RMGG were recently treated to the introduction by Fischer of their new custom shell molding system for 2011/12, Fischer Vacuum Fit.

The location was Whistler B.C. during the always entertaining Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival.  This was the perfect time to test this new technology with snow conditions still very much ‘winter-like’ with cool temperatures and a seasonal accumulation of over 1,500 cm of snow.

Our tester was Misayo Nakamura, CSIA Level IV Instructor and Level III Examiner.

Fischer has created an in-store system of molding the shell to the skiers foot for the perfect fit.  There will be five models available for FVF in 2011/12: The 110 (Women’s specific), 110, 130, Pro 130, Pro 150.

The system includes a heating box to heat the shells and a Vacuum ‘Fit Machine’.  The machine serves a number of purposes, which includes applying the pressure during the fit process, setting the stance / foot width of the skier locked in through lateral sliding footholds as well as the preferred degree of forward lean and upper cuff alignment.  There is also an attachment that allows for upper cuff alignment that can be used on boots other than FVF.

To start with, a traditional shell fit takes place. The boots are then put on with the liners with either the skier’s own custom footbed or the footbed that comes with the boot.

The skier then steps onto the Fit Machine where the stance / foot width is set along with the preferred degree of forward lean.

The skier then steps off of the Fit Machine and the boots are taken off, liners removed and the shells are heated in the compact Fischer ‘heating oven’.  When the right temperature is reached the skier puts the boots back on with the liners and the buckles are done up comfortably and the skier steps back onto the Fit Machine.

A chilled cooling wrap (there is a mini frig in the bottom of the machine) is then put on each boot followed by a pressure bag over each cooling wrap.  The pressure bags are then connected to the machine and are ready for filling with air to apply pressure evenly over the entire shell.

There is a range of pressure that can then be applied to mold the shell to the skier’s foot and lower leg.  This range can be varied according to the model, the skier’s ability and the type of fit that is preferred – performance, comfort and in-between.  The pressure is applied to the entire shell for approximately 8 minutes where the skier can view a Fischer video about the FVF process on a very nice compact video.  A standard USB memory stick can be attached to the system to play any other videos if desired.

After about 8 minutes, the wraps and pressure bags are taken off and the boots need to sit unused at room temperature for 12 hours at which point they are ready to be skied.  The entire fit and molding process takes about 20 minutes.

The width in the forefront of each shell can be increased or reduced by 5 millimeters from the standard shell size for each model which is quite a bit. Fischer is using a patented plastic that is easier to mold, holds its’ shape much better than traditional boot plastics and is 15% lighter than traditional boot plastic. The boots can be re-molded up to 5 times if necessary.

Misayo, our tester for the day, skied the Pro 150 and found the fit to be very snug in the heel pocket, ankle and all around the lower leg. The Soma Tec angles felt just like previous models and the boot felt light. Overall this is a great concept that will help a wide range of skiers feel increased comfort and performance.

Only 11 of these Fit Machines will be in select Canadian retail stores next season with a limited number of boots available.

Download this great FAQ on the Vacuum Fit System from Fischer »

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