buying boots.....here or in resort?

I'm dead keen to get a hold of a pair of boots. i'm in my second week of skiing and would like something comfortable as last year was hell in hire boots.

anyhoo - quite brassic at the moment and don't have much in the way of £150-£200 for boots.

however by the time i go away i will have xmas money and have been paid again.

should i therefore take the opportunity to buy in resort (Les Gets) and also get the benefit of daily adjustments while i am there?

cheers.

Sarah,

First you do not buy boots,,,,you buy comfort! You buy happiness! You buy memories!
You find a friend that will be with you for many, many ski trips!

Developing a friendship that lasts a long time takes time!

To answer your question,, it depends on your commitement to this future friendship!

I have no idea where you live and how many ski shops are in your area! So I might be very wrong in my answer!

You have suffered in the past! You were "abused" and yes had pain while skiing! It is not something we look forward to!

A holiday is for you to enjoy your time with your new friend!To discover what he can give you as far as skiing pleasure!Going from one "friend" to another seems to me stressful while on holiday!

You know about those relationships that originate "while on holiday"! Due to the "context" we tend to make decisions that seem correct but... later we regret them!

May I suggest you visit as many ski shops as you can before your trip! Forget about the boot prices at this point, just learn how a great boot feels like! Learn which boot company mold seems to fit you better!

I have learned over the years that a truly long lasting relationship ( such as you want with your boots) is based on much time in "getting to know" each other! Give your future boots a chance to "prove" to you that he/she will give you much love, tenderness,attention and once you really get into the relationship lots of great ecstatic feelings! You may change skis many times, but once you have found your boots they will be with you on many many trips!

For the sake of your future relationship with your boots, I would try lots of boots while on holiday ( after a great day of skiing) but I would not stress myself by insisting on buying boots on trip!

Just think! Do you say to yourself, " Ok on this trip I will find my life time partner"!!! If it happens it happens but never make any decisions while in the "corner"! It will hurt more than just on the trip!

Hope this helps you a little Sarah!


Now I have a great solution for you!Plan your next ski holiday around your future mate! Look around for a ski resort where there is a ski village with many many ski shops, or a city near ski resort where you can spend at least 2-3 days before skiing! You can be introduced to your future ski mate slowly and once you find that "special" mate it will be for life!

Just PM me and I can give you some ski areas that have great shops! Also visit sites where "master" boot fitters discuss boots and fitting problems!

hi there,

I live in edinburgh - we have one boot shop/maybe two.

there's another two in Glasgow.

I'm going to les gets/morzine area for xmas....so if you know of any good bootfitters there?

last year i got a pair of hundred year old big clumpy mens boots because i have large/short calves and they couldn't get much to fit me. the hire shops don't really seem to care what they give you - especially when they are busy.

I had to go back 5 times to get them sorted....only felt right on the last day (and when i say right - i mean, no pins and needles, no pain where the clips were at the top...etc..etc)

I would like a pair of ladies ones or something specially tailored for my larger calves and require a fair bit of hight inside....

cheers

I got my pair of boots for last yaer done in ellis brigham, they were horriffic, avoid like hte plague, if youc an get someone to reccommend yopu a shop in les gets do that! I'll pm you....

queen_sheba wrote:hi there,

I live in edinburgh - we have one boot shop/maybe two.

there's another two in Glasgow.

I'm going to les gets/morzine area for xmas....so if you know of any good bootfitters there?

last year i got a pair of hundred year old big clumpy mens boots because i have large/short calves and they couldn't get much to fit me. the hire shops don't really seem to care what they give you - especially when they are busy.

I had to go back 5 times to get them sorted....only felt right on the last day (and when i say right - i mean, no pins and needles, no pain where the clips were at the top...etc..etc)

I would like a pair of ladies ones or something specially tailored for my larger calves and require a fair bit of hight inside....

cheers

Blues ski shop, I believe are both in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and have a fairly good reputation for boot fitting.
Yes, you absolutely need a womans boot, since the cuff will be slightly lower and wider, the heel narrower etc.
There are very good bootfitters in Chamonix which will be an hour away from Les Gets if you have transport, Footworks opposite the Aguille du Midi cable car, also Sanglard Sports in the town.
If you can get fitted out in your 1st language it will be easier to provide the fitter with info when they need to do tweaks! You have an indoor snow slope at Braehead, where you can test out the boots before heading to resort.

If all you manage to achieve is to find out your Mondopoint size and which manufacturers last you need to be buying, do that. It will avoid a lazy dealer selling you boots that are too big...."but oh they are so comfy" (for 3 weeks or at least until the liner settles anyway ))...then you can buy some more....geddit!
Good Luck, achieving a well fitting ski boot takes time and effort!

yes i've heard cham is good for boots. might convince my pal to chum me - he speaks french too but i think one of the good bootfitters there is british so all helps!

cheers for all your advice!

Just to reiterate part of pav's advice. You should arm yourself with as much knowledge as you find. I don't mean look up boot specifications, but do read about other peoples experiences and thoughts on what makes a good fitting boot. There are several threads in the archives of this forum and some good articles on the net. This should give you a feel for what you should expect from a boot.

Trencher

Of course - the one major major advantage of buying boots in the UK (ie. Before you go) is that you can wear them in, and if you're not entirely happy with them - take them back for adjustment. That way you don't eat into valuable skiing time.

Also, it's a form of exercise. Wearing ski boots to do the hoovering and dusting brings a new dimension to housework that has added benefits.

Unless you live in an upstairs flat. In which case your neighbours will not share your opinion.

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