 Poster: A snowHead
|
@joshyp, If you get your bindings mounted in the resort (without buying boots), expect to pay around €40.
S4F will do a first class job - but just be aware that there is a consultation / fitting charge (I think £120 - £195)....as is the case with Ski Bartlett (£50).....Others in the UK may do likewise, but I don't know.
So, if doing this in the UK, allow for a fitting fee and a Binding Mount fee (if having that done elsewhere)
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 11-06-25 13:58; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Yes that is ok, boots are the most essential thing (as I know)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| joshyp wrote: |
| Yes that is ok, boots are the most essential thing (as I know) |
That they are....and around a 15 year investment for a holiday skier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Old Fartbag, this is what they said when I asked about pricing
It’s hard to give an exact cost of how much they will cost because the boots have a big variation in them – a rough break is as follows
Fitting and consultation - £120 -£195 depending on who you see
Custom insoles - £175
Boot price - £400-£760 (-15%)
The average price generally is around £700 give or take £50.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@joshyp, i'd get to S4F soon if Colin is saying he has a decent amount of stock. (I'm surprised he hasn't appeared on this thread yet!  )
I'd then get a few sessions in at Hemel over the summer, passes are cheap during the summer. That'll give you an idea if you need any adjustments made you go away next winter. You could probably get your bindings mounted at the Snow and Rock while you at Hemel too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Good idea, didn't realise that Colin was on here haha. Probably wouldn't use my skis at hemel, in a resort there is probably nothing easier to do than find a skishop to fit em!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I doubt S4F will be fully stocked currently/yet.
But @joshyp you can PM him (top right, Send/Read Messages). He posts as "CEM".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| joshyp wrote: |
| I am from NW London, so it is a similar drive to Biscester where solutions4feet is located as it would be to Bartlett! |
That‘s slightly surprising, considering that Ski Bartlett are located on the outskirts of NW London, and S4F are another hour NW from them. However I‘m not trying to talk you out of S4F, who I have good personal experience with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@joshyp, The sort of costs being suggested seem on the high side to me. The most well known sports shop here in Munich (which is not renowned for cheap prices quite the opposite) which offers a well regarded fitting service, has a large range of boots with mid range ones from about €400 to €600 (top end racing and touring boots can be a good bit more). My experience there was the fitting service was included though think custom moulding etc was extra. I can see UK places might want to charge for fitting given the much smaller turnover.
I would also suggest getting a pair in the alps is the best option, get them at the start of a trip and easy to get tweaks during the week. Also potentially possible to get a hire pair to try then buy new if they suit. If you were going to St Anton then go to Jennewein Sports which has the reputation of being the best place in Tirol but sure the suggested places in Val d'Isere will be equally good
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@munich_irish, In 2023 when I was in Tignes with my Daughter, where she bought some Salomon S/Pro 90, which included Assessment / Fitting/ Custom Footbeds / Salomon's Custom Heat Connect liner @ €100 (she has Raynaud's)....and the Bill came to €600.
She says that they fit well and are comfy....the shells and liners were heated and molded to her shape. There were no pinch points, so happily skied the rest of the week in them.
Given the service we received, I believe the shop would have fitted Bindings FOC if I'd asked them to.
My Boots were fitted by the famous JoJo in Lac before he retired....best fitting boots I've had in 50 years of skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@Old Fartbag, that's the sort of number I would expect, comments earlier suggesting £700 - £800 (€800 - €900) seem high to me but perhaps that's the result of only selling low volumes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
You have all given me a lot to think about. Will eventually make my mind up if I get them in resort or over here, but seems cheaper and somewhat smarter to get them where I am going to be skiing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| joshyp wrote: |
| You have all given me a lot to think about. Will eventually make my mind up if I get them in resort or over here, but seems cheaper and somewhat smarter to get them where I am going to be skiing |
"If" you decide on getting boots in a resort.....choose one with a good Bootfitter. Ask on here for suggestions when settling on where to go. You will get very good service in the suggestions made so far in this thread.
If you take time to consider your decision - that alone has made this thread worthwhile. There is a fair bit money at stake.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Yeh, most likely scenario is Val D'isere, and I will chose one of the recommended options by you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| joshyp wrote: |
| Yeh, most likely scenario is Val D'isere, and I will chose one of the recommended options by you! |
All are good (and have been endorsed by Steve Angus, a ski instructor from TDC who is a regular on here) - but would put Bruno @ Killy Sports marginally at number one, as a result of what Steve Angus has previously said.
Book before you go and ask about fitting bindings as part of the deal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
I will definately email about Bruno from Killy Sports, reviews look great too about the fitting process of boots there
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Paid £635 at S4F last September - can't remember if that was wife or son. I think the other was slightly more. These are for highish end boots but not race boots or anything.
I'd be surprised if there was much difference (with a good fitter) between UK and in resort as stuff in resort isn't cheap (IME) for obvious reasons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Main reason I would side in the resort is that I can constantly make small tweaks there
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
This is a long thread and I've seen a whole lot of recommendation for Solutions 4 Feet & Ski Bartlett, but I didnt see anyone mention Ski Exchange at Dry Drayton near Cambridge.
This is my favourite Boot Lab.
My current boots are the best I've ever had and I've suffered with so many pairs of ill fitting boots over the years.
The current setup is a pair of Salomon boots that were about £500
There was no charge for fitting but there is a guarantee to fettle the boots until they fit properly.
I had a pair of custom insoles put in for about £120 when they were new.
After a couple of years these were changed for a new pair of insoles from Sidas at no charge.
Then after 2 years the liners started giving extreme pain.
I replaced them with "Intuition" custom liners from Ski Exchange again.
These were an absalute game changer. Not just the fit, but its so much easier to get the boots on and off.
There is nothing better than having comfy boots.. you ski better.
Of course thre is nothing worse than having boots that dont fit or give you pain.
So try to find a boot fitter that is prepared to work on your boots for up to 5 years.
So it won't be too long before I need another new pair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@DrLawn, I think no one mentioned it because of the OP's location.
I've certainly heard good things about Ski Exchange. Amazed they don't charge for the fitting. They say (correctly it takes 1 to 3 hours) which is why there is normally a charge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@DrLawn, I bought a pair of boots there around 35 years ago! My boot bag is still the one I got then with the Ski Exchange logo printed on it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@munich_irish, Colin's site gives you an idea on boot prices here:
https://www.solutions4feet.com/catalogue/skiing/performance---recreational-ski-boots
You're looking around the £500 mark.
Footbeds are around £100
Fitting charge is somewhere around the £100 also, I can't remember what I paid there back in September 2022.
But you're up to £700 already.
I had a pair of liners from Reinhold in Brundl Sports Kaprun back in January, he charges around €100 for a fitting fee as he's an ex world cup boot tech. Free fitting is available from the others though. I'll be back there this Autumn for new boots.
If I was still living in the UK I'd be back to S4F for my next boots. I'm even tempted to go and get a pair of zipfit liners this summer while I'm back in the UK.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@joshyp, my mate got boots fitted in Val D'Isere a few years ago - his old boots were killing him so he just went back down the hill and ended up (by chance) in Killy Sports and had a great service. They needed a tweak which they did later that same day after he'd skied the afternoon in them, and he's been in boot heaven ever since.
I had a pair fitted in UK and also needed tweaks, which took 3 years in total to get myself into the same boot heaven (and I actually paid for the last tweak out in resort as they were bugging me too much) but they are absolutely perfect. Mine cost about £100 more than my mate.
From that experience, when I come to replace them (hopefully not for a few years yet) I'd buy in resort due to the convenience of getting any tweaks sorted quickly due to immediate feedback.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
When people have gone back to have their boots “tweaked “ what has actually been done"? After having my boots fitted I’ve never felt the need for any changes apart from tightening the clamps a bit. Am I missing something? What should I be looking for?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@johnE, a couple of things here. If you know your feet well and been fitted/tweaked before then you can have the "tweaks" done has part of the fitting and not have to go back. For me as an example I have some bone growth on the ball of a foot and bony ankles. So I get the shell adjusted to that and last time I never had to go back. But if you haven't had boot fitting done before or don't know/haven't imparted information about your feet/ankles, etc. and they are not obvious to the fitter then that is where you may have to go back.
My son had to go back because he got severe shore shins with his new boot. His lower leg is quite slender but it also turns out the boot inners have a bit of a race fit also. Anyhow some pad patches were installed and did the trick. This is not something that could have easily been foreseen.
My wife has some issues with her toes - hard to deal with specifically. However, the point is some people have very normal/easy feet, ankles, lower legs. Some don't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@johnE, Like you, I'm lucky.....so if I'm put in the correct boot, there is usually no further tweaking needed.
After a day or two, if there are pinch points in areas that are rubbing and causing pain, the shell can be "blown" or padding inserts judiciously placed etc Sometimes grinding can be needed, flex softened or ramp angle/lean adjusted....or the Custom Insole altered.
With both Shells and Liners now being so moldable....maybe a good fit is easier to achieve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@johnE, a good fitter, generally, ought to be able to assess your feet/ankles/calves and work from there.
E.g. the last 4 pairs of boots I've observed (mine, Mrs U's a chum's and my bro's) have required no adjustment post fitting.
Although mine certainly required accommodation of a lump on one sole and wide feet but v. skinny ankles while being assembled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@johnE, I have an expansion done over the top of each foot to accommodate my high arches. It's a simple heat moulding with an extra foam pad over my foot, but the difference to me is between comfy boots and excruciating pain, so worth the extra 30 min 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
I need the joint for my right little toe blown out every time. And again each season, as the plastic very very slowly returns to its unmoulded position. Or maybe my foot grows.
2-3mm of expansion there makes the difference between perfection and agony.
I am lusting after the latest generation of liners that I saw in sole bootlab this winter...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| joshyp wrote: |
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. |
i will add we have some boots at 20-30% off as well, it all depends on your foot as to what works best, its not about selling you a boot it is about gettign you in the right boot, if we don't feel what we have is suitable for you right now we will send you away without anything, frustrating as that may be the selected boot has to be the best starting point
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
A 16 year old lad walks into a french ski shop with a 1000 euros on a weeks ski trip .
What could go wrong.... ?
I would be in touch with the long standing masterfit certified uk bootfitter above for a whole raft of reasons even if the uk travel and testing logistics may or may not be more time consuming.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 18-08-25 0:03; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
just to add to the uk /resort debate (and yes of course i will defend buying in the UK before someone else says it) if you go back to the same resort every year then great or if you are in the resort all season again great, BUT often adjustments aren't needed until you have skied a boot 1-2 weeks and if you then have to go to a different fitter it starts to get expensive, if you live in the UK and can access the fitter then it is easier, there are plenty of dry slopes and snow slopes where boots can be tried and if anything these places show up the worst in boots as you make a small number of turns and spend a load of time on a drag lift.
@swskier, your man Reinhold at Brundl Sports Kaprun has just left, that's 2 great fitters they have lost in 18 months
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@CEM, shiiiiiiit, I guess it's H&N then. Presumably you won't have all your stock in by mid August when I'm back in the UK?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| swskier wrote: |
| @CEM, shiiiiiiit, I guess it's H&N then. Presumably you won't have all your stock in by mid August when I'm back in the UK? |
what are you looking for model wise? race stock is in now, recreational boots a lot of it will be in, Nordica are ahead of the game and shipping most of our stock in the next 2 weeks, Salomon /Atomic is due for end of July, most of everything else throughout august, there will always be a straggler or 2 (i can probably name them ) its the same every year
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@CEM, I'll drop you an email. I'm currently in a Head Raptor RS 140 fitted by your shop by your man that retired whose name I forget! I'm attempting my L4 tech next season, so going to want something similar again.
Will send you an email shortly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| 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. ... |
Not sure that means they won't still grow a bit more over the next few years. Ski boots are expensive to buy. How would you feel if you have to buy another pair in a couple of years?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genuine question, at what age do you feel it is advantageous to get fitted for boots? Jnr has been in the same make and model of boot for years now, I just buy him one size up each year and increase the stiffness as he gets heavier/stronger. When his current boots get too tight, he just moves up to the next size. He's never complained about comfort and this year we got him fitted for Intuition liners mid-season, because the old liners had packed down and he felt they were too loose and he lacked control.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| doddsie wrote: |
| Genuine question, at what age do you feel it is advantageous to get fitted for boots? |
When they stop growing.
As per the conversation above not an easy thing to know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| doddsie wrote: |
| Genuine question, at what age do you feel it is advantageous to get fitted for boots? Jnr has been in the same make and model of boot for years now, I just buy him one size up each year and increase the stiffness as he gets heavier/stronger. When his current boots get too tight, he just moves up to the next size. He's never complained about comfort and this year we got him fitted for Intuition liners mid-season, because the old liners had packed down and he felt they were too loose and he lacked control. |
if he is not complaining wait as long as you can, that way you will only get stung for one pair of boots as he will have left home and have a job etc etc. by the time he needs another pair in terms of feet stopping growing, girls feet tend to stop 13/14 ish, boys can be a good few years later, 16/17 sometimes even older
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Even if feet have stopped growing, getting taller will surely mean that leg / ankle / foot geometry changes slightly? So something that is comfortable one year may pinch a bit the next. Unless into serious racing etc I would think it sensible to wait until both foot and height growth have stopped.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
