Custom fitted boots....but on a budget!

I just wanted add one more point here. That is that many people ski on a shoe string. They never can afford ski boots at retail prices, yet alone boot fitting services. For these people some opinions and info on what to look for in boots and how to get the best out of them is helpful. It helps if you are prepared to do some research and make some mistakes (part of the learning experience).

By all means if you have the money to spend, buying boots from a good boot fitter is the best way to go. If you have problem feet, a boot fitter may be essential. If you are totally non technical and mondo point sounds like something to do with knitting, you should see a boot fitter. But with some application and some knowledge it is possible to have a good boot experience, buying old stock boots from ebay.

The single most common problem people have with ski boots is packing in. So for those people who can't enjoy the services of a boot fitter, I would still say that after learning about the shell test, the advice that the boots should feel exceptionally snug initially would benefit most people in that situation. If I tend to exaggerate the snugness required, it is because most people underestimate packing in until they have felt its effects or even having done a shell test, don't think it's right.

Of course there are many other things that a boot fitter does besides getting the size right. Some of these can be accomplished by the amateur at home. But I don't think that people should not ski because they have a limited budget and are put off by thinking you have to have boots fitted.

Trencher

[personal comments removed - Admin]

i am not saying people have to spend a fortune on boots, just get in the correct size and shape for the foot, you got to remember that over in the USA you guys pay a hell of a lot more for boots than we do in the UK and Europe last time i looked at the price of boots in the US i was able to get a pair back home at full price for less than they were being sold in a 30% off sale in a USA ski area store

skiing on a shoestring is great fun, just spend what you can on your boots they are by for the most important bit of kit you own, prehaps cut down on fags, not go out evry friday and saturday night, make sandwiches rather than bying them etc etc

some facts for those who still care


do boots need to be fitted? well if you want them to work as designed then yes, this doesn't mean major work basic fitting is the sizing of the boot to match you foot size and shape

is bootfitting expensive? general fitting is normally in with the price of the boot, specialist work cost money, just like servicing your car

can you do it on e bay? yeh sure but unless you have the knowledge as to the volume /size/shape of your foot then be prepared for it to cost more than a fitted pair of boots from a shop. if you do get boots on line and need fitting work or modification then it will cost, we always charge more for stuff like that as normally it tkae a lot of time and there was no sale of footbed or boot to make a margin in the first place.... thats right i want to make a little money, not be a millionaire but i have to pay my rent, rates, light tools and continuing education to keep my C.Ped credentials up to date.

of course you could just suffer an average to bad fit and be happy )

Trencher wrote:

Of course there are many other things that a boot fitter does besides getting the size right. Some of these can be accomplished by the amateur at home. But I don't think that people should not ski because they have a limited budget and are put off by thinking you have to have boots fitted.

well said.

if an opinion cannot be expressed then what is the point,

I was asked to come to this forum to offer some help, if when you offer that help people throw it back in your face with comments about boot fitting being unneccesary for most people and being expensive then what do you expect me to do, naturally i will defend what i do, but at the same time i am not here for credit.

educating skiers about what is correct is not something i have to do, if it is not done my business makes more money fixing the problems caused by ill informed people picking up what they consider a bargain, it is only a bargain if it is correct and doesn't need major rectification work to make it work


the facts are really simple, if you want boots to be comfortable and preform well then they need to be fitted...please understand that when i say fitted i mean [as i said in the above post] the correct size and shape for the foot, the people with the problem feet need more attention, but everyone deserves to know what they should be looking for.it in no way means the most expensive boot in the store, and it doesn't mean it needs loads of work on it, just getting something that feels like a firm handshake without having pressure points or having to clip the boot up to its max

on that note if members of this forum would prefer to believe the myths about boots then that is fine, just ask an Admin to send me a polite PM and i will go, never to be seen again

do i want to help, yes sure,......do i need to help....no
have it whatever way you like

Has your comment disappeared?

I think it has got a bit heated.. both make good points but I am with CEM for the most part. Well fitted boots are the difference between hating skiing as a beginner and loving it-purely down to the equipment.

i wanted to rewrite the comment to make more sense, i got a call so stopped mid text :D

I guess I'm really lucky with my feet with shoes, walking boots or ski boots. I pop into the shop have a look for the pair I like, try them on and pay, with my last pair of ski boots the shop did the norm heated them up and fitted them and they were fine, I've skied for two weeks last year with them no problems. So far and I don't expect to, have I needed any other specialist help.
But Guy's although I agree with a lot of what Trencher says I still would not buy boots online I think you are just asking for trouble, I think you really do need that specialist touch.
One thing I like about this forum is that it is open and honest but remember it is only peoples opinion and the only opinion that matters is yours. Still it's nice to read that there's plenty of passion out there.

Now then (Admin readies his famous pruning shears)...

cem wrote:if an opinion cannot be expressed

Opinions are always welcome; strongly held and strongly (and politely) expressed opinions are no problem at all, provided that differing opinions (and their owners) are respected.

play on...