Newish to skiing - should I buy boots now?

A snowHead

I'm a relatively new skiier. Aged 32, and learnt last year at Castleford Snozone over two evenings, then an amazing week in La Plagne. Got bumped up a couple of levels in ski school and was tackling moderate red runs with confidence by the end of the week.

However ... I have feet issues. A bit of a toe-out on my right hand side (meaning I needed to compensate to keep the ski straight and flat), and my right foot is one size bigger than my left.

I didn't have any major issues, but never felt 100% confident or comfortable in the hired ski boots from Oxygene (although they were excellent and tried me in a few pairs).

Roll forward a year, and I'm looking forward to my trip in March, and I'm wondering whether I should get some decent boots custom fitted, or wait til i'm through the beginner stage, and look to get a pair of boots that will then suit me for a long time.

Some friends of ours who are ex-ski instructors (around 10 years ago) recommended getting 3/4 weeks in at least before buying my own, but I didn't know whether this was still sound advice with the improvements in boot technology. Any thoughts gratefully received!

A snowHead

I'd wait - the boots you use now will not be the boots you want when you improve. Also the advantages (and thus increased cost) of intermediate boots will not necessarily assist you at this point. I'd say your friends gave good advice but others here may disagree. Given you podiatal challanges it's also likely you will need to specialist assistance which can cost. CEM on this site comes highly recommended but it will depend on where you actually reside as to which boot fitter makes the best sense to vist.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Thanks for the thoughts - I'm York based, but travel a fair amount with work, so travelling for the right boots wouldn't be an issue.

I'm happy to take the time, or the money to get it right. Equally, if consensus is to get a few years in first, then I'll just keep enjoying the hire boots Smile

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Torf, how deep is your pocket? personal I know but if it's deep and you're hooked then given your challenging feet it may be worth looking at boots or at least talking with a good bootfittr/podiatrist. If you genuinely feel that hire boots are too uncomfortable or are holding you back from progressing and or having fun . . . then go for a purchase, I'm sure there are boots on the market that will take you through to early advanced without having to be upgraded.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Torf, Steve at Glide and Slide in Otley is definitely used to dealing with problem feet (most people are pretty straightforward compared to some of the photos he's got on the wall, I think), so that's not too far to go. There's another place nearby that gets good reviews too (might be in Ilkley), but I can't remember the name, and haven't been there myself.

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I bought a pair after my first week, and they were roughly 100047.6% better than the hire boots. I've only been for three weeks in total so I've no idea if or when or why I might "outgrow" them and want different ones. Eight weeks or so and you'll break even compared to hiring anyway, right?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Thanks Masque / Scarlet - I'm happy enough paying for the right boot / fit to be honest. My biggest fear is getting a pair of boots that would stop me progressing beyond a good intermediate level, and I find that in 2/3 years I'm getting to the level that means I need to fork out again for a tailored boot. If fitting and boot technology can go some way to alleviating this, then I'm happy to dig deep to do it right.

I never experienced any real pain, but I also never felt like I maintained the same fit day after day. The biggest issue was schussing (sic?) as when I looked down my right ski was always toe out and slightly on its edge. I could correct it, but by then my now-wife had sailed past, and I would have to end up poling! hah.

After all it is free

If you are a 1 week a year skier (which from your original post sounds like you are) then I reckon it is highly unlikely that you will progress to a stage that the most advanced boot that is suitable now, will ever not be technical enough. If you follow what I mean.

So what is the difference between a "beginner/intermediate" and "advanced/expert" boot?

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When I first learned to ski I had problems finding hire boots that fit, were comfortable and gave me full control of the ski. After a bad experience of hiring on my third week skiing, I went to see CEM in bicester (solutions for feet) and bought my own boots. The difference in my skiing with my own boots made it very worthwhile. I dont think it will hinder you if you buy now.

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Torf, buy em....go see a decent bootfitter...life's too short!....

Torf, I bought my boots after one week in agony in hire boots. I am now a much better skier than I was then. Will I have to buy more? Maybe, but more likely because the liners won't last forever than because I've outgrown them. If you find hire boots to be a pretty bad fit, that will hinder your progression more than having to buy new boots in X years time.

A friend of mine has a pair of race style boots. He needs several cigs before he can put them on, then complains about the cold rolling eyes

I'm not convinced they're all that for the average piste user...

You know it makes sense.

Torf, if you decide you've fallen in love with skiing after your March trip then buy some boots in the April sales.

Never buy skis, hire ones are better, cheaper and less hassle.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

BUY BUY! I've been skiing _years_ I still ski on an 'intermediate' boot - so don't worry too much about outgrowing a ski boot on 1-2 holidays a year, the comfort of your own boots is so worth it! Skis I agree with red27 - leave em for the experts.

A snowHead

Thanks for the helpful replies. I know I don't need another week to know that I want to do it every year for as long as I can now!

Definitely not interested in my own skis, and agree that one week a year will mean that my skill is most definitely going to plateau at intermediate level. (Completely agree Kei)

Have dropped Steve in Otley a line to discuss what I'm after.

A snowHead

Bought my boots after our first ski holiday, since had about 15 weeks skiing in them, I actually dread the day they need changing as they are so comfy! My friend wore them last week as she'd bought new boots, had them 'fitted' and after day 2 couldn't bear to put them on as they hurt, she then hired a pair but they hurt, so I wore her new ones (and thought they were lovely!) and she wore mine and thought they were lovely Laughing

Moral of the story is if you buy then make sure you wear them in before you go skiing!!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Thanks for the tip. How long do they need wearing in for? Should I do the ironing in them?

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If you buy boots my advice would be to get them at the start of the season when the bootfitter has the widest choice of models available, especially if you have feet which aren't average. If you wait until the end of season sales you might find that the perfect boot for you is no longer in stock. Buy skiwear and skis in the sales, and boots when you have the widest choice available.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

buy the best you can, dont subscribe to the beginner though Expert bullshite. gi see a good fitter who understands why

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By them, particularly if you are going to carry on fridge skiing. Be honest about current ability and ambitions and let a good fitter (if you are Yorkshire based as learning at Cas suggests try Rivlington Alpine).

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Smokin Joe, hah? +1 Very Happy

Torf, one other thing the 'buy, buy' bulls are not mentioning is that boots, like skis, are geared towards various types of skiing. If you want to race on piste you will not buy a boot (or skis) that are geared towards slalom, off piste, ski touring or the park (all different). The reason I am suggesting caution is the boot you will probably (reasonably) be offered will be an intermediate on-piste boot that balances a level of comfort against price and performance. Should you decide to specialise in the future you will almost certainly find a different sort of boot will better suit to your requirements. If you are planning to stay on piste for a considerable time in the future and can vist a good fitter then there is an argument for buying boots now. feefee, also makes a good point, if you have not had time to wear new boots a bit prior to hitting the slopes you almost certainly will run the risk that you have to 'ski them in'. That can hurt - alot - and on a limited time trip - as I suggested above - that might mean you have to hire ski boots anyway.

Don't get me wrong - I am a real advocate of owning your own boots. I think it is the single best investment a skier can make (bought my first pair in Andorra back in the day - well cheap!). BUT it's an investment and you need to be certain that it's one you will not regret. If hire boots are working for you, I would give it a while, look around, get more advice and then buy off-season from a specialist fitter (if you can get what you want).

After all it is free

Thanks Ratty. I think it's highly likely that I'll remain a recreational skiier (1 week a year, possibly 2), and really can't see me gearing towards off-piste / specialisms. Never say never (!) , but family circumstances, and me not getting any younger will probably limit the slope time that I'd need to put in.

I'm more than happy to sit in them in the house (ruining the carpets in the process) to make sure they're broken in before the slopes. I would also get some time in at Castleford before March.

Think my mind's made up to at least have a discussion with a good bootfitter, and talk through options before I make the plunge.

Get some of those skia sweet spot trainers and you can practice your balance while you wear them in Smile

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Great idea! Smile

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Hi, I am very new to skiing, having been learning over the last few months via regular lessons/practice at fridge and dry slope, so probably no more than a few days on skis in total - first holiday coming up in 3 weeks!

I always had problems with my heel moving around in hire boots (I have weird feet, including a very wide forefoot but narrow heel, so it was impossible to get them tight enough round the heel), and also with various different boots rubbing all sorts of random sore patches that then took several weeks to heal. After lots of deliberation, I bought my own boots recently - I know some would say this was a rash decision, but I'm so pleased I went ahead. I went to Rivington Alpine following recommendations on this forum, and the service was amazing - it took over 3 and a half hours for the fitting! They picked up on all the oddities of my feet, plus they took into account my recurring Achilles tendon issues from running, which I'd never have thought to mention but apparently had a bearing on the boot positioning, etc. I've been wearing the new boots round the house (definitely worthwhile) and having tried them out at Chill Factore the other day for the first time, the difference in comfort and control while skiing, even for a beginner like me, was extremely marked.

Like the OP, I think I will only be skiing 1-2 weeks a year (though am already obsessed/addicted - wish it could be more!) and I can't see off piste happening any time soon, so decided it was worth investing at this stage and I may as well start saving boot hire fees straight away on the upcoming holiday!

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finestgreen, Where did you find these?

Going to order myself a pair I think NehNeh

I'm not so new to skiing myself and i quickly worked out 2 things in the last couple of years, 1. i love the sport its amazing, 2. boots will make or brake a holiday out in resort.

I had aweful problems with hire boots, i've got quite wide big feet 11/12 and i just could not do a week in france with rentals. I made the leap this time last year right before our first trip and i do not regret it at all, they are like slippers compared to hiring. The ones i have are classed as intermediate level boots but there sorted of slanted more towards comfort than outright performance, which works for me (as a recreational skiier).

Anyway just my opinion. If you do end up buying boots i would recomend Eddie at Ellis Brigham Castleford, he's done 2 sets of boots for us and he's brilliant. Bare in mind it takes quite a while to get right i think mine took about 4 hours to find the right shell, molding, footbeds etc. Also when you buy from there you can go test them out and if they need adjusting you can go back to EB as many times as you like.

You know it makes sense.

Thanks for the thumbs up for EB at Castleford - they are definitely the shop that's most convenient for me.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

I think I bought my first pair after only two weeks on snow, back then the rental stuff really was pants - I could nearly take my foot out of some boots I was given without undoing them! They were salomon SX61's rear entry jobs - sweet.

They were probably targeted at a skier a little better than I was at the time, but they were tons better than hired boots.

I seem to think they lasted me for quite a while too.

A snowHead

A snowHead

Torf, I'd be tempted to nip over to Bolton if I were you.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

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Russeh, I didn't know about Ilkley, in fact I didn't know there was a ski shop there.

In the past I've used a few shops round our way; EB at Cas, Severn Sports in Armley, BAC at Elland, Nevisport in Leeds, Centre Sport in Leeds, Wilderness Ways.

But I've been most impressed by Lockwoods, Solutions for Feet (both a bit of a day out to the south) and Rivington Alpine at Bolton.

I can only really comment on ones I've used.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Mosha Marc, Shocked

How many boots .. or feet .. do you have?

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I was thinking that as I typed.

I've had five pairs now and the Mrs has had three - I think.

But, I've also had footbeds, zipfits and a bit of grinding done at seperate times.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

If you been skiing, decided it's for you and love it to bits then buy, buy, buy.

I did 2 or 3 weekend courses and went and bought my own boots directly afterwards and haven't looked back since. Still using the same boots after at least 10 weeks worth and I have no issues.

It's worth it so much (not just for the comfort) but for the extra control you get from a pair of boots that actually fit you properly.

Also - if you buy a pair - you have an extra excuse to go skiing more often! Very Happy

Russeh, I've had skis off Slide n Glide before. I like them, they lend you new kit to demo at Cas if they think you're serious about buying.

Not had boots done there though.

In Leeds; Centre Sport has shut down now and Wilderness Ways was taken over by Nevisport I think. There was also a place on Huddersfield Road coming out of Bradford for a while, but I don't think it's there any more

Back on topic.

Just buy the boots, you know you want to - whatever anyone says on here Twisted Evil

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The reason I'm suggesting he waits is:

1) he seems to be OK in hire boots but
2) he says he's got odd plates so fitted is the only real option and it ain't cheap. Also the issue he describes and wants to correct does not seem to be a boot issue, more of a hip/knee thing.

If he was doing a season or planning to go back country a lot or piste skiing 3-4 weeks per year (or more) I'd be the first to say 'buy'. But at the level he's at and the time he plans to spend on slope in the near future I think waiting the better option. If any of the above changes then obviously the advice might change.

Hell - if money's not an option - pile in and get some. I'm addicted and have way more gear than I need!

Help!!

Newish to skiing - should I buy boots now?

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