New Boots, what would you do?

Snapzzz wrote:Thanks guys for the comments but i'm firmly back on track. I was tempted by the cheap prices but a good fit is what i need.
My ankles are wide and one was smashed up and reassembled in my youth. So right now, whilst my shoes are a size 10 i am having to hire boots at a size 12 just to get the ankle feeling good.
Obviously this is not right.

My mind is rock solid now.

Snapzzz, Colin has the necessary jigs in his workshop to make room for your ankle joints, and take a thin, close fitting pair of ski socks with you. Do remember to enquire about some beer and pies whilst there :D

Thanks Bandit, i will look forward to the beer. However i have had my fair share of pies recently!

I am hoping he can work his magic on my ankles as i am spending a small fortune on compeed plasters right now.

£500 -£750, (faint), (recover) Gosh, Let me think, 43 years skiing.
Pair 1, unbranded, lace-ups, £3.00, sold for £10.00
Pair 2, Kofflachs, new, £49.00, lasted 4 seasons, ended up with Jetsticks bolted to the back, sold for £49.00
Pair 3, Lange, new, bought at Fleets in Sydney, £70, lasted 12 years or so, cracked across the base, ended up as a bird nest in the garden.
Raichle rear entry, £120-ish, new, have I mentioned them before? Fabulous boots, 23 years, (so far), wondering if I could get them refurbished? Never had any fitting, and they don't seem to hold me back!

Salomon Equipe Jnr £100-"fitted"-wellies at 5 weeks-dustbin

Dynafit ETS £150"fitted"-wellies at 5 weeks-dustbin

Nordica Syntech £150-"fitted"-wellies at 10 weeks dustbin

Technica TNS Lady £125-not fitted, such a bargain!-er..too narrow-15 weeks use, then 2 rounds of surgery to remove crushed nerves in forefoot sold on ebay £20

Head S8 £150 sold by EB at MK, fitted by Profeet, refitted by CEM, gave up at 14 weeks with feet twisting in shells, shells much too wide, not even CEM can fix this.

I let CEM choose a boot that fits my foot shape and size, as it will be way cheaper and less painful! Now in Salomon Instinct CS with Zipfit Liner. CEM makes the necessary modifications to one footbed to accommodate the missing volume from 1 foot after surgery ^

I got a brilliant service at EB in Castlefield 6 years ago. I have wide feet and even wider calves and needed to find a boot that didn't crush them as rental boots had done. I would definitely go back if I could guarantee the same guy would still be there. As I can't, I am thinking of heading to a specialist if I replace them in the next year or so. How necessary is it to change your boots as your skiing level progresses?

I don't think you're guaranteed a bad service with the bigger names. It's just that you're in no way guaranteed a good one either. If you have any worries about fitting it seems worth it to go to a trusted specialist. Peace of mind on the slopes is worth it for me. As has been said further up you don't wanna shell out on an expensive holiday to have it ruined by unsuitable boots.

Now, can someone recommend a good boot specialist in the North West? Pies & beer not essential but definitely a bonus :)

Mekka why not try Rivington Alpine. They have had good reviews on here previously and are based in Bolton http://www.rivingtonalpine.co.uk/

Thanks Brimster :-)

Bandit

Who is CEM, i am based in manchester so can you recommend i good boot fitter.