 Poster: A snowHead
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| john g wrote: |
| My osteopath suggested having the bone shaved off. I'd like to avoid this if possible although it might be an interesting weightloss technique for future consideration. |
I have just had a similar operation done on one foot. It will be a while before I can tell how much difference it has made though.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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john g, welcome to SnowHeads
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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 replies.
Having a cavity for my ankle bone to sit in sounds great and from a bit more searching on Wikidpedia etc I assume this is shell modification. I'm not sure I can justify going to Leamington Spa though. I'm only likely to do 3 or 4 days skiing per year. A friend has suggested Snowandrock or ellis-brigham at Covent Garden. Has anybody useful to say about them?
David,
You said be honest about what I do when I'm talking to the boot fitter. I'm assuming you don't mean this in a spiritual sense concerning my general business and moral ethics but more in relation to my standard of skiing. When I was about 17 I spent 6 weeks of games lessons learning how to terrorise my school mates at the local dry slope and then I didn't ski for another 19-20 years until a 2 or 3 years ago again on the local dry slope. I think after 3 or 4 lessons I was at level 5 (I've no idea if this was purely a standard for the individual dry slope or a globally recognised standard). Then in Norway after 1 to 1 tuition from a very experienced friend I was going down black slopes in a controlled manner on the second day. I was just starting to get the hang of swaying my knees from side to side to lead into a turn although I was only getting it correct on one side. We also had a quick go of piste where all I could manage was impressive high speed, goggle twisting, cartwheels. My friend said that he thought the Norway black runs were easier than those in the Alps.
He has said "I have never had a pair of boots that are 100% comfortable it's normally a bit trade off...for your weight and height I would look at a front entry boot maybe a freestyle boot something not quite as hard as a racing boot but with the benefit of finer adjustment. I don't think a beginner boot is any good for you because of your size and weight and I would look at a intermediate to advanced boot because you are quite an aggressive skier." I'm not sure if he's going on about my size and weight because he looks like one of Fagin's cast offs or because it may actually be relevant. I'm 6ft 2 and 14 stone.
Does that brief skiing cv etc sound about right for an intermediate to advanced front entry freestyle boot? Do they cost much more than a beginners boot? Am I worrying too much about this as I was fairly comfortable in hire boots except for my lumpy ankle?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| john g wrote: |
| Am I worrying too much about this ... |
Yes, in a way. You freely admit you know almost nothing about ski boot fitting, and I know very little more. I don't know where your mate fits but I have made an ungenerous guess! I wouldn't attempt to give you advice on what kind of boot you need.
My suggestion was that you go to a bootfitter and say something like 'I ski at this level, but I haven't found a comfortable boot because my ankle protrudes. What can you suggest?' They will check and measure your foot, choose a level of boot which seems to them to be appropriate to your level of skiing and which gives a good starting point for modification which it sounds like you might need. Go on a day when you have lots of time and they won't be busy - so not a Saturday in December - and make an appointment with a fitter if that's how the shop works. Perhaps worthwhile to check that they are happy to do modifications. OK there is a risk that the bootfitter is no good at their job, and you do what you can to minimise that risk by asking questions of others, but they are still likely to make a better choice than you or me - especially if you help them with honest feedback about what your foot is telling you. I have never been to Captains Cabin in Canterbury, so cannot offer an opinion, but others have. CEM (Bicester) did a very nice job on Mrs DJ's boots. SZK is (in my view) a lunatic, but friendly and apparently a good bootfitter, although Chamonix is a bit of a run from Kent.
In summary my advice is not to take advice from me, but to go and see someone who knows what they are talking about. Well fitted boots are worth the effort.
David
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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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john,
even with the most horribly protruding ankle bones it should be possible to get a reasonable level of comfort, as for which boot...the one that fits your feet is the best one, and by that i mean the best for shape probably ignoring that one problem area which can be resolvd with the stretching tools
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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does anybody know a good boot fitter/shop in or around london?
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barthez1980,
Profeet and Surefoot are both in Fulham.
Surefoot also have shops in European and US Ski Resorts and therefore if you need it they can make finer adjustments to your boots in those resorts without any additional charge.
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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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I see surefoot have a shop in courchevel, do you think its worth me waiting til i get over there (17th Jan) and buying my boots over there??
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It would be a good place to start i guess. I'd probably ski over Meribel and see the boys at Freeride.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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barthez1980,
The fitting process takes a minimum of 1 hour. If you wait until your first day in Courchevel you will miss some skiing. The shop may be busy and it could take longer.
If you've got time go to the London shop. If you have problems with your boots when you're skiing they will adjust them without further cost in Courchevel. It is advisable to be able to have them tweaked when you've started skiing in them.
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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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Im just really thinking about the cost to be honest.....I've got a few hours when I get to Courchevel as we arrive at Saturday lunchtime for 6 1/2 days.....
Whats going to be the less expensive option?? 
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I don't know which will be cheaper.
The shop in Courchevel will probably be closed from 1230 til 1600 as most shops are. Then there will be queues as people are getting kitted out at the start of heir hols.
However don't forget the £ has really gone down in value against the € recently therefore everything in the Eurozone is now even more expensive.
Also "Time is Money" losing skiing time is very expensive per hour when you take account of the holiday cost and ski pass cost.
If I had the choice I would get the boots in London and if necessary tweaked in resort.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi All,
I'm in the same position as a number of people posting on here. I've been skiing 4 times and have now decided to buy a pair of boots. I'm sick of the pain of hired ones.
I know it's been asked before but I couldn't see an answer. Does anyone know of any decent places to get boots in the north west? I was going to EB or SnR but have been put off by this forum.
Failing this, does anyone know a good fitters in Morzine?
Thanks in advance
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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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stby,
There's another thread in this section started by Hanuk26 that has highlighted the dangers of buying ski boots for the first time.
S&R and EB can have good boot fitters but you don't know until you go there. If you don't know how ski boots should fit then of course you're in the hands of the boot fitter. You will probably know that boots are the most important pieces of equipment you are going to buy.
It's also hard to try and describe how they should feel. They will probably feel different when you ski in them. Even if well fitted in a shop you may need small adjustments to them in the ski resort after you've skied in them.
Unfortunately I cannot answer your question directly. The specialist boot fitters in England are Profeet and Surefoot in London and CEM in Bicester.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Sorry about not reading the whole thread but am going to Val Thorens in January and was wondering what people would advise.... buy boots in the UK before I go or buy out in resort.....
its unliekly I will get to a snow dome to test out boots in anger in the UK... I'm in the Peak District and have places that sell boots but not sure of their ahem... skills at fitting
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hard to enjoy skiing if the boots dont fit. If you have problems then an expert fit is a must. The foot alone is not the only issue to consider ,the angle of the heel ,knee and hip have to be considered. The shape of the calf also. I am a doctor when not skiing and consider the boot fit to be the most crucial ingredient of an enjoyable trip. Invest in the expertise of a good fitter and you will have no regrets
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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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ross_b, I bought boots in VT last season and I'm very happy with them. Bought them from Zenith Sports, they have a website I think if you google them. I went back to them a couple of times for minor adjustments and they were happy to help. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
I don't really know about the UK for buying boots before you go but Ireland is crap. Last year there were two shops that sold boots in Dublin. One sized me 27.0 the other 26/26.5. Was sized 25.0 in VT. No more sliding around in boots for me!
Hope this helps!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Can anyone reccommend somewhere in the East Midlands to have ski boots professionally fitted? I live in Nottingham. I am keen to have foot beds and possibly a cutom moulded boot.
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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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Rainbow5, Lockwoods at Leamington spa is only 60 miles away: http://www.lockwoods.com/
Anyone know if CEM and or the zookeeper will be visiting again anytime soon?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Have you used them before? My other option is Ellis Brigham at the Tamworth snow dome, have you heard any reports about them? Thanks for your help.
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Anyone recommend a good bootfitter near Manchester?
Mrs Higs has 'normal' feet and her boots have been trouble free for years until last week when she had a couple of very painful days. She took them to a local shop (Gerard Sports in Le Grand Bornand) who found that the original insoles had become completely compressed over the years and gave absolutely no cushioning. They kindly fished around in their box of spare insoles and found the pair that fitted her boots best. These were fine for the remaining days of the holiday but I'd like to treat her to a new pair. Although part of me thinks that if the old boots with new insoles are working for her, why change 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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Mrs NBT was fitted at Ellis Brigham. I'm no expert, but the chap in there did seem quite knowledgeable and Mrs NBT has been happy with her boots since getting them. I wil say however that the fitting process in EB was not half as in depth and detailed as the process I went throughwhen I got my boots @ Nevada Sports in Tignes
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He He - is that NBT of STWorld?
Funnily enough, my latest boots were from Ellis Brigham in Manchester. I have problem feet for ski boot - wide with high insteps. A bit like Mrs NBT it didn't take long in Ellis Brigham. The guys measured my foot, looked at the shape of it and basically said 'I know the boot for you and you'll be needing insoles'. I tried on the recommended boot, tried on a few others, went back to the recommended one and it did feel the best fit. Then he did the insoles. I've had them for 6? years now and, while I've have had the odd painful day, they've been much much better than previous pairs.
I also had a rather odd experience in EB when I lived in Bristol about 10years ago. I went in to buy some boots, took my shoes off and the assistant said "I'm sorry but there's no way I'll be able to get boots to fit those feet". I suppose you could call it good customer service in a way but I was a bit miffed at the time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Higs wrote: |
| He He - is that NBT of STWorld? |
There's only ONE NBT 
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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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Best bootfitter in the North is Glide + SLide in Otley - only fitter of Strolz bespoke ski boots in the UK. ( otherwise only available in Austria) so all of you with odd feet, fat calves & those who never found a ski boot to fit and spent many painful hours crying with ruined holidays - this is the place for you - I have now had three completely pain free holidays and skiing is just wonderful - I cant thank them enough ......
They also have a HUGE selection of boots for those who can find boots to fit 
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new pair of booties winging their way to me over the internet, bit of a punt maybe but an educated(-ish) one and it's my dime.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi all, this all makes terrifying reading! I have returned from skiing this year but have a BIG birthday at the weekend and my chap wants to buy me ski boots (and possibly skis?) hoorah! I live in Bristol and wonder whether I should go to EB or S and R or venture further for a good fitting service. As I will not be going again this year there is no rush but would be nice to get them to coincide with the Day! Any advice gratefully received.
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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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Hey anyone else been to EB in manchester, are they any good for boots? Thinking of getting alignment, canting etc done there... unless anyone knows of anywhere better in manchester?
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Poster: A snowHead
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I got Mrs NBT's boots from EB in manchester three or four years back. The chap in there did seem to have a clue which was a pleasant surprise, but I'm not sure he'd still be there now
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You never know, he might be!
Thanks nbt 
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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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ash1098, not sure that they offer any canting/alignment services
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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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CEM your right, Checked it out yesterday, they don't offer alignment services. They can only do the cuff adjusment.
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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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Hi, Im considerig investing in a pair of skis/bindings as my skiing is advancing and moving away from the pistes into off-piste and parks. My feet may still grow as I am 16 years old but they are a 9and a half now and my dad is only a ten and a half. I was told that the shell length of between these sizes doesn't change. Hoping someone could verify that for me??? Thanks Ben.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mr Anderson, welcome to snowheads. Not exactly sure but a given shell will normally cover two half sizes, e.g. 26 and 26.5 in mondo sizing (that's centimetres in english, I think). My guess would be that the differnce in size between 9.5 and 10.5 UK would be too great, so i'd advise to wait until you're sure that your feet aren't going to grow any more. I remember though when i was 15 buying some shoes that I could grow into, but I never did - My feet haven't changed size since just after I turned 15 and I'm 36 now.....
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| SMALLZOOKEEPER wrote: |
I could be considered biased i guess, being as i live in France, however i have spent time both; fitting boots in the UK and here. I moved here as to hone my skills in further given you are "At the Coal Face." Perhaps i just needed more time doing it but can assure you i could never have been as precise with my fittings had i not had people who could/can come back day by day. You simply can't achieve this away from snow, i am 100% sure of that. There are too, good and bad bootfitters and finding them in Resort can be hit and miss. 'Bootfitting' is a buzz word in skiing at the moment. There are many approaches and many shops starting to invest in it so every shop will tell you they have a dedicated bootfitter. I have been around this kind of work for 11years, my first three, couldn't really be considered bootfitting as to a standard i would consider acceptable now, but it takes work and alot of mistakes, i can't see that beening the case in the UK. Lockwoods, due to the owners care for his staff, manage to keep, recruit and retain the best. I'm sure there are others, too, but an experienced team in Resort will offer you a much better result if you ski well or have major foot issues.
In conclusion: If this is your first set of boots a good UK based team will do the job very well thereafter it has to be done in Resort and should expect to claim a sizeble part of your evenings whilst on Holiday. I hope this doesn't offend any of the UK fitters, feel free to chip in guys,
Quote the great Mike Strutter "What's right is right, ain't that the truth." |
I have a very good idea as to SMZ is and I certainly know who CEM is, both are in my humble opinion "bootfitters" and highly accomplished ones at that. The problem I find these days (having been "fitting" ski boots for 24 years) is that too many retailers who have previously paid lip service to actually fitting boots, are now of the opinion that there is money to be made "SELLING" a trim to fit footbed as an add on sale and gives them the status of being a bootfitting store. The likes of CEM and SMZ have spent a considerable amount of time and effort to learn how the foot functions and more often than not dis-functions and the means of correcting such problems. Boot selling members of a ski shop staff do not earn the status of "bootfitters" from attending a two day seminar designed to simply sell product, and this is all to often the case. Every week in resort I come across any number of clients who have been "sold" (a) the wrong shaped boot for their foot, (b) too big a boot instead of the boot being customised/modified to fit, or have a badly made and in some cases a very badly made footbed which has in fact caused fit issues in themselves.
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Hi,
I wonder if anyone (especially boot fitters) might be able to help please. I have been skiing since I remember and for the last few seasons have hired boots in resort with various outcomes.
I have just had the luxury of 2 weeks in Whistler which was great, but I did have some problems with my hire boots a few days into the trip, which I think limited my skiing.
I have been skiing level 5-6 stuff with the instructors in Canada, some nice double diamonds etc and groomed runs too and powder,moguls a bit of everything really, but for sure this was the most intensive skiing I have ever done, but I had sore feet. I was so jealous of the guys in the group who said their boots (own) felt like slippers.....
Given the problems I had with my boots I went to see a couple of boot fitters in Whistler, the first one told me as follows, my left foot is half a size bigger than my right, I need a high volume boot and my left foot pronates. He recommended a HEAD boot, unfortunately I cant remember the name and model, just that it was a blue one, and a custom insole for the pronation.
Before I spent the money I thought I'd get the opinion of another fitter so made my way down to Fanatiko in resort, he said similar things and had the same HEAD blue boot but recommended some Technicas that have just come in this season that are a higher volume boot, again with an insole for the pronation. He said before I tried the boot on that he would have to punch the left side of the left boot out and maybe the right side of the same boot too, but other than that I should be okay. All sounded good thus far. I asked him about the Blue Head boots and he said they would be okay-ish but they only had a 103 and the technichas were a 105 (something to do with volume I think). I'm a chunky guy and from the type of skiing I'm doing and my feet/build he recommended the technicas for me. The only problem was the price 700canadian + 11% tax. roughly £4-500 - I said I would have to think about it.
The guys in my ski class, from the UK said for the price I could have a custom made boot, they take the print sent it off and some company somewhere actually makes the boot. That sounds good too.
I'm a but unsure what to do, I didn't get the ones in Whistler as I though if I need adjustments I dont know when I will next be back there and its a lot of cash.
Can anyone recommend a good fitter/shop over here, also any views on custom boots. I dont mind travelling, I have problematic feet as described and live in Guildford Surrey.
Thanks in Advance
Mike
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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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MikeyC, diffcult to comment about which boot without seeing your feet, the head at a 103mm last is the S series, over here an S90 would cost you £220 or S110 £240
the tecnica i am guessing would be a vento HVL, in terms of preformance the Head would be higher than the tecnia but fit is the critical thing and you can overcome slight differences in boot performance if the fit is right and you are comfortable
the custom footbed is a must if you have problems and the difference in foot size will make the fit a bit more of a challenge than if they were the same size
good luck
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Hi CEM,
Thanks very much for the reply, What is the 103 or 105 figure actually called, I am looking aroun the www trying to find other boots that are high volume just to get an idea. I looked up the models of boots youe mention, the S110 and the Technica Vento HVL and yes it was them....
How much extra (hard to answer I know without seeing my feet) should I expect to pay for the custom footbed on top of the boot, if for example something like the s110 was good for me ?
What other High Volume boots do you recommend ?
Thanks
Mike
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