Buying Ski Boots.

A snowHead

Wow, so much to take in. And it looks like its going to be a lot more "hassle" choosing a boot than I had ever perceived.

Multiply that with a pair for the wife and son, and it looks like its going to be painful time and expense wise.

first of all, let me tell you where I'm coming from.

I "learned" to ski in the army. Which actually translated to "time away from work" for the majority of us on it. The actual courses were treated basically as a fun time by us. looking back, we had some great instructors, but none of us paid much attention to anything after we'd learned to get down a few hills properly. Unfortunately this "ability" to get down the hill as opposed to actually skiing it, has been with me, manifesting itself as skiing ability, for years. A bit off the cuff for the thread maybe, but in all this time I have NEVER worn a pair of boots apart from ones that were given to me based on what size feet I have. I have NEVER had a pair of boots that have not hurt in one way or the other. Ever! I've never been able to come off after a couple of runs without loosening my boots and being thankful that i was actually being able to get them off for a bit.

I was at Glenshee yesterday with hired boots and although they werent actually painful they werent actually comfortable. its just something I've always accepted because its all I've known. Ski boots are not comfortable Sad

My Mrs also had hired boots (her first time on real snow) and she sacked it at lunchtime because her feet were permanently in pain. Pins and needles in all her toes. I'm only hoping it hasnt put her off full stop. I think I need to get her back up and running as soon as possible.

The long and short of it is that I've decided its abot time I actually took some lessons to correct my ingrained (misguided) belief that because I can get down some reds I can actually ski. If I'm going to do this then i dont want to be approaching lessons/ski time any more thinking/accepting that boots hurting is just going to have to be accepted as part of the norm. Time to move on.

Which begs the question thats probably been answered a million times in here already. Now that I'm no longer just gonna go to Decathlon/wherever and pick a pair based on "they look Ok and are in an 8, and dont feel too bad when I put them on" what should I be looking for. I'm quite happy i suppose to go to a fitter, but dont really know what a good fitting boot should feel like. Also, what sort of price range would be appropriate for being able to come away with a "decent" pair of boots, fitted well, that would enable me to ski down blues and reds (hopefully blacks later).

I suppose now I've decided to do things right i will also need to apply this to skis as well.

A snowHead

I see from your location you are in Scotland. If you decide to get a boot fitting at an Ellis Brigham store, they currently have their sale on, boots of your ability level are going for round about £200, factor in £60 for a custom footbed (will probably solve a lot of your problems) and there is your budget.

We usually say a generic budget of about £300, when the sales aren't on, but they've just kicked in and the discounts on boots are ridiculous, so check it out. Also remember you'll need a good pair of thin performance fitting ski socks - Smartwool or similar will do the trick.

Good fitting boot, in my opinion, should feel like it is holding the foot but without being painful or overtly pressured in any part. We call it the 'firm handshake fit' at Brighams. Kind of like a handshake from a good friend. Firm and snug without being uncomfy.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Hi crazy_skier_jules, thanks for the info. I've been looking at the EB site and thinking I'll pop in there next week when I go to Snozone.

However, IF I end up being able to go to the EoSB then I think that will be £260 too far for the missus to approve. Especially as she wont be going to EoSB.

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No, you have to go and get fitted correctly, my advice to you would also get a pair of insoles, superfeet are pretty good

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

If oyur gonna get insoles your better off using Conformable custom skis or premium

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

That makes sense, personally i've always used custom and never had any issues, might try some off the shelf to see how i get on.

After all it is free

I am a partner in Explore Bansko Ski & Board Rental Shop in Bansko, Bulgaria. I have the chance to buy some Salomon Impact 8 Ski boots quite cheap, they are new. They are supposed to be for Intermediate to advanced skiers, but I wonder would this be a problem a for a beginner? We only established this business last year so have a lot to learn!

Anyone know of decent boot fitters on the south coast. I'm in Brighton but prepared to drive as far as is necessary really.

Cheers
Bert

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Anya at Snow Lab near Hailsham East Sussex

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Hey guys,

This might sound like a stupid question, but why is it so difficult? Maybe I've just been lucky, but aside from the godawful smell that I seem to be particularly sensitive to, I've never had a problem with hire boots.

My expectation was that buying ski boots would be no different to buying a pair of shoes or selecting a pair of hire boots - try some on, find a nice fit, job done.

I rolled my eyes when I read that EB expect you to use a footbed, my expectation, like some others said, was that this is EB maximising your spend. Now I've read this thread, I'm not so sure.

I think it would help me understand if we turned the question on its head, why do so many people go through all of the bother and expense of getting ski boots?

You know it makes sense.

Same reason golfers have their own clubs rather than hire a set every round. You get the feel of what you're doing with a familiar fit, extra comfortable plus no messing about at the shop and what a debacle that can be when its busy. Its more hygenic having your own boots too.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

What do you think to buying boots and getting them fitted at altitude (in resort) rather than getting them fitted in the UK?
I'm referring to the fact / myth that our feet slightly swell at altitude which may cause a problem to boots fitted in the UK.

A snowHead

Hi all,

If your in the Midlands:

I had my first pair of ski boots for Christmas bought from White Mountain Ski in Penkridge, Stafford between junction 12 and 13 of the M6. They have a foot bed scanner to help you pick the right boot and insole and the staff were very helpful. They heated up the boot liners and clamped them to feet with toe caps on for a better fit http://www.whitemountainski.co.uk/

If you're in the West Country:

Near Bristol/ Gloucester you could try http://www.attwoolls.co.uk/but they don't have the foot bed scanner.

I will be testing out the boots next week in Scheffau.

Cheers,
JV

A snowHead

Just after some advice.

Have just ordered a pair of k2 photon skis 174 length and am just doubting the order (typical)

I am now debating if i should have got the 167's instead.

I am 6ft and 11.5 stone and am fairly advanced skiing mainly on piste and a bit off piste.

Which length will be best for me?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Junior Boots question.

MiniRoll is 10, done about 15 weeks skiing. Is now outskiing her old man. Sad

( I'm told it happens to everyone - doesn't make it 'right' tho...)

Last year we bought some boots from Lockwoods for her, but they are now too small.
We could go back to Lockwoods, but to be honest, despite buying my own boots/skis there, and being happy very with that, we did feel that when it came to Junior, they somewhat pressured us into buying the only boots they had. It is also 50 miles up the road from Maidenhead. Plus point is their Part-ex scheme.

Mrs Roll has just been to CEM for her Christmas present, (cost me a fortune, but she is ecstatically happy) but he doesn't do UK size 2, (22, 22.5) size for young ladies.

Looked at the Salomon X3 70s (and 60s) seem about the right level for her. It is tough being small, but far from a beginner - there's not a lot of choice.
Slush & Rubble sell this model but don't have any stock at either Chertesy or Hemel. So, questions:

Any good bootfitters in the West London / South West London / Home Counties area that would be a worth a visit for children?
Do any do a PX scheme?
Are there any other brands / types we ought to consider?
Is everyone running out of choice at this time of year?
Should we wait until we get out to Les Arcs ( 23rd March) hire something for a few days then buy, and abandon all hope of UK stuff?

Thanks.
AR

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No experience of 'em but Fulltilt do an adjustable kid's boot:

http://fulltiltboots.com/ski-boots/growth-spurt-girls

Looks like their large size could last (gedit) MiniRoll for a while.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

altis, interesting... and Ski Bartlett is at Uxbridge, close enough. Maybe worth a look. Anyone else seen or used these things?

Thanks

PS 'last' joke: took a while, but... go get yer coat!

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Arctic Roll, second the suggestion of Bartletts for this, they are extremely helpful and generous with advice. They should have some good options as they will be fitting a lot of kid racers so will have decent boots in small sizes. Too far for you but again another great shop and particularly good on junior kit with a good range of boots is Ventura in St Helens, very happy with the service we had buying our son's new boots there this season.

If you want to know about the adjustable boots PM RobW if he doesn't see this, pretty sure one of his kids had the Roces adjustable ones. There is also a cheaper version called Roxa Chameleon from SkiWear4Less.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

sarah, thanks. Will be contacting Bartlett this week, and robW.

After all it is free

Update - ( see Les Arcs thread too) on Ski Bartlett...

Spent far more than I intended, but miniroll is ecstatic about her new boots, even doing her clarinet practice standing in them. They did a Px on last year's boots, and were very attentive, very knowledgeable, and spent a long time with her trying a variety of boots to make sure they got things right.

My only issue was the queuing system - you can't book an appointment, and the personalised and individual attention afforded each and every person can mean a long wait - we waited over 2 hours between arrival and being seen to, and there were only 5 people in the queue ahead of us. It then took another hour to fit. But that was right and proper - no custom footbeds or anything, they wouldn't fit next year anyway, and again reinforced the care being taken, so not a complaint.

Having travelled to get there, we were reluctant to abandon, and an hour in, even more so. To be fair, they did say it was going to be a wait, and we were offered (and accepted!) a couple of cups of coffee, and everyone was most attentive and tried their best to look after us. But not easy for a ten year old to be so patient.
Maybe they might want to think about 1 of the fitters operating to a booking system, in parallel with the other 2 doing 'walk-ups', to cope with those who have come a reasonable distance and can plan their weekends ahead of the game?

One guy showed up at quarter past three, having driven he said an hour to get there, but was told it wouldn't be possible to fit him in prior to closing time (5:30 - although the fittings were still going on until 6 at least). Lost customer, and probably a tad disappointed too.

So message is - great service, but pick your moment. Or, take work, book, suduko or a shopping list (to wander around the locale) with you.

Arctic Roll, Glad you are sorted, but the lack of booking system means I wouldn't even contemplate using them for boots

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Sounds like a similar system to Lockwoods. When I go there I'm usually waiting for them to open!

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After trading in my circa 1950's boots for some spanky new ones it was not great. Had them fitted/heat moulded etc etc at a large well known ski shop. Took them away and they were agony. I ended up skiing in pop socks..not good for warmth.
So..they had shrunk back to their original shape. However, looking back at how it happened I came to the conclusion and one or two mentioned that it could have been the boot warmers which i put in every night.
When i had them refitted by the same store but expert fitter (definately worth waiting for this person however much you do not want to hang around) he did a great job and boots are now fine. He also said that boot warmers will not affect them?? I have different opinions on this, does anyone have a difinitive answer?

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Depends on the liners. If they're Intuition or similar made of Ultralon then they're cooked at 135C for 10 minutes in the fitting process. You're unlikely to get anywhere near that with a boot warmer.

http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=60085

Arctic Roll,

You know it makes sense.

I've been using my Raichle Flexon's for the past 12 seasons. My feet haven't grown since high school and I always preferred a softer feel, so I just get my Thermoflex liners remolded before every season. I've always thought it was cool that the original model hasn't really changed since it's first introduction. I'd like to pick up a pair of flashier Full Tilts, but really don't see the point in buying virtually the same shell. I can definitely see myself picking up one of the new liners, though.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

A snowHead

I recently had some new boots fitted and got custom footbeds. The bootfitter said I have quite big ankles and in the shop after 'pretend skiing for 10mins non stop they did rub. He made some adjustments in the boots and said to try them skiing. I did some more 'pretend skiing' at home and they rubbed a bit again. I tried them on the dry slop last night for a couple of hours and were fine. Im a bit worried that when I get out there and am skiing all day that they will rub again.
I think I may have to get the shells stretched in resort if that happens.
Anyone know how expensive that might be? Going to Tignes Val Claret.
Thanks

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Was your UK bootfitter not prepared to stretch them for you before you go? If they are worth their salt, & it needs it, they will probably do it as part of their after sales service. Nonetheless, you don't want to create unnecessary slack if they don't really need it. There's a big difference in your circulation between pumping your knees a bit in your living room, and exerting yourself in a sustained fashion in the way the boots were deisgned for.

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Thanks for your reply.
He was prepared to stretch them but was reluctant to do anything do anything too drastic before actually trying them skiing. He said after I have been I can go back and he will make any adjustments necessary.
I am just a bit worried that if they do make my ankles hurt that I will have to get something done when out there rather than suffering all week and waiting until I get home.
I could just ask him to stretch them before I go but he might think I'm a bit strange asking for it when they haven't hurt when actually skiing in them. Plus, maybe they don't actually need it and, like you say, there is a big difference between between actually skiing and rocking about in them indoors.
If I do have to go down the route of getting them adjusted when out there do you know what sort of price that would be?

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

raybey1, stretching a boot in resort can cost anything form a couple of beers to €20-30 depending on the shop, i have seen shops in the past refuse to work on a boot to stretch it because they wanted to sell a new boot in a bigger size, (which for a little bit of width which is what the problem was, is a bit underhand)

if they don't rub when you are skiing then i would not worry, give them another session or two on the dry slope and see what happens, it takes a few days to bed the liner of a new boot in, your fitter is right not to stretch the shell too much before you have skied unless of course there is an obvious pressure point in the store.

the other question is this..is it a pressure (pressing) or a rub (movement), if the latter, try tightening the ankle buckle up a little bit more

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Thanks again. I certainly wont be buying another new boot as its just the ankle area that needs a bit of stretching if anything.
I'll give them a couple more goes on the dry slope then and see how they go.
I think its a bit of both with regards to the rubbing or pressure. Ill try the suggestion with the ankle buckle and see if it feels like it improves the situation.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Ski boots in South Wales/South West

Still thinking about buying a pair of boots (and still not got round to it). Based in Cardiff, but willing to travel if needs be to get some that fit well. I have funny feet (quite flat feet with really excessive pronation - wear orthotics in shoes). Coyote in Cowbridge is close as is Snow & Rock in Bris'l. Anyone had experience of either?

I also understand that customised footbeds are good (especially for people with wonky feet). Is this right (which I suspect it is from my experience with shoe orthotics)?

Otherwise, it may be a day trip to Bicester.

After all it is free

Hi going to soll in Austria in march this will be 4th time on the snow so thought it was time to invest in a pair of ski boots, looking for a bit of advice. I'm looking at buying salomon QUEST 70 or rossingol SYNERGY SENSOR 2 anybody any feedback on these, not sure what flex to go for I would say I'm am ok skier pick up a bit of speed, few small jumps when the legs aren't to knackered .

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akisuan, you buy boots because - hire boots are not designed for YOUR feet. The foam used is designed not to take the shape of any particular foot and is therefore softer in order to better fit a wider range of feet. Also manufacturers rarely do lines for rental that feature their top design ideas so a serious skiier is generally forced to buy rather than rent. On top of that people often have feet issues which can ony be dealt with by a pro set up, you'd never get that for hire boots. Then there is the fashion element, some people would never buy boots that could be rentals. Some people alos have phobias about using shoes or boots that someone else has used (pretty common actually). Boot owners avoid the time taken to wait of boot fittings in resorts. Over time the boots pay for themselves and can actually save you money compared to renting.

There are a host of reasons why people buy boots rather than renting them - I am sure I have missed some ......

Help!!

Buying Ski Boots.

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