 Poster: A snowHead
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As I've mentioned elsewhere, I've just done a week in Alagna on hired XT3 120s, and like them enough to feel relatively confident buying a pair. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for bootfitting, either pre- or post-purchase.
I'm based in Cardiff, and Bristol is an easy day trip, but I've heard mixed reports from Ellis Brigham. S4F in Bicester would be more of an effort, but still doable. I see the model I want is on sale at Backcountry UK, but Otley is a very long way. I could probably find an excuse to go to London relatively soon, at which point Profeet in Fulham is an (albeit not hugely convenient) option. Are there any other places anyone can recommend, ideally more local to me?
Alternatively, I take the plunge, ski them as-is for a while and potentially get them aligned and otherwise customized at a later date in-resort, e.g. at Ski Mastery in Val d'Isère.
Any advice most welcome, as ever.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As per most of the boot fitting threads, just go to Solutions 4 feet
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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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Ski Bartlett? Will be slightly closer and just off the M4, and not the Fulham prices of Profeet.
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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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Coyoti in Bridgend (no experience but seems to have some good reviews).
Plusses and minuses for in resort or local to home.
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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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@jmr59, your problem with the likes of EB is that there's no guarantee that whoevere does the fitting has either qualifications or experience.
Colin at S4F has both, in spades. I have no idea what he stocks, but that's a pretty common boot (well, it is in Chamonix) and in any case, he'll only sell you something that will fit properly anyway.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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As much as I'd recommend S4F (use them my self) Bicester is a long way from Cardiff and is not the only option.
I wouldn't risk EB unless you have an appointment with a specific fitter that others have recommended.
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| jmr59 wrote: |
| I've just done a week in Alagna on hired XT3 120s, and like them enough to feel relatively confident buying a pair. |
Just on this, whilst that is useful information for the fitter I wouldn't be set on that particular boot for the reason that a) not everywhere will necessarily stock them or have them in your size and b) with all due respect you may not be the best judge. So definitely tell the fitter this but be open minded about what they try/recommend.
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Buying in resort means you can go out on the slopes, do some real skiing and then find out pinch points issues and go straight back to the fitter.
The down side is that if you want something modifying after that week you won't be able to go back to that fitter until and if you return to that resort. Also it takes some time out of the day/evening of your trip. And you will still want to go to a recommended fitter.
On here, you will find opinions (sometimes quite strong as always) for both. Biggest factor is always that it's a known good shop/fitter. And that you just feed them all the info/feedback and work with them to get the right boot/fit.
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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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| Layne wrote: |
| with all due respect you may not be the best judge. So definitely tell the fitter this but be open minded about what they try/recommend. |
Yeah, that's worth remembering (particularly because I'm noticing a bias on my part towards that boot, in addition to the attraction of the possibility of buying it at a massive discount from Backcountry UK and having it tomorrow). I think I'm going to make the trip to Bicester (perhaps as part of a weekend in Oxford or the Cotswolds): thanks for all the advice.
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For balance, I'm from south Wales and made the trip to S4F. It wasn't a great experience and had to get my boots sorted in resort this year. Many people swear by them but I wouldn't go out of my way to make the trip to Bicester again.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@tomb, in what way "wasn't a great experience"?
Clearly the downside of travelling a long way is that going back to get adjustments done (that I know S4F would have done) is more difficult.
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