 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
I want to purchase some new ski boots for the coming season and have been looking around various UK boot fitters sites surveying their stock and range. The nearest two stores to me are Snowlab (Knockhatch ski centre) and Edge and Wax. I have been to Edge and Wax before to get some custom moulded footbeds and was told that my current boots are a good fit, which they are not. Plus they don't actually have that many boots in stock in my size and seem to be slow getting more boots in. The other two I'm currently looking at are Ski Bartlett and the Ellis Brigham Covent Garden store (Matt seems to come highly recommended on here). Although I bought my current boots from Ellis Brigham in Milton Keynes and they made my feet numb. I've never before suffered from cold feet in my 16 years of skiing except in these boots and never had any issues with rental boots at all. I've had my current boots for four weeks so they should be broken in. Also, Ski Bartlett don't seem to be registered with SkiBootpro.co.uk which some of the others do.Does anybody have any suggestions on which boot fitter would be best? I live near Brighton and am prepared to travel up to London to find a good boot fitter. I've also looked at Solutions 4 feet who I know CEM a regular poster on here is a good boot fitter, but their range is not as great as others.
Many thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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For a good fitter, the two I constantly hear good things about are Solutions4Feet and Profeet - the last time I looked they were the two top rated by BASI as well. I went to the latter as was living in London at the time and they were brilliant, the first pair of boots I'd used that didn't hurt badly and with far more control than I'd ever had. Because of a slightly weird foot/arch shape I'd been using boots a couple of sizes too big to avoid them hurting, but with properly moulded footbeds and a large volume boot it fixed that much better.
With all specialist fitters you won't get the range you get with the big ski chains. If you have 'ordinary' feet that fit easily and really want the level of choice then big ski shops can work well, though if your main aim is comfort or performance I'd accept having a smaller range in order to get them properly fitted.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| tpmac22 wrote: |
| ... they don't actually have that many boots in stock in my size and seem to be slow getting more boots in. |
Will they be getting any more stock in? I thought all boot deliveries for retailers arrived late summer/autumn, with no further deliveries until the following season?
| tpmac22 wrote: |
| I've also looked at Solutions 4 feet who I know CEM a regular poster on here is a good boot fitter, but their range is not as great as others |
What are you looking for in a range that CEM doesn't stock? Seems to me that stocks boots suitable for the full range of skiers, from beginners to racers. I don't think he stocks every boot on the market, but as a very experienced bootfitter I'm sure he selects the boots that he knows will meet the needs of his customer base.
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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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Range size doesn't matter as long as the boot fits. And the best way is buy the boots a good fitter says are the right ones rather try and choose for yourself. Did you go back to EB and get the boots adjusted? All part of the service and I found the one at Tamworth very good fitters.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| davkt wrote: |
| Range size doesn't matter as long as the boot fits. |
Exactly. If a bootfitter asked me to try on three or four pairs of boots I'd be very worried. I want the bootfitter to give me one pair of boots, the correct pair for my feet and how I ski.
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I had presumed Edge and Wax would be getting more stock in and I have emailed them to check. I'm just worried that the next time I'll go there they'll be sold out of boots in my size again. I appreciate your feedback, and I am considering a trip to solutions4feet although surely if there are no boots that fit you in a certain store, then that's that. I know that CEM wouldn't sell a boot that doesn't fit though so I'm sure I'd be well catered for there. However, having said that, does anybody have any reviews of the other stores I mentioned?
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| tpmac22 wrote: |
| I had presumed Edge and Wax would be getting more stock in and I have emailed them to check. I'm just worried that the next time I'll go there they'll be sold out of boots in my size again. I appreciate your feedback, and I am considering a trip to solutions4feet although surely if there are no boots that fit you in a certain store, then that's that. I know that CEM wouldn't sell a boot that doesn't fit though so I'm sure I'd be well catered for there. However, having said that, does anybody have any reviews of the other stores I mentioned? |
The boot fitter I go to worked out what boots I needed, then ordered them in as he didn't have them in stock. That would be inconvenient if I'd traveled a long way, but I'm only a mile away. I'd suggest going to a boot fitter who is convenient to get back to if you need any adjustments. If they're good, they'll get the right boots in for you.
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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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What size do you think you need?
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| gsb wrote: |
| What size do you think you need? |
I do not claim to have any bootiftitng skills whatsoever, but using online guides, I measured my mondo point size as 27.9cm for my right foot and 28.1 for my left. I'm also a 101mm last on my left foot and 100 on my right. I was reckoning that a 28.5 would probably be the best size as I currently have 27.5s which as I mentioned feel too small. I conducted a shell fit and only had about one fingers width of room in each boot and my toes were touching the end of the liner without socks on. I know that boots are supposed to feel snug, but I think that 27.5 is too small. They're Head boots.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| davkt wrote: |
| Range size doesn't matter as long as the boot fits. |
Exactly. If a bootfitter asked me to try on three or four pairs of boots I'd be very worried. I want the bootfitter to give me one pair of boots, the correct pair for my feet and how I ski. |
This is exactly what happened to me at edge and wax. 3 pairs offered
I bought the boots in November.
@tpmac22 It sounds like you have read up on here about what is a good fit of boot. I too did this, and out of the boots offered I went with the ones that were snug all round, one pair felt like a pair of slippers the other I felt were being sold as the wizz bang ones that are really cool and "I ski in".
There didn't appear to be any instep/arch measurement taken as I'd seen in the youtube videos. From what I saw it appeared that my feet were measured for length and width (both loaded and unloaded).
I said the the fitter cost was not really a concern as I wanted a boot that fit as I'd completely buggered my feet on the EoSB by wearing too narrow a boot that i thought was a good fit. I was booked in for the silver service so had footbeds done too.
They do give 12months of adjustment and i have been in the fridge twice to get them bed in/pack down a bit to see if i have any major problems. Im happy with what I got , so at the end of the day its all well and good. But as I said, I did a lot of watching videos and research so I didnt go in blind.
The reason I went to edge and wax was because its local and any adjustments could be done in a few hours and not a long journey up to Bicester.
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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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surefeet in london expensive but perfect fit
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You know it makes sense.
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@tpmac22, @PaulC1984,
Yep. Go and see CEM for sure. And don't even think about "discussing" the choice of boot he will make for you, as if you catch him on a bad day, he may throw you out  The upside: It will be the right boot for you!
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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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@tpmac22, first question goes back to your original post, you stated not many boots in your size available (not wanting to make an assumption but you are male?, if not then i am not surprised there are not many boots available as most woman specific models stop at 27.5, but lets assume for the moment you are male)
if so we have currently got in 27.5/28.5 Head- challenger, vector, edge and venture, Salomon- various flexes of X Pro and X Max, Atomic- Resdter pro, Hawx, Hawx Magna, Lange- various flexes of RX, RX low volume, XT low volume and RS, Rossignol- All speed, All track pro, Tecnica- Mach1 and Cochise
so there are at least 20 models in stock right now (and i missed out the race ones for ease of this list), so i am not sure where you understood that our range was small..... will they all be there in a week?, probably not as we have no idea who is coming through the door and we are getti to a point in the season where new stock is harder to come by
wherever you end up you need to ignore the number and label on the box and consider what space there is inside the boot in both length width and volume, heel shape and instep height because from that list of over 20 models maybe only 2 or 3 will come close to your foot shape, impossible to say without seeing the feet
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Poster: A snowHead
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@tpmac22, hang on, Edge and Wax said your current boots are a good fit, perhaps they just need tweaking if they are making your feet numb, rather than a new set?
However book an appointment with @CEM, and take your current boots.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If Carlsberg did ski equipment shops....
http://www.snowfit.co.uk/
Got mine fitted four years ago. I have odd shaped feet and ankles but they couldn't do enough to get the right boot and then custom fit and mould it to me. Fantastic service.
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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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| kitenski wrote: |
@tpmac22, hang on, Edge and Wax said your current boots are a good fit, perhaps they just need tweaking if they are making your feet numb, rather than a new set?
However book an appointment with @CEM, and take your current boots. |
Good point. Have you been back to Edge and Wax and explained the issues you're having? I'd expect them to make some adjustments. Both pairs of boots I've bought have needed some tweaks, which was easy as I'm only a mile away from the shop. If you travel a long distance, rather than going somewhere local, it'll be much more hassle to get any tweaks done.
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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 wasn't slating Edge and Wax by any means, it's just that other stores had more options and having looked at the website it appears that a lot of the boots you have in stock are touring boots or a flex thats too high for me. The only worry I have with CEM is that if I need any adjustments, which I don't see a likely then it's a 2 hour drive each way whereas Edge and Wax is only 40 minutes.
With regards to my current boots, I would like to replace them as I genuinely think that they're just too small, but I will take them to whichever boot fitter I choose.
I also work in London so I'm still considering a visit to Matt in Ellis Brigham just for practicality so does anyone have any experiences of having boots fitted by him.
Thanks for all the responses. [/quote]
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for all the replies. I've gone with the General consensus and have booked a ski boot fit with Colin at Solutions4feet. I'm sure the boots selected will fit perfectly for my trip to Val D.
Tristan
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@tpmac22, sometimes people do need to go back to Colin for tweaking ...I think you have to very attuned to your fitter and it's a 2 way process. Colin gets a huge number of good reviews here so hopefully you'll be golden for val disere. If you find yourself looking for a fitter in London then Profeet in Fulham also get great reviews
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@PaulC1984, no guarantee on a single visit, I have been back to Colin a few times to have boots tweaked, I view that as part of the fitting process!!
Your (well my) feet change with age as does flexibility so sometimes tweaks are needed.
@tpmac22, you can also nip to the outlet store in Bicester for more retail therapy if needed 
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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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| kitenski wrote: |
@PaulC1984, no guarantee on a single visit, I have been back to Colin a few times to have boots tweaked, I view that as part of the fitting process!!
Your (well my) feet change with age as does flexibility so sometimes tweaks are needed.
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I must be lucky then (although my comment certainly stands that Colin s awesome!) - No one else is touching my feet (well other than the masseur  )
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The major reason people go and continue to recommend solutions4feet is not just because colin and the team know their stuff but that they wont find a pair of clogs that will 'just do' if he cant find something that will work he will send you somewhere else.
If he doesnt have a boot that will suit your foot then he wont make any money from You. He wopnt try 4 boots that 'may just about fit'.
Be warned, onced cem'd, always cem'd....b
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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FAQ
Fair play to him though, Colin was right - I went away, did a little work on myself and revisited a few months later 
