What boots?

A snowHead

It's time for some new boots Very Happy

Probably goona go with one of the Salomon range but does anyone have any recomendations?
I know it's a case of trying stuff on and seeing what fits best but from your experience, what would you suggest?

A snowHead

depends how you ride tbh.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I had the same dilemma just after new year and in the end went for the Burton Moto. I'm a size 11/11.5 and got some in a UK 11.5. They fit great with two pair of ski socks but have had to put in an insole from my trainers in one foot (my smaller foot) to make sure there's no movement at the heel.

I just went to The Snowboard Asylum to try them on and then scouted the internet for the best deal. In the end I got them from Blue Tubes in Lancester (www.bluetubes.com) for £113 including next day delivery. The guy there was mega helpful and they have some good clearance deals at the moment, depending on your foot size.

I like the Moto because it has the dual lacing system where you can set the tension on the lower part of the foot and around the ankle to suit. I also liked the fact that my actual shoe size was my boot size with Burtons, instead of having to buy one size bigger.

It's worth finsing somewhere you can try different ones on though before you do buy off the web.

Good luck Very Happy

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Richie, It's . . .
Decide where you ride, piste, park, pipe or powder to decide if you want an free-flexing boot that lets you move easily over the board while jibbing and tumbling or a stiffer boot that you use to put power and control into a fast moving board using the boot support to keep an edge engaged in the ice or hardpack. It's how and where do you want to ride?

But more important than that is FIT, close around the foot, especially the ankle, no tight or compression points, and enough room to wrigle your toes.

When you go to try-on, the socks you take should be THIN ones because liners do pack out with use and if you start off with fat socks after a couple of weeks use it'll feel like you're wearing buckets.
Fastly, CUT yer toenails.

Only buy off the web if you know exactly what you're getting.

edit: "tows" . . . I need more beer and some snowtime Sad

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Masque, Is it possible to get a close fit around the ankle with a "Free-flexing, Dribbling(sorry) Jibbing boot?" Toofy Grin

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SMALLZOOKEEPER, Wouldn't that depend on the mechanics and standard of the construction and the quality of the bootfitting?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Masque, I mainly cruise around the pistes on a Sims FR750 (163). It's a stiff board that needs to go fairly quickly to turn. If pow is around then I'll jump into it but I don't go trekking for it......so far my only experience of the park resulted in a black eye, smashed goggles and a 3 inch gash in my right leg Very Happy

I like the look of the Salomon Dialogue but thats a freestyle boot.
Might go for the Salomon Synapse or Maori. Also I've heard good things about the Vans BFB......need to get to the shops!

After all it is free

Masque, You tell me? How can a Freeflex, soft freestyle boot can be made to hold heel and ankle? Puzzled

SMALLZOOKEEPER, A good close bootfit fit around the heel and at the front of the front of the ankle over the instep will reduce heel-lift. After that it's the shape and position of the top binding (which again is partially determined by the fit of the boot. Finally there is the strength and flexibility of the rider. A fit, supple rider will be able to flex a soft boot and still keep their heels firmly on the foot bed. With good bootfitting and good bindings it's only the strength and stamina of their lower legs that determines how well and how long they can ride in hard surface conditions as they cannot use their boots to transfer as much force into the board. This is obviously also dependent on high-back position and rigidity on heelside manoeuvre's.

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Masque, Binding choice, therefore being an important factor then i guess? wink

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SMALLZOOKEEPER, It can be, though I've come to he thought that better technique is often more important than better kit. Though there is a cut-off point where cheap kit will harm or prevent you from attaining good technique.

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Masque, We've struggled for many years with both selection quality of Snowboard boots and our fit guarantee. The Freestyle boots beening too soft to add extra material around ankle areas for the shell to hold it against the foot. More ridgid boots, not pushing out away from the ankle, therfore holding the extra padding against the foot. This is fine for ride and piste, but freestyle less so. The range today seems much better, with boot manufactures offering stiffer boots in the problem areas. Salomon have always been good in this area, but have since started stitching liners in the shell making modifications more tricky. K2 and Rossignol seem to be doing very well in this area right now, we'll see.
Now back to Latexnurse.com. Toofy Grin

Richie, Yup, I can't recommend Salomon Dialogues highly enough. You'll have to try them and see if they're right for you but they're great if you're an all-rounder.

You know it makes sense.

Richie, Sorry, I got sidetracked by the rodent boogerer, I'm about to replace a pair of Salomon Synapse 'cos I've broken the back on the left one (something went 'ping' at Castleford). They've lasted very well and retained a good measure of stiffness over their four years (12 weeks) use. One caveat , they didn't stay waterproof for long.
I haven't made a decision yet as to what to replace them with but I may well wan't something with a bit more longevity . . . and easier to find replacement laces . . . I had the Devil's own job to get a new pair of rather unique thin laces.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Masque, Funny that, we've recieved 6 pairs of those same laces this morning.

A snowHead

SMALLZOOKEEPER, aren't you just down the road from the factory? wink

But you must agree that repair/replacement for bits of kit should be part of the decision process.

A snowHead

I went trying on boots last weekend. I have to say that I was very impressed with the Saloman F22s (Ladies BTW). I had to go for a size larger than my normal shoe size but the fit was superb. I also tried on a pair of Burtons which were awful and my foot felt lost inside. I know that you can have the liners moulded to your foot shape but the Salomans were a far superior boot in all aspects than the Burton. The Burton looked quite cheap and tacky and they were only £20 less than the Salomans.

Problem I have found with boot buying is that you never have enough variety to actually try on and compare. I went to Snow & Rock and they only had Saloman, Burton and Vans. Sail & Ski had Burton, 32s and Vans. Neither shop had a big range to try. Considering the number of manufacturers it seems a bit poor - or is it because I'm looking to buy relatively late in the season?

I think I'm going to get the Salomans (once I've sold my daughter into slavery!) the most expensive boot I tried but worth it.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Masque, It's part of our guarantee on all boots, Lifetime. Costs us a fortune in some cases. Buckles, straps, laces etc.

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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

That was my thinking. If I can do a few trips this year (just had my firstr, got on in March and then one before Xmas) it's cheaper for me to buy equipment than hire it each time.

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Heading to my local(ish) Snow and Rock on the way home from work to try some boots on. Knowing my luck they'll not have anything in stock wink

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

hi all

been reading this thread with interest because I always seem to have trouble with hire boots so it is time to buy some.

I am a newish boarder who stays away from the parks (enough broken bones and dodgy back from playing prop at rugby) and really enjoys piste and freeriding type boarding, and hopefully some off piste soon, so to summarise it looks like I should adopt the following

1 stiffish boots
2 try on the boots with thin socks (because the padding will comperss to foot etc. with a little use?)
3 need snug fit around ankle etc to keep the heel down when boarding
4 need room for toes, so must be able to wiggle

Does this sound right ?

cheers

After all it is free

Ive recently got new board boots and bindings. Ive found a good combo. My Board is an Atomic Triarc 164, my bindings are Flow NXT-FX. My feet are UK size 11 so I tried a few boots but the best I found were Burton Ruler's. Just thought I would share this Very Happy

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doesn't anyone here use the J bars that burton supply? They hold the heel in perfectly and are removeable. Im using just one on each boot and I'm sorted.

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Any opinions on the Burton Sapphire (women's boot)? My Salomons are like wellies (quite possibly bought a size too big, being a beginner and not knowing what they were supposed to feel like Embarassed

) Tried the Sapphires on today, liked the fit.

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So, the deed is done. I opted for the Salomon Dialogues. Got them with heat molded insoles for that extra bit of comfort.
Wearing around the house they seem almost as comfy as my slippers!

i haven't read the above but.....

go to as many shops as you can, try on as many boots as you can. buy the ones that fit you the best and suit your needs the best.

You know it makes sense.

anyone know where you can locate boa binding spares bit..?

Help!!

What boots?

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