 Poster: A snowHead
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| SMALLZOOKEEPER wrote: |
| CEM, Dude, I reckon more than 1% of people on here still ski in their old rear entry boots. |
never 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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OK so I'm off to do a season in Val D'isere in November and am looking at buying some boots (I'm guessing hiring, although free through the chalet company = bad idea?) Has anyone tried the Nordica Speedmachine 12's? I tried them on and they fit like a glove, only prob is they're not cheap so I want to make sure they're worth the £300... Any thoughts?!
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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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t.hyde, welcome to snowheads. You are right your own boots properly fitted will help your skiing a lot. I have no doubt these are a good boot as long as they match your foot and are sized correctly. Have a read through the posts in this thread (the the excellent informative opening post is currently been rewritten) but the rest of the posts deal with many issues. Posts by CEM and Smallzookeeper (both real bootfitters) are reliable sources. There are a few tales of good and bad fitting boots in here too.
Remember most boot liners will fit like a glove when new and this is what you are trying on it will stretch and pack out with use (often quite quickly) and could end up to big and poor fitting giving you little control over your skis. Make sure the shell size is right. Guidance of a good boot fitter is very helpful as it is easy to think your in a snug boot which is just infact a new boot that still has to pack out. Perhaps some  's could recomend a good bootfitter near to you. Best of luck if you get the right boots your sorted if not you would be better with the rentals.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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only found this forum now and have just checked my skiboot size I have got head edge boots size 27-27.5, problem is im only a shoe size 7.5-8!! also printed on the side of the boots is the number 9.8.???got these boots originally in munich and did'nt know anything about sizes or bootfitting then (or now) going by what i have read here these boots are miles too big for me, I should have 24-25 size. is it possible to fill this difference with good bootfitter? im guessing not but dont want to have to buy new boots.
any good bootfitters in ireland south? getting new skis as well at the mo so want to get everything right, is the model of boot I have ok? i am a intermediate skier who needs to get off the plateaux.
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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.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| creedgearoid wrote: |
| i am a intermediate skier who needs to get off the plateaux. |
Getting kit which is right for you is important, but if you want to improve your technique the easiest way is to find a good instructor and take as many lessons as you need until you're happy with the terrain you can ski.
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| creedgearoid wrote: |
| and did'nt know anything about sizes or bootfitting then (or now) going by what i have read here these boots are miles too big for me, I should have 24-25 size. is it possible to fill this difference with good bootfitter?. |
No.
Imagine driving a car.
Imagine driving a car with oven mitts on.
Imagine driving a car with oven mitts on, said mitts being full of styrene packing peanuts to fill out the empty spaces therein.
^correct analogy^
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Thanks for your reply RPF, luckily I'm not in a huge rush to buy ski boots so I can take my time over these things...!
I'm based in Edinburgh so have been down to Blues ski shop on Rose street, does anyone know what these guys are like? Service seems to be pretty good but although I'm a decent skiier, don't have a lot of experience buying boots.
Other option is to head to parents place and go to Rivington Alpine in Horwich, Lancashire? Anyone tried these guys before?
Any info on good spots around Edinburgh/Glasgow would be much appreciated.
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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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If you're in Scotchland a better option would surely be to look north - are there no recommended boot fitters in Aviemore or Fort William? Have a search around the forum
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nbt,
Scotchland?!? 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Or Chillygingerjockoshire.
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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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| Quote: |
also printed on the side of the boots is the number 9.8.???
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Could these be the crazy old Head style flex index scale? bad people
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| dulcamara wrote: |
| Quote: |
also printed on the side of the boots is the number 9.8.???
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Could these be the crazy old Head style flex index scale? bad people |
it would be the model number ie edge 9.8
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
I know CEM recomended a guy in Belfast
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CEM, I'm only 15 mins from Belfast and could use new boots. Who is the fitter you'd recomend?
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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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Jumper, go and see Des at Climate ski, he will look after you well
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Poster: A snowHead
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Will do. He's who I got my last ones from, when he was in MacSki. Thought he did a good job, but don't have anyone to compare him to. 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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Hi
After doing much research, going to 2 different stores and trying on 6 different types of boot I have bought a pair of Atomic Hawx 100s. The fitter checked my ability, foot shape, size and boot shell size and these were the best by far in the shop. However, on getting them home and having worn them to walk around the house I've noticed that my toes start go slightly numb after about 30-40mins. My old boots never caused this sensation, but then they were aparently one size too big.
I suppose my question is - is this normal at first and what could be done to rectify it if it becomes a problem. I have 2 weeks to return the boots and get a full refund if I'm not happy.
Cheers
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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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cpr, I'd give them a bit longer.
Make sure you dont have the buckles too tight especially across the instep. If your boots are a good fit they wont need to be over tightened.
If you are wearing them round the house dont be tempted to sit down and watch telly. Mine make my feet numb if I do this they are fine when standing.
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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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cpr, sounds pretty normal to me... did you get a footbed of some description, even a basic off the shelf footbed will change the position of the foot in the boot and can increase performance and improve comfort dramatically
enjoy the new boots
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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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This is a fantastic thread, I have learned so much. I have only been skiing 3 seasons, albeit I have managed a few trips each year, Bought skis and boots for £200 all in from a locally based internet ski gear clearance warehouse, so I tried them on before I bought them, when I started skiing. No regrets, I have had my monies worth out of them, and the boots don't hurt at least! I am now ready to move up to something more bespoke. I have considered surefoot, daleboots etc but have now more or less discounted this idea. Most of my skiing tends to centre round the 4 Valleys, so I have decided to find the best fitter I can in Verbier, and buy my boots there. That way I can go back and get them tweaked if, and as, required. Sound like a good plan? And any recent recommendations re fitters gratefully received. I have picked up on one or two names on this thread already. I am going on a Warren Smith course at the end of November, so I will ask the instructors for the benefit of their local knowledge too. Looking at the forecast, and it is early days, its beginning to look like I may have some time on my hands for fitting etc, maybe not actual use!
Fantastic insights from everybody but particularly CEM and SZK.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Fifespud, Be careful of being force fed Tecnica boots that are way too soft.
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| SMALLZOOKEEPER wrote: |
| Fifespud, Be careful of being force fed Tecnica boots that are way too soft. |
Reading through the thread do I detect a hint that you feel Warren Smith is a bit overly obsessed with this ankle flex thing?
I am 46, 74 kg, 5 foot 8, and at the moment probably a low end intermediate but determined to improve. Could you offer in general recommendations/advice?
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SMALLZOOKEEPER,
I have just sent a message to your website regarding a boot fitting when I come to Chamonix in January. I was just wondering if you could give me a rough estimate at a price: Boot, Foot bed and Fitting. You come highly recommended by everyone on here and also those on J2Ski.
I know its difficult to estimate a price without seeing my feet, and understanding my requirements, but a rough estimate so I can start putting the pennies away!
Cheers
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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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Good evening, I'm looking at buying a new pair of boots this year, has anyone got a recommendation of a quality boot fitter in the south west? We have Team Ski in Dorchester very close, has anyone used them? I cant find any mention of them on the forums!
Thanks in advance 
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I bought my first pair of Ski boots (Tecnica) in Newcastle. At the time I knew nothing about buying ski boots; breaking every rule, they were the first pair I ever tried on, they felt comfortable and I bought them within 10 minutes. They were absolutely perfect and I'm sure that had I not lost them 4 years later I'd still happily be trudging round in them.
When I bought my second pair I did everything you should do... allowed half a day for fitting, drove all the way to Lockwoods in Leamington Spa to see a specialist boot fitter who convinced me that a pair of boots I thought were too tight would 'pack out'. I had my feet measured and these were supposed to be the right sized boots but every day spent skiing was unbelievably painful. In fact after 5 days use I took them to a specialist in Morzine who blew the shell for me. The next day I had the shells blown again on the side and only now can I wear them all day but I still wouldn't call them comfortable; more along the lines of bearable.
This is a cautionary tale for anyone buying boots... don't let any specialist tell you that they'll 'pack out' when they are obviously painful; boots need to be tight because any slackness in the boot means less control transferred to the ski. However... if they're painfully uncomfortable then don't expect a massive difference after the liner has moulded to the shape of your foot. The key message here is trust your own judgement when it comes to comfort because a painful boot will ruin your holiday!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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joemalone - did you have to post that!!!!! Was just thinking I had the masterplan! I suppose if you buy in the resort you can always go back to the guy and get them fixed. Mind you if you get the sort who try to tell everybody you have knackered the knackered when you rented them skis and now you have to pay 700 euro for them it might not be so easy.
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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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| Fifespud wrote: |
| I suppose if you buy in the resort you can always go back to the guy and get them fixed. |
Assuming you are still in that resort - otherwise it's going to be bl**din' expensive to go back.
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joemalone, if you have still got a problem with the boots, do you not think it would be a good idea to go back to the shop and give them the opportunity to adjust the boot to make it "comfortable" to your specifications rather then slating all specialists 
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You know it makes sense.
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EVO88, Which web site, i've received nothing. If you mean Foot Works we have all left there now and are starting our own shop in Chamonix. Details sent to mail@radicalsportsmanagement.com
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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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| CEM wrote: |
| joemalone, if you have still got a problem with the boots, do you not think it would be a good idea to go back to the shop and give them the opportunity to adjust the boot to make it "comfortable" to your specifications rather then slating all specialists |
In theory this would have been great but I chose pain reduction and actually getting some enjoyment from the holiday over waiting until I got home. Also the fact is that there is no substitute for getting out on the slopes to see if adjustments have made any difference; this option wasn't available to me if i went back to the specialist who sold me the boots. I also knew that drastic measures were needed (hence the blown shells), no amount of adjustment would have sorted these out.
As far as slating all specialists; this wasn't the case at all. There are some very good ones out there but as with all professions there are also some not so good and I don't think theres any use in pretending otherwise. Ski boot fitting can be a highly technical skill and just maybe we can all be so blinded by technospeak that we stop trusting our own judgement; the key point made was to trust your own judgement when it comes to comfort! In retrospect buying boots at the resort seems like the best way to actually try them out and work through any adjustments needed; i'll certainly be doing this next time.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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joemalone, all i do is ski bot fitting and runing shoes, i fully understand that you needed to have work done on the boot and having it done locally if there is a problem is not an issue, just as we have to believe the custoemr when they say it all feels fine in the store.
BTW boot fitting is not complicated at all, remember the game you had as a child where you put the round peg in the round hole, the square peg in the square hole etc etc, it is as simple as that, just the fitter has to understand the effects (it is easy to alter the shape of the hole but you can't change the shape of the peg without pain or problems
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER,
I have sent a message via your website regarding a fitting in January. Very posh website by the way, impressive! 
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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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EVO88, Cheers, hopefully our Boot lab and fridge will hit the same standard!!
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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.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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After 4 trips of boot hiring I decided to go for a proper boot fitting with custom footbeds.
I didn't have any particular problems with the hired boots - never had to take them back for replacement - but had to play around with the clips to keep them tight and often felt I had over-tightened them.
I bought a pair of Speed Machine 8s and gave them a trial run at the Snowheads do at Hemel on Saturday - what a difference - had them on 4 four hours and apart from minor tweaks to the clips they were sooooooooo comfy and responsive - no foot waggle - the skis went where I pointed them.
Wish I had invested earlier, particularly the footbeds - now for the skis.
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Anyone know which boot manufacturers leans towards a narrow last for women? My toe nails have come off now, and the new ones have hardened, so on the look out for a another "new" pair. If I can at least eliminate those that are med/wide, I can start to reduce the choice. I don't want a stiff racing boot, which often seems to be the case with narrow boots and though my foot is only 90mm wide and 23.5 cms long, I have no other defects! I put my trust in the expert last time, this time I want to be a little bit more assertive!
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Can anyone give me a little advice please? I bought some boots AFTER my holiday last year, so haven't actually used them yet. I think the fitter went through the correct procedure at the time - I have very wide feet and came away with Nordica Olympia 8 Sport in size 25.0 which I think is probably the right length as I skied in hire boots 25.5 without problems last time and these don't feel too short. I was sent away with Berry footbeds and wore these round the house for a few days, they made the outsides of my feet ache terribly, it was a relief to take them out and the boots without anything seemed fine. The shop gave me a refund and suggested I go without and that a custom foot bed or alternative would be of no benefit. I have now got the boots out again and have been wearing them round the house for several days. There seems to be quite a bit of movement in the heel area, even though they are done up quite tight (tight enough to feel pulse throbbing when I sit down). There is a fair amount of flex - the ankle level fixing has marked the shell of the boot just from wearing about the place. All the other boots I tried on were unbearably stiff and these seemed fine at the time. Also shin/calf hurting where leg bulgs a bit into join between tongue and cuff of boot. Any advice gratefully received, thanks in advance. Hoping to go on the 6BB so would like to get this resolved if possible.
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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 wanted to add - I have had a quick Google and I see these boots are available very cheaply - in fact they were reduced when I bought them, which wasn't the reason I ended up with them, I was prepared to pay whatever the price was for the best fit! Anyway, if I have wasted my money and they were a bad buy then please just say so!!
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FireballXL5, what size shoe do you buy? the boot you hav is pretty high volume and generous to size, the movement in the heel could be caused by many things from the boot being too big to lack of flexion at the ankle joint...need a bit more info about your foot and the shell size.... do the standard check..liners out the boot foot into the empty shell, toes lightly brushing the front of the shell..how much space is there between your heel and the back of the boot?
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FAQ
. Geting my boots right though elevated my skiing 2 levels almost imediately. If you have to sacrafice the skis to get the boots right do it you wont be sorry.
Not to worry I'm sure you're very good 
