 Poster: A snowHead
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Where is the best place to buy ski boots in the UK. I am happy to get custom fitted etc and dish out cash. My locations is North West London, happy to travel a few hours for quality, as ski boots are a major investment.
Or if anyone knows a better place than all UK shops in Val D'isere, feel free to share. Ideally plan on getting boots in UK in October when next years range arrive, or wait for my holiday to Val D'isere in December, or wherever I book it
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thats easy!
Solutions4feet in Bicester
Another option is Profeet in Fulham
Colin at S4F is the real deal over decades, Masterfit, been around the block etc
The minor travel time out west is the wrong reason not get in touch with S4F.
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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?
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If in NW London, don’t forget Ski Bartlett.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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How much should I expect to pay? Just wondering. Obviously if I buy boots, I want to pay for best comfort, as they are a long term investment. I am 16yo and my feet have stopped growing
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I am happy to travel 2/3 hours if it means I can spend a few hours, and walk out happy
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@joshyp, how much? Depends on what fits but more than £500 I'd say
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So not cheap. I should be ok if I come prepared with £1000 right?
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Ultimately don't want to spend an absolutely absurd amount on boots
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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.
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@joshyp, I wouldn't expect them to be as much as £1000 inc fitting costs
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@joshyp, depending on what boot you get fitted for, at Solutions4feet you're probably looking around £500 for the boot, plus the fitting fee around £100 and some footbeds at a similar price of £100. I'd not go in there expecting much, if any change from £700.
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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.
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@joshyp, Take a trip to Yorkshire for a long weekend/few days. Treat yourself to a pair of Strolz ski boots from Glide and Slide. That's a grand.
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@joshyp, Are you sure your feet have stopped growing? And even if they have, has the rest of you? Some people are still growing into their early 20s. If you are a casual skier, it's a lot of money to spend while your body may still be developing and changing. In London, you have access to a large population, and could probably find a used pair that will do you for a few years, though this is probably the wrong end of the year to be looking (try autumn).
Although if you're a competition skier, knock yourself out 
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You know it makes sense.
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You have been given some of the best places in the UK.
In Val D'Isere you have:
1. Bruno@Killy Sports
2. Yannik@Mountain Pro
3. Greg@Intersport Borasso
If you get fitted in the UK, try to get to a Snowdome and have any niggles sorted before you go. Buying at home means access to the Bootfitter to get problems sorted after you have left the resort.
The benefit of getting fitted in the resort - especially if you get fitted at the start of the week - is you have the week to find and sort problems. It normally takes around 3 days (or more) for the liners to bed in properly. The downside is that future issues will need sorted back in the resort (unless you pay).
Fitting in resort can usually be done after the lifts have closed, so you don't lose skiing time.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| joshyp wrote: |
Where is the best place to buy ski boots in the UK. I am happy to get custom fitted etc and dish out cash. My locations is North West London, happy to travel a few hours for quality, as ski boots are a major investment.
Or if anyone knows a better place than all UK shops in Val D'isere, feel free to share. Ideally plan on getting boots in UK in October when next years range arrive, or wait for my holiday to Val D'isere in December, or wherever I book it |
If you in NW London then its a no brainer to go to ski Bartlett. I'd go now you might get something suitable in their in their sale, and in any case this years range will be cheaper than next years range with no discernible difference. its also quieter in store this time of year. Give them a test run at hemel snow dome and then you can work out if any further adjustments are needed ahead of the 25/26 season.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Every single person says something different, or recommends a different shop
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Almost makes it a little bit difficult to make a decision, as I am being given such good advise from everywhere
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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?
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Almost makes it a little bit difficult to make a decision, as I am being given such good advise from everywhere. Not sure to buy boots here in UK, or get them in the alps when I am there!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@joshyp, A big part of bootfitting is you learning what feedback to give to the fitter to guide them in how to fine tune the fit. You will need multiple pairs of boots over your skiing career, I would expect that you will get better at giving feedback each time.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@joshyp, people say something different because there isn't just one best shop. I mean there aren't loads but there are a few. As above given your location Ski Bartlett.
Whether you buy in the UK or in resort is a matter of great debate. Pros and Cons of both. There isn't a definitive answer.
My son and wife bought fairly recently from S4F and can vouch for expecting £700 to £800.
My son was 18 when bought as that is when we were sure he'd stopped growing. And we'll do similar with my daughter. Might have been OK a year or two earlier though.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@joshyp, I think it's fair to say that, for Londoners, the three names which come up the most regularly are Solutions4Feet (Bicester) SkiBartlett (Uxbridge) and Profeet (Fulham) though individuals might have their own personal preferences/loyalties. For someone new to all of them, it makes sense to choose on the basis of location.
If you want a sense of how knowledgeable someone is, CEM of S4F is the only one of the three who contributes prolifically and valuably on snowHeads.
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| rjs wrote: |
| @joshyp, A big part of bootfitting is you learning what feedback to give to the fitter to guide them in how to fine tune the fit. You will need multiple pairs of boots over your skiing career, I would expect that you will get better at giving feedback each time. |
The last few (including mine) that I've seen fitted, the fitter wouldn't even let the client try the boot on with liner until the process was nearly finished. And unless there were yelps, had to be skied on before tweaking.
NB, liners invariably heat-moulded around feet in some fashion, likewise insoles. But feet only went into shells for shell volume check.
Rationale being that putting feet into liners in shells that weren't +/- where they were going to get to would prejudice the client.
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| joshyp wrote: |
| Almost makes it a little bit difficult to make a decision, as I am being given such good advise from everywhere. Not sure to buy boots here in UK, or get them in the alps when I am there! |
Generally speaking, if you get a recommendation from here - it will be good advice....so pick the place that is closest to you.
Personally, I like to get fitted in resort. This is for 2 reasons. 1) In NI, there aren't many good alternatives, as they closed down some time ago - and - 2) I like to ski the boot for the week and use that time to see if there needs to be further work done (we have no Snow Domes in NI).
There is no right answer....except using someone who is experienced and known for doing a good job. Getting a good Bootfitter in S&R or EB is luck of the draw, so best avoided unless you are given a particular name in a particular store and can get an appointment with them.
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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.
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@Old Fartbag, that is the thing. I have bought skis, because I recieved a lot of advice from a lot of different people, and this seemed a good option for my ability (dynastar m-cross 88 in 184cm (I am 5 foot 11)), and found them at a good price on sale. But, I feel inclined to get boots before I go skiing as I need to mount bindings still. I could just buy boots in resort, buy bindings before (SPX 13 GW B90), and allow them to mount it with boots, as all of that will be easily avaliable in resort. I am just trying to identify what is best ultimately. Probably the smartest thing to do would be buy bindings now, and get boots in resort. And just take all of that out with me. Feel free to give me any other tips.
Thank you everyone for the help.
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@joshyp, I would get the bindings fitted by the same place as you buy them from, or you will likely be charged....so if buying Boots in the resort, get the Bindings at the same time and they should be fitted for free.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Old Fartbag, he said he already bought skis so too late for that.
@joshyp, you kinda got the order wrong. You should buy boots first, simply because they are more customised/customisable than skis so you get more out of having your own. And yes it generally makes a lot more sense to buy skis and bindings together. In the position you are in now I would buy your boots in the UK in September (when stocks are full) and then get some bindings fitted in the UK after.
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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.
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I know I kind of messed up the order, but I saw a great deal and planned to buy the full set. Got screwed over by rental skis last year, and they normally let me down (I do not want slalom skis after buying the all mountain pack Intersport). I have stopped growing, my feet are size 12 and haven't grown in over a year. Heightwise still growing, don't honestly know the correlation. I guess I will decide closer to time whether I buy boots here or in resort.
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| Layne wrote: |
@Old Fartbag, he said he already bought skis so too late for that.
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Ah, I thought the bindings were still to be bought.
In that case, there's a good chance that the place he gets the Boots from (especially if in resort) - and likely custom insoles as well - would fit the bindings for free....but best to bring it up early when discussing prices.
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You know it makes sense.
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Solutions 4 Feet, don’t wait until October, go earlier to get the best choice, if I remembered right Colin said new stock arriving August, he or one of his team will tell you what is best for you and your feet.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| joshyp wrote: |
| my feet are size 12 |
You'll probably find they're smaller than that in a well fitted pair of ski boots.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Probably, so you recommend I contact solutions4feet?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| joshyp wrote: |
| I know I kind of messed up the order, but I saw a great deal and planned to buy the full set. |
That kinda makes no sense but anyway...
| joshyp wrote: |
| Got screwed over by rental skis last year, and they normally let me down (I do not want slalom skis after buying the all mountain pack Intersport). |
If you are not happy take them back. That is one of the benefits of hiring.
| joshyp wrote: |
| I have stopped growing, my feet are size 12 and haven't grown in over a year. Heightwise still growing, don't honestly know the correlation. |
I think if you are still growing height wise your feet could still be growing. Googling when feet stops growing gives a multitude of answers - although there is a general consensus girls stop before boys.
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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?
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| joshyp wrote: |
| Probably, so you recommend I contact solutions4feet? |
Mate, people have told you S4F are good but Bartlett are also good and closer.
Check when the stocks are good, might be in late August, early Sept, depending. Or as you say just buy in resort.
Nobody can make these decisions for you. There is no right answer.
Sorry if that sounds grumpy. I have two teenage children!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I have emailed solutions4feet. Surpised no one has mentioned the skiers lounge, as there reviews are also great.
I guess I am currently going with solutions4feet, but it would help if the shop can mount bindings and wax skis!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| joshyp wrote: |
| I guess I am currently going with solutions4feet, but it would help if the shop can mount bindings and wax skis! |
They can't/don't.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I assume that is something I can get easily done in resort?
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| joshyp wrote: |
I have emailed solutions4feet. Surpised no one has mentioned the skiers lounge, as there reviews are also great.
I guess I am currently going with solutions4feet, but it would help if the shop can mount bindings and wax skis! |
Ski Bartlett can sort your skis/bindings out.
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| joshyp wrote: |
| I assume that is something I can get easily done in resort? |
Yes, or as Gämsbock says go to Bartlett.
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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.
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@joshyp, Skiers Lounge are very good, and can do boots and bindings, but it'd be much easier for you to get to any of the others mentioned so far - Profeet in Fulham, S4F in Bicester (get the Bicester Village Express from Marlybone) and Ski Bartletts or Finches Emporium.
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I am from NW London, so it is a similar drive to Biscester where solutions4feet is located as it would be to Bartlett!
Solutions4feet says "We can get you into a new pair of boots whenever suits you. We currently still have a good range of boots in stock in most sizes and flexes – there are a few gaps starting to appear as expected. Waiting until next seasons boots is completely up to you, for the most part everything is staying very similar – we will have a couple of the new double Boa boots coming in but 90% of the range is staying the exact same or having a small colour change – now is a great time is you want to grab a deal as most the boots are 15% off."
So maybe I will go there in the next few weeks, and book an appoitment.
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