Head Skis

Question
I recently purchased a pair of used head skis and the boot size is too small. Is there a way to adjust the mechanics for a larger size boot?

Answer
Hey Don,

Adjusting bindings is easy, but if you feel any trepidation, take them to your local shop for professional help. I will walk you through it but you may want to have your local shop take a look at them before you ski on them. Most shops won't charge much to make adjustments. If for some reason the bindings need to be moved (ie, screws removed and relocated) be sure to have a shop do that for you.

There should be an adjustment on the back of the heel piece. There should be two adjustment locations. Use the bottom adjuster to move the heel piece back. Start turning the adjuster and verify that the heel piece is moving back. (The upper adjuster will adjust the release tension). Set your boot into the toe piece and see how much the heel overhangs the top of the heel piece (while open). Move the heel piece back until the heel of the boot will just clear the top lip of the heel piece when the binding is open. It should close down fairly easily. If it seems to bind, adjust out about 1/4 turn at a time until it feels good. There should be no play in the binding/boot connection when the boot is secure in the binding. The top lip of the heel piece should overlap the boot heel piece fairly well. Also the back edge of the boot (vertical) should almost or be touching the heelpiece.

When the boot is in the binding, check the line up. On the side of the base of the boot there should be a line or arrow. This line should line up with a line on the ski or the binding. This ensures that the boot and binding are located in the proper location on the ski. If the line on the boot is not within a quarter inch of the line on the ski, you will probably need to move the bindings. This will require taking them to a ski shop to be done properly by trained ski technicians.

If just adjusting the heel piece back works, check the toe for play. The top lip of the toe piece should be touching the toe part of the boot. If not, there should be an adjustment screw on the top to raise or lower the lip. The same goes for the heel piece for adjusting it up or down. The front (vertical) of the toe on your boot should almost or be touching the toe piece

Last but not least is the release settings. If you are an intermediate skier, average weight 150-180, average height 5'6"-5'10", set the release levels at about the middle setting, maybe just a bit higher. If your size/weight is smaller, go lower, if higher, set higher. Set release levels higher yet if you are an advanced skier. The ranges should be 1-10 or 1-12. Mid range would be 5-6, higher 7-9.

Once you have all the adjustments made, put your boots on. Place the skis on a carpeted floor and step into one of them. Have someone stand on the tail. Starting with the free foot about 1/2 step back from the ski foot, take a large step forward and as soon as your free foot sets down, step forward quickly with your ski foot. If the binding releases too easily, adjust release tension higher. If it comes out really hard or not at all, back it off a bit. Adjust about 1/4 turn each time until comfortable with the setting.

To set the toe, push the tip of the ski out like a reverse snow plow. Tip the ski inward and twist the toe of your boot in. At the same time, have your helper bump the ski boot lightly with the heel of their hand or foot. It should release fairly easily. If not loosen tension. If it comes out too easily, tighten slightly.

These adjustments will get you going but be aware that you may have to make adjustments on the hill. Take a screwdriver with you just in case on the first day to make minor adjustments. Remember that it is better to start with the release tension a bit on the loose side than too tight. If you pop out when you feel you should not have, then tighten them a bit.

The other option is to take them to your local shop and have them make all the adjustments for you. Then you may only have to make some release adjustments once you are on the hill.

Hope this will help. Best of luck with your new boards.
Keep on skiing,
Windlover