– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

WildSnow Man Cave Latest — Boot Punch Ring Press

by Lou Dawson January 31, 2013
written by Lou Dawson January 31, 2013
For years, I've been looking for a ring press to help with boot punching.

I've searched years for a ring press, but never liked what I'd get for the money. Earlier versions all had arms that made it difficult or impossible to do a toe box punch. Latest version from either Ski Kare or Sun Valley Ski Tools is primo, with a reach system that makes doing the 'big toe punch' incredibly easy. Using this tool, I can quickly increase the effective length of almost any backcountry skiing boot by a half to a full size (depending on the foot shape.) This will be a huge help with our boot reviews, as we like to correctly fit each boot before evaluation and can't run off to the boot fitter every time we get the latest shoe. More, the usual sample size in pre-production boots is a 27, but that's frequently too short for Americans, myself included. On the other hand, size 27 boots are usually the best fit for my skinny ankles. Now, I just lengthen the 27 a bit and get the perfect fit. Side punches are easy as well. Combined with our other ski boot fitting tools, we should be able to keep most of our boot testers' feet smiling.

Sun Valley Ski Tools

18 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Smartwool NTS Base Layer — WildSnow Girl Review
next post
Freeride Tour Boots — Cuff Security is Key

18 comments

Tim January 31, 2013 - 10:07 am

Awesome looking tool! When is your shop open to come use your toys ;)?

aaron trowbridge January 31, 2013 - 10:22 am

What is the cost of that, the website does not show and I can’t get the Cart to work.

mikep January 31, 2013 - 10:33 am

aaron, you need to have an account with SVST to order to see the prices on their website and order through them.
you might be able to order without and account but i’ve never tried since i just buy throiugh my shop.

Lou Dawson January 31, 2013 - 10:36 am

It’s around a grand for the whole thing, if you’re just curious. All the boot fitting tools are extremely expensive.

Phil February 1, 2013 - 5:41 am

Do you use a standard heat gun or some fancy boot fitting heating device?

If you use a normal heat gun, how do you control the temperature? Is it more a matter of feeling/experience or are there strict rules to follow? I ruined a pair of boots a couple of years ago trying to do it myself (the shell started “bubbling”) and have since then put my trust in the local boot fitter.

Tom February 1, 2013 - 6:50 am

Cool tool. But not something that most is will be able to justify. Does anyone have ideas about how to do this for less tach a grand, There must be a dirt-bag alternative.

Lou Dawson February 1, 2013 - 7:02 am

Tom, I’ve done boot punches with everything from trailer hitch balls to tennis balls on the inside, various clamp arrangements on the outside. Some worked, some did not. Doing a toe punch is particularly difficult without a ring press or a boot expander, which is equally as expensive.

One of the best “dirt bag” boot punches I’ve seen involves stuffing a tennis ball into the forefoot area, to create width room at ball of foot. You then clamp down on top of the boot, which in turn causes the tennis ball to bulge to the sides. Problem is you end up with less height. Of course, any aggressive boot shell punch has to pull some volume from somewhere else, but the ring press does that the least because it isolates the area you’re working on.

Lou Dawson February 1, 2013 - 7:26 am

Phil, standard best practice is to use a digital infrared thermometer, as well as experience. Most boot fitters use a forced air heat gun but some use infrared heaters. Not just any heat gun works well, I like one that has adjustable temperature (not accurate, but makes it easier to get the heat gun working well, not too hot or cold.) With the thermometer triggered often, I use 250 F as my guide when doing this with Pebax, PU is easier and I usually don’t use the thermometer, just heat it till it changes appearance and starts to stretch. I forgot the temp for Grilamid, it’s similar to Pebax but hotter. Some of the process involves a feel for how much the plastic will spring back after the work is done. Biggest problem is the inside mandrel on the stretching machines sucks up heat. Pre heating the mandral helps, but isn’t ideal. Machines are available with heated mandrels, and yep those our beyond our budget (grin).

All the experts recommend keeping junk shells around to practice on. That’s what I do. And since I don’t do boot fitting full time, I sometimes practice on a junk shell specifically before a new project.

http://www.wildsnow.com/1562/pebax-melt-temperature/

Nexus6 February 1, 2013 - 12:57 pm

Tom, I just finished building my dirt bag boot press and shell spreader. Uses a giant deep reach woodworking bar clamp and a wooden last that get’s pressed into the front of the boot. Takes more work to shape the custom last plug but after you make one for your foot you can use it on multiple boots. Tool also has 4 welding vice grip clamps that I can use to spread the shell when doing liners molds or shell grinds. Will post a picture URL tomorrow. Total cost was around $150 for materials and around 8 hours of time to build. Bessy bar clamp was $85 so that was the most expensive part.

Second the using a discarded boot to practice on. It’s easy to over stretch or go past the DIN toe spec until you get a feel for it. Although I did manage to fit my size 29 foot into my dad’s old size 26 boots. They won’t fit in a binding anymore, but was good practice.

Lou Dawson February 1, 2013 - 1:18 pm

Guest blog?

Nexus6 February 1, 2013 - 4:10 pm

Sure would be happy too.

Lou Dawson February 1, 2013 - 4:18 pm

Nexus, email using the contact link at top of page. Thanks, Lou

scottyb February 4, 2013 - 8:41 am

I have been looking for a convection oven to do liners in. My home oven is busted and I need to find one. I have googled the heck out of it of course.

Any ideas?

Lou Dawson February 4, 2013 - 9:52 am

Scotty, any oven with enough room will work. Problem is, nearly all are too small, and the larger ones are super expensive. I spent too much on ours, it was used, full of grease, but it worked after lots of cleaning. It’s a Farberware, not sure what model. I got it on Ebay. Please let us know what you find. I use the oven a bunch for craft work and boot fitting, one of the best tools I have but again, I paid more than I would have liked. Lou

Bob February 6, 2013 - 5:51 pm

Lou you have the yellow boot press that comes from Ski Kare in Golden pictured. SVST makes an identical unit in blue.

Lou Dawson February 6, 2013 - 6:16 pm

Bob, thanks, Ski Kare website is less than ideal, so I was focusing on SVST and l had them on my mind. I’ll edit the text to be clear. Lou

Terry November 29, 2013 - 10:45 pm

Great conversation! Am looking forward to seeing Nexus6’s boot press.

Jim December 23, 2013 - 12:49 am

Would a concrete or cast mold of your foot work to press into the heated shell to mold the shell to the shape of your foot?

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Manasseh on Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review
  • Manasseh on Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review
  • Jon Canuck on Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves
  • Joe Sedy on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
  • Bil Brandt on Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

Gear Reviews

  • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

    January 12, 2021
  • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

    January 5, 2021
  • Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampon Review

    January 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • A Lifetime of Skiing the Heights — Natural Progression Book Review

    December 11, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Ski Touring Boot-Binding Leash D-Ring Install

November 17, 2020

Scarpa F1 LT Look and Fitting...

October 16, 2020

Lessons Learned From the Nation’s Leading...

September 28, 2020