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What size difference between your regular shoes/trainers and ski boots?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I was recently fitted for a pair of ski boots that are size 28.0/UK 9. I wear size 10-11 shoes/trainers and have been renting size 29.5 ski boots? Is this difference common?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
justatheory, Yep
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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?
Another yep!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
Boringly normal!!
We all tend to start renting boots not understanding how important they are. Often we are given or told to get boots a size bigger than street shoe- DOH!! We the uninitiated then try them for comfort not for performance, it is only as we progress and either buy our own boots or understand how important boot fit is as our own technique improves that we get it right.
I'm willing to bet that seasoned fitters like CEM often get people in boots 2 full sizes differant to the ones they have been used to! Very Happy
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
IME, the nominal shoe size is only a rough starting point. With trainers, I find it’s there or thereabouts. With road cycling shoes, I have had to move up a half size to get the width and with ski boots, I’ve always had to move down a full size.
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justatheory, I take a 9 - 9.5 UK shoe size, my ski boots are a 26.5.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I wear size 10 shoes and used to get terrible blisters around my calves whenever I went skiing. I've since found that because I have VERY short, VERY fat feet, I had basically been steering my skis from my calves! Now I just ask for very wide ski boots in a size 7 & 1/2. I usually end up trying on 5 or 6 pairs before I get the right fit, but at least I don't go home with nasty painful blistered & bleeding shins & calves after a week of skiing. I know, I know! I should buy myself a pair of well fitted ones!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
No Pain ... No Gain!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Cheers guys, that's reassuring! I guess they need to be snug to get the precision. Can't wait to try them out.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Yes, my ski boots are at least a size "smaller" than my shoes - with some strategic "stretching" of the shell to accommodate lumps and bumps. If I rented boots, they'd have to be a size bigger, at least. Just make sure you have VERY thin socks, to start with. Silk is good.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
i measure 28.5 +++ (not quite 29) i buy a uk 11 in trainers and normal shoes, ski in a 28.5 (short shelled head raptor) and can easily fi into the new salomon X max in a 27.5 (which is listed as an 8 1/2 UK)
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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.
I'm the same, treat ski boots like climbing boots. I usually take 9.5 in trainers or shoes, 7.5 in my ski boots and they really do fit perfectly when in the skiing position.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Remember, with ski boots, they should be SNUG!!!! Not painful, but way, way tighter than you think could possibly be right. Why? Because these are not hiking boots, they are the main connection between your feet and the ski, transmitting your commands. Also, the soles do not need to flex around your foot as you use them, unlike shoes, so you're going to want a shorter size than you would use for other footwear. Third, the lining is going to pack. Almost all skiers end up with boots that are too big the first time around. The boots feel perfect in the shop, then the lining starts conforming, packing down, and suddenly they are ratcheting the buckles tighter and tighter and having pain and cold feet. They also end up sitting back in the boots early in their ski experience and get toe jam from their bad stance, convincing them the boots are too short. It's the stance is wrong and the boot is not snug enough to stop the foot sliding forward.

So buy boots that are the same cm as your foot, measured with a ruler, and maybe even a tad shorter if that length is due to some oddly long toe. Then have the fitter deal with protrusions after about ten days of skiing, minimum. If you truly can't bear the pain for 20 minutes, then maybe you'll need to go back for adjustments sooner, but I've always found that ten day rule of thumb to work. The shop should always have you do a shell fit first without the liner and measure the space behind your heel, only about a thumb width.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
holy thread resurrection, nearly 10 years. Must be the longest stretch this season so far Twisted Evil @sebytaba, got any shoes 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:
went to solutions 4 feet this wk previous boots were 28, new ones 26.5 but they fit so much better, tried my old ones on when I got home and they felt so sloppy, really impressed by how much time Keith took to get it right, with inserts as I have a high instep, as soon as I stood in them I felt in a better position with my weight forward cant wait to we get back to the mountains to try them out.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
For more on exactly how ski boots should fit, you can listen to Colin Martin (owner of Solutions4Feet) covering this and plenty of other points in detail in Episode 161 of The Ski Podcast:
https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/161-the-ski-boot-special-how-to-choose-ski-boots-custom-insoles-boot-fitting/
https://audioboom.com/posts/8196297-161-the-ski-boot-special-how-to-choose-ski-boots-custom-insoles-boot-fitting
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