The Wrong Boots!!

I have been with my girlfriend today to buy our boots for the coming season!!

My new boots Skied amazing on the Castleford slope but my Girlfriend's not so well.

We both had custom insoles.

My boot fitter really seemed to now what he was doing and asked me all the questions I had read up on that he should resulting in me not buying the boots which I liked the look of but an amazing fitted boot which responds a million times better than anything I have worn before!! (my first bought boots)

My girlfriends fitter didn't seem to vocal on the question side or knowledge and kept having to ask myu boot fitter questions, the result, my girlfriend skiing with little control and saying see has had rental boots. On getting home and going though the questions that my boot fitter had asked me and going though the whole trying the boot on without the liner and checking the spaces and it seems to me the boot she was sold has to much room around the side of the foot and the top of the foot, which means she is getting alot of movement in the boot.

My question really is if the boot is to big can it be made smaller for a closer fit? if not where do we stand??

The boots were bought from Ellis Brigham.

I feel disappointed that this has happened and wished I had stayed closer to my girlfriend during her fitting as I had picked up on thew fact her fitter seemed clueless!!

Both of you must go back to EB's and soon. It might be worth you getting a professional opinion on the "fit" of the boots from someone on this list.

http://www.skibootpro.co.uk/6.html

Go back and complain nicely (make an appointment with the head bootfitter), if the boots are really too big there is no point on packing them you need a shell which has a better overall fit.If they cant give you one then ask why??
One other thing when you do go back, go when the shop is quite that way they are more inclined to spend a bit more time with you, and dont give up till your girlfriends happy you know your boot fit is very important as it affects comfort and ablilty to ski well.

I had the same problem with EB, took them back and got them replaced, but 3 pairs of boots later I don't feel any further forward so I am planning on seeking help from a boot fitter loaclly, just don't trust EB anymore as every time I went back the person I had seen before had left and someone new took over!

Matt,
As all the others have stated, "GO BACK NOW" !

The only thing that should "move" freely in the boots is the toes ! You should be able to wiggle toes freely yet feel just past the first articulation a snuggnest ,,not pressure,,but a soft gentle feel!

Try this;

Take liner out and put foot in liner outside ski boot shell! Press down where big toe is! There should be no space! Big toe should be snug to line tip !

Then put foot into shell and push foot FORWARD into shell ! Place your fingers in REAR of ankle!
How many fingers can you insert?

Finally get liner into boot, put boot on and buckle to smallest setting. Ask girlfriend to raise heels ( inside boot ) If movement,,,,get new boots!

DO NOT WAIT !

Pavel

Matt, ( and others)

The term, "clueless" made me think.

Your "feelings/perception" about the competencies of the salesperson may very well be correct but you will never be sure.

Here is fail safe way to find out if a person does know a "little" about boot fitting.

Ask;

1. What is the width of the boots in mm. ( the inner widest part of the boot ) Typically 100-110 are for male wide, wide feet. Racers want narrow narrow boots since they only suffer for a few minutes but get a perfect "feel" of the skis 90 mm - 97mm.

2. What is difference between modo size 28 and 28.5 ( or whatever size you want,,).
The inexperienced sales person will say, "28.5 is a half size larger,,,longer "

3. What flex level does he/she recommend for wife/friend ? No women should have a boot with a flex above 100! Well OK OK perhaps Vonn has a boot with a flex of 120, but she is the best in the world today!!!!

4. Casually ask ( as you have the boots in your hand), "what is that line,,or triangle in the inner mid sole section of the shell? " It is the reference mark for the mating of the boots and the bindings!

Watch

1. how he/she buckles boots. From top or bottom.
2.how he/she "fits" boots
- just asks for shoe size ( poor poor poor salesperson)
- just uses mondo fitting template.
- uses mondo template and "feels" nake foot! Yes feels feet!!!!
- insists in having person fit boots with personal ski socks ( never with street socks)
-heats up boots BEFORE fitting them ( all boots should be heated ). What no boot heaters in shop,,,,,,,get out rigth away !
3. If salesperson buckles boots to TIGHT position. ( Never place boots to very tight position until wearing boots for at least 30 minutes on soft position and no pain,,pressure )

4. Finally if salesperson asks; where you ski, how you ski, what conditions you ski, perceived ability level, "other sports or activities done"

If boot fitter says, "you have to ski on them a while for them to fit better" ! Get out of shop !

Here is Ellis Brighams policy on boot fitting.

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/ski-boots.htm

Go back quickly, i took mine back twice and they are fine now. But mine needed a stretch where my previously broken ankle bulges. Not sure how they can shrink books though!

Unfortunately it's really, very hard to make ski boots smaller. Out of the box, they should feel almost too small. If they are slippers comfy, all you can feel is the liner and that will soon compress, leaving you with gaps and movement.
Pavelski made this point

If boot fitter says, "you have to ski on them a while for them to fit better" ! Get out of shop !

Some modern liners can either be heated by machine, or wearer moulded by skiing them. So therefore they will shape to the user, which is another good reason not to buy used boots.

My last boots did not bed in until about 1 weeks use. My current liners are not supposed to bed in at all, and my fitter did not want to see my head around his door until I'd skied 2 weeks in them.

You must go back, this is an expensive purchase, and you have a right to useable goods.