 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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No. SW4L are good for end-of-line gear, but no way would I buy boots from them: they don't have any specialist fitters, so you'll end up with boots which are two big and don't fit.
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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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Mattmulkeen, I've bought stuff from them online and at one of their shops in Tamworth. They have a shop in Castleford also why not try there. No idea if they have any idea on boot fitting though.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I tried on boots in Intersport in Kitz last March. They were reduced in an end of season sale, but sensible head stopped me from buying them. Then I found the same boots for sale online a couple of months later even cheaper. It wasn't SW4L, but another online store in a similar vein...
There's my motto; try them on in expensive shop, then buy identical from cheapo retailer...
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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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Been in the Tamworth warehouse and bought some gear off them, they can fit out about 3 shops with the amount of stuff they have in there. If they are the boots you want and you've not got weird feet then go for it. Although I'm sure you will get many more answers and there are certainly one or two threads on boot buying/fitting on here, I have no complaints about using this site.
hope it helps, Chris
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mattmulkeen, just bought some skis for one of the kids. Rossi Junior Bandits ,2009 model £99.00 inc bindings ,fitting and delivery. Excellent service. Excellent price too.Not sure about their bootfitting credentials though.
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| queen bodecia wrote: |
I tried on boots in Intersport in Kitz last March. They were reduced in an end of season sale, but sensible head stopped me from buying them. Then I found the same boots for sale online a couple of months later even cheaper. It wasn't SW4L, but another online store in a similar vein...
There's my motto; try them on in expensive shop, then buy identical from cheapo retailer... |
And if everyone did that where would we be - no shops in the UK / or resort where you could actually buy kit and walk away - bit screwed if you break something on holiday then. Now wheres an internet connection - whats that website called again. Now how long will it take them to deliver to appartment 5, marmottes appartments, a ski resort, france...
I like to save money like the next guy but you MUST support the local guy as well - if they fold you're bolloxed. Discount warehouse can be used sparingly for skis /poles etc as a Rossignol x 168cm ski is the same but boots need to be fitted correctly - so if you buy ski boots from a discount warehouse without any fitting you're a moron
If you don't believe check this thread - http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=44673&highlight=bicester+boots&start=0 where many fellow snowheads have wasted money by not getting a proper fit of boots by a trained professional.
Just back from my bootfittng today with CEM which was ace! Proof of the pudding in about 3 weeks time, but I'm sure he's done me proud.
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Thanks for the info and responses.
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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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Completely agree with Bertie. If we don't support those carrying the overhead of having a shop, then soon there will only be on line retailers.
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Fair point chaps, but I'm on a very tight budget. It was either find a really cheap way of buying new boots (broke old ones, which were actually 14 years old so they did pretty well!) or not going skiing this season. You see my predicament. Incidentally, the place I ordered my boots from is actually a shop, they were just selling off all their end of season stock cheap on the internet...
I did try the boots on, never fear, just not in the same place from where I bought them, so I knew they fitted already. All I need to do is take the footbed insoles out of my old boots and job done. Expensive boot fitting services are out of my league I'm afraid...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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queen bodecia,
1 a 14 yo footbed is well past its best, your feet will have changed in that tim
2 how do you know they fit? did they feel nice and comfortable in the shop 
3 bootfitting services are cheaper than a plumber or a car mechanic and neither a plumber or a car mechanic make a happy ski holiday
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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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queen bodecia, imo it could be an expensive mistake not being fitted by an expert. Ill fitting boots can cause long term damage to your feet never mind hindering technique 
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We can go around in circles here.
As per queen bodecia I have a tight budget so I tend to mainly buy bargains from the internet or big shop like lidl/Aldi for clothing, Decathlon also. Otherwise by the time I have bought the equipment at my local shop full price, I have not got enough money to actually go skiing. Then its the chalets and local shops that suffer.
Choices have to be made: less people suffer from not buying local than would if I did not go skiing at all... so there..
What I don't do however is waste my local shops time by asking this and that and the other. I go in, browse and occasionally buy if there is a good price. But I don't ask them to get half their stock out having no intention to buy...
Snowsports are extremely expensive and simply not everyone can afford what some see as "essential"... then we can all argue where the savings should be made and arguably boots are where the least "cuts" should be made, but each to their own..
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You know it makes sense.
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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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There was a recent discussion in the snowboarding section about trying stuff on in shops then buying off the internet, and I'll repeat what I said in there:
"I've bought plenty of gear off the net, I just don't think it is right to waste a shop worker's time when he could be dealing with genuine customers, particularly in the current climate. If you buy on the net, do your research on the net too, plenty of info out there."
Okay, it is pretty difficult to discern what boots will fit just from looking at the 'net..... but..... if you can't/won't spend the money on getting boots properly fitted, perhaps you should stick with renting. In terms of fit you probably won't be any worse off.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Shops are a business, not a charity. Buy from them if they give value (which is in the eye of the beholder). If not, freely look elsewhere. 'Value' to some is the price tag, to others it is the service.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Matt have bought stuff from their shop and got some really good deals - particularly on coats, snowboots for the kids and trousers. Have seen people buy boots and you certainly won't get much of a fitting although arguably you will probably get more than I have ever had in a hire shop and they do sell some very cheap boots - depends what you want.
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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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So if my footbeds are past their best (which I don't doubt they are), I assume I can take my new boots somewhere (don't think there is anywhere local!) and get new footbeds? Does anyone have any idea how much this costs? Much more than £50 and I'll have to forget it and make do...
Sorry to sound like a cheapskate but every penny is accounted for chez moi...
Plus I only get the chance to ski for six days per year and I also suffer from fibromyalgia. If my boots are slightly less than a perfect fit, it's not going to make much difference in the great scheme of things...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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queen bodecia, if you have discomfort in your boots would your fibromyalgia not make that pain worse? I can't remember how much I paid for footbeds when I got my boots, I think about £35 about three years ago. Someone with more recent knowledge will be along shortly I'm sure! You could always get them done in resort.
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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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The fibromyalgia is a recent complaint, possibly following my cancer surgery. Not even a firm diagnosis yet, still going round the houses with several different possibilities but that is looking a likely culprit. My pain is mostly in my back, neck and shoulders, but my feet and legs suffer from aching and numbness pretty much all of the time too. Last season, in my 17 year old boots, I was far from comfortable, but I just tried to ignore it and concentrate on enjoying my skiing. Then I broke the boots! So this season is going to be a bit of a guessing game, but hey I'm not about to give up the few pleasures I have in life just because of aches and pains...
However, I will do a bit of digging and see if I can find out any more about getting some new footbeds...
Sorry about the off-topic thread hijack. I hope the original poster finds the right boots at a reasonable price...
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queen bodecia, off the peg footbeds £35-£50 custom made ones £60-£100 an off the peg footbed will give you better support than a badly made custom one, so just be careful where you get them made
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FAQ
