 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I am looking at getting some custom ski boots made. I understand there is no exact answer without someone first finding the right boot for me. Nevertheless I'd want an orthotic, liner and boot. I gave Surefoot a ring earlier and they said it usually comes to around £700-750.
Having had a good look around on this forum it appears CEM is highly regarded and I plan on visiting Bicester in the next week or so, and hence would be very interested in knowing what he charges. Any one willing to share a ballpark figure? Could I expect the same level as comfort as a Surefoot boot?
I am an intermediate skier by the way, if that makes a difference.
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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You will need an appointment and he is likely to be busy so i would get on the phone/email as soon as possible.
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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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What ^ he said! Phone Colin, he doesn't bite and you'll get the correct answers!
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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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As above. I recently had an initial consultation (to see if new boots would be beneficial), subsequently purchased new boots, custom footbeds and '4 for 3' pairs of ski socks and it came to a lot less than quoted above. 
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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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CEM definitely the chap to consult if that works geographically.
If it helps, in Chamonix, I believe you pay the standard cost of the boots plus any insoles or other additional parts. The actual fitting is included.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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£700 you must be joking 
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I've just bought a new pair of boots and the supplier will be customising them for free as part of the purchase package. They are a pair of Atomic Hawx 90 W and will have custom foot-beds fitted as well as being tweaked as and when problems are identified (if any). All this for just under 300 Euro.
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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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3thr3e, I had new boots from CEM a couple of years ago. I have very small feet - had to go back for a second visit as he hadn't really believed me when I had told him the size. But that was all interesting hearing all the chat in there. I had custom foot-beds and also Zipfits which made the whole thing more - I think it was somewhere in the region of £500 - and something because of the Zipfits.
He is a true honest guy - my OH took his boots there at the same time and was told there was plenty of life in them still (not sure about him..) and he just had new foot-beds fitted.
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3thr3e, also had boots fitted by CEM, like Pamski, I have odd feet - very very narrow for a bloke. Around £500 all in. Would recommend but has been said book an appointment
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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£700 sounds about right for surefoot. Made up as follows: £200 for a foam injected liner, £100 for a footbed, £300 for the boot and £100 for the fitting service. No doubt you can get a cheaper total elsewhere but make sure that you are comparinglike for like when comparing liners, footbeds etc.
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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've bought a pair from Surefeet, they custom mould the linings which is the only thing that's stopped my heel lifting (I have really narrow heels) - but they weren't cheap...
Not sure if that's all strictly required if you've got anything that looks like standard feet attached attached at the bottom of your legs - but £700 not to worry about how my boots fit - done (sadly no new skis for me for a bit!!)
CEM sounds like he really knows his stuff though so as a first port of call you could really save yourself a truck load of cash 
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I've had foamed liners ("race" fit), in my 2nd but last boots. Both more recent pairs fitted better. Current pair fit best ever.
I would not recommend foamed liners unless you really, really need them.
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You know it makes sense.
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Profeet highly suggested, after spending £730 elsewhere they sorted mine out at last.
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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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Boot £270 +
Consultation £30
Custom Liner £100
So £400 minimum. Off the shelf liners if suitable will knock off £60 from the total.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
I am an intermediate skier by the way, if that makes a difference
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Yes it makes a big difference and foam injection liners are unlikely to be a good solution in your case, you would be best getting a consultation with someone who is not part of an organisation set up to sell foam injected liners 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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3thr3e, Think I was around €500 for my strolz boots
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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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| boabski wrote: |
| 3thr3e, Think I was around €500 for my strolz boots |
Bargain price for Strolz.
The UK agent/Strolz-boot-man is at Glide and Slide in Otley, £600 is the going rate for total ortho-customising. AND you get proper state of the art specialised boots, rather than over-priced plastic fantastics with 92/95mm footbed widths. No wonder many skiers have boot problems.
advice .......................... spend the money, you'll enjoy your ski-ing so much more. 
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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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theskibob, Or go to Lech to the Strolz shop and have all the latest boot parts and spend 5X the money; the joy of Lech's slopes and the flowerpot red boot of the connoisseur, so understated but which says so much about you. Buy a temperature controlled black Strolz boot bag for those airport opportunities and let it do two circuits of the carousel, my boots have arrived! Untold Poseur pleasure and lets face it that's what skiing is all about.
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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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| Cynic wrote: |
| theskibob, Or go to Lech to the Strolz shop and have all the latest boot parts and spend 5X the money; the joy of Lech's slopes and the flowerpot red boot of the connoisseur, so understated but which says so much about you. Buy a temperature controlled black Strolz boot bag for those airport opportunities and let it do two circuits of the carousel, my boots have arrived! Untold Poseur pleasure and lets face it that's what skiing is all about. |
You've obviously skied Lech then!!
Thank God the Russians haven't found it yet!!!!!
BTW ..... despite the limited mileage at Lech/Zurs there is access to some outstanding skiing. St. Anton has some great challenges but not much is mentioned about Stuben and Zurs' off piste opportunities. The back of Madlochjoch to Zug especially. Some serious pleaseures for those poseurs then!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Profeet in Clapham were good for me. Atomic Nukes at whatever they cost plus, as Palumbex says, about £130 for customised footbeds. If you have to go back and have foam liners injected it's more but I'd suggest you go with the manufacturers ones until you have a problem. Mine are five seasons old and I've never regretted them. I have no shortage of problems with my skiing but at least I know my boots aren't the problem !
Good luck
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I'm going for my second /final fitting at Outdoor Traders where James will be sorting me out with a pair of Daleboots. I initially had an appointment with CEM in Bicester, after 10-15 inutes he told me that he could nothing for me as i had weird feet. (my words not his, his were unique). He told me of Daleboot who custom make the shell to the individual feet of every person, so every boot is different.
CEM wouldn't take any money for the appointment as he said he had done nothing. I appreciate his advice and honesty and can't wait to get fitted with the Daleboots. I'm away twice in January so i hope they're good.
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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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Forgot to say the Daleboot was around £575
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Some people have quoted £100 for the fitting service, that seems incredibly expensive! Where are they charging you this, and what are they doing for it? I bought my boots this season off the internet, then got a local shop here to grind/punch them for me, they charged 1000 yen (£8 or so) for each punch/grind and I can go in as many times as I like, they baked my liners for me too. I do already have custom footbeds though, so that reduced the cost.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Quick dap for Profeet in Putney Bridge. Think I paid £450 all in for £325 boots, consultancy, mould, custom footbeds and a stretch for my left boot.
Super snug and as comfy as bugg@ry...
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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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3thr3e, CEM is one of the best: I've used him and will take my wife there, so that's about the best recommendation I can give. Make sure you book an appointment as they are usually rushed off their feet constantly and your journey would be pointless if you don;t get the benefit of their expertise during a consultation
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Did I say Profeet Fulham Road, highly suggested ask for Hamish
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You know it makes sense.
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| theskibob wrote: |
You've obviously skied Lech then!!
Thank God the Russians haven't found it yet!!!!!
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I skied a day in Lech with 2 Russians from our Hotel about 7 years ago. Astonished they haven't told their friends yet.
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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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snowball, They probably got some custom fitted boots and couldn't afford to go.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I noticed an increase from 2007 to 2008 (ie the last time I stayed in lech).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Like billywifta I also went to see CEM last year for a consultation but he didn't have any boots he could fit to my long narrow feet and suggested trying James at Outdoor Traders.
James spent most of an afternoon trying everything he could to make standard boots fit before I decided to splash the money and buy Daleboots. He had them make up custom outers and overnight them to his shop, then fitted me with the custom liners and insoles in time for my upcoming trip. My ski holiday the following week was the first where my feet didn't hurt. I did find a couple of hotspots during the week but went back to James after the trip and he modded the boots for me free of charge, which any daleboot dealer will do for the life of the boot.
More money than I expected to pay but I have fully custom boots which make a world of difference to my skiing comfort. Highly recommended.
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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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My husband had Daleboots made this year and has skiied on them one week. Really enjoyed them - been back to Outdoor Traders (James) for tweaking, about to go again for second week. Myhusband has all sorts of weird lumps and bumps on his feet and has been delighted with the fit of the Daleboots. Cost about £580 - not much marginal cost if you think a good pair of off the shelf boots are £350. James is fantasitic, and the other people who work in the shop custom fit all types of boots - I bought new walking boots and there were a couple of soldiers in having boots fitted for non-standard feet prior to going to Afghanistan. These people really understand feet! They are a pleasure to deal with.
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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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Don't know if I am just lucky but I bought boots off the shelf at Ellis Brigham, had custom footbeds made at the same time they were doing the conformable liner. I can honestly say the chap that fitted them was first rate and they fit perfectly I ski all day in them no problem, I don't even unclip them at lunch time.
However this was in EB in Manchester which has been there longer than I can remember and the staff know there stuff, don't know if the same can be said for the newer stores.
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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 can also recommend CEM. Colin got me sorted for last season and as they were my first fitted pair of boots I couldn't believe the difference. Nice chap too.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Kel wrote: |
| Don't know if I am just lucky but I bought boots off the shelf at Ellis Brigham, had custom footbeds made at the same time they were doing the conformable liner. |
No,you're not....I'm the same(fortunately),and so are a lot of people.Each manufacturer has a slightly different idea of foot shape,and a skilled boot fitter 'knows' which make is closest to your foot shape.Mould the liners,add a conformable footbed...and its a done job for the majority.
However,some have foot issues ,and this,to my mind,is where custom boots come into play,and an extra skilled guy like Colin.The other area is top end performance like racing...but I sense the OP is not into that,just yet.
When I started out,I quickly realised that the boots were THE essential link.Get that wrong,and its all downhill from there 
I spent a lot of time just finding out what was what.I'm still amazed that many have little idea of how a good fit should feel.In my boots,nothing moves(apart from my toes),and I wear them fully clipped all day without the slightest twinge.I'm no boot fitter,but to my mind,that's how it should be?If you get any pains,twinges,whatever,I would say your boots need attention,or were badly fitted?
Anyway,Colin is a good guy,as are the guys at Lockwoods(Leamington).Both will need an appointment at this time of year.Custom made's...up to you?If you know you have foot issues,fair enough.If not,halve your spend and put the balance towards an extra week
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Having used both CEM and more recently Profeet in Fulham, I would have to recommend Profeet. I am currently in Jasper for the season and, for the first time in years, I am able to ski a whole day without having to stop to remove boots every run due to crippling pain. CEM is good, and knows his stuff, but fitted me in a boot that was too small for one foot (I have about 1/2 size difference if my feet). Despite custom footbeds and lots of work being carried out on the 'smaller' boot (i.e. the one that housed the bigger 'Frodo' type foot), I was still unable to enjoy much skiing due to the constant pain. In a 'kill or cure' moment I went down to Profeet just before I came out to Canada, and, 4 hours later, left with a new pair of boots with custom orthotics. I can honestly say that until now, I always thought skiing was meant to be uncomfortable!! Lockwoods are another to bear in mind.
Good luck!
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