 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all, have been using this forum for years as a source of advice but finally decided to sign up for a more personalised answer to my question.
I am an intermediate to expert on and off piste skier but have been struggling for years to find a boot that fits my wide feet and calves well. My problem is I am now splitting my skiing time between touring and alpine so not sure I can justify 600+ on a fully customised boot
For me I would say I spend pretty much 50/50 on piste and off piste so I would need a boot suitable for both. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I know the answer will probably be to pay up and get custom boots but if there are any other boot options I could look at first that would be good, I have already ruled out Salamon boots, the closest I came to comfort was probably the technica diablos but these aren't made anymore.
Thanks
Callum
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 23-12-12 13:25; edited 3 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well I guess the real question is are you happy skiing in a boot that doesn't fit you properly so isn't going to give the best performance? If you are you may as well just rent boots or find one you like the colour of on ebay that someone is selling because it doesn't fit you properly.
Put simply although someone finds boot X perfect for their wide feet and calves it may be the worst boot possible for you given your particular foot shape, a good fitter will tell you that and find you an off the shelf boot for probably quite a bit less than the £600+ you mention.
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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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It's a good point and the answer is probably no, i don't want to rent or buy boots off eBay! I have been buying my own boots now for quite some time but have not been fully satisfied that I have been getting the best fit. There has been too many hot spots, trips back to the fitter and far too much relief to be getting my boots off at the end of the day which leads me to think either I have missed something or that Strolz are my only option!
As I haven't bought a new pair of boots for a few years now instead have been limping on with a pair which have been fitted as best as possible I was Just wondering if there are any other makes or models that I should look at first - for sure I will go to a fitter as well but want to have a rough idea of my options before I do
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sun 23-12-12 13:33; edited 2 times in total
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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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| Callum wrote: |
| Hi all, have been using this forum for years as a source of advice but finally decided to sign up for a more personalised answer to my question. |
That's him screwed 
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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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| Callum wrote: |
| I have already ruled out Salamon boots, the closest I came to comfort was probably the technica diablos but these aren't made anymore. |
Why rule out Salomon? I moved from Diablos to Salomon Custom Shell and found them much better. I would have thought that something like the Salomon Quest Max 120 with the full custom shell would suit your needs perfectly. http://www.lockwoods.com/ski-boots/mens-ski-boots/salomon-quest-max-120/prod_4847.html
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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 have wide short feet with the same calf issues , and my custom salomon impact 120 have been perfect for the last three years ( wth a little bit of tweeking here and there )
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I assume you want a "vibram" soled wide boot for the walking in the off-piste and good for the descents and piste; they do exist I would wait until a like minded expert gives an opinion. (Strolz are 700 euro plus, you would really need to be in Lech and would suit your piste but not touring needs IMHO)
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Thanks for the info on the quest max, like I said its been a few years so things change. I have booked in to see pro feet in a few weeks time to see what they advise.
Cynic - the plan would be to get two pairs of boots, one for touring and the other for alpine skiing. I did look at the free ride boots but given i will be doing hut to hut I think a proper touring boot like the scarpa Maestrale would be better.
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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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Callum, For alpine try Lange wide fit 100, but if you have very wide calves as someone I know, Strolz is probably your only answer as it was for them two are available the sport and normale, he races masters slalom in a pair of sport and is in top 4.
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Callum, Where are you based? The best way foreward would be to recommend a good specialist shop who could be relied upon to find the best boots for you.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I live in London, but will be based during the week in Geneva from Jan onwards for 6 months so could get boots fitted in any resort nearby.
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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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If they work for your feet, check out the Technica Cochise range. Excellent on the downhill both on and offpiste, nice stiff flex, smooth walkmode for touring (ok not as much range of movement as Dynafit Vulcan/Scarpa Maestrale RS, but significantly better to walk in than my old alpine boots), changeable soles so they work with dynafits, other touring bindings and normal alpine bindings. Very very happy with mine.
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Thanks for that Matt, do you use your technicas for long tours or just day tours? Ideally if I can find a boot that does both off piste, touring and on piste that would be great but I haven't been able to find a master of all so far.
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You know it makes sense.
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I've only done short tours (also with heavy skis and baron bindings) with them - longest so far was probably 3 hours going up, which was no problem. In fact I've only ever really done short tours - I think the Cochises would be alright if you were doing the odd full-day or overnight trip, for multiday hut trips a different boot may be better though (personally preferred the Scarpa Maestrale RS to the new Dynafit boots, which are insanely fiddly). If you're happy to use touring (tech or frame) bindings on piste the Maestrale RS may also be a very good boot for you, didn't work with my insteps though.
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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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Callum, If you are fortunate enough to be spending the winter in Geneva I'd ignore all of the advise on this thread and seek out the recommended boot fitters in Chamonix. They will be able to identify and fit the best boots for you.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Callum, maybe check out the service at Penseyres sport in Geneva itself - near the train station. They're open til 7pm during the week, and happy to speak english.
Another option might be surefoot in Verbier - totally custom boots.
And if you need someone to ski with at weekends, let me know 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cheers all! Yes somewhat fortunate to be placed in Geneva during the ski season!
Fixx - may take you up on that. The shop Being in Geneva though is it not insanely expensive?
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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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FAQ
