 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All,
Hope this is in the correct place,
Been browsing for a while now on this forum, but figure I’d join up and see if you guys can give me some help (seems like it shouldn’t be too difficult, your all pretty up to speed here)
Well right…
I’ve been skiing 5 times (Twice in Austria, Twice in Switzerland and one in France), Each time has been the usual rental job, so everything is pretty much chosen for you.
Well I’ve come to the conclusion it may be worth investing into my own equipment as I do plan to continue going when money is available.
Now I haven’t been for 2 years, so I really can’t re-call length, type … to be completely honest I can’t remember much about the ski selection process at all other then it being based on weight.
Unfortunately one other major factor is Budget. I’ve been looking around and seen K2 Silencers for £180 with Bindings, and Rossignol Exalt x80 boots for £170. And despite not remembering much about ski’s figure this is the sort of price range I’d like to stick with,
Here’s where you guys would be very helpful.
What would you recommend? And what length ski would I be looking into? My weight is 9 ½ stone (133lbs) so when researching myself the ideal length recommended based on my search was 150cm. does this seem correct?
Sorry for the story of my life before the question at hand, hopefully I’m not too far out of my depth joining up on these boards for advice.
Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Height and what standard skier you think you are might help people give advice aswell
and welcome to 
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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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If you're on a budget then I would suggest buy your boots now and save the skis for later.
As you might have gathered, your boots need to be the right size and shape for your feet. Trial and error is probably the expensive way to do this - no matter what the bargain. Best to visit a proper bootfitter who can work out which will be best for your feet. CEM is a member on here and is a bootfitter with a good reputation. He is not far from you in Bicester:
http://www.solutions4feet.com/
Alternatively, try Lockwoods in Leamington Spa:
http://www.lockwoods.com/
You could try Snow & Rock in Bristol but, IMHO, this is more of a lottery.
http://www.snowandrock.com/
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Tue 20-10-09 12:08; edited 1 time in total
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Murr, as said above if budget is an issue gets the boots first. You may also factor in if it ris eally cost effective buying skis - for a week's skiing you also need to include in the cost of ski carriage if flying, and the cost of servicing, or buying equipment and learning to service yourself. Once you've factored these costs in it probably works out just as cheap to hire skis.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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As written above, go and see a bootfitter and with their advice let the boots choose you rather than the other way round. Then spend the remaining budget on skis.
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I heard a great comment recently in Brigham's, Milton Keynes.
A Woman was being fitted for boots by an assistant, and she was taking her time and asking lots of pertinant questions as the assistant basically proferred one boot after another in the hope that one would pass under the radar.
Woman, "So what would be the difference between buying them here and going to a boot fitter?"
EB, "Well not much really. The boots are exactly the same. If you went to a boot fitter you would probably get less choice of boots as they only have a set number which they stock, and you would get less time with the boot fitter themselves as they're normally on their own and working on lots of people at once..."
I just shook my head and walked away smiling - (strangely enough the Woman being fitted started to smile in a rather wry fashion at this point too...)
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Murr, definitely look at getting boots first if the budget doesn't stretch to boots and skis. I'm sure you've gathered by reading around here that CEM is very much an expert in his field so would be the ideal place to go. If budget is a major factor, then be aware that you'll be paying for his services as well as the boots - if you can afford it, then it's definitely worth it. I've not done it myself, but will be doing so as soon as funds (and OH) allow.
If you really can't stretch to CEM's services (hoping that doesn't sound patronising as it's a factor for myself), then make sure you go to a good shop such as Bartlett's or Lockwoods. It may be a sweeping statement and in some cases unjustified, but I wouldn't go near EB or S&R.....
fr0sty, do you think she was a ?
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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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| Jon.L wrote: |
Murr, definitely look at getting boots first if the budget doesn't stretch to boots and skis. I'm sure you've gathered by reading around here that CEM is very much an expert in his field so would be the ideal place to go. If budget is a major factor, then be aware that you'll be paying for his services as well as the boots - if you can afford it, then it's definitely worth it. I've not done it myself, but will be doing so as soon as funds (and OH) allow.
If you really can't stretch to CEM's services (hoping that doesn't sound patronising as it's a factor for myself), then make sure you go to a good shop such as Bartlett's or Lockwoods. It may be a sweeping statement and in some cases unjustified, but I wouldn't go near EB or S&R.....
fr0sty, do you think she was a ? |
I am sure if you purchase boots from CEM then he throw's the fitting in for free. However, if you need footbeds or work on the shell then he would charge accordingly. But you would have to pay for that extra service anywhere.
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o11y, sorry, there is a consult charge on top of the boot price, there always has been, but then again you pay the mechanic for the parts and the labour
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Murr, just to contradict what others have said (there's lots of that goes on here) the OH and I recently bought new boots from EB (at Castleford). The bootfitter there seemed to know what he was about, and spent a LOT of time finding a shell which would fit my awkward feet, listening to how I said the boot felt, and even more time working with my wife's (also awkward) feet. By the time he had finished, we were losing the will to live! Suppose it depends on what time you go there, and how busy they are, as to the quality of service you get - I imagine this is in contrast to CEM, where you get an appointment, and his undivided attention til he's finished?
OK, they've hardly been used yet, but so far, both pairs of boots still fit well, work well and not a trace of discomfort. I'm happy 
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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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you dont need to pay extra for boot fitting, if you've seven toes or an extra heel on one foot then maybe, otherwise not. As geoff10 said you can get perfectly adequate service at some of the bigger stores - try plenty of boots, get them to measure you - even ask for their best fitter as it's your first time or whatever, but you definitely do not need extra charges as an average punter, things are expensive enough. I'll go you one further and say once you've been through your first pair of boots (fitted by a decent mush at one of the big shops), then you may not ever have to have a fitting or step foot in a shop again, you're future/subsequent boots may well be acquired and fitted all by yourself (possibly - it doesnt work for everyone - before the boot police shoot me down!)!
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and for skis, if you can get yourself along to one of the domes' test days (usually around this time of year??) it may help find the right pair for you as you can test ride a bunch
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You know it makes sense.
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| CEM wrote: |
| o11y, sorry, there is a consult charge on top of the boot price, there always has been, but then again you pay the mechanic for the parts and the labour |
CEM, it wasn't a criticism - I think anyone would happily pay premium price for premium service, I know I would. Just making the point that if funds are tight.....
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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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I actually had a very good experience with an EB bootfitter as well. I went to a careers fair at the NEC that just happened to be on at the same time as the ski & snowboard show  Dropped in to the show after the careers thing so it was quite late in the day and I was the only person at the EB stand- guy spent absolutely ages fitting my boots, and he only gave me 2 models to try on as he said they were the best shape for my feet. Have skiied in them for a couple of trips now and have been very happy.
Anyway I would agree with the general advice to go for boots first!
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'm another one that didn't pay extra for a bootfitting service. I bought mine at a small independent winter sports shop and the boot adviser spent about an hour with me, measuring my feet, recommending boots and then heat-adjusting both the liners and the shells of the chosen boots. I paid the price of the boots only, which were £80 off in the end of season sale! I now have boots which feel tight but definitely not painful.
However, the service I received is not comparable to the extensive boot adjustment services offered by CEM.
I can also recommend the demo sessions at UK indoor slopes. It really opened my eyes to how different skis can feel and what suits me and what doesn't. I've now drawn up a shortlist and am hopefully buying some secondhand skis from that list.
Bootfitting and ski demos seem to me to be the best ways of avoiding making expensive mistakes.
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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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Murr, incidentally, when it comes to skis, 150cm is way to short for what you're skiing. I'm a shade under 5'6" & around 8 1/2 stone, & I don't really feel comfortable on skis below 160cm - OK, 155cm for slalom skis might be reasonable, but it's not what I do, & it doesn't sounds like it's what you do either...
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