 Poster: A snowHead
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when is the cheapest time to buy ski boots, would it be at the end of the season or in midsummer, i am limited to snow and rock and ellis brigham as i would need a boot 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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Wrong question - cheapest in the long run is buying from a specialist bootfitters in September when they have their full size range just in and time to spend with you.
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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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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| Wrong question - cheapest in the long run is buying from a specialist bootfitters in September when they have their full size range just in and time to spend with you. |
+ 1
Good boots that fit well are your best ski friends. It is the one thing not to go the cheap route on.
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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 didnt mean i wanted to buy cheap ski boots, i really meant when is the best time to get a good deal, i"m sure a pair of boots will be more expensive in winter than in summer, of course i want to spend time with a bootfitter which is why i am limited to ellis brigham and snow and rock.
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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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There are other bootfitters as well as the 2 outlets you mention. Do a bit of searching on the site for suggestions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I looked at getting some in the summer but most people did not have a great range of boots and/or they weren't in my size. Ended up getting some in early December where they had some of last seasons but also all the new boots available and tried several of both.
In my limited experience, discounts on boots don't seem quite as large as those on skis or clothing, usually around 30% at most with the retailers you mention so waiting until the off season doesn't save that much when you can often get 10-15% off new stock.
Having said that, the S+R sale started recently, they still have a fairly large range and I expect most of the boot fitters are fairly free at the moment.
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| compostcorner wrote: |
| i didnt mean i wanted to buy cheap ski boots, i really meant when is the best time to get a good deal, i"m sure a pair of boots will be more expensive in winter than in summer, of course i want to spend time with a bootfitter which is why i am limited to ellis brigham and snow and rock. |
You may get lucky and get a pair of well-fitted boots by this route, but you might find you get sold the nearest thing to a pair of boots that fit you that they happen to have. You really need to make sure that there's a good boot fitter who can be trusted not to sell you any boots at all if they don't have anything suitable and emphasize to them that if they don't have what you need, you'd rather have nothing at all. For many people, custom insoles are one of the key parts of a well-fitted boot, and I can't see them being reduced in price.
If you've got transport, there are at least a couple of more specialist shops, with boot fitters within a couple of hours drive. There's a good boot fitter in Abingdon, which is ~75mins away, there's Attwools just south of Gloucester which I've heard is OK, and I think there's a shop associated with the dry slope in Gloucester (a quick google suggests it's these guys). Unless you're absolutely stuck for transport, I don't think you're limited to EB and Snow & Rock.
Of course there'll be someone along anytime soon to tell you that regardless of where you are in the UK you should go to Solutions for Feet in Bicester.
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End of the season (May) seems to be good for S&R and EB. Got great deals last MY on boots from EB and skis from S&R.
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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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Had no problem with my boots from S&R, dunno why so many snowheads are automatically down on them (often without having actual experience of them themselves). Likewise I know people that have made frequent visits to some of the 'recommended' fitters on here before they've managed to get boots working right.
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@SnoodlesMcFlude, +1.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| compostcorner wrote: |
| i want to take a chance on finding someone who knows what they are doing versus the saturday boy who may sell me something totally inappropriate which is why i am limited to ellis brigham and snow and rock. |
FTFY
You are absolutely not limited to those two big chains to get boot fitting!! In fact, I'd say the opposite. You may get good advice, you may not. But there are many other bootfitters out there where you will definitely get good fitting. Search on here for local recommendations.
And yes, I have first hand experience of fitting by S&R!
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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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Personally I think early March is a reasonably good time (especially if you dont have particularly troublesome feet). After Feb half term you start to see price reductions but places have a reasonable amount of stock and choice still.
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@Dashed, I don't think that you can say that you'll definitely get a good fitting anywhere. You may increase chances but it's still not a certainty.
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You know it makes sense.
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@compostcorner, you might be very lucky and get a pair in the sales, but I would be suspicious that the shop (any shop) would prioritise getting rid of stock over a perfect fit. Solutions for Feet, for example, refused to sell me anything when he didn't have the correct ones in stock, told me to come back in September. Not sure how many of the high street shops would have the same commitment to a good fit.
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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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What they all said.
Have had far too many trips ruined, and far too much technique-expanding time lost by having boots sold to me by so-called specialists in so-called specialist shops (in UK and abroad). Not all specialist chain store shops will get it wrong by any means; not all 'expert' independent fitters will always get it right (at least first time). But I would now very much steer towards the latter, even if it is a long travel.
And I would certainly not buy at end of season when stock is limited and the shop may well want to dump watever it has left, which hasn't sold well, etc, irrespective of whether it's really the right model or size for you; or, at least, I would have a look, and if they have what properly suits you then, great. If they haven't, then its an utter waste of money and may waste your hard-earned holiday money too.
Having said that, I now think that I can tell a good boot fit from a bad, and I know what I want out of a boot and its fit, so I would maybe edge back towards a chain store and see what they offer me and how well their staff can meet my needs. Every time that I've gone and browsed lately, however, they have not had anything in which would suit my feet shape, size and my ski abilities. You may or may not fall luckier on that one.
Wherever you go, make sure that they have a large to huge stock, or can order in what you need for you after assessing your needs properly. Often these will not be any more expensive than what EB or SNR will sell you; or you will be paying a bit more for some expert advice and fitting adjustments.
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Poster: A snowHead
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compostcorner wrote:
i want to take a chance on finding someone who knows what they are doing versus the saturday boy who may sell me something totally inappropriate which is why i am limited to ellis brigham and snow and rock.
just to put something right, i did not write the above statement, somebody has changed my words, the only correct part are the shops i am limited to, only because i have to rely on public transport and they are both a bus ride away. but as i dont need my boots till next year i dont mind travelling further afield, and just for information i live in bristol
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FAQ
