Buying Own Boots

This is a list of UK Ski Shops who have Bootfitters accredited by the BSBA. This is one way of making sure you get fitted properly. Currently members seem to be the leading independent shops, the chain stores don't seem to be participating.

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

Yes, buy your own boots. Boots that fit properly will instantly improve your skiing.

Go somewhere with plenty of choice and get them properly fitted.

After you have been measured for boots, the fitter should offer you only 1 or 2 boots to try on. If the fitter does not stand you in the empty shells and check the amount of space behind your heel, make your excuses and leave, as you are not with a real fitter. Boot sellers are in every shop, fitters get trained, and will ask you questions about your skiing and overall health.

Bandit do you think the guys in resort are proper fitters? My wife and I are going to buy our own boots this year. We'll probably go for a rental pair that have only had a season or so's use. She's got very slim ankles so we always have problems getting rental boots that fit.

Cheers

Steve

Stevesmoothie, there are some wonderful talented ski boot fitters in ski resorts. It's very hard to tell the difference between the good, bad and indifferent just by looking. Helps if you speak the local language and can ask the local Pro's where they go for their boots. It's also hard to get adjustments done once your Holiday is over and you are back at home.

You are going to search for 2nd hand pairs of boots 1 season old. So they may have done 15-20 weeks, possibly more. I've read that a boot shell suitable for recreational skiers will last about 120 days usage, before the plastic starts to degrade with UV and flexing.

During that period, any number of folks with different shaped feet and ankles will have squeezed into those boots, so the linings will fit no-one in particular any more.

She's got very slim ankles so we always have problems getting rental boots that fit.

Your wife needs measuring and properly fitting for boots. Unless the boots fit the shape of her foot and the lower leg, it's not possible to control skis effectively. New boots would seem sensible, much bigger range to choose from, more chances to get it right 1st time.

Where are you going to ski this winter?

Great advice, thanks Bandit. We'll probably head to Austria or Italy this year. Maybe Zell am See, Obergurgl.

Steve

stevesmoothie wrote:Bandit do you think the guys in resort are proper fitters? My wife and I are going to buy our own boots this year. We'll probably go for a rental pair that have only had a season or so's use. She's got very slim ankles so we always have problems getting rental boots that fit.

Cheers

Steve

My boots were fitted by an excellent boot fitter in resort. Reberty Orthopedist Au pied des Pistes - His name was Armando

I had them fitted on the first day of my holiday, skied the next day and went back to the shop that evening as he requested. The boots felt ok but, he looked at my feet closely and then made more adjustments. He said I could go back everyday for adjustments if necessary...I never needed to.
They were new boots. It was pricey but worth every penny.

We found out about him from a local ski instructor, he told us that many instructors travelled miles to use him.

freshfreshpowder wrote:I have skiid 4 times in the past for a week every time, with the odd extra day thrown in. It's been a few years since my last trip. I'd call myself a pretty typical intermediate. I don't look too bad on the slopes, but I'm far from the best!

I am in Southend-on-Sea, I know of this shop through a friend's suggestion http://www.skee-tex.co.uk/ (they didn't necessarily recommend it cos they don't really know much about skiing, but it's in my area at least) Anyone know of it by any chance??

Hello as some may know I am new to this site, so trawling through all old threads (coz thats what work is for) and saw this. @freshfreshsnow, I recently went to Alpine rooms in Danbury to get my new boots, excellent service. After about 5 pairs of boots and 3hrs I came out with a lovely pair of Nordica, matey in there gave me a proper foot examination and they really seem to know there onions. The heat moulding that they do is part of the price of the boot (skee tex charge a tenner on top of the price of the boot for the privelege, so skee tex told me) also the bloke at Alpine Rooms (John(got to know his name as I was there for so long!!)) Gives you a guarantee with the boot that with the length of ownership of boot purchased, you can take it back whenever you have a problem and they will try there upmost to rectify it at no extra cost.