I just had my 2nd pair of Rome Libertine's break on me. I filed a warranty claim, but told them I would rather have a store credit and order some Katana FASE bindings next year.
So the boot hunt goes on. I must have weird feet as I have struggled the last 5-6 years to find a boot that I love. I have a 28 Mondopoint foot and is borderline E width. High arch, high instep, skinny/bony ankles. I had a pair of Vans Infuse that worked well for around 30 days, but after the liner broke in the BOA guide pressed hard on my medial ankle bone causing pain while riding. The Rome Libertine's worked just OK as my feet would often go numb when really cranking them down. I had someone recommend the Salomon Dialogue Wide and I tried them on last night. The boots themselves seemed a bit cheap and I was worried about longevity with them. The size 10 they had in stock seemed comfortable and had a ton of room in the toebox, but my toe barely scraped the end of the boot, so I would probably need a 9.5 which they unfortunately did not have in stock. The Dialogue isn't the stiffest boot and I worry that I may break it down quickly as I am fairly large at 6' 2" 200lbs which puts a lot of stress on my boots.
At this point I am up for suggestions of other boots that may work for my mongoloid feet. I am attaching a photo of my ankles as I think they are "skinny", but perhaps they are just normal?
Maybe the new Unions would work, who knows? Salomon seems more true to size because I'm just under 275, and use a 9.5 in those, but 10 in alot of other wides. For something stiffer than Dialogue, 32 TM2 (Boa) wides in a 10 would work, almost twice as stiff, but not Driver X stiff. Some say Vans, but they don't fit my toes at all, and I would need at least 10.5, and then there's other issues. DC works for skinny/low ankles and more toeroom, but instep could cause issues, hard to say.
Tubermeister wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 11:15 am
Bataleon Acid Boa looks good too. Apparently should be wider than Nideckers.
I tried that on earlier this season. It is easily the hardest boot I have ever tried to get my foot into. Once I was in, it felt OK, but started to get forefoot pressure on the sides after a few minutes.
Blessed420 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 5:42 am
Biggest problems with vans boot is that you cannot really fit custom insoles in them as the original ones are really thick on the heel.
Van's Pop Cush insoles are INSANE. I get the desire to avoid heel bruises, but holy crap.
I went down a full size from my typical skate shoe with Vans Slip-Ons. I wonder if I could do the same with Vans boots, but I've never had my insoles handy when coming across a pair.
RadDad801 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 9:16 am
I just had my 2nd pair of Rome Libertine's break on me. I filed a warranty claim, but told them I would rather have a store credit and order some Katana FASE bindings next year.
So the boot hunt goes on. I must have weird feet as I have struggled the last 5-6 years to find a boot that I love. I have a 28 Mondopoint foot and is borderline E width. High arch, high instep, skinny/bony ankles. I had a pair of Vans Infuse that worked well for around 30 days, but after the liner broke in the BOA guide pressed hard on my medial ankle bone causing pain while riding. The Rome Libertine's worked just OK as my feet would often go numb when really cranking them down. I had someone recommend the Salomon Dialogue Wide and I tried them on last night. The boots themselves seemed a bit cheap and I was worried about longevity with them. The size 10 they had in stock seemed comfortable and had a ton of room in the toebox, but my toe barely scraped the end of the boot, so I would probably need a 9.5 which they unfortunately did not have in stock. The Dialogue isn't the stiffest boot and I worry that I may break it down quickly as I am fairly large at 6' 2" 200lbs which puts a lot of stress on my boots.
At this point I am up for suggestions of other boots that may work for my mongoloid feet. I am attaching a photo of my ankles as I think they are "skinny", but perhaps they are just normal?
Bummer! Which Libertines do you have? I just ordered a pair of hybrid lace as I found a good deal on a pair. What actually broke on yours? I have similar feet to yours apart from the width. Hopefully I don't have the same problem.
Directional pow shapes, camber, Now Drive/pilot 80kg, 175cm
Hybrid BOA last year and Libertine Pro this year. The BOA lace is cutting into the guide inside the boot and eventually wedging itself in. Since they aren't making boots anymore, I asked for a credit instead.
RadDad801 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 4:59 pm
Hybrid BOA last year and Libertine Pro this year. The BOA lace is cutting into the guide inside the boot and eventually wedging itself in. Since they aren't making boots anymore, I asked for a credit instead.
Ah ok.. Not sure if they will fit my feet at this stage. See how I go. No more boots from Rome after this year then?
Directional pow shapes, camber, Now Drive/pilot 80kg, 175cm
RadDad801 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 4:59 pm
Hybrid BOA last year and Libertine Pro this year. The BOA lace is cutting into the guide inside the boot and eventually wedging itself in. Since they aren't making boots anymore, I asked for a credit instead.
Ah ok.. Not sure if they will fit my feet at this stage. See how I go. No more boots from Rome after this year then?
They do not have any boots in next years catalog. I'm assuming Nidecker was good with the amount of boots they already make.
I found someone selling a pair of brand new DC Travis Rice boots in my size. I have heard they are wide toebox friendly, so I better check them out before Pow_Hound snatches them up.
Blessed420 wrote: Thu Mar 27, 2025 5:42 am
Biggest problems with vans boot is that you cannot really fit custom insoles in them as the original ones are really thick on the heel.
Van's Pop Cush insoles are INSANE. I get the desire to avoid heel bruises, but holy crap.
I went down a full size from my typical skate shoe with Vans Slip-Ons. I wonder if I could do the same with Vans boots, but I've never had my insoles handy when coming across a pair.
Agreed. I run vans boots with my custom insoles and can always size down b/c of how crazy thick the pop cushion is insoles are.
I went down a full size from my typical skate shoe with Vans Slip-Ons. I wonder if I could do the same with Vans boots, but I've never had my insoles handy when coming across a pair.