 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm looking for a pair of ski boots. I've been to Snow and Rock who say that my feet are pretty average, not wide/narrow and an average instep etc.
They recommend the Salamon X Pro 90 W or Atomic Hawx 2.0 90, priced £290 and £275. When i tried them on i thought the Hawx were comfier. I've been online and can buy the 2012 version of the Atomic Hawx 90 for £130, my question is will the fit be the same/similar? How much will have changed to the design in 2 years and does it justify the £145?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@vbriddy, Best recommendation from me is don't buy on line. Others will disagree, but if you want a great fitting boot that will last you for years, spend a few extra ££ and visit a decent boot fitter and buy from them. I love my gear, but i'd gladly give up a holiday, all my skis etc for a perfect fitting boot.
What is your weight / level of skiing?
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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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As PaulC1984, says do not buy online unless you know exactly what you need ( not what you want ).
Unless you are a very low intermediate or a beginner boots should not be comfy in the shop all ski boot liners compress over the first few weeks/months dependant on how much you use them and a boot that is comfy new may well be too big when bedded in. Even at the lower levels you still need a good fit but they are designed for a bit more comfort so the best advice anyone can give you here is talk to a specialist/knowledgeable boot fitter and take the advice and recommendation they give you.
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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'm going to echo what the others have already said.
Btw, in answer to your question, the 2014/15 model Hawx is significantly improved - it now features heat - moldable both shell and lining. In my personal view, well worth spending the extra coin on.
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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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@vbriddy, the new hawx has different shape, different plastic, different liner so is all in all different
#supportyourlocalbootfitter
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@vbriddy, been skiing with boots that I first bought from a local shop with a youngster salesperson. Boots were indeed comfortale, only to find out later they were one size too big (in addition, the same model could have different width - different last). Last year I went to a profesional boot fitter in Tignes and now I understand as well that specialist's advice and trained/experienced eye is well worth the saving of 100 pounds/EUR of buying online (btw, I also got 50 EUR off from the RRP).
I am a huge fan of online purchases, but I buy my icebreaker underwear online, not specialised equipment. Been 'educating' my mates as well, as one of them was set on a pair of ski boots he rented last January. I told him to go and talk to a bootfiter who knows what he is doing.
Do yourself a favour - go and talk to a reputable bootfitter, you will thank yourself later
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@vbriddy,
If you let people know where abouts you are they will be able to recommend a good boot fitter close to you.
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I'm an intermediate skier, 5'3, 60kg. I'm in Leeds for recommendations for boot fitters.
Thanks for all the replies
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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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Another echo for the skills of a professional bootfitter - it can make a huge difference to your skiing confidence/ability/enjoyment when they get it right.
Sorry I'm a soft southern shandy drinker so I can't help with recommendations in Leeds.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sh*ttily fitted boots put more people off skiing than anything else. Boots are the one thing you should NOT buy on the internet.
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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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I too need to invest in some new ski boots. I've been skiing 4 years in Tignes and can ski all the reds and most Blacks (not tried Face or Sache yet!) The rental boots I have ordered each year have always given me immense pain on the soles/bridge of my feet but persevered with rentals as I wanted to get to a decent skiing level before buying a pair boots so they would last me a few years.
I need to go to a shop to buy boots as I would like to speak to someone about what type of boot I need etc as I’ll be honest I don’t know myself, I must have slightly odd shaped feet (ice skates and if I’m not careful some makes of rugby boots cause pain in the sole of my foot) however I'm unsure of where to go and what time. I don't live too far from the Chill Factore and there is also a Snow and Rock and an Ellis Brigham in Manchester as well, my question relates to having read other threads on here where people have gone to these shops at certain times and have got 'weekend' staff rather than 'experts'. Any advice on where to go and ideally whether to go in the week or weekend would be appreciated.
Thanks
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You know it makes sense.
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@Robb84, if u ski in Tignes, recomend highly nevada sports at rue de la sport. Book an appointment before u go, 04 79 24 10 36. The good thing is to do at the begining of your ski hols and then go again and get it adjusted
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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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@Robb84, I can't advise on which shop is best in your area. What I can say is that it sounds likely that you have either a very flat foot or a very high arch. Both of these situations can lead to pain on the sole of the foot since stock insoles are designed for a foot which is somewhere in between. It's therefore very likely that custom moulded insoles will make a big impact. So choose a shop that has the equipment and expertise to mould a pair of insoles.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Same as Mooney58 with me. My boots were nice and comfy. Now I'm a little more educated I've found they're at least one size too big and wrong width style boot for my narrow feet. Wish I'd known about this site beforehand.
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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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| Quote: |
#supportyourlocalbootfitter
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??
Why, are the boot made locally, thus help the local economy or help reduce Eco Effects? Are you near the snow, where the boots will be used??
This statement only makes sense if buying in the Dolomites in my opinion. The only reason anyone would buy boots locally is if they don't want to waste anytime on their holidays doing anything but skiing, sleeping, boozing or eating. Some shops will offer you food, booze, a sofa or even a gentle slope to try them on.
#buyyourbootsinresort
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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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| CH2O wrote: |
| Quote: |
#supportyourlocalbootfitter
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??
Why, are the boot made locally, thus help the local economy or help reduce Eco Effects? Are you near the snow, where the boots will be used??
This statement only makes sense if buying in the Dolomites in my opinion. The only reason anyone would buy boots locally is if they don't want to waste anytime on their holidays doing anything but skiing, sleeping, boozing or eating. Some shops will offer you food, booze, a sofa or even a gentle slope to try them on.
#buyyourbootsinresort
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All well and good, but when you have a problem with them a few weeks later then you are stuffed!
One of the great thing about buying from a local boot fitter is that (if they are any good) they effectively will adjust them as required for free, virtually forever. I went to my local boot fitter a couple of times for tinkering, and then when the tongue of the liner pulled off. And then when Salomon replaced the whole boots rather than just the liner (  very annoying because they are Ghosts, and the new seasons ski they replaced it with had been made MUCH stiffer) they then tinkered with those several times until they were perfect.
Im definitely with #supportyourlocalbootfitter
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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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| CH2O wrote: |
| Quote: |
#supportyourlocalbootfitter
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??
Why, are the boot made locally, thus help the local economy or help reduce Eco Effects? Are you near the snow, where the boots will be used??
This statement only makes sense if buying in the Dolomites in my opinion. The only reason anyone would buy boots locally is if they don't want to waste anytime on their holidays doing anything but skiing, sleeping, boozing or eating. Some shops will offer you food, booze, a sofa or even a gentle slope to try them on.
#buyyourbootsinresort
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Unless you fancy driving 1000 miles or flying out buying from a LOCAL boot fitter is common sense. As has already been mentioned above you can get adjustments done as and when needed with much less hassle.
Supporting a good bootfitter is again common sense because nobody who understands the importance of well fitting boots wants these places to close from lack of trade.
To the OP I would avoid EB and S&R and go to Rivington Alpine or Glide and Slide.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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to me its got nothing to do with supporting your local boot fitter, I couldnt care less where my money goes. What i do care about is my feet and the expert knowledge of said boot fitter - Thats why ive always gone to Colin at solutions 4 feet, end of story
certainly helps not to have to fly somewhere everytime i need and adjustment and it certainly helps to ski them a few times before hols or you could be unlucky and spend all your time in the boot shop while on your hols - how stupid!
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Ditto, myvfeet aren, t average. Suffered many many agonising weeks with hire boots, tried on line boots , still no success . Then heard of my local boot fitter. He made my wife, s feet extatic then mine. A year later I had some minor issues in between trips, after a phone call and a reservation, he made a minor adjustment - all as part of his service. Suits me.
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I have new Solomon Impact CS boots (with transparent plastic shell). I want to stretch my boots in length, using a heat gun. My big toe hits the end of the toe box, and the sales guy said "you want them tight." Well, they really hurt. How much can I get them stretched? I thnk the left is a half-size US too short, can I go that much? THANKS ...Ed
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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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@_Ed,
Firstly how tight on the toe when you are in a skiing position pressing your shins against the boot ?
If your toes are only pressing/touching when stood upright it may be that no adjustment needs to be done to the boot.
Secondly if it does need adjustment unless you are really really confident you know what you are doing I would take it to a boot fitter it should not cost too much to have one or both boots blown out at the front and a boot fitter will be able to make sure it is not blown out too far and the plastic of the boot has not been compromised.
Half a size should be no issue at all but as I have said please see someone. Also try the boots on if unsure re my first comment and see how that feels.
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What does 'local' mean though?
Surely if you buy close to home (Snow and Rock, etc) and then find problems on holiday, you're stuffed.
Equally, if your feet swell or something (happens to pregnant women, for example) and you've bought in a resort, you're not that likely to be able to pop back into the same shop 2 or 3 years later.
Neither approach really offers much over buying a pair off the internet and returning them if they're a poor fit. I've yet to see anyone with 'average' feet benefit from the 'expertise' of boot fitters (who mostly seem concerned with driving you upmarket in your selection).
M
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Got my Quest Max touring boots for £150 because they are green instead of Orange (this years colour), If you know what boots fit and you don't need any adjustments or fancy insoles made then it makes sense to buy them in the post/pre season sales whether it is in a shop or on-line.
If you don't know what boots to get or how to try them on for yourself then go to a fitter and pay the extra to get a good fit.
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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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@Flaine skier, Id still be getting a 'fancy insole'. For an extra £80ish it makes a big difference to the fit
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| noisey wrote: |
| Ditto, myvfeet aren, t average. Suffered many many agonising weeks with hire boots, tried on line boots , still no success . Then heard of my local boot fitter. He made my wife, s feet extatic then mine. A year later I had some minor issues in between trips, after a phone call and a reservation, he made a minor adjustment - all as part of his service. Suits me. |
I've got the same problem, my feet are a long way from average. I've got high arches (so need an overly priced insole) and I think that my feet are as wide as they are long, so I'm a bit limited in what's available. IMO well worth taking the time to have someone look at how my feet were shaped and working out what size suited, plus the heat shrink type gimmick actually worked quite well in easing some pressure that I had on the heel of one foot.
One thing I would say is that I think a smaller outfit would be better (I went to Snow & Rock). Although S&R will do a refit in the same season they charge a cost for adjustment the year following that, from what people say on here a smaller independent is more likely to offer a 'tinkering' service.
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You know it makes sense.
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Went to REI and got $50 insoles. They heated up the inner boots and stuffed my feet in with thick neoprene caps over my toes, to squish it to fit. Hurt like hell, esp given my infected toe. He doesn't think I'll have to stretch the boots. No charge for the hour of labor. I'll try them on the slopes tomorrow. THANKS ...Ed
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FAQ
