 Poster: A snowHead
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I know buying boots online is generally a no-no, but give me a chance. Literally nowhere keeps stock of my size boots (31.5 / 104 last). Most shake their head, more dodgy shops will try and sell me something way worse than correct sized internet boots. I don't get too much choice than buy online.
My trusty Head boots have seen better days so I bought some Salomon QST Access 90 2019 online. They fit pretty well, good in my usual problem area - width. But a little tight on the instep. They still have he label on them and not used them except int the living room for a couple of hours, so I can return them if need be. But I would rather not of they can be tweaked.
Will the boots bed in and fix themselves?
Wil heat moulding sorts this?
Can this sort of instep height problem in this particular model of boot be fixed by a shop (Intersport)
I don't mind paying in-resort to have them tweaked, as I saved cash buying online and don't really have the options open to people with normal feet (at least not in this country).
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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If you've got size 31/31.5 feet you're a big guy (or very big gal) so then a 90 flex is waaaay too soft. If you're foot is spreading when weighted then a footbed would stabilise it which might solve the problem but you could easily have them blown out. Heat moulding of the liner would probably take care of the tightness on the instep.
How do you know you need a 104mm last width?
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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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I had a measurement at Snow and Rock (and my current boots are 104, and buying shoes is a total nightmare in H fit....).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Regarding flex, this is where it gets interesting. My current boots are 90. But I compared them today, totally different, the 90 in the head flexes alot less.
Wondering what the effect of too much flex actually is? (I ski most stuff, but I am definitely leisure skier, not performance, those days are long gone)
I can still send these back (at my cost), but I really don't know what I would replace them with exactly.
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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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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
Regarding flex, this is where it gets interesting. My current boots are 90. But I compared them today, totally different, the 90 in the head flexes alot less.
Wondering what the effect of too much flex actually is? (I ski most stuff, but I am definitely leisure skier, not performance, those days are long gone)
I can still send these back (at my cost), but I really don't know what I would replace them with exactly. |
I have a theory that Flex rating has crept up over the years.
I had some Salomon Integral Equipe 8.2, that were rated at 80 - which was aimed at a light, reasonably competent skier. My current boots are rated at 110, which feels very similar. I know Flex ratings are inconsistent, but a 110 would have been too stiff for me 25 years ago.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 10-01-20 21:53; edited 1 time in total
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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
Regarding flex, this is where it gets interesting. My current boots are 90. But I compared them today, totally different, the 90 in the head flexes alot less.
Wondering what the effect of too much flex actually is? (I ski most stuff, but I am definitely leisure skier, not performance, those days are long gone) |
they'll kind of fold under you and not drive the ski at the point of flex you want them too, then youll have a long way to get back to the centre of the ski.
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Ski boot makers usually quote their last widths based upon a size 26/26.5 mondo size. The last width then increases slightly as the sizes go up and reduce slightly as the sizes go down. A 104mm last in a 26/26.5 is a pretty wide boot but a 104mm width foot in 31 mondo length wouldn't be a wide foot so you'd need to be looking for a 98mm width model in a size 31. So check your width again and if it is 112/114mm wide then yes you'll need a 104mm last model in a 31. It's worth checking as this is an area of common confusion.
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Also might be useful, but some boots (eg atomic hawx that I have) the 30/30.5 boots are actually a 31 size boot with a thicker liner.
I have wide feet too, but they’ve fitted into the 29 size boot with only some moderate stretching. The magna version would be even more roomier, particularly if you have a high instep.
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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've bought ski boots online and then had the thermofit liners heated up in a Val d'Isere ski shop. It can be done. 
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Foot width at its widest is about 120mm
Pretty sure I have correct width measurement.
Given the need to adjust these and the hight flex, I have decided to return. I found something same size with a 120 flex, for not a great deal more.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@clashcityrocker, you can heat mould the liners yourself with rice a microwave and a sock
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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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Thinking about Rossignol Track 110 or 130.
I think 130 might be too hard. Anyone got any experience? Same 104 last as the boots I am returning, lower (higher) flex.
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@clashcityrocker, how tall/heavy are you?
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You know it makes sense.
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6ft8in 18st (mountain yeti).
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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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I don't think at your weight and height you'd find a 130 too much. I find them just right (Dalbello Viper / Tecnica Zero G Pro), and I'm far smaller (180 cm/90 kg or 5'11" / 14 st) - though of course it depends on how and where you ski too.
BTW - I don't know if you have tried them, but Dalbello generally have fairly wide/spacious lasts, larger than what the theoretical numbers suggest (My Dalbello are supposedly 100 mm last and the Tecnica are 99, but the Dalbello feel much larger, even with a PU foam liner, than the Tecnica do with the very thin stock liner).
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Poster: A snowHead
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Some reviews suggest it's a softer 130, so that gives me a bit of extra confidence it's not going to be too stiff.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
| 6ft8in 18st (mountain yeti). |
130 flex will be on the soft side for you. Do not go softer. Even stiffer would be better but doubt you'll find anything stiffer.
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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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Also - are you absolutely sure you’re a 31 lengthwise? I got my boots from S&R, my old boots were 30s and that what they measured me as, but they seem to really push for comfort fit - I had a lot of trouble convincing them that I could fit in a 29 (as I mentioned the 30s are actually a 31 shell in the hawx, and they felt waaay too comfy as a shop fit, what with that extra thick liner - I thought they’d bag out in no time). You’ll see lots of stories on here of people going to proper bootfitters and coming out with a (perfectly fitting) boot one or even two sizes down from what they’d been sold before.
Do a shell check on your current boots and see how big the gap is when your toes are brushing the end of the shell. I ended up up with 10-12 mm which is somewhere between performance and race fit apparently (but I am definitely *neither* of those). Once fitted, they’re absolutely fine and stay buckled up all day. Obviously different boots will be slightly different size from your current ones but it will give you an indication. Reason I mention this is a) you might end up with a better fitting boot, and b) it increases the size range available to buy
Just for size comparison on the width front, the hawx i have were advertised as thermo-fit stretching up to 106mm (as Spyderjon says, that would be the 26 shell size). The boots were thermofitted, and then mechanically stretched a bit further - my feet are also about 112 wide when I just measured them sitting down, and they’re fine for me now, though admittedly I do wear super thin socks - but I could probably get them stretched further.
Finally, I have been told and read here that instep will *not* stretch when thermofitted, so if boots are tight there they will either require work to cut away the tongue, or they’re going to be the wrong boot - your toes will go numb.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Just fact checking above, and saw this for my boots - useful reference/indicator of nominal widths by last size (from https://www.skatepro.uk/304-30042.html)
SPECIFICATIONS
Model Foot Width (mm)
26.5 100mm
27.5 102mm
28.5 104mm
29.5 106mm
30.5 108mm
31.5 112mm
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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: |
Internet Ski boots
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<tomfoolery>
If you are having problems communicating with your toes, it could be a DNS issue. Ping each toe by its IP address and make sure its responding... If not, it could be the heelside firewall, or sock latency causing a timeout.
</tomfoolery>
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@clashcityrocker, Where are you based? Might be better to have a word with Profeet, Solutions4feet, even Ellis Brigham etc... as they would possibly be more inclined to get the bigger sizes in for you to try. S&R maybe not so at the mo...
I've done the internet boot thing once and once only! Far better to build a relationship with a decent boot fitter if you can 
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Southwest, so nothing. S&R won't even order them in, incase they are left with them. Similar story with everyone else I asked. They can measure, suggest, but I have to commit to buy before they order them. Essentially the same as me buying online blindly before trying them out, the only difference being their premium prices...
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Have you tried Ellis Brigham in Bristol? I’m in the same boat being in the SW. S&R are ok but as you say you’ve got to buy them 1st although from memory I think you can return them if they’re not right, a right faff and they even suggested I order and paid for a couple of pairs to try!!
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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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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
| .....They can measure, suggest, but I have to commit to buy before they order them. Essentially the same as me buying online blindly before trying them out, the only difference being their premium prices... |
No, totally different. A specialist fitter (like CEM at Solutions4Feet) will order you the right boot for you in terms of length, shape, volume, flex etc whereas you're buying blind. Plus alterations, if needed, are included in the price. CEM is very experienced as the vast majority of people with problem feet end up at his place after wasting cash elsewhere.
Last width is only a small part of the story and as modern boots can be stretched a lot is probably the least important aspect of the fit compared to heel width, shape and volume.
And Pejoli above is correct in that's it's all about doing a shell check and that the chains stores will most likely push for too much of a shell gap as it's an easy solution. Many skiers, especially with a properly done footbed, will downsize compared to their Brannock measurement.
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+1 for that. Definitely worth the time invested. It’ll seem like a mission but your feet (and skiing) will thank you for it
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sadly for abnormal feet people, it's not about time, it's all about luck.
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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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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
| Sadly for abnormal feet people, it's not about time, it's all about luck. |
It's not luck at all, simply a case of going somewhere that know their stuff. Doing it your way then it is down to luck. You've asked for advice but if you don't to take it then that's fine.
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| Quote: |
| You've asked for advice but if you don't to take it then that's fine. |
You can lead a horse to water (or a farrier)!?!
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You know it makes sense.
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Not really, taken as much advice onboard as possible, bit right now, out of all the shops online, across Europe, I have literally found 4 pairs.. so it's not really the same as when YOU go shopping for a boot fitting and have the luxury of 5 models in stock at your local shop.
It's clear this forum is frequented by bellends,  which ruin the great advice given by the few. So farewell.
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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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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
Not really, taken as much advice onboard as possible, bit right now, out of all the shops online, across Europe, I have literally found 4 pairs.. so it's not really the same as when YOU go shopping for a boot fitting and have the luxury of 5 models in stock at your local shop.
It's clear this forum is frequented by bellends, which ruin the great advice given by the few. So farewell. |
The right Bootfitter, after an assessment, is likely to have enough confidence in his own ability/knowledge, to stand over his assessment, to the point that he will guarantee that whatever boots are ordered, can be made fit satisfactorily. That, imo, is the point people are trying to make.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| clashcityrocker wrote: |
| Not really, taken as much advice onboard as possible, bit right now, out of all the shops online, across Europe, I have literally found 4 pairs..so it's not really the same as when YOU go shopping for a boot fitting and have the luxury of 5 models in stock at your local shop........ |
clashcityrocker, No one ever has a choice of 5 models - it'd be very rare for that to happen. Most of the time a good fitter will give their customer a choice of 1, and that'll be the one that's the best fit for them. If they're lucky they might have a choice of 2. It would be commercial folly for a shop to stock two competing makes/models that were identical - that's if there is such a thing as I'm pretty confident that every make/model will be unique in some way. It's the job of the fitter to get the ideal boot for your foot or at least as close as possible after which it can then be tweaked.
It's also commercially folly for a shop to stock boots for less than 0.01% percentile of the UK/EU's population (source: https://tall.life/height-percentile-calculator-age-country/) which is why you've only found 4 pairs in the UK/EU - but that does not mean that they don't exist. They will exist, maybe not in such a wide choice, but they are available, it's just that they're sitting in the manufacturers warehouse to be shipping out to any retailer who orders them. But because of the cost involved that retailer will need a firm order from a customer but in return a good retailer/fitter which fully measure/assess them to enable them order the best/closest fit, as afterall, they all offer a fit guarantee and they'll be doing any alteration for free. And if there isn't a boot on the market that's right they'll recommend that you go to Daleboot/Strolz to have a custom boot made.
It's obvious that you know very little about what's involved in the ski boot fitting process (at the moment you don't know what you don't know) but us bellends are actually trying to help you and to stop you from making an expensive mistake in both cash terms & time. Most of us here are currently in boots that are at least one size smaller (in my case two sizes) than when we first started and there were no internet forums to go to ask advice.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
...actually trying to help you and to stop you from making an expensive mistake in both cash terms & time...
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But most importantly, COMFORT.
If you want to enjoy your skiing, spend the money on fitted boots...'because you're worth it'.
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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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| spyderjon wrote: |
clashcityrocker, No one ever has a choice of 5 models - it'd be very rare for that to happen. Most of the time a good fitter will give their customer a choice of 1, and that'll be the one that's the best fit for them. |
My excellent boots were sold and fitted by CEM. After discussion about what sort of skiing `I would be doing, and the usual careful inspection and measurements, he disappeared into his stock room and brought back my boots - saying "these are your boots"! There was no discussion about whenever the colour would tie in with my ski outfit, let alone would I like another brand. I remain grateful to him. Including fitting I spent a long time in the shop. Well worth the drive to Bicester.
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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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| spyderjon wrote: |
| No one ever has a choice of 5 models - it'd be very rare for that to happen. |
Exactly. There are the boots that fit, and then there are all the other boots in the shop. It doesn’t really matter what they are or how big they are because they don’t fit.
I have two pairs of white boots. I would really rather have had the second pair in a different colour, mostly so that I can tell them apart when I’m half asleep, but there wasn’t another option so I sucked it up and bought them anyway. If ever you were to choose, it would be between a pair that fits and one that doesn’t, and what’s the point in that?
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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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Think the op has left the building.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@AL9000, I doubt it. Normally those who chuck a grenade in like to watch the fallout 
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I somewhat have the same problem buying boots here in the uk but on the opposite end of the spectrum. My ski boot size is 23.5 and the only men's boots in that size are race boots and retailers such as S&R simply won't order them in. Most of the big retailers will ether try to fit me in ether a very soft junior or women's boot. (women's boots have become more of an option for me now that they are more readily available in higher flex versions) Or they try an put me in mens 25.5 boots that are way to big.
Like others have said the best way to get boots that fit well when you have feet that aren't catered for by most retailers is to see an independent boot fitter and have them order you in a boot that will fit.
I seriously try and discourage people buying boots online. I used to work as a ski instructor in Canada and too often i have seen people do serious damage to their feet buying completely unsuitable boots online because they like the colour, they were cheap or they want to ski freestyle so must have full-tilt boots even if they are the completely wrong boot for there foot shape.
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| AL9000 wrote: |
| Think the op has left the building. |
he’s asked for his account to be closed.
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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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Just in case any one else is in the same position. A friend of mine is 6' 5 " and has size 13 feet (EU 47). To be honest he is a bit of an askhole (a person who constantly asks for advice but then does the opposite) He also had problems finding boots for his feet, many shops would not order boots for him without a deposit. He bought 3 pairs of new boots in as many years (mainly internet) but was always complaining about bad ski boot fit and pain. In the end I advised him to go to a proper bootfitter here in Austria who fits boots for many of the junior racers in Eastern Austria. It was over two hours drive each way and he had to take 2 trips. First trip to measure the feet, second to fit the boots & footbeds (8+ hrs of travelling in total). He wanted the same alpine boots as I have but the boot fitter said he wouldn't order them because his feet were not skinny like mine. My mate had the boots fitted including footbeds and blowing out the shell in a few places. Bottom line - it was time consuming and a little more expensive than the internet but he doesn't complain about his alpine boots anymore. He's going to go back and get his touring boots fitted by the same boot fitter as the ones he bought from the internet packed out quickly (shell size is 1 size too big).
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There is some great advice on this thread so hopefully it sits around to be found by another soul in the future who will use it wisely!
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FAQ
