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Ski Boot Fitting Recommendations - Scotland

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hello all

I have been trying for a couple of weeks to get hold of Alain Baxter's shop at Stirling to get my husband fitted for new ski boots. I cannot seem to get a reply or answer to email. Anyone in the know able to advise if he or his colleagues are about at the moment?

Failing getting hold of them, any recommendations for ski boot fitters that will take their time with you and fit properly, rather than just ushering you out the door with a quick sale.

Thank you in advance.

Sheila
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
One of the ski boot fitters at Nevis Sport on Sauchiehall St did a very good job for a friend of mine who had quite complex requirements after a serious lower leg injury - can't remember the name off the top of my head unfortunately.

On a similar note, the guys at Blues in the Tiso GOE took a lot of time and care fitting a pair of boots for my wife which I had unwisely bought 'on spec' online. She went from barely being able to put them on to absolutely loving them over the course of about 2 hours worth of tweaking and adjusting. They were remarkably gracious (at least in my hearing) about her idiot of a husband who bought her cheap ski boots online...
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 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?
Blues were really good with me, steering me towards a cheaper pair than I initially had my eye on.
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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 have also been trying to get hold of AB for many months. Could never match my visits up with his availability over winter/spring, but he said no bother, he'd be around all summer...

Depends what service(s) you want. Armed with some knowledge of my boots, feet, needs and problems I have found a guy called Scott at Ellis Brigham at the Braehead dome to be competent at making minor adjustments, fitting foam etc. Nice friendly chatty chap, seems knowledgeable and appears to have more time than many rushed appointments-based 'specialist' fitters (from my experience anyway). They have a reasonable selection of boots in stock too, and can pre order something in if you contact them first. Also an advantage that there's the artificial slope to get them tried out and bedded in on, so you can go back into the shop the same day and get tight or loose bits attended to. They're open till 7 on many days.
If you and hubby know a bit about what is needed and how boots should fit, and if there is not a need for very specialist boot models, liners (though they do foam ones, I have seen) or major mods, he's probably as good as anyone.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Blues in Rose St Edinburgh did a great job for my fitting in the summer - spent an age, did a great job and they are happy if you need to go back and get them rebaked or adjusted once you have had a few tries in anger.

Even threw in the 10% Tiso card discount on the boots which he didnt have to.

Great service
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
+1 for Ellis Brigham at Braehead. No rush, lots of care taken on fit, sensible advice with regard to breaking in etc, plenty of models available and endless patience with my OH's slightly strange feet.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Any good reports of the fitting service from Banks of Perth ?
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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!
Thank you all for your replies. Will give consideration and then decide where to go. Very Happy
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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.
@Roguevfr, my wife and me got boots fitted at Banks of Perth, they did a decent enough job but not the extensive boot modifications that Alain Baxter can do. His "shop" is more of a workshop. If somebody has difficult feet I'd recommend Baxter but if they can get a good fit easily then most of the retailers are fine. Blues in Rose St sold me a pair of touring boots that were two sizes too big and that's the worse experience I've had. I took them back after trying them again in the house, got better fitting boots from Craigdon in Perth.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Shona at nevisport on sauchiehall st
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Shona at nevisport on sauchiehall st
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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.
@GixerGirl, Alain is very difficult to get hold of. I was speaking to him at Hillend a couple of weeks ago (his kids were racing) so he is around. He did have someone working for him but he has been in NZ coaching over the summer. As @boabski has said Shona at Nevisport has a good reputation. Ally at Blues in Edinburgh has been a round a long time and could do it for you. A bit further afield is Anything Technical in Kendal. Again, they have a good reputation.
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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
Thanks again folks, your recommendations are appreciated.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
For those interested, we ended up having boots fitted at Craigdon Mountain Sports just off the the Bypass in Edinburgh and would recommend Thomas, their fitter.

He was very knowledgeable and prepared to spend the time to get the fit just right, although the proof will be on the slopes. From wearing the boots around the house for a couple of hours at a time, twice now, no sore spots have become apparent with a comfortable snug fit. The shells were expanded on the right foot to take into account my husbands wider than normal right foot and it appears with excellent results.

Thomas spent the time waiting on sore spots to develop or overly red patches of pressure and took note of how my husbands ankles worked when flexing and had a genuine interest in what he was doing. I just wish I had had the same service six years ago at Blues when I had my boots fitted.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I've also used blues on Rose Street and would recommend Ali there as well, he did a cracking job my footbeds for me.
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