Buying Ski Boots.

A snowHead

@CEM, I assumed hat you also have the cork in stock? My zipfits need extra in the heel.

A snowHead

@tarrantd, good luck finding that.

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I’m in need of new professionally fitted ski boots, as my ~20-year-old Salomon X-Wave 10.0s have bitten the dust. I live in north London and it seems my best options, listed in order of journey time, are:
- Ski Bartlett, Hillingdon (45-min drive)
- Profeet, Fulham (60-min cycle)
- solutions4feet, Bicester (90-min drive)

Am I likely to be similarly satisfied overall with all three or is there a standout among them that lifts them above the others? I was leaning towards S4F, on account of CEM’s contributions to this forum, but I received a recommendation for Bartlett (from a boot-fitter in Kendal), which is half the journey!

Within reason, it’s not my intention to distinguish on price. A helpful, pleasant service and comfort guarantee are more important to me.

All opinions gratefully received.

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Give all 3 a call and make a decision after that.

After all it is free

@Scrunch77, I would say this, a 90 minute drive as opposed to a 45 minute drive is neither here nor there when it comes to having comfortable boots for many ski trips.

That said I have only have experience of S4F, wife and son had their boots purchased and fitted there yesterday, and from what I've heard those two others in your list are good places to go.

Respectfully to eps, not sure how giving them a call will help Puzzled

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It was more about getting a feel for the companies and the persons involved. Otherwise it's just looking at their websites and asking for others opinions. A quick phone call could well narrow the choice, without having to visit the shop in person.

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@eps, fair enough, certainly won't do any harm

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Very reasonable and informed and experienced people will recommend all of these places. Experienced skiers go back to all of them again and again. The only one I've visited is solutions4feet, and would (and will) go back. But I'd equally go to any of the others you mention if the journey was significantly more convenient. And if I had one in cycling distance, I'd be doing that.

Phoning might not be a bad idea to see what they have in stock. Many shops run their stock down in the summer and may have a few suitable boots in stock

You know it makes sense.

@johnE, actually at this time of the year they should be fully stocked up - I know S4F are

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

A snowHead

I've used Profeet in Fulham, and highly recommend them, but have also received excellent advice from CEM.

I'll add one tip that made a massive difference for me, but might not be appropriate or necessary for everyone: custom moulded liners of the goo injection variety that give a 360 degree custom fit. I have a wide forefoot but skinny ankles and standard boot liners don't work well for me at all; they don't hold me securely enough and they become compressed too quickly. The custom moulded liners last about five times longer than manufacturers' standard liners and give amazing response/control that very quickly took my skiing to a new level of enjoyment and ability. Slush became a playground and a joy to ski on.

A snowHead

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

Re boot fitting and finding out if they need a further adjustment after using. I'm planning to get new boots and really don't want to have that experience of getting to a resort and having these fitted boots turn out to uncomfortable once skiing + require a tweak due to how close they've been fitted marring what are v expensive holidays...

Realistically, would a single session at a snowdome after fitting quickly uncover any unforessen pressure points/ issues , or do these develop after a few days hard skiing in the boots vs 2hrs..?
thanks.

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@noodlehat, your chances of needing adjustment are lessened if you know your feet well in the first place and you go to a good boot fitter. So for instance I have bony ankles and unless the shell is blown out slightly I will have a pressure point. I never needed further adjustments when I got my last pair.

However, for sure I think a couple of hours in a snowdome would be useful in determining if there were any issues if you wanted to play it safe.

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S4F packed out with appointments so I was directed, on recommendation by them to James from Bootsure who works out of a home workshop nearby and works with S4F.

So far, really impressed with his knowledge, candour and honesty. New boots ordered, orthotic moulds done and I await full fitting.

Would definitely recommend, especially as the ‘main bootfitters’ seem so clogged up with business this time of year.

After all it is free

Similar to others, S4F was booked up but they helpfully directed me to Ski Exchange, who operate out of a small industrial estate near Cambridge.

I went there today and am now the proud owner of a new set of boots plus I decided to give Carv a go as they had a decent deal on that as their UK distributor.

All I can say is - excellent service, despite being packed to the rafters, I was really well looked after by James and his business partner Simon - 3 hours of careful measuring, trying, stretching etc.

And they don't even charge for the fitting itself - so it was an absolutely excellent price.

Thoroughly recommended for anyone that lives in the vicinity snowHead

A bit belated but big shout out to Graham and Andy in Rivington Alpine. My wife has always struggled with boots ('athletic calves'), and so have I with my big feet and stick insect legs. They fitted a pair of boots that my wife had already bought, and fitted me out with a pair that I bought from them. The fitting was worth it and we're both really happy with the results.

Also a shout out to @CEM from S4F. I'm from Manchester and was originally going to trek down to Bicester. However, spoke to Colin who was more bothered about me getting the right boots without the 3 hour drive, rather than just taking my cash, and he recommended Rivington.

Overall very happy! I like these boot fitting blokes!!! Can't wait to get out to Morzine next week to test them out properly

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I'm based in south Manchester, usually ski at Chill Factore but am planning a trip with my kids for next winter. Solid beginner standard - I'm doing my level 6 lesson after the holidays and I had been on a ski trip with my school 23 years ago.

I'm plus sized (UK size 18/20) but my feet are not insanely wide - it's serious calf room that I need in boots because the rental boots at Chill Factore are causing me issues with numbness and pain. They have one boot in a 25.5 that fits me and if it's already out then I'm either stuck sizing up or putting up.

I do have an idea of my Mondopoint size because I also play roller derby and wear a size 6.5 Riedell Solaris skate boot which is 249mm.

Recommendations of boots to try or a fitter near me?

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@Jojo84,

https://rivingtonalpine.co.uk/

Based in Adlington (Lancs, not Cheshire).

https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1051564533

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I'm looking for Ski boots, and live in the north west. I was about to book at Rivington Alpine but it's £150 for an appointment. I'd be happy to pay for fitting / customising the boots, but not if they don't have anything suitable.

My previous boots were from Snow & Rock, who didn't charge an assessment fee. Is charging for boot fitting appointments normal outside of the large retailers?

You know it makes sense.

I dream of the industry setting a standard and charging for fitting, wouldn't want to be the first though. Happy to include fitting in the cost of the boots given the prices these days.

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

Just to provide feedback on boot fitter sometimes recommended here. Snowtrax in Dorset.
Can't say I was too impressed, fitting was fairly quick affair, 45mins or so with moulded liners and custom footbeds. Sat waiting 20mins past appointment time in an empty shop... Boots fit okay but think they're probably a size too big in reality being able to get nearly 2 fingers behind my heel in shell test at home, prob 20mm+ gap... Have got fairly wide feet so went for Lange LX 120 HV boots and untill 3rd day skiing was pressure point on outside of foot so glad went for wider fit..

After a week of skiing they feel okay but have had to tighten buckles as liner compresses, I guess that's normal but will head to one of the better known options next time round!

A snowHead

Hi All, New to this forum so hope I'm posting in the right place.

I'm a beginner, did a bit when younger and last year decided to take the kids now they're big enough for a week in the alps. Most advice seems to be to just hire the boots, however, had a nightmare time of it last year with badly fitting hire boots despite going back to the hire shop three times to change them and get refitted.

So I'm just looking for advise as to what people would recommend to do. Being a beginner, hoping to do a week away once a year plus a few trips to a dry and/or indoor in the UK, and not wanting to spend a fortune until I have a bit more experience. We live in North Shropshire so also seem to be miles away from any boot stockists, certainly far enough that it would be a special trip rather than just to get a bit of advice and browse.

Thanks in advance

A snowHead

@esubbs, welcome to SH's.

Tricky one tbh. Hiring is always going to be hit and miss... might depend on how normal or odd your feet/ankles/calfs are.

A proper boot fitting will take a couple of hours anyhow and as it's important to have a good one - it's worth travelling. And it won't be cheap. BUT... it should ensure comfortable, problem free ski trips for years to come.

Solutions 4 Feet in Bicester is one a good option.

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

@esubbs, I have just returned from the best trip of my life (4th trip) and a lot of that was due to having my own boots that were the perfect fit. Three previous trips I rented and couldn't get them right and it was awful for large parts of those trips. Own tools took enjoyment and skiing ability up about 10 levels.

After a break between trips, I've decided I'm committing to at least 1 trip per year so will make some of the £400ish it cost for the boots and fitting back over the next few years by not paying rental fees. That's wasn't the main factor for me though and was willing to pay for a better experience on holiday. My decision was further vindicated on the last trip as my mate was struggling in his rentals.

I'd say if you know you will be skiing every year then but some bespoke boots, but if your latest trip could be one off then maybe see how you go with another shot a renting.

I got my boots fitted by Ski Racing Supplies in Sheffield. I did go back to have them adjusted after a couple of sessions in the dome so was lucky they are close to me.

Good luck.

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Following up on my previous post. I definitely think the fitter at snowtrax sized me 1 size.yoo big at least. Got 27.5 Mondo. Prob should be at least 26.5 ( I understand 26 and 26.5 are actually the same usually. .?)

Question, especially in 2nd half of day getting fair heel lift, of course some is my technique....but largely have to do straps fully up.

If we're talking about a nice fitting boot apart from length, would zipfit liners ( or other) help or is that flogging a dead horse.

I'm tempted to buy the same boots but size smaller which are on sale for half price I paid at moment, although this could be a stupid decision as well...?

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

Its hard for anyone here to tell really. A 20mm shell check in your current boots would probably be a reasonable recreational fit, but two fingers to me are more like 35mm which would be enormous.

I'd probably go back to the shop and discuss the issue with them. Get them to check the boots are the right size and if they are give them a chance to address the heel lift and if they aren't I'd hope they'll sort something out under the boot fit guarantee.

After all it is free · Last edited by After all it is free on Mon 8-04-24 12:48; edited 1 time in total

@olderscot, thanks, yeah I think it's at least 25mm but haven't got accurate way to measure really. I've emailed the shop but they're a 2hr drive from home so not ideal!

As an aside is there difference in the half Mondo sizes? Ie 27 Vs 27.5? I read previously there's not? Is it just the liner being thicker/ thinner but same shell?

@noodlehat, I would definitely be going back to the shop to check rather simply buying another pair.

I don't know much about Snowtrax - did you go there based on recommendation?

Heel needs to be held firmly but I know I do get a small amount. You definitely don't want your foot swimming around though.

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@Layne, thanks, yeah they were recommended somewhere on the forum, not often thou! They did a shell check but was a very in and out fitting affair still Vs what you read about profeet or solutions!

Help!!

Buying Ski Boots.

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