 Poster: A snowHead
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I have been renting boots for the past 20+ years of skiing. I have been reluctant to buy boots as every time I hire boots I have to change them after a days skiing even though they felt ok in the rent shop. Question is , are there any good fitters in Dublin and what happens if my feet die after a day skiing when away ?? Would I be better buying when away even though this takes up valuable ski time. Thanks in advance.
Dave
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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 good bootfitters in Dublin, and if there are, there are no shops that carry a large enough range.
You'll be sold whatever boot they have in your size. ie foot length. Don't waste youre money.
Most resort ski shops stay open late so no need to miss out on valuable ski time. Rent boots for the week and when you buy on the first or second evening, they'll take the rental price off the cost of the boots in most shops.
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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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Deadly Dave, I bought my first pair of boots in Pas De La Casa, my second in Alpe D'Huez and both were decent enough....BUT I bought a pair in Snow+Rock in Dundrum and they're by far the best, I got the custom footbeds fitted too, they took a day or two to get used to but now I don't know what I ever did without them.
jimmjimm, I would've agreed with you when all we had to choose from was the Great Outdoors, but this is not the case anymore, I've been so happy with S+R (even though they're pricey hoors) I bought my new Salomon Tornados and the Wifes Volkl Aires from them....threw a decent double bag in too, can't complain about that?
I'm flying to St Anton in two weeks time, we arrive mid morning.....me and her are heading straight up the Galzig for the day, ALL on ROI bought equipment.
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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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Deadly Dave, Ask for Charlie (American dude)....he's a brilliant techie.
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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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Deadly Dave, I've also been recommended to use Snow+Rock in Dublin by a very reputable reference, though I've yet to do so as I'm based in Cork & might just squeeze another season out of my trusty 10 year old Salomons.
Definitely get the customised footbeds though wherever you buy. Also you can use in resort boot speciialists to tweak boot fitting regardless of where you purchased them, although I'm pretty sure they'll charge something for this.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will take a half day off and go to S&R. The question then is what happens if I buy a pair and they start killing my feet after a day on the slopes ?? Is the measuring/fitting good enough to prevent this ??
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Deadly Dave, You'll know more or less straight away if they don't fit, and you'll be in the shop long enough for them to start hurting you.....these guys know what they're doing with regards to what you need.
As I said earlier, custom footbeds are deffo the way to go, they feel odd at first but then you'll think they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, and if you feel there's still an issue with your boots whilst you're away, every ski shop will adjust them for you at a charge, but if you speak up and very very honest whilst in S+R this will be unecessary.....where/when you off?
Fattes13, Not to be pedantic but it's MacSki (soz!) and yes I've used them loads of time but they may not be conducive to buying boots cos the distance and time required to do it.
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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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dazman, Apologies 
Deadly Dave, When they fit boots first they to tend to fit them a little tighter than required. It allows the footbed and the liner to bed down.
That said they should not be killing your feet. They may be a little tight at times but that will bed down. As above if they are not crippiling you in the shop and if you take enough time havign them on the slopes should not make a huge diffrence.
In the highly unlikley event they are murdering you away just bring them to the neareast shop after a days skiing and get them to take a look.
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Thanks again for the help. I will let you know what happens. I dont have a date or place yet for this years holiday , I am waiting for some friends to make the arrangments.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Fattes13 wrote: |
| Yes there is a premium but they do have a price promise! |
I dont mine a premium so long as the boots are right 
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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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Come to think of it lads....we should have a Snowheads Ireland group, info sharing, holiday advice, drinking....the kinda stuff we're good at.
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I think there was one once, there are a few of us and there are some regular meet and greets at the Ski CLub of Ireland, the Wicklow mountain and further afield
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You know it makes sense.
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Maybe meet for a few gluvines up in Kilternan next time it snows 
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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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this year . I rented out boots as usual ,they were a litlte tight I thought but did not hurt in any way but my feet were absolutely FREEZING and numb , was this because the boots were a little too tight , I never suffer from cold feet ?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Fattes13,
Yep, it was 53% and great outdoors I was referring to alright. Must check out S+R in Dundrum.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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alicia, It may mwell be, most common problem like this is too much pressure on top of the foot sending the toes numb and cold, all about balance of tight in the right places
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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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Deadly Dave, if you fancy a trip north to Belfast, I would recommend Des in Climate as a boot fitter who seems to know what he is doing. I am just back from a week in Kitzbuhel and am very happy with the pair he fitted for me.
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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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Thanks Pete, I will see how it goes in S&R first. Out of interest , how do shops adjust boots, do they add or remove some padding ??
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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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Well, I dropped into S&R today just to have a look. I met Charlie and have arranged to call to him in about 10 days (he is going away). The fitting/testing equipment looks impressive, so I am excited about getting a good fitting pair of boots 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Deadly Dave wrote: |
| Thanks Pete, I will see how it goes in S&R first. Out of interest , how do shops adjust boots, do they add or remove some padding ?? |
Fitting in it's most basic form is measuring and selecting the correct shell for the foot, then the footbed then adding or removing padding or stretching or grinding the shell in areas to accommodate lumps and bumps..... It is a bit like the game that kids have where the round peg goes in the round hole and the square peg goes in the square hole, the key is making the hole (the boot) match the foot this can be simple or complex depending on the foot shape and biomechanics, just be sure to read up the info on the forum about shell sizing and go in to any shop as an educated consumer
Good luck getting it sorted
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CEM, Thanks, I only worked out last season why I have problems with boots. I have wide feet , narrow heels and big calfs
I think that will test Charlie .
I am going to do a good bit of reading on here before then.
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Yes - another thumbs up for Dan in Snow + Rock. I got a pair of boots from a previously mentioned shop and learned an uncomfortable and expensive lesson, after a chat with Fattes 13 I took his advice and went to see Dan - luckily the boots were ok for me but the git that fitted them initially caused all sorts of probs - new footbeds and a bit of tweeking over a couple of sessions and they're right on the button.
By the way pay close attention to what Fattes says on any equipment topics, he knows what he's at, and isn't afraid to speak his mind on "shite" gear.
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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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Deadly Dave, Tell him your issues and he'll measure you up, each boot manufacturer has different characteristics and he'll find you the right one and adjust it to fit you, I was once 21 stone and they got a pair to fit my fat calves.....don't fret, it'll be fine.
....as for meeting up, if there's drink involved I'm deffo there!!!!
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Bring on the irish section .....
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I have been meaning to fill you in re the boots. I spent nearly two hours in S&R getting fitted by Charlie. I got custom foot beds. I was suprised there was only foot LENGHT measurements taken. After about five different tries I settled on Techina Phoenix Airshell 90 boots. I am skiing next week so we will see how they are then. Very happy with the service in S&R. Thank you for the recomendations.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Mon 14-03-11 21:41; edited 1 time in total
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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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Deadly Dave, intrigued as to what measurements you expected, i believe firmly that it is not just about foot measurements only, but interested to know what you as a consumer would expect
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| CEM wrote: |
| Deadly Dave, intrigued as to what measurements you expected, i believe firmly that it is not just about foot measurements only, but interested to know what you as a consumer would expect |
Sorry. Above posted edited.
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You know it makes sense.
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I am back from a week of testing my new boots. They hurt !! I didnt get them adjusted over there as I thought the might need some time to bed in a bit.
CEM , I wasnt able to reply properly to your question beacuse I was posting on my phone. I would have expected lenght, width and height measurements to be taken of my feet. Its suprising at this stage,that there isnt a laser device that could take a complete profile of the foot and a computer would be able to match with a suitable boot.
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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 agree about expecting a full profile of the feet to be taken. There's all this talk about foot widths, pronation, volumes and packing down of liners, custom footbeds, etc, etc and yet when you get measured all they seem to concentrate on is your foot length. Seems to me that a lot of boot fitting is all talk or else many of the fitters are doing a half baked job.
Speaking of which I called into S&R in Dundrum a few weeks ago, and since I am from Cork this was a bit of a detour on a trip to Dublin and unfortunately I was not overly impressed to be honest. The range was limited (granted it was still early season i.e. October), I felt they did not really listen to me re my skiing ability, ambitions and what terrain I expected to ski. Their first question to me was what boot was I interested in? rather than what skill level am I and what do i expect to ski/hike/do in the boots. So I got the impression they would sell me whatever boot I had read good reviews of rather than recommending a good boot for my level of skiing.
When prompted they suggested 2 models of boots a Nordica F3 http://www.nordica.com/uk-ireland/products/Fire-Arrow-F3-EN/?target=on_pist and a Salomon Impact 100 http://www.salomon.com/uk/product/impact-100-cs.html. I do a lot of off piste and a reasonable amount of hiking for powder, so I suggested to the fitter that maybe a combo touring/downhill type boot like the Salomon Quest or Ghost may be the kind of boot I should try. He didn't have that in stock but assured me that the Nordica would be way lighter than my existing, 10 year old, Salomon Evo7 downhill boot (which I had brought with me to show fitting, etc). I tested this claim and showed him that they both weighed the same. Subsequently I read on the Nordica website that the boot they were recommending for me is mostly recommended as an on-piste downhill boot by the manufacturer!! This despite me telling them repeatedly that I was looking for an all mountain boot or touring boot with good downhill performance. This kind of telling me what I wanted to hear approach has not impressed me at all and as a result I'm considering waiting till I get to Chamonix or La Grave over NYears to get fitted properly. Maybe the S&R folk will be fine if I persevere with them, and keep them under a watchful eye, but Charlie is gone and the others did not overly impress me at all thus far. Caveat Emptor...
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