feet from freezing up. After 5 hours, Adi was still talking and would have kept going, but they stopped him, as time was running out. He was just getting into modifying boots to get the perfect fit. On the Centrix boot, there is an additional insole, called the 'volume reduction part'. Adi said this can be cut with a pair of scissors to reduce pressure points on the bottom of the foot. He also had a Dremel grinder with him. As Gene pointed out, pressure points on the sides of a boot can be addressed too. Adi pulled out a 'shoe makers tool'. It was about 2' long and shaped like a pair of pliers. He then proceeded to push out a half inch 'wart' on the side of a pair of Centrixs to demonstrate removing a pressure point. Adi said a dealer or consumer could do the same by using a heat gun and pushing outward from the inside with the handle of a screwdriver. They didn't say anything about the length or size of this years Centrixs being changed from previous years. However, the inner boot is new. It is lower and more flexible. There is a new lining with 2mm of foam padding and heel reinforcement. The boot stiffener is softer. Laces are now 100% nylon and a quick lacing system. New zipper with a manual lock (push down to lock). Quality control on the two steel pins. His suggestion to consumers is to wear the same socks as for skiing when fitting new boots at a dealer. Feet will get bigger during the day by 5-8%. Left and right foot differ in size. The last thing Adi told the dealers, was not to pressure consumers into buying the boot if it didn't fit. I believe he is sincere in feeling the Centrix is the best design, but knows it will not work for everyone. The Centrix boot is worth trying for the design features and many shops have demos available. I suppose I've posted too many details, as engineers tend to do, but I hope this is of some value. Disclaimer-Fischer is the equipment supplier for our private race team. Paul Haltvick Bay Design and Build - LLC Engineering, Construction and Information Technology Services Ashland, WI. |
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