 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, how much better is it to buy boots?
Taking into account I am an "improver" I like easy runs with my 11 year old. I still have lessons. I can't afford expensive boots and have not had to much of a problem with the rental shop ones. I only ski one week a year and got to thinking is it worth investing?
I know how long a piece of string is, would just like some arguments...
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As soon as you discover you are committed to skiing on a regular basis, even if it is 'only' one week a year. Skis can wait, possibly forever, but boots are a very personal thing and getting a pair which is right for you should help with your enjoyment of skiing.
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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... how long is a piece of string?
lots of deals on lower end boots out there. best investment in your own skiing you can make. even if it is for one week a year.
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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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| rob@rar wrote: |
| As soon as you discover you are committed to skiing on a regular basis, even if it is 'only' one week a year. Skis can wait, possibly forever, but boots are a very personal thing and getting a pair which is right for you should help with your enjoyment of skiing. |
Totally agree.
I find the biggest advantage to hiring skis is that I can exchange them depending on conditions. If there is a big dump midweek, go and get some freeride skis on and glide over that powder 
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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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I agree with whats been said, definately glad when i 'invested' when i did and will repay what you spend on them in only 2-4 years depending on the price. And certain even the low end boots will be better than any rented!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I talked the mrs into getting her own boots before we left on our 1st trip, lots of problems with hire boots at Chill Factore on her early lessons and I knew they'd make a world of difference, 5 years on and 2-3weeks per year later she still loves them and has never taken a day off due to boot problems on any trip.
Best investment you'll ever make and probably a 10 year investment to boot so buy something that will let you improve.
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| Quote: |
the low end boots will be better than any rented!!
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Not necessarily, especially if just bought off the shelf in a sale, on the basis that they "feel nice and comfy". I've had a lot of friends and family hiring boots when they've stayed with us. Some have had problems with them, others have had very good, new or hardly used, boots which have been absolutely fine. I hired boots at Hemel when I had left my own in France and they were dire - really very bad indeed. But whilst I think boots are the most important thing to buy for yourself, if money is tight, if you've always got on OK with hired boots and if it's a choice between buying boots or having lessons, I'd go for the lessons.
harrim51, many of us are still having lessons.... best never to stop, really!
If you are hiring skis it generally costs very little more to hire a pair of boots too.
It's not worth getting a pair of boots off the shelf - they're unlikely to be better than hire ones. If you can't afford to go to a good bootfitter, get them fitted to you personally and have proper insoles made, it's probably best to wait.
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I bought my first ever hire boots because they were so comfortable (and significantly because being Switzerland they were about the cost of two weeks' ski hire only) oh yes, and they were new when I had them. They are comfortable, but they're probably a size too big (common beginners' mistake I understand). I must put them on eBay. I don't regret the purchase as they more than paid for themselves, but it could have been money better spent.
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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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| rob@rar wrote: |
| As soon as you discover you are committed to skiing on a regular basis, even if it is 'only' one week a year. Skis can wait, possibly forever, but boots are a very personal thing and getting a pair which is right for you should help with your enjoyment of skiing. |
+2
If money is tight then hire this season and wait for the sales. Even the likes of Snow and Rock can have good deals on last season's boots. Budget for proper fitting and custom insoles.
I think everyone here from the pros like robrar to the bumbling intermediates like me will say it'll be the best bit of ski kit you'll ever buy.
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just out of curiosity... what should you budget for a set of last seasons mid-range boots, in sales with custom fitting/insoles?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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While boots are the single most important piece of ski equipment, they have to be fitted properly otherwise they could end up being a nightmare. So make sure you budget for a proper boot fitting with custom footbeds etc. otherwise you may as well stick with rentals.
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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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I agree with everyone here, Ski's aren't really worth it unless you go twice or more a year. Comfortable well fitted Ski boots can really help towards progress in skiing ability.
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Why does everybody keep referring to 'budget for fitting'? Surely all shops should provide fitting as part of the price of the boot. Granted custom footbeds will be a few quid extra but 'fitting' should be included.
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You know it makes sense.
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impossible to give accurate answers for budget as it depends where you go, what you need etc
boots £200-£300 ish, big ish, cheaper are available but can be false economy
footbeds, off the shelf from around £30-£50 custom made form £60-£150 again depending where you buy and what you buy, a poorly made custom footbed is pointless and you would be better off with an off the shelf product.
glp9
fitting, the average ski shop will include fitting in the price of the boot,many however don't even bother to set up the cuff canting of the boot or anything else for that matter...... asking you, what size are you? and what colour do you like? is not good fitting
some of the specialist boot only places, ourselves and Profeet for example charge a consultation fee for assessment and fitting however at these places you are going for a specific fitting with a highly trained or medically qualified fitter, the decision to go down that route if for the individual to make
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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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Thanks for the info CEM, I stand corrected!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
probably a 10 year investment
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And the rest if you ski only 1 week per year. Definitely money well spent! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
Quote:
probably a 10 year investment
And the rest if you ski only 1 week per year. Definitely money well spent!
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I think mine are at least 10 yrs old = 20+ weeks of skiing, unless there's a radical change in technology, I can't see me changing them till they break. If you have very average feet, do not ski aggressively and have no qualms about the dozens of other minging sweaty feet that have been before you, then hire boots are probably ok, for everything else there's mastercard.
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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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I've skied for 10 years but I'm on my second pair of ski boots, however, my first pair were not fitted very well.
When I bought my second pair in Banff I was told I had slim heels and needed a certain fit of boot, they were not the cheapest boots in the shop but I'm glad I made the investment.
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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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I bought a new pair of boots last year, replacing a very old off the shelf pair.
On recommendation I went to see CEM, and have to say the boots are just fab and the money spent on getting the right pair was well worth it. I have what can only be described as a girl's feet, very narrow, and not many men's boots suited. But the correct pair and footbeds etc were sorted.
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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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depends
owning your own boots is great, but it's a bit like shoes and walking boots, you get what you pay for. If you can't afford some decent boots and moulded footbeds then it's a fairly pointless purchase (in my opinion), also remember you are using up 3 or 4kg of your luggae allowance by taking them.
I wouldn't be without my boots, but I spent a fair chunk of cash on them and we ski four weeks minimum a year.
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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 James the Last said, the most common mistake is to get a size too large. You need them very snug so you cannot move your foot around inside the boot. And remember they will get a little less tight when they have been worn a bit. Also, at a proper boot fitting shop you can go back and ask them to blow out the boot if it is pinching on a particular spot.
PS Don't be afraid to wear the boots you try for some time in the shop. Walk around. You often cannot tell at once that something will be uncomfortable or OK.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Sat 3-12-11 15:38; edited 3 times in total
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Thanks for all the reply's. I had hoped that some would say hiring is the way to go but I can see that I will have to bite the bullet..
Now, hire or buy "long johns"? 
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There are a good many places that will have "last season's model" at a greatly discounted price i.e. 30-40% off this season's equivalent and often the sole difference (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) is the colour scheme, maybe a piece of amber insert and matching anodizing last year whereas it might be silver this year. The shell and the linings are identical. Definately go for orthotic footbeds - the standard OEM items provide little support. Some independent stores (e.g. Skeetex in Essex) will provide far better advice than some of the larger chains - certainly the one I mention spent way over an hour making sure I had a pair of boots that suited me and then encouraged me to wander about the store in them for a good while longer before completing the sale. That said, I've not experienced a problem with rented boots - provided I was picky enough at the shop!
As to skis - when Intersport will rent you a set for €49 for 6 days (web price, booked well in advance), it's a bit difficult to develop a case for buying (and transporting!!!) same.
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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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Off to Bicester on Monday...
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harrim51, was there yesterday - have fun
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| harrim51 wrote: |
| Off to Bicester on Monday... |
You won't regret it!
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FAQ
