Getting ski boots that fit

I had my ski boots properly fitted in a shop that Bandit recommended, and they didn't feel too small when I first put them on. They never hurt me at all from day one. I bought them in the U.K. in Profeet in London but I gave them a good testing by ski-ing in the 'Ladies Morning' in the snow dome at Milton Keynes for several hours.

And I've just had them thoroughly checked over, and they still fit me fine, 2 1/2 years later. They did say, though, that if I want to upgrade to really tight fitting boots as my ski-ing improves, I could go down a size because at the moment I am in between sizes. But I've got no intention of doing that because I'm only a 1 or 2 weeks a year recreational skier - and I'm quite sure I'll never become an 'expert' skier.

I noticed when we were in Tignes in October with the international slalom racers that their boots were incredibly tight fitting - they had an awful job to get them on and off. I would hate to have boots like that. I like mine as they are :)

Best of luck with finding a good boot technician who will fit you with some comfy boots that really fit your feet!

AllyG wrote:

And I've just had them thoroughly checked over, and they still fit me fine, 2 1/2 years later. They did say, though, that if I want to upgrade to really tight fitting boots as my ski-ing improves, I could go down a size because at the moment I am in between sizes. But I've got no intention of doing that because I'm only a 1 or 2 weeks a year recreational skier - and I'm quite sure I'll never become an 'expert' skier.

Ally, I only ski 2 sometimes 3 weeks a season. I dont think I'm anywhere near an expert, but according to those charts I'm advanced, and its all about how you can ski and what you like to ski on.
From what you say on here, I'd hazard a guess you are a strong intermediate and your next step will be bumps and moguls and off piste, putting you up to the 7-8 on the chart. Be comfortable with those and you're already an advanced skier.

i would second the suggestions of craigdon in perth or Alain Baxter unfortunately there are far too many boot sellers out there rather than boot fitters, the same applies in resorts, there are good guys and bad, the suggestions in Cahmonix are about as good as it gets anywhere but if you are not going there then there are some other good guys in SOME resorts..... biggest thing we see from resort "sold" boots is a size too big simply because you are from the UK so you obviously know nothing about boots and the ones that are a bit big feel great in the store!

shell check is critical if the fitters you have seen have not done this then lock your wallet and leave the shop rapidly, a shell check is the only way to find a truly correct boot, approximately the following should apply (and everyone is different) 10mm race fit, 15mm performance fit, 20mm comfort fit 25mm getting on too big, any more do not buy! (i have people who have 6-7mm of shell fit because their foot shape matches the shell shape precisely and people who have a high volume foot who feel 25mm is too tight at first (foot volume and tolerance will be taken into account by the fitter)

even after 26 years of working on boots we check every foot in every boot we try on..... making a boot bigger is a simple process but it relies on you trusting your fitter can make adjustments to the boot and them guaranteeing their work. there can often be other underlying things that can cause boots to feel wrong.

1 lack of support, if the foot is pronating (collapsing inwards and splaying out) then the boot will feel short and narrow
2 lack of ankle joint flexion, pressure under ball of foot or on outer edge of little toe as the foot tries to compensate for this lack of available flex
3 boot too small, toes crunched into the end (not just touching but really crunched!)
4 boot too big feels lovely and cushy all round the foot when you put it on at first, and like a bucket after a week of skiing

ok so how should it feel

when you put your foot in the boot will fee too short, toes will go right to the end , clip the upper clips first, the one at the ankle really tight to anchor the foot at the back, then flex the boot forwards a couple of times to help seat the heel in tot he heel pocket, now clip the front clips but only lightly ... should feel like a firm handshake all around, the toes may feel a little constricted at first but when you flex you should feel them pull away a bit from the end, still pretty close but not crunched.... a good footbed, and moulding the liners with some toe caps to help stretch them can make all the difference.

make sure you get a footbed of some sort, an off the peg one is fine if budget is tight, but you must stabilise the foot to get the best fit

anyway hopefully that will dispel a few of the myths of what it should feel like

Cem - that is the best description of what a well fitting boot should feel like I have ever heard.
Thank you for sharing.

cem wrote:

ok so how should it feel

when you put your foot in the boot will fee too short, toes will go right to the end , clip the upper clips first, the one at the ankle really tight to anchor the foot at the back, then flex the boot forwards a couple of times to help seat the heel in tot he heel pocket, now clip the front clips but only lightly ... should feel like a firm handshake all around, the toes may feel a little constricted at first but when you flex you should feel them pull away a bit from the end, still pretty close but not crunched.... a good footbed, and moulding the liners with some toe caps to help stretch them can make all the difference.

make sure you get a footbed of some sort, an off the peg one is fine if budget is tight, but you must stabilise the foot to get the best fit

anyway hopefully that will dispel a few of the myths of what it should feel like

This is such amazing advice

I'd been skiing for 20 years on and off before I was ever "properly" fitted for boots ad discoverd that I'd been fastening my clips in the wrong order all that time!

By doing it properly (as Cem so perfectly describes above) means that my boots now fit as they should and I can ski all day without a burning desire to take them off at every lunch/chocolat chaud stop....

Do NOT underestimate just how important the beds are too

Cannot echo this enough.
CEM, superb yet simple advice.
Doing your boots up properly is so important, as is having boots that actually fit, and a footbed has made a difference for me last season.

I also made the mistake of my first pair of boots being lovely and comfy and within a few weeks of skiing on them, they were like canoes.

I've had footbeds for the last 15 years or so and wouldn't contemplate wearing boots without them now. Putting them on properly is also very important and I like the way Cem describes getting the heel to sit in the rear of the boot - I was told by my fitter to tap the toe on the floor and then flex forward firmly from the ankle to achieve the same result.

Time spent on correct boot fitting is time, misery and money saved later!

Well, I asked for advice so I guess I should follow through and do what the experts suggest!
Flying visit to Bicester now scheduled to let Cem strut his stuff.....