 Poster: A snowHead
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This is more of a anecdote on why when buying boots you should get your boots fitted by a recommended pro.
A mate of mine bought some boots at Ellis Brigham about 18 months ago, he paid for the custom footbeds and was initally happy and about £375 lighter. He came back from his 3rd week of using them saying that one boot in particular seems to be too big and he finds his right toes are curled to try and grip the bottom of the boot. He's going to try and get in touch EB to see if there's any comeback. IME there's nothing much to be done when boots are too big, too small the shell can be blown out a bit. I don't expect he'lll get much joy out of EB although even a discount on some new boots would be nice I've said he should go to a more reputable fitter. Had a look for him and both boots micro adjusters are all full ratcheted up.
Take your time when buying boots folks.......
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Commenting on a thread couldn't be as timely as Mrs.D is currently say at EB in Castlefield having her 3 yeard old boots fettled.
She has dinky little size four feet so even half a size made quite a difference in the orriginal purchase hence her boots were fitted tight and then stretched.
After a problem with thermic boot heaters and a hole being cut out in the custom footbed she's had a few weeks of trouble as well as her right little toes curling (same as the OP) around the footbed.
She took them back today as we're off on Sunday to Italy, they are stretching the shell FOC to eleviate cramping in the right toes as they think this may be the problem and (at our expense) thinking a new set of insoles are needed as the old ones clearly haven't enough support around the little toe area.
Grizwald, Can your mate pack out the raer of the shell as well as under the heel of the liner? I know it isn't a permenant fix but it may help if he cant stretch to new 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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Got my daughter's from EB in May. She had to get some for her L1 and there wasn't much about then. Guy sort of knew what he was doing and my daughter knew she wanted a really close fit. Squeezed her size 5's into mondo 23's. I was a bit worried when she couldn't wear them for more than an hour at MK but after her 1 week course and about the same at the dry slope they are fine. So I guess if you don't fully trust the retailer it helps if you have some idea yourself. Shouldn't be necessary of course.
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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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Unless the boots are hand made (bespoke) the boot fitter can only measure the client's feet and choose the off the shelf boots that will be the most suitable for the clients feet. After choosing the shell the boot fitter can then adjust the liner, footbed and shell to provide a comfortable fitting boot.
The first time I had boots fitted correctly for me I was surprised how tightly they fitted my feet. I decided that custom moulded footbeds were essential to ensure the correct fit of the boots and to provide the correct support for my feet. I had for years been using boots which were too big.
After 7 years and 25 weeks of use I realised the liners of my boots were compacted, I was getting a little heel lift even though I was now tightening the clips to almost their maximum. I was contemplating the prospect of either new replacement liners (£220) or new boots (£330). I went into S&R and after more than 1/2 an hour the boot fitter returned with carefully shaped foam glued to the outside of my old boot liners. This has eliminated the heel lift and the fit is as if the boots are new. He didn't charge me anything for his time and skill.
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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 also went to Ellis Brigham - in my case the one at the Milton Keynes snowdome. I then went and skied next door for a couple of hours. I then went back and told them I was getting pinched uncomfortably at the same place on each boot and they blew them out free. Not much come-back if you choose the wrong size (I assume you tried a the next size down as well? You should always try more than one size.)
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| homers double wrote: |
Commenting on a thread couldn't be as timely as Mrs.D is currently say at EB in Castlefield having her 3 yeard old boots fettled.
She has dinky little size four feet so even half a size made quite a difference in the orriginal purchase hence her boots were fitted tight and then stretched.
After a problem with thermic boot heaters and a hole being cut out in the custom footbed she's had a few weeks of trouble as well as her right little toes curling (same as the OP) around the footbed.
She took them back today as we're off on Sunday to Italy, they are stretching the shell FOC to eleviate cramping in the right toes as they think this may be the problem and (at our expense) thinking a new set of insoles are needed as the old ones clearly haven't enough support around the little toe area.
Grizwald, Can your mate pack out the raer of the shell as well as under the heel of the liner? I know it isn't a permenant fix but it may help if he cant stretch to new boots. |
The result...
Mrs.D spent two hours in the shop where they stretched her boots, they decided a new pair of custom footbeds was uneccessary and would be a waste of money.
She stood there for a while (i.e the test of time) and reported no discomfort at all so they sent her packing without so much of a question of payment.
Can you get better service than that?
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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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Red Leon,
No the foam fitted to my liners were custom made to fit my liners by the boot fitter. One large piece of foam rubber for each liner in what I can only describe as a very large "X" shape.
The foam must have been cut out using a very sharp blade or very large scissors from a sheet of foam rubber.
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I bought boots in EB last year, whilst in the store, they were helping out another customer who was having problems with her boots. From what I saw of what they did for her, and the service I received, I couldn't fault them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Almost exactly the same story as jocrad - I bought a pair of snowboard boots a couple of weeks ago in EB and both myself and the lady next to me received excellent service. I also got some great advice for my upcoming board purchase whilst waiting for the liners to mould to my feet after heating. Just the kind of service you'd hope for when you're buying specialist kit.
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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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EB Manchester sorted out my (bought elsewhere) Head Vectors last year which were causing numbness and pain on the soles of my feet. They measured my foot width and determined that the front of the shell needed stretching out by a few mm. For a reasonable sum they did this and I'm very happy with the results.
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You know it makes sense.
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I have been a martyr to ski boots! Pain during skiing and excruciating pain when taking them off. I had to undo the clips on every lift and take them off at lunch stops. I had been to a local highly recommended boot fitter who tried putting various "bumps" on my foot bed and then recommended I see a podiatrist. I did, she gave me a footbed that crippled me. I decided I would just have to live with the pain if I wanted to carry on skiing.
This January on the 3rd day of skiing I couldn't stand it any more so finished an hour early and went to a bootfitter but there was a big queue so i sauntered round the village (Val d'Isere) and went into Intersport and asked for new boots. The French salesman was very nice but I knew within minutes that he was not the answer.
Then an angel appeared in my life...he called their technician over, a petite French lady with forearms like corded steel. She checked my existing footbeds said they were very good, salesman said they would put them into my new (400 Euro) boots. I asked what was the point given that I was suffering with them? He called the angel back over and to cut a long story short she ground out the baseplate to reduce the angle and put more support under arch in the footbed. 25 euros is the price of a miracle! now if only she could do something to remove the odour of mouse pee from my boots.... 
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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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PsychoBabble,
Was that the Intersport shop opposite Saloon Bar, The Grand Marnier Bar and The English Doctor's surgery where you can ski directly to the shop from the nursery slopes?
That's the "old fashioned" shop that put very large powder baskets on my very old "Goode" carbon ski poles when all of the "flashy modern" shops failed.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Sorry, I had to chuckle about skiing straight to the doctor's door...I know that square, went for lunch at the bakery on the corner 2 or 3 times when we were there the other week.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Grizwald, has your mate actually spoken to EB, before you post slagging them off?
Their boot fit guarantee should apply, if it's close to 18months he should get down there sharpish
from http://www.ellis-brigham.com/advice-inspiration/guides-and-advice/buying-guides/ski-boot-buying-guide/
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SUREFIT GUARANTEE
As we recognise that every foot is unique, we also recognise the need for unique ski boots. To achieve this, we provide free labour for customisation; whether it’s the day you buy the boots, after you have skied them the first time, or 3 years down the line. This free service includes stretching, grinding and modifications such as softening or stiffening.
We want you to be happy with your ski boots so we will always try to remedy any problems you may encounter. Very often, this will be resolved by a simple stretch or grind to the ski boot to slightly alter the shape; in all cases we will expect good quality ski socks and supportive footbeds to be used. If we are unable to provide a satisfactory fit, then, providing the ski boots have been worn for less than 2 weeks (wear and tear will be taken into account), correct socks and footbeds have been used, and there is a proof of purchase (to show the boots were bought from Ellis Brigham in the preceding 18 months), we will issue a credit note for 70% of the value paid. This guarantee is offered in addition to your statutory rights, and it is dependent on our advice being accepted during fitting. For further information, terms and conditions contact customer.services@ellis-brigham.com |
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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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The person who was in store when I bought mine was having their boots tweaked under this, and they mentioned it to me before I left the store. They give you a boot fitting document, and ask you to bring it back if possible, but the girl in store didn't have that - however, they sorted her boots out for her no problem.
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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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kitenski, Thanks for the email address I'll pass this on to him. I wan't slagging EB off just that I personally didn't think that much could be done once boots were too big and in his case effectively too long. I've not used EB so have no idea of how their after sales is, so my comments were to do with the fact that they couldn't rather than wouldn't be able to help him.
Thanks for all the replies.
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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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welshflyer, no that shop was the one with the big queue! The "angel" was the one near the Val d'Isere Hotel just by the roundabout. Sheer chance but boy did I hit lucky!
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FAQ
