 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all!
First post here, being a born again skier after a couple of decades off the slopes. 
I just spent a week in La Tania with the extended family and rediscovered my love for skiing. Furthermore, the wife also thoroughly enjoyed it having only done a couple of weeks on school trips back in the day; and our 6 year old had a week’s worth of beginner lessons and absolutely loved it and wants to do more. So we are now a ski family and are currently trying to work out how we can squeeze in some more skiing, this season.
The issue is both my wife and I found the rental boots quite uncomfortable. In my case, I have slightly wide feet that appear to be just a tad too wide for rental boots to be fully comfortable. So we’ve booked boot fittings at the Skiers Lounge for next week, in the hopes we can have our own comfy boots before another trip in Feb or March.
Being the somewhat obsessive type I am, I’ve been poring over the Skier’s Lounge website looking at all the boots they have online. I couldn’t help but notice quite a few show as out of stock in various sizes, especially ones around what is likely to be my size (37.5ish). There’s also the question of features, such as apres-ski/hiking functions, BOA, etc. I emailed the Skier’s Lounge and received a prompt response advising me to simply come along with an open mind and let the boot fitter do their thing and not worry about what I might want feature wise in a boot and instead focus on fitment. They have generally good reviews, including on this forum, so I’m inclined to trust them. However…
I guess I’m just after a bit of reassurance before we drop around £1k on a couple of pairs of ski boots. Should we, as advised by the shop, just go in with a completely clear mind and go with the boots they ultimately recommend, and forego any thoughts of particular features? Or should they also take this into account? Though are these features actually useful, or are they marketing gimmicks? Apologies, that’s a few questions!
(ps. I have searched both here and on the wider web for answers to this question, and it does generally boil down to “trust a good boot fitter,” so again, I guess I’m just after some reassurance!)
Thanks all!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The only killer feature you need is boots that fit properly - unless you are planning on getting into particular things like ski touring. Just be honest with the boot fitter about what kind of skiing you do/ want to do, your current skiing (how much skiing experience, what types of runs you prefer), how much you will ski each year, what were the problems you had in rental boots. Be aware that boot fitting can be an iterative process (and the more performance you are looking for likely the more so), so it's well worth taking a little excursion to Hemel and trying them out to spot any obvious pressure points, so you've got time to pop back if tweaks are needed (of course you can always find a shop in resort if tweaks are needed once you get there).
Aesthetics don't matter!
Ski socks make surprising difference - make sure that all your ski socks are ideally identical - or at the very least all the same thickness and fit properly. Take the socks you'll be wearing to ski in to the appointment, or buy socks from the shop at the same time. Thin is better than thick, and definitely only wear one pair. If buying socks 2-3 pairs of decent merino socks (which don't get stinky, so can be worn for a few days) is better than a weeks supply of cheapo ones.
Be open to moulded footbeds too.
Properly fitted boots with good footbeds are the best investment you can make in your skiing - but be aware that early stage skiers might initially need a softer boot, but quickly out-develop it and need something stiffer. So for many people it makes sense to stick with rental boots initially. I realise in your case problems with rental boots are your reason for wanting to buy. I did the same thing initially having struggled with rental boots, but my first pair of boots didn't last me very long because i outgrew them (but I was skiing several weeks a year and in the snowcentres at weekends) - I don't regret that decision, but I didn't really 'sweat the asset' on my first boots.
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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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Thanks for the reply. I guess we just go with an open mind and be guided by the boot fitter and not worry about aesthetics/features. It’s a weird way to go shopping!
Re. skiing experience, I skied relatively regularly in my younger years and I am confident on reds and easier blacks, and frankly, not really planning to go any harder, at my age, so I don’t think I’m likely to outgrow boots too quickly. Wife’s situation might be different as she has been taking lessons and is at a blue / easier reds stage and will likely improve.
Skiers Lounge strongly recommend custom footbeds and seem to only provide their fit guarantee if you get them, so that’s probably on the list.
Hadn’t thought about the idea of popping to an indoor centre such as Hemel to test the boots before the next ski trip, that’s a great tip.
| Tubaski wrote: |
The only killer feature you need is boots that fit properly - unless you are planning on getting into particular things like ski touring. Just be honest with the boot fitter about what kind of skiing you do/ want to do, your current skiing (how much skiing experience, what types of runs you prefer), how much you will ski each year, what were the problems you had in rental boots. Be aware that boot fitting can be an iterative process (and the more performance you are looking for likely the more so), so it's well worth taking a little excursion to Hemel and trying them out to spot any obvious pressure points, so you've got time to pop back if tweaks are needed (of course you can always find a shop in resort if tweaks are needed once you get there).
Aesthetics don't matter!
Ski socks make surprising difference - make sure that all your ski socks are ideally identical - or at the very least all the same thickness and fit properly. Take the socks you'll be wearing to ski in to the appointment, or buy socks from the shop at the same time. Thin is better than thick, and definitely only wear one pair. If buying socks 2-3 pairs of decent merino socks (which don't get stinky, so can be worn for a few days) is better than a weeks supply of cheapo ones.
Be open to moulded footbeds too.
Properly fitted boots with good footbeds are the best investment you can make in your skiing - but be aware that early stage skiers might initially need a softer boot, but quickly out-develop it and need something stiffer. So for many people it makes sense to stick with rental boots initially. I realise in your case problems with rental boots are your reason for wanting to buy. I did the same thing initially having struggled with rental boots, but my first pair of boots didn't last me very long because i outgrew them (but I was skiing several weeks a year and in the snowcentres at weekends) - I don't regret that decision, but I didn't really 'sweat the asset' on my first boots. |
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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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A good boot fitting will give you the boots you need but not necessarily the boots you want 
Thin socks and moulded footbeds are definitely the way forward. My footbeds are now about 25 years old.....
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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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| Quote: |
I guess we just go with an open mind and be guided by the boot fitter
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@Cardo, exactly this. I haven't used rental boots in a very long time and when I did the quality wasn't great (both instances in Glasgow hah hah).
That said, very good shops, e.g. Concept in Chamonix only rent out fairly high level boots and they'll try lots on for size and let you swap later. But that's rather off topic.
So defo, if you're now committed, your own, well-fitting boots are the very best investment. Skiers Lounge have a good rep. I wouldn't get at all hung up about e.g. BOA, or anything else. Your only issue, I think, is that as you note, stock levels might be trickier. But they won't sell you anything that isn't right for you.
Rather depends how tricky your feet are. I have quite specific feet (very narrow ankles with relatively wide forefeet) so to begin with for my most recent ones it looked like I'd have to go into a female last. But the bloke's one was (just) fine.
Don't pre-judge colour either hahahahhah 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Cardo wrote: |
Skiers Lounge strongly recommend custom footbeds and seem to only provide their fit guarantee if you get them, so that’s probably on the list.
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The standard insoles are usually basic flappy things so definitely worth replacing, although Superfeet make a range of aftermarket insoles that are pretty good for many feet and quite a bit cheaper than full custom insoles. Ask your fitter about them.
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If I may jump onto this thread?
I ski 2 or 3 weeks every year since I was 28 to now (54). I never manage to get boots that do not hurt my little toes, later in the day and usually they hurt more when stationary, waiting in queus or on long lifts!. I am a reasonable skier, but weight goes back when the light is not good or the piste gets very choppy.
I have had basically fitted boots, but not the more modern type of fitting one can get sdone at Snow and Rock type places.
My question is..... will investing in the new type of fitting, going the whole hog, sort ouy my little toe pain?
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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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Thanks for the reply.
Any recommendations as to where I should go in S E England to get this done.
What I meant by fitted was the heated insole where I stood in a heated box do 20 mins.
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| boggyjo wrote: |
Thanks for the reply.
Any recommendations as to where I should go in S E England to get this done.
What I meant by fitted was the heated insole where I stood in a heated box do 20 mins. |
Wife and I went to a boot fitting at The Skiers Lounge (next to Horsham) yesterday. We were there for over 2 hours having our feet scanned, measured, tried various boots, then had custom insoles made. Wife walked away with hers, however mine had to stay as they need to mould the boot itself to remove a pressure point on the sides of my feet. I obviously haven’t had a chance to try out the boots in anger, but I can’t argue with the time and attention they took to find the best boots for me.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks. May try to get there.
Do you mind giving me an idea of the cost?
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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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| boggyjo wrote: |
Thanks. May try to get there.
Do you mind giving me an idea of the cost? |
The cost of the boots is as per the prices on their website, which are mostly RRP. The fitting itself is free, if you buy a pair of boots. Custom insoles are £140.
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| Cardo wrote: |
| boggyjo wrote: |
Thanks. May try to get there.
Do you mind giving me an idea of the cost? |
The cost of the boots is as per the prices on their website, which are mostly RRP. The fitting itself is free, if you buy a pair of boots. Custom insoles are £140. |
Awesome, thank you!
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You know it makes sense.
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@boggyjo, another option is The Fitting Mill just outside Woking - I had new boots fitted there recently.
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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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| karin wrote: |
| @boggyjo, another option is The Fitting Mill just outside Woking - I had new boots fitted there recently. |
Thanks
Any in Kent does anyone know?
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