 Poster: A snowHead
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Ok, so we had our spies out at the ski shows, interesting, mwah hahahaah.
The guys just got back and delivered the Catalogues.
Nice catalogues, both very different.
Both have a pretty sweet introduction and articles about bootfitting, some good info and references.
So my thoughts on their ranges, should any of you care to know.
I don't know any of the fitters personally and haven't seen any of their work, this is not a dig at them, the fitters, I understand that there are good and bad there, what I am concerned with here is the selection of models and the likely hood of any of the fitting processes mentioned are unlikely, and therefore lend themselves to recreational fit which i believe is way of the mark at any level of skiing.
Ok, First Brighams.
So all the info we're given about bootfitting, what needs to be done and how, should be backed up by a range of boots that reflect the fact that this work will need to be done.
Sorry that isn't the case here.
The only boots likely to need any work doing, unless they really only see high volume feet are 4 boots, of which 3 are custom shell from Salomon, so really that doesn't count.
The rest of the boots are IMO, pretty poor on the whole, lots of duplication of type and volume, poor quality plastic models.
Nothing exciting, innovative or challenging for the staff to deal with.
Second S+R.
The same good info and details in the forward to bootfitting, everything is covered well.
A much better and diverse range of boots, giving the fitter more tools to work with and plenty of options for foot shape.
On the whole, i reckon this isn't too bad, certainly as good as most good (general) stores in the Alps.
So I guess, if you can't or wont buy your boots, forwhatever reason at the bootfitters in Resort, I reckon S+R serves you best this Winter, of course not forgeting the smaller independant outlets.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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SMALLZOOKEEPER,
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of course not forgeting the smaller independant outlets.
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Which ones would you reccomend?
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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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Boredsurfing, No ideas, sorry been out of the UK for too long. Best asking Charlie
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER,  nice one.
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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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SMALLZOOKEEPER, For your info, S & R knocked out about 75 pairs on the Wed/Thu/Fri at the London show, not bad for the 3 quietest days. I'd imagine they sold a lot more at the weekend. Always amazes me how anyone would want to buy a pair of ski boots at a ski show. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Always amazes me how anyone would want to buy a pair of ski boots at a ski show
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I did that once, though I hadn't really intended to; spur of the moment effort. I think I got quite well fitted, by a Kiwi guy who took his time and told me upfront that unless I had two hours to devote to the purchase he wouldn't advise it. I did feel a bit of a twit standing barefoot on that footbed machine with my jeans rolled up in the middle of Olympia,or wherever it was, praying I wouldn't see anyone I know walking past. He was dealing with a young girl when I was sitting there cooling and clomping around - telling her that if she continued to wear nothing but high heel shoes and do no stretching before she went skiing for the first time she was gonna have problems.
I was working long hours in central London at the time, and had scooted off early one day, on my own, to see the show. I figured that it was probably the best chance I'd get to spend two hours to myself buying a pair of ski boots, and I knew of no boot shops round where I lived.
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pam w, And how were the boots in actual use?
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Any thoughts on the Atomic Tracker? I've heard it's a similar shape to my Salomon Falcons.
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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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clarky999, We're doing it, sweet looking thing, first MODIFIED WC shell to be turned into a freerando boot.
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Interesting... I can feel another expense coming on...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Isn't the day of the dead tree catalogue over?
Such a waste of resources...
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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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bertie bassett, toilet reading!
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You know it makes sense.
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Alexandra, i think you will find the buyers for both these companies are pretty good at their jobs, of course they look at things from a commercial point of view, they have to, but i know them both personally and they are both skiers and boot fitters themselves... and yes i am sure they do speak to their senior staff in the stores to get their feed back which can influence buying decisions
buying for a small store is enough of a challenge with getting units and styles correct, try doing it for 14+ stores and mixing and matching different aspirations from different consumers in different parts of the country
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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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On the catalogues, EB is fine, pretty much the same as always. S&R is pretty much as waste of space as there is no detail, forcing you to a website anyhow. I get a catelogue to avoid a website to be honest.
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FAQ
