Alfa boot fit and X-Skins

[KnoxPolk]

Hello guays,

1. I own a pair of Alfa Vista Advanced in size 43 they are pretty roomy, if I tied them hardly I get pinch on my ankle if I loose them my heel is moving a little bit. My question is how this boots should fit, does your heel slightly move or they should be locked?
2. Asnes Race x-skins, I have used them yesterday for the first time but glue on them is really bad they might sold me some old pair or whatever, comparing glue with my nylon x skins is totally different on nylon it stick very good and stable to ski. Is there any possibility to replace the glue or are they any spray to make glue more sticky? Also I read some post on this forum and found out that this race skins should be trimmed to heel in order for better glide?
3. Is it safe to stick this skins on top of grip/kick wax?

[Smitty]

Hello guays,

1. I own a pair of Alfa Vista Advanced in size 43 they are pretty roomy, if I tied them hardly I get pinch on my ankle if I loose them my heel is moving a little bit. My question is how this boots should fit, does your heel slightly move or they should be locked?
2. Asnes Race x-skins, I have used them yesterday for the first time but glue on them is really bad they might sold me some old pair or whatever, comparing glue with my nylon x skins is totally different on nylon it stick very good and stable to ski. Is there any possibility to replace the glue or are they any spray to make glue more sticky? Also I read some post on this forum and found out that this race skins should be trimmed to heel in order for better glide?
3. Is it safe to stick this skins on top of grip/kick wax?

Hi there,

1. Sounds like the boot has too much volume for your foot. You'll want to take up some of that space so that you can lace firmly without pinch, but also keep your heel locked in firmly. If your heel is moving, you could end up with major heel blistering. There are a few threads on here about taking up extra volume in your boot. Thicker socks, second insole. I've also had success cutting thin, flat, durable material into the shape of my insoles and stacking them underneath to take up volume. Specifically I used a cork-rubber gasket material from any auto parts store. Trace your insole shape, cut with scissors, and voila. You have a 1.5 mm shim that you can place beneath your insole to take up space. The material is designed to handle compressive forces and don't break down easily.
https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/FPG3006

2. You can try sprucing up the existing glue like this:
https://offpistemag.com/climbing-skins- ... 0to%20glue.
I have a bad pair from factory as well, and this didn't make any improvement for me. But YMMV. They're in the queue for a full reglue, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

G3 Glue Renew and Black Diamond Gold Label are products that can be used to fully reglue your skins. Original glue must be stripped first. I'd probably go with G3 sheets for reglueing full skins (BD comes in a tube and is more meant for touchups). But kicker skins are small enough that tube product may still be feasible.

3. Sure is. There's a few threads on here about this. Prevailing thought is to avoid putting skins over softer / warm temp kick waxes. But going on top of harder / colder is fine. Plenty of folks consider Swix Blue Extra as the warmest wax to safely put skins down over.

Cheers

[telerat]

I tried an Alfa Guard in a size too large, and then it felt very roomy. When tried the size smaller, it felt good. Is your the correct size?

[KnoxPolk]

@Smitty thanks a lot for your tips and advises!

@telerat I order them online, I measured my feet and followed Alfa Chart size, my feet are 26,5 cm so I ordered size 43 which stated for feet 26,6 cm. I live in Poland and I have no option to tried them out in store as they are not available here.

[lilcliffy]

I measured my feet and followed Alfa Chart size, my feet are 26,5 cm so I ordered size 43 which stated for feet 26,6 cm.

My slightly longer left foot is 26.5cm.
I have a medium-width, small volume foot.

My length preference is for a 42.5EU in a hiking/backapacking/work boot (e.g. my Scarpa boots are all 42.5EU).

I can sometimes get away with a 43EU in a small volume boot/shoe.

I wear a 42EU Alfa Guard BC- and need a thick wool insole to take up boot volume- there is NO way I could make a 43EU Guard work without a full boot liner.

For comparison- my Crispi Svartisen/Lofoten and Alpina Alaska are also size 42EU.
(I also have a 43EU Alaska, that I use for multi-day tours with a thick insole and extra socks).

[telerat]

As described in another thread I had to go the size lower with Alfa than they recommended (across different models). My Alfa Skaget is size 41 while in Alpina Alaska I had to go 42 and even then it felt slightly more snug. If I where using very thick socks I might get away with Alfa in size 42, but it would be roomy. Sorry for the bad news.

[KnoxPolk]

@telerat i just ordered Alaskas XP in 42, I am gonna sell this Vistas as they are for sure to big, hope Alaskas will fit more snug.