The Trenched Boot Stiffener Gets a Review!

I was able to spend 4 hours riding for the first time in my boot stiffeners yesterday.  The great news is that they definitely firm up your boots and improve response.  I have Ride Deadbolts (7/10 flex with custom liners, so more like 8.5/10 now) and Union Atlas FC bindings on my Coiler BXFR, so already a very responsive set up.  On toe turns, it pretty much eliminated the ankle strap bite that I have been getting.  Because of my boot size (29) and the long base plate on the bindings, combined with the 27 cm width of my board, I have to ride higher angles than I would like (currently 36/24), so keeping pressure on the heel turns takes some conscious effort.  With the stiffeners and the large amount to which they wrap around my liners (about 270 degrees), engagement of the heel side is so much quicker- quick enough that I almost blew up a few times because I wasn't ready for it.  After a few quick runs I adapted to it and it just because part of the experience.  The lateral stiffness that they offer is actually the biggest change I felt.  They slide in and out great- I would recommend putting them in after your boot is on and taking them out before you remove your boot.  The one area that I need to work on is my rear foot instep bones are ridiculously high, so the stiffener on that foot tended to press down a bunch.  Not painful, but just a touch uncomfortable, so I plan on remolding my rear liner to conform better to the stiffener's curve.  These are a universal fit, so of course they are not going to fit everyone perfectly, but it is easily correctable.  For the price and performance gain, these are absolutely a no-brainer.  I am also looking forward to seeing if they increase the longevity of a pair of boots, so that may be another benefit.  

I’ll probably give them a try at some point.  I will note that I have way more ankle flexion with my rear foot when I’m riding.  On my Rome bindings I have the pivot on the front all the way up, but I need to drop that on the rear because it feels a bit restrictive. 

I wonder if you’re just pushing on the rear harder, and it’s not really a fitment issue?  Would it be weird to just use it up front?

It is definitely a fitment issue for me and it always has been, so a simple re-heat should solve it.  As far as using the front only, I don't know if it would offer any benefit for me, but maybe others?  The increase in lateral support is noticeable and appreciated, so I am zeroing in on the system that works best for me- I know there is a raging thread on ASB about how a soft set-up is a series of compromises, but having spent 25 years on hard boots, I feel for me it's the other way around.   

@wildcherry I’ve used these boot stiffeners and straps for the past three riding sessions, once with my K2 Thaxis soft boots and twice with my Deeluxe Ground Control (hybrid) hard/soft boots. I’m happy to report that comfort was great and performance of the boots was markedly increased. As a result, I’ve had the best three days of carving in my life - thank you😎