![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Any suggestions for a good un? I know CEM is the holy grail in bootfitting but i would like to get some new boots and realy dont fancy a long trek. I am in york. so close but good is what i would like??
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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+1 for Graham at Rivington Alpine
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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skimottaret, Sterling is a currency, Stirling is a place in Scotland.
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+2 for Graham at Rivington Alpine
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+3 for Graham at Rivington Alpine
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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+3 for Graham at Rivington Alpine
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Rivington alpine. That's where I got my boots from and received excellent customer service.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Rivington Alpine for me too
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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Another +1 for Rivington Alpine!
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Stirling!!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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Glide and Slide in Otley fitted mine - brilliant job and good aftersale service too.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Backcountry UK in Ilkely get my vote - great job 2 seasons ago with my Scarpas - initial fit and aftersales
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Rivington............even though I live near Ilkley (Backcountry UK) I'd still travel 50 miles to Rivington, did a great job on mine and my wife's boots. Takes a long time but well worth it.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Fifespud wrote: |
Stirling!! |
Unless he's based in a furniture store in Tillicoultry, near Stirling
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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Another recommenation for Rivington Alpine. They know their stuff.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I don't think enough people have recommended him, but Graham at Rivington Alpine is great! He refitted mine and fitted my sisters/her bf's boots and all spot on
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
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+another one for Graham at Rivington Alpine
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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 would also recommend not using Slush and Rubble at Chill Factore as it's there that I ended up having my boots so poorly fitted in the first place!
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BACS in elland
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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mattiwilkin, Worth a trip to Otley and go to Glide and Slide. Must be only 30 - 35 minutes from York. There you have dedicated ski-boot fitter Steve. Can't rate him much higher than rather excellent.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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Both Anything Technical and Backcountry (Ilkley) work on the basis of selling you a pair of boots that are too big, then adding padding to try and improve the fit. You'll get a pair of comfy boots, but it is not the service you would get from CEM or Sole.
I once took a pair of boots into Backcountry and asked them to stretch the toe a bit. They told me that my boots were a size too small, and that I needed a bigger pair. I took the boots home, stretched them myself with boiling water, then did two weeks touring in them with no blisters or black toe nails.
(Edited for spelling).
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I suspect that many shops work on the basis that if you sell a customer a pair of boots that are too big, they will ski badly, and blame themselves. Where as, if you sell a customer a pair of boots that are too small, they will blame the boot fitter. Consequently they err on the side of putting everybody in boots which are slightly big.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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Quote: |
Backcountry (Ilkley) work on the basis of selling you a pair of boots that are too big
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Interesting... I know someone who has had excellent service from them fitting ski touring boots and walking boots for his Hobbit feet. And, no, the boots were not too big and filled with padding, they were the right size and then stretched.
I haven't mentioned them (Backcountry) in this thread so far, because I believe that they specialise in touring and walking boots - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them if someone was asking about touring boots.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Oceanic, yes Snow and Rock worked on that basis for mine it seems, took them into Rivington Alpine, he said they were a little too big but not enough that he couldn't do anything with them. He then set to work relieving all the pressure points and areas they cut off blood flow to my feet (I have stupid wide feet, narrow ankles and massive calf muscles) they're much better to ski in now, far more control and no pain. When I do come round to replacing them I won't hesistate in going back to him. It does help that he's only 7 miles from my house aswell
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Err. A little?!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've had boots sold to me over the years from; Centre Sport, Ellis Brigham, Wilderness Ways, Nevis Sport, BAC, Seven Sports and Alan Austin. There are possibly others I've forgotten.
The most "involved" fittings were with CEM, Lockwoods and a bit of follow up work from Rivington Alpine.
If/when I need new boots I'll be off to see Colin on a day when Andy is in the shop with him.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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SaraJ, Backcountry in Ilkley did a superb job of fitting my touring boots (in which they specialise) Anything technical sold me my first pair of boots which were far too big (although quite a few years ago now so i can't comment on their current capability) later i suspected that my skiing stance was being hampered by my original footbeds (from Anything Technical) Graham at Rivington agreed and put a lot of work into moulding my new footbeds to correct my angle alignment. The resulting improvement in my skiing was dramatic and immediate.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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SaraJ wrote: |
Quote: |
Backcountry (Ilkley) work on the basis of selling you a pair of boots that are too big
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Interesting... I know someone who has had excellent service from them... And, no, the boots were not too big and filled with padding, they were the right size and then stretched.
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The 'boot fitter' at Backcountry who I spoke to said that no boot with a walk mode should have a heel gap of less than 30mm when doing a shell fit!
Would be interesting if any of the Backcountry boot fitting fans could do a shell fit and report back
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I don't have a great deal of experience in getting boots fitted, only having had to buy two pairs over almost 20 years. I bought my second pair in Perth, in a place called Craigdon Sports. The footbeds were moulded in shop, and I was given a lot of attention by the boot fitter. I have to say, the boots were a better fit than my first pair, the same price, and are still going strong. There is not the range that you will get in a larger store in London, but the range they have in Scotland is fairly good.
In Stirling there was a ski boot shop in King Street, run by Karrimor. However, I think it closed down. Maybe there is one in the Thistle Centre now, I know a Fat Face shop opened up there recently.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
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BCUK tried to sell my wife a pair of boots that were way too big......we knew it was wrong and walked out!
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Try CEM in Bicester. If I can drive 160 miles to get there then so can you.
I can promise he will not fit a boot that is too big. I was shocked with how small the shell he suggested was compared to my previous boots, supplied by a well known outdoor sports chain. I honestly cannot remember which one it was. They are so interchangeable.
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Quote: |
no boot with a walk mode should have a heel gap of less than 30mm when doing a shell fit!
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Whoever said that ought to be shot in front of their family.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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 checked out the website and there is an awful lot about Alain there but precious little else.
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Oceanic wrote: |
SaraJ wrote: |
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Backcountry (Ilkley) work on the basis of selling you a pair of boots that are too big
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Interesting... I know someone who has had excellent service from them... And, no, the boots were not too big and filled with padding, they were the right size and then stretched.
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The 'boot fitter' at Backcountry who I spoke to said that no boot with a walk mode should have a heel gap of less than 30mm when doing a shell fit!
Would be interesting if any of the Backcountry boot fitting fans could do a shell fit and report back |
This is complete opposite of my own experience at BCUK and observations of others being fitted all the times I've been in the shop. When I got my Scarpa touring boots they made sure that the gap between the heel of my foot and rear of the shells was NO MORE THAN 20mm. Once this was established a lot of work was carried out to expand the WIDTH of the shells to fit my wide (and on one side reconstructed) feet. I've skiied more than 12 weeks in them over the last few years and never had any problems with comfort or lack of precision since.
I can only assume you have mis-heard or were confused by double negatives in the claimed statement.
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