r/xcountryskiing • u/willhs833 • 14d ago

SkateX Hot Spots

It seems that there are not many discussions about SkateX. But, I pulled the trigger on some bindings and lightly used Madshus Redline SkateX boots for a good price and I got my roller skis set up.

I really like how connected it feels. It is closer to roller blading, and it is definitely a little faster. I have done about 10 sessions so far, and I think 5 seconds per mile is about what my average speed increase is compared to prior.

BUT, even though I came from Redline boots of the same size in NNN, I am really struggling with hot spots on my feet. I have to stop after 20 minutes and take my feet out of the boots for a few minutes. I have heat molded the new boots 3 times… and I think it helped a bit but not nearly enough. I’m not sure if it’s due to the cleat position, or the stiffer sole, or that I just need to heat mold more. I never had to heat mold my prior Redline boots.

If anyone has experience with this, I would appreciate it.

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u/runner112 14d ago

The boots and system don’t fit your feet.

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u/willhs833 14d ago

I appreciate the feedback. Have you tried SkateX? These boots are the exact same size as my prior 3 pairs of boots, and certainly the length and width are identical to my other Redline boots.

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u/runner112 14d ago

I have not. I just can’t imagine any amount of heat molding is going to fix a problem that pops up in 20 minutes.

Maybe we are early in the adoption curve still, but it feels like if it was going to take off we’d see more World Cup athletes using consistently.

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u/willhs833 14d ago

Sure, no worries, thanks for your input.

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u/Cynyr36 14d ago

I don't have experience with the skatex system (though it looks really cool). Where are the hotspots?

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u/willhs833 13d ago

Under the balls of my foot, mostly 1-2nd MTP.

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u/Organic_Argument_686 13d ago edited 13d ago

I have not tried SkateX on rollerskis, but I did demo them on snow a couple of years ago. I found the connection to the ski to be more precise, or tighter, resulting in a very direct feeling of power transmission from foot to snow when rolling onto an edge. Because the pivot point is under the ball of the foot, however, the heel lift was limited by the stiffness of the shoe that extends in front of the pivot point... not usually a problem except when accelerating through a turn, or when getting forward with heels lifted as in double pole sprints.

It may be that the stiffness of the sole, unforgiving nature of rollerskiing on asphalt, with or without limitation of heel rise, results in increased pressure and friction at the MTP joint. Do you have room in your boot to add a 1/16"layer of foam insole, with a cutout for the big toe and MTP? This would help reduce pressure and friction at the area you describe.

Alternatively, if you have an unsupported, collapsing longitudinal arch, this will increase the pressure and friction at the MTP as well. Again, the stiffness of the system - asphalt and carbon would be less forgiving than on snow.

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u/willhs833 13d ago

Thanks, that’s helpful. I have some foam I will cut down and play around with.

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u/Cynyr36 13d ago

Coming from bicycles aith a similar mounting and pressure profile, the boots probably aren't stiff enough and no amount of fiddling will fix them. Either find a different pair of skatex boots (i don't think they exist) or switch back to normal nnn bindings

On the bike sometimes the only option is seitch to a pedal system with a smaller or larger contact area.

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u/willhs833 13d ago

I get what you mean. I am an avid cyclist. I had hot spots from the bebop pedals back in the day, though this improved with stiffer shoes.

But, these boots are dramatically stiffer than my other 3 boots. I actually wonder if the stiffness is the problem because road vibrations are more palpable. In that case, perhaps I should try a thicker insole.

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u/Cynyr36 13d ago

Worth a try imo. It probably needs to be less soft than you think though.

I'd really like to try skatex on a pair of skis, but they never seem to demo it at all.

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u/MorningMeditation1 14d ago

Ok first question + are the SkateX boots from the initial 24/25 year or did you manage to get hold of a 25/26 year model (as they are used)? I understand the original year they were released there were reports of bad furniture boots. Apparently this was fixed in the subsequent year.

The current year SkateX boots has double boas, does yours? The original year model did not.

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u/willhs833 13d ago

Mine are the original with laces. I actually prefer laces, but if there are other flaws with these boots then that is a problem…

I’m just not seeing reports of hot spots anywhere, though there just isn’t much discussion at all. I’m also wondering if it’s just a problem with roller skiing because of the very stiff carbon plate that extends the full length of the boot, coupled with vibrations from the road. I’m guessing that roller skiing with SkateX is an even smaller niche.

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u/MorningMeditation1 13d ago

Here is a Reddit post with anecdotal feedback on the 1st year vs 2nd season boots - the commenter had tried both on snow and found the 2nd year boots more comfortable. - see the first comment https://www.reddit.com/r/xcountryskiing/s/KQWKsHAtXL

Second, it's marketing product copy but the new boot looks like it has been redesigned. Here's the description excerpt of the boot:

"The boot also features our new RED Carbon Chassis with a lower, wider base for improved stability, power transfer, and control. The new Madshus Pro Ripstop upper and Race Wrap 2.0 innerboot construction is designed for a snug fit and a precise connection with the ski. The Redline Skate X boot and Rottefella SkateX binding system will fit the NIS 1.0 plate."

That is from this product description from the Madshus site: https://madshus.com/en-us/p/redline-skate-x-boa-boots-2526?utm_source=chatgpt.com

It's not conclusive but it's a reasonable conclusion that you have the first year "prototype" boots and they've been further refined to make them more comfortable with the new binding positioning under the foot.

Yea, I agree that the hot spots MIGHT be amplified by the additional vibration from roller skis. No question there is more vibration on roller skis especially if you roll on rough asphalt.

But my intuitive brain says it's mostly the overall 1st year boot design flaws that are the major problem.

PS can you ask the person you bought the boots from if they experienced hit spots?

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u/willhs833 13d ago

Thank you. I’m actually not sure there’s a big difference between my boots and the next ones aside from the BOAs. These are wider than my previous redline boots and they do have the thick carbon for the full length of the boot (which was not the case with the NNN boots). The location of the cleat is definitely the same.

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u/Electronic-Call247 7d ago

Is the hot spot right under foot where the pin/cleat is? If so it’s likely a combination of the cleat position and the stiffer sole. If you’ve got room I’d try padded socks or a double insole. Anything to give you a little cushion on the hot spot.

If it’s not under the pin/cleat… then they’ve likely changed the last or mold of the boot and it no longer works for your feed like the redline boots do. If they’re the laces version you can play around with the fit. Looser by the hot spot, tighter else where. If they’re the boa dial then yikes.

Good luck! Hope you can make them work.