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Need help buying ski boots

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hello! Im gonna go skiing for the first time and i want to buy a good pair of boots. I do alpinism and i love being in the mountains so i plan to improve in skiing because im sure i will love it and a lot of friends of mine do it, and i also want to do mountain ski one day.
I did some research and i wanna buy one of these boots:
- Salomon xpro r90 ( http://www.ekosport.it/salomon-x-pro-r90-anthr-tra-blue-tra-17-p-9-25018.html )
- Salomon Qst Access 80 ( http://www.ekosport.it/salomon-qst-access-80-bk-petrol-bl-gr-18-p-9-28874.html )-
- Nordica n-move 100 ( http://www.ekosport.it/nordica-move-100-tr.noir-citron-vert-17-p-9-20240.html )-
- Lange xc lt ( https://www.df-sportspecialist.it/lange-scarponi-xc-lt/ )
I know maybe the qst access are the best option for beginners, but since im an enthusiastic sporstsman and i plan to keep on getting better i also considered the other options, do you think its too much for the first time? Im 23 years old, im in good physycal condition and i love mountains and sport.
Is the hike and ride system good? is it possible to walk a considered time like one hour or two on the mountain in the hike mode?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Welcome to the forum @luchogtti,

I think you have got the wrong idea about boots... you have to find a good boot fitting expert and take their advice rather than be advised by marketing hype.

Its really the most important bit of kit.

There will be others along in a moment who will point you in the right direction.
ski holidays
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@luchogtti, welcome!
Have you skied at all yet, ie is this your first trip after learning in a fridge or on a dry slope, or are you talking about buying boots to learn to ski in?
The problem with 'beginner' boots is that anyone keen enough to buy them is likely to quickly outgro them and need to upgrade. IMHO it's only worth buying boots as a beginner if you really don't get in with hire ones you've tried.
I actually did buy boots as a near beginner (after learning, but before my first holiday) because of some foot problems. But I ended up replacing them 18 months later (about 6 months later than I should have). The right decision for me, but not for most people I suspect.
Boots are a big investment, and one you want to get right, as @DrLawn said don't pick the boots from reviews/ marketing, find a good bootfitter and take their advice.
September / October is a better time to buy the right boot than March. You might see some bargains now, but with limited choice you risk getting what the shop has got left, rather than the best boot for you.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
I agree with DrLawn. You choose the Bootfitter...and the Bootfitter will select the boots (based on your info and foot measurements).

You can either get them before you go, or in the resort where you will be staying....give details and someone should be able to make a recommendation.

Remember someone who sells boots, may not be a decent bootfitter...which is why recommendations are invaluable.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@DrLawn @Tubaski
Okay, Thanks for the help! the thing is that im from Argentina ( South America ). And here, Winter is in July (When im going skiing), and skiing gear is really really expensive. it would cost me 100-150 Euros to rent a boot for one week, for the same price can buy a pair of boots in Europe ( My mother is going to italy in 2 weeks and she will bring them to me ).
Ive never skied before in any kind of skiing, Im from Buenos Aires (No mouintains), but i was planning to take a few classes in an artificial ski place that is here in the city before going to the mountain in winter, and im going to go hiking with a friend to a mountain one week before going to the ski center and i was planning to take my skis and boots to practice a bit in some easy parts or maybe take some lessons if i have the money.
Thank you for the help!
The good thing is that if they dont fit me, i can resell the boots for a higher price here in Argentina.


Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sat 17-03-18 22:54; edited 1 time in total
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
I must own up @luchogtti, I've bought boots several times, but only a couple of successful purchases.
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@luchogtti, what happens if the boots your mother buys don't fit? It is difficult, in my experience, to buy even ordinary shoes without trying them on first; I think it would be completely impossible in the case of ski boots.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Wow @luchogtti that makes things a bit difficult ... Confused

Perhaps you could give your most comfortable pair of boots to your mother, then she cn find someone who fits your boots ... and get them to try them on.

You may as well be buying them on eBay as that though.

Perhaps you should do that then .. buy a used pair on eBay ... there will be plenty on their soon. Get them shipped to you in Argentina it would save your dear mother having to carry them.

But a problem.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Another idea would be to try out a few pairs at the artificial slope...
Then make a note of the best fitting pair and search eBay for exactly that pair.

Comfortable boots are the secret ... not the Brand or model.

Buena suerte!
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
okay, @drlawn thanks for your help bro! I think im gonna go to a skishop here in buenos aires pretending im going to buy a pair of boots and find a model that fits me. Thanks for the advice, was really helpful!
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Hi @luchogtti That is exactly the answer, try before you buy.
Really pretend that you are going to buy them.
(We all do that)
As they are going to be charging so much, you should take advantage of them.
After all its just a couple of bits of plastic with a lot of marketing hype.

I have very narrow feet so I find that that Salomon boots fit me my narrow feet the best.
I have over time had boots from:
Scarpa de Nava (choice on price in 1972)
Salomon (again based on price and perhaps fit)
More Salomon
Nordica.... (was ok but not a great fit for me)
Back to Salomon again
Nordica again ... but this time it was based on price and they hurt a lot after 2 hours.
Emergency purchase of Salomon, I know they are not a perfect fit .. but they are comfortable, but they are good enough.
I have over the years had other boots ... but I forget.

Enjoy your skiing down in the the Andes ... think of us while you are skiing, we will be siting in the sun waiting for winter to start again.
Or even come along and join us in December.

Adiós por ahora
I have some old friends in Uruguay and Fray Bentos Little Angel
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Also don't overlook the importance of the flex. You see in the boots you named, they tend to have a number with them? IE xpro R90? That's the flex rating... it tends to run from about 70 to 140, with the lower number being more flexible and the higher being more stiff. More aggressive, and heavier skiers, tend to use higher flex rating boots. Being on boots which are too stiff when you're lightweight or beginner may result in you not being able to turn. Being on something too flexible means your boots don't support you and you have no control. Find out what you weigh, and when you visit the shop, tell them your weight and that you are a beginner. They will tell you what flex you need.

I owned 2 pairs of boots in the time I should have only owned one pair, because the twerp in the shop sold me boots that were way too soft (too low a number, on the flex rating).
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@DrLawn, golly, that's a lot of boots! I'm only on my third pair in over 40 years. Current pair still going strong after 8 seasons.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Ive had the salomon x90, loved it...

I bougth half a size to big, and bougth x100 next year... Both on sale and sold the first one used for half prize...


I have a normal wide foot so salomon x pro is good for this. After reading on google.

Dont expect the shop to help u, but help yourself by knowing.

My advice is my experience...

Measure ure foot properly with sock.
Example i bougth size 28,, size 28 is 28cm. Meaning, its for the inner foot...

Used them for 1 year 30 times, after that it was like a swimming pool.

So i measured, my foot is 27,3.... I decided to try 27,5.... Damn it was thigth in the beginning...

Then again, i removed the inner boot from the plastic and discovered... Hey, there are more space at my toes... Make sure to press ure heal to the back of the inner-shoe when its physicaly removed from the plastic outer boot...

Thats the way to go... And in the beginning, wear them at home, and use ultra thin socks... I use a ultra thin wool sock... After more it gets worn and widened.

The Quest shoe i never tryed, but this british guy uses 2 pair of them a year... He works 2 seasons a year alot of hours... Quest has this feat for walking, versatile... He ment it was the best slalom boot for the worker in the slopes.

anyways, i dunno if this is a hundred year old thread, but hope it could be of help...

Measure many times, over and over again... Write it down.. measure the widh of your foot... Learn how to proper take on and off... AFter u se lock your slalom boots into position, so they stay in the same settings. NOt thigth.. Never loose
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