THE FITTING PROCESS: Second appointment / page 2 of 2

Between the first and second appointment I am able to complete the custom footbeds and fit them to the custom liner. Any shell or liner modifications are made from the measurements that were taken during the first appointment. Approximately 70 to 80% of the time liner and/or shell modifications are made before the foam is injected. Strolz shells can be customized in height, width, shell stiffness and forward flex to match your weight and ability level.

At the second appointment, I check all the custom modifications by having you try on the boots before the liner has been foam injected. We are checking to make sure there is plenty of room between your foot and the shell to accommodate the correct amount of foam. Once I feel all the shell and liner modifications are correct we are able to perform the next step.

Pads are strategically placed on sensitive areas of your feet before foaming.

Now I place your feet in the boots (liner & shell) and the foam is injected. You will be in the boots for approximately 20 minutes after the foam is injected for the foam to initially cure. When the foam is injected you will feel a significant amount of pressure - not pain - while the foam is surrounding your feet, with a slight increase in temperature. After the initial curing the boots and foaming tubes are removed and you are able to try on the completed boots. This is when you will feel the true fit of a custom Strolz ski boot. You are able to take the boots home with you and by the following day the foam has completely cured and the boots are ready to ski.

Watch a short (unscripted) video of a Strolz foaming with Don Svela. (YouTube video, click here)
Interview with Tim Barnhorst and Merlin Strolz. (YouTube video, click here)



In extreme cases the shape of the shell can be modified with custom wood lasts.

Photo on right: injecting foam in an SST Race