 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey guys -
Decided to get some boots properly fitted, so off down to Lockwoods next weds with a mate. Currently have Salomon Evolution 9's, which I think are a few seasons "comfy intermediate" boots.
FWIW, I'm 6'4 and 17 stoneish, intermediate skiier (reasonably carving, though preferred snowblades) after holidays and stuff - doing 5-6 weeks this season and a full season next, so I'm hoping I'll be "really good" at some point. I want to be able to ski down groomed runs with technical accuracy, play in snowparks and learn to jump/do rails/etc, and learn to ski offpiste in powder. With super fitted magic boots. 
So, I'm buying boots to grow into ability wise - what I'm wondering is what level of boots should I be looking for? I don't mind about brand, I'll let Lockwoods decide that, but do I want (using salomon as a reference since that's all I really know scale on) X-Wave 10's when I'll be wanting to have Falcons reasonably soon? If I go for something more specialised like Falcons will it make doing stuff like off piste/park mucking around too hard?
Went around the houses a bit explaining my point - hope I'm making sense!
Cheers all,
Dave
PS - are there any uberbootfitters in the UK that aren't 3 hours from leeds? 
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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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Well, I think my current boots do fit quite well (but i'm not particularly sure how well "quite well" is!) - perhaps a footbed would sort it or something, so if it's only a small upgrade it's probably not worth the investment, if you follow.. I dunno, I just want "boots that make your skiing twice as fun" like people keep mentioning
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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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toiletduckuk, a real boot specialist will be able to tell you which boot shells most closely approximate your foot shape, will help you select the appropriate size by shell-fitting you, will help you get into neutral in the boots through the use of a footbed and/or adjustments to the shell and liner, and will make sure that the performance of the boot is appropriate. If one or more of these things is not part of what they do, they aren't a real specialist and you should seriously consider a real alternative.
It's worth the drive. I'm blessed to only have to drive about 100 miles to get to one of the best in the world. But, it's worth it to find someone who can really dial you in.
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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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toiletduckuk, I have no particular knowledgeable about boots except from painful and expensive experience. A few years ago I was talked into some very stiff detuned racing type boots having spent years in a pair of very soft, very comfortable boots. After a lot of faffing about trying to make them wearable, never mind comfortable, I had to admit that they were too stiff; I bought a pair of X Wave 10s and the world is brighter, better place. The X wave 10s feel very different; it feels as if I'm much less directly attached to the skis than with the stiff 'uns, but the actual skiing is the reverse of that; the skis respond better.
I'm not saying the X Wave 10s or a boot of that stiffness is right for you but as Wear The Fox Hat says, get what works for you now, otherwise you won't enjoy your skiing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| toiletduckuk wrote: |
| Well, I think my current boots do fit quite well... |
My previous boots fitted "quite well", but I've now come down from 28.5 to 27, and the new ones aren't agonisingly small.
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| Wear The Fox Hat wrote: |
| My previous boots fitted "quite well", but I've now come down from 28.5 to 27, and the new ones aren't agonisingly small. |
Sounds a lot, but it is only one shell size. Goes to show though.
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I had the same experience as Wear The Fox Hat, when having new boots fitted at Profeet in London, came down a 1/2 size and could barely get the boots on in the shop. I was really worried that they were just too small but the fitter kept reassurring me that they would bed in and be fine....
After a more than a few hours of wear around the house went to the dry slope last night and after two hours of bad skiiing i seem to have a virtually perfect fit and no hot spots.
sounds to me that if you put on a pair of boots that feels "about right" in the shop they may be too big. My fitter said it is real easy to sell comfortable boots that are too big for people.
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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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ssh, Dial you in? Is this The Matrix? 
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toiletduckuk, are these boots gonna be for snowblades/skiboards?? if so then try a set of rossignol soft light 1's
graeme
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Nop, for carvers/twintips. Biggest problem with my current boots is that with big heavy skis they flop about and suddenly feel pants - they're fine and respond to ligher skis (ala blades). Hence, new boots 
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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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After spending many years on various super stiff racing boots, I went to Lockwoods last season for a new pair. The end result was a pair of Salomon Pro Model Guns. They basically give a close race fit, but have a much softer flex than the race model (95 v 130). I found them much more comfortable and much better in bumps, deep snow etc. No problems carving on groomed either. I was worried that they may feel too soft, particularly on-piste, but they were just fine. I find modern carvers require much less forward pressure on the cuff than older skis, so I don't think a super stiff flex is really necessary unless you're racing competively. I'd rather have the all-day comfort and versatility of a softer boot.
Of course boot fit is a very personal thing and you'll probably end up with something very different to me, but my point is that stiff flex boots do not necessarily give higher performance. Actually, I think a close fit is far more important.
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