The purpose of this page is to show proper versus improper heel captivator position. Positioning the heel captivator too low can cause excess pressure on the top edge of the captivator, which may allow the heel bulbs to pop out of the boot. Positioning the heel captivator too high can cause the heel captivator to interfere with the pastern bones.
Note: All photos on this page feature “cutaway” configuration and without the heel captivator liner for better visibility. Please do not use this page to assess cable adjustment.
Renegade Heel Captivator Proper Position
Correct heel captivator postition
Shown below is the correct “Home” position for the heel captivator. Clearly visible is the contoured shape of the heel captivator which evenly distributes pressure upon the delicate tissue of the heel bulbs.
In the toe, observe the ground contact point of the tread which is behind the forward most point of the hoof wall. This feature serves to keep break-over forces to a minimum. It is therefore important to be sure you seat the toe well forward when installing the boot.
Correct heel captivator height. Respect for the soft tissue is maximized. Boot retention capability optimized.
Heel captivator too low
In the photo below, the heel captivator is incorrectly positioned too low. Most obviously this position applies uneven pressure to the heel bulbs and lateral cartilages which may lead to bruising.
This position also poorly captures the heel bulbs leading to boot retention problems. If you are experiencing boot retention problems or bruising of the heel bulbs or lateral cartilages, ‘too low’ of a heel captivator position may be the source of your problem.
Again this shows the Heel captivator position incorrectly too low, from another angle. Obvious in this view is how the heel captivator can apply concentrated pressure to the heel bulbs. Also obvious is the likelihood for poor boot retention especially at faster speeds.
Heel captivator too high
Shown below, the heel captivator is incorrectly positioned too high which reduces clearance for pastern bones to descend and applies uneven pressure to the heel bulbs. If you observe rubbing on the back of the pastern bone, too high of a heel captivator position may be the source of your problem.
Heel captivator position incorrectly too high which can lead to bruising of the tissue covering the pastern bone, especially for long distance use. Understand that the pastern bones descend downward considerably during various gaits.
Heel captivator incorrectly positioned too high.
