 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I would really appreciate some advice for buying ski boots as I seem to be getting conflicting advice from each fitter I have seen so far.
I am a female intermediate skier who mainly skis red runs and the odd black. I have size 4 feet with a wide forefoot and narrow ankle and heel. I have also been told that I have a low arch and pronate inwards.
I am quite an aggressive skier and so prefer a stiffer boot. I would like an advanced boot which I can progress in too.
Boot fitter 1 said that I should go with a low volume boot such as the Atomic Medussa 90 or the Lange Exclusive RX 90 in a size 23.0 – unfortunately they didn’t have any in stock for me to try
Boot fitter 2 suggested again a size 23.0 but the Solomon Instinct 100 or the Rossingnol Electra Pro
Boot fitter 3 said that I should have a custom insole made which will shorten my foot and put me in a 22.0 boot. He recommended the Atomic Hawx 90 W or the Head Dream 10.5 One
It seems to be a bit of a minefield really and as it really is an investment I want to get it right. As I have small feet I often struggle with boots seeming to be too big for me or there being too much movement in the heal area.
I’m wondering whether I should have a foot bed made first and then find a boot from there? Or if the boot feels comfortable but there is movement in the heel area should I just wear a thicker sock?
Any help or recommendations would be much appreciated
Thanks
Philippa
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to 
Where are you based?
Thicker socks suck in ski boots. Yes you need a custom foot bed but you want it made by someone who knows what they are doing...
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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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IMO have a boot fitted by a reputable shop, wear the best quality thin ski socks you can buy. The following may sound a bit of a contridiction (sp) and may well be slated here, If the boot is fitted well cutom footbeds are a complete ripoff and not essential, unless you have very abnormal feet or other muscular / skeletal problems that cutom inners help correct they are a waste of money, and I im not sure the average boot fitter can tell you that anyway.
Running shoes on at the ready for a quick get away 
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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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Hi Philippa and welcome to SHs
As parlor says a custom footbed is a must and thick socks are a big no.
Other than that I'm no expert on the volume of particular makes of ski boot, although as an instructor I see a lot feet in boots that are poorly fitted, but I'd hazard a guess that at least 2, perhaps 3 of the 'fitters' are talking nonsense and trying to sell you whatever they have on their shelves or will be getting on their shelves.
To be honest speaking as someone who went through years of ill fitting boots and pain before finally finding someone who actually knew what they were doing (CEM here on Snowheads from Solutions for feet in Bicester) I'd suggest heading straight to someone who knows what they're talking about - fairly obvious who my recommendation would be. However you will very probably find a bootfitter or two popping into this thread and offering their comments on the boots that you were recommended so you'll be able to gauge which of the fitters you saw was closest to the mark.
It'd be interesting to hear where each of the fitters you mention were working and might help other people here to see what the standard of advice being offered in various shops is.
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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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| roga wrote: |
Hi Philippa and welcome to SHs
As parlor says a custom footbed is a must and thick socks are a big no.
Other than that I'm no expert on the volume of particular makes of ski boot, although as an instructor I see a lot feet in boots that are poorly fitted, but I'd hazard a guess that at least 2, perhaps 3 of the 'fitters' are talking nonsense and trying to sell you whatever they have on their shelves or will be getting on their shelves.
To be honest speaking as someone who went through years of ill fitting boots and pain before finally finding someone who actually knew what they were doing (CEM here on Snowheads from Solutions for feet in Bicester) I'd suggest heading straight to someone who knows what they're talking about - fairly obvious who my recommendation would be. However you will very probably find a bootfitter or two popping into this thread and offering their comments on the boots that you were recommended so you'll be able to gauge which of the fitters you saw was closest to the mark.
It'd be interesting to hear where each of the fitters you mention were working and might help other people here to see what the standard of advice being offered in various shops is. |
Another one who would suggest at Trip to Colin (CEM) in Bicester.
Where are you based Philippa?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Boot fitter 1 sounds an honest chap if he sent you away because he didn't have the right boots for you!
The other advice here is good, custom footbeds will still improve a well fitted boot as whith them it is fitted exactly to your foot and thin socks for sure!
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Hi Phillipa and welcome to Snowheads....
Having been a bootfitter for more than two decades and someone who reads these threads on a regular basis (Admitedly I do not post often) I feel compelled to point that 2/3 rds of all bootfitting problems can be attributed to the unstable foot inside the rigid prostethic shell that is a ski boot. There is significant clinical and practical knowledge to show that the use of ski Orthoitcs, custom footbeds, or whatever you want to call them are critical to supporting the foot lower leg shaft inside a ski boot.
Bootfitter #3 may indeed be correct in saying that a custom footbed may enable him to fit you into the smaller 22 shell! Especially if you are pronating heavily (should note here that the foot everts ((rolls inwards)) more than pronates as skiing is a midstance sport and the boot, ski, binding more of a prosthetic. Pronation is a complex tri planar motion of the foot during gait) . A pronated foot can grow by an entire size as the sub-talar joint unlocks and the 1st toe joint moves Distally (away) and toward the outside.
My point.... is, that this statement (below) is well, not good advice unless you fit into the less than 5% of people who have neutral mechanics!!!!!!!!! Even then from a performance point of view you are at a disadvantage without this interface.
"IMO have a boot fitted by a reputable shop, wear the best quality thin ski socks you can buy. The following may sound a bit of a contridiction (sp) and may well be slated here, If the boot is fitted well cutom footbeds are a complete ripoff and not essential, unless you have very abnormal feet or other muscular / skeletal problems that cutom inners help correct they are a waste of money, and I im not sure the average boot fitter can tell you that anyway. "
There is a degree you can achieve as a professional ski boot fitter or medical professional called Pedorthist. A pedorthist trains to be able to manufacture medical orthotics and has a detailed knowledge of ALL foot orthotses and there application, fabrication, anatomy, podiatry and biomechanics. This person would be able to discuss with you in deatil the benefits of orthotic devices inside ski boots.
My advice to you is to listen to the other posters here and visit Colin Martin at Solutions4feet a top notch bootfitter and certified pedorthist.
Best of luck and have a great ski season
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8eau, Notwithstanding all the other sage advixe, it strikes me that you are being directed by your personal consultations to rather soft boots.
This is not god for at least 2 reasons.
They are typically made of inferior materials and so won't last as long but worse, you won't get full skiing performance out of them.
I am only a lay advisor, but a 90 flex boot would be the lowest that I would suggest anyone with no other problems would start skiing on.
With your aspirations I would think 100-120 would be more appropriate....
Just my lay 10p
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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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Another vote for CEM - went to see him re boots a while back (as a novice) but have a similar foot shape to you without the pronation, but with high arches. The footbeds he made with a heel lift (coz I'm hopelessly unsupple) now live in my walking boots and trainers as well as the physio I saw for an ankle injury approved of them so much. Might need more when I've worn them out sadly...
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Sorry to hijack the post, I am looking for a footbed for my boots, snow and rock do them and wondered if theyre good to go to for them, or someone more specialised.. in the Manchester area 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Dazzarazza, in your area have a chat with Graham at rivington alpine in bolton
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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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Cheers mate
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| Renry wrote: |
| If the boot is fitted well cutom footbeds are a complete ripoff and not essential, unless you have very abnormal feet or other muscular / skeletal problems that cutom inners help correct they are a waste of money, and I im not sure the average boot fitter can tell you that anyway. |
tell me this, what part of a well fitted boot controls the motion of the arch as it pronates (even just s little) and being as 80% of people over pronate would it not be logical that at least 80% of people would benefit, I say at least 80% because footbeds do a whole heap more than just reduce pronation, they spread load, allow you to get more propreoceptive feedback and feel to the skis, they shorten the foot a little to allow the boot to be "well fitted" reduce fatigue and muscle cramps.... now if you are lucky enough to have great feet then an off the shelf insert will probably suffice as it will give enough stability
but that is the answer you would expect form a boot fitter isn't it..... it really sounds like you have had either a bad experience with footbeds (whether the wrong product or simply badly made) or have perfect feet, good luck to you in your skiing nirvana
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You know it makes sense.
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CEM, I do appreciate the experience that you have in your profession and you may be educated enough to suggest if a footbed is a worthwhile purchase. However (as can happen anywhere) bad advice is given to sell sell sell and lets be honest custom footbeds are not cheap.
I (if im honest) didnt take the option at the time by my fitter (ellis brighams) to go for one mainly due to cost as the time, my boots have been fine, perhaps im lucky.
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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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Renry, sounds about right, the biggest problem we see is the way that they are sold, usually as an after thought, if they were explained correctly for what they are, the foundation of the fit then people would be more accepting of them rather than the "oi buy these mate they are great" as you are walking to the till
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Poster: A snowHead
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