New UPZ foam liners

[slayer]

Hi all,
Has anyone tried these: https://www.upz-boots.at/foamthermo-liner_d

They seem to have flex where needed (flex zone) and can be thermoformed after the foaming process.

regards,
Slayer.

[fivat]

Hello Colin,

Where did you read that they are "new"? They exist for several years. Only small details have been changed with time, for better comfort and warmth (like the "toe-box" that is flexible).

When I developed the Swoard-UPZ EC12 with Arnaud for three years, I tested them of course on the snow. This confirmed my experiences from the past with other brands: Raichle, Northwave, etc. The injected liners are so stiff that they prevent a good - and progressive - flexibility of the entire hardboots. Very bad for our needs in EC and smoothness. Forget our "push-pull" technique and good damping.

Arnaud was even more negative than me when he tested the foam liners! It was also catastrophic for my girl-friend who is very light.

The foam stays stiff, whatever you make (heating) after the first injection. The tongues are only "thermo" and can be heated for better adaptation to the shins. But the rear parts (calfs) stay very stiff of course.

Anyway, the UPZ liners won't be produced any more. The boss Wolfgang, who is 65 years old, is retiring and has closed his factory of liners (it was one of his passions, developing great liners; tribute to him for his great work ). Some investors could continue the company, but we let UPZ give official info when it will be clear. Regarding the liners, other brands (like Intuition, Palau, etc.) will be required.

If you want to give the UPZ foam liners a try, don't wait too much, because the last items are available for season 2025-2026. Official price with the foam set is for now 320 € (VAT included in EU).

Patrice Fivat

[slayer]

Thanks Patrice,
Somewhere I got the impression they were a "new" model, I do remember the conversation at Zinal about foam liners and you saying they were too stiff, and so I thought these were different.

Guess I will have to stick to more conventional methods to pack out the volume I have. At Zinal this year, I was on soft-boots on the Stoke for the first day, was on Le Col almost the entire day without any foot fatigue. The second day, I was in hardboots and had plenty of that. Part of it was having the red tongue on leading foot; I switched to the Black (the only other one I have) and it was better, but still had fatigue on day 3. Partly, I feel this is because my foot +liner is swimming in the boot, especially by the afternoon.

Currently, I want to experiment with a rubber undersole on the outside of the liner, as I feel I need a bit of damping of vibrations as well to alleviate plantar fasciitis.

Have you tested Zipfit liners? a more expensive option, but more customisable with the cork filler?

Any advice appreciated!