J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by skidaddle

Ise has summed this up well, I think.

With the range of product available these days, boots should not hurt at all. If they do, you have probably bought the wrong pair.

Try the linerless shell first. There should be enough room to put your finger down the back of it between your boot and the heel space.

Put the liner in and put the boot on and stamp your foot into it. Your toes should touch the end. Don't worry, this is good and doesn't mean the boot is too small.

Now do the boot up loosely and include any booster srap that may be featured.

You should feel your foot pulled back towards the heel and your heel go into the "pocket."

Leave the boots on for a few minutes and see how they feel. If they hurt they are wrong. If they start to feel very slightly uncomfortable and heavy after at first feeling very good, you have quite possibly got the right boot for you.

TAKE YOUR TIME AND POINT OUT ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE TO THE FITTER.

Try something else for comparison. Atomic, Salomon, Nordica, Lange etc all make great boots, but the profiles are all slightly different.

Remember, you should only have to adjust the clips slightly during the day and should never overtighten them. This simply pulls the shell out of shape and negates the qualities of that boot.

In my experience if a fitter needs to take a scalpel to the shell its as a last resort to salvage a misinformed purchase.

Wear quality socks, with padded areas for comfort and lycra areas to increase blood flow and keep your feet from aching.

It isn't unusual to spend a couple of hours or more having boots fitted. It has to be right, thats the bottom line.

When you think you've got the right pair and come to use them for the first time, only do them up loosely for the first runs of the day. Then gradually do them up making a mental note of whats the most precise and comfortable setting. Micro adjustments are useful if you have them. I always undo the clips on top of the boots (bottom 2) after each run to give my feet a rest.

Happy skiing!

Oh, I do that all the time.

I'm not sure what it is you're on, but can I have some??

You've missed my point.

Of course he doesn't live there - it was meant to be a joke.

And yes, I can confirm he took the picture there as I was with him at the time.

MAY I POINT OUT THAT TONYH DOES NOT LIVE IN THAT APARTMENT, NOR DOES HE SLEEP ON PRISON-TYPE BEDS - THE PHOTO SHOWS OUR SHARED ROOM IN THE HOTEL SPORTINIA IN SAUZE D'OULX.

Thanks for that Pavelski.

I may well invest at the end of the season as I don't intend paying full whack!

One question though - are they easy enough to use, or are they particularly hard to control?

My first trip was 31 years ago, to Bormio. I was 8 years old.

I hated every minute of it, if my memory serves me correctly. I was very small for my age and struggled with the lifts and tows. I also didn't like the cold.

The past few seasons I've been fortunate enough to have 3 holidays each year and my only regret is not being able to afford to go in my early 20's.

Looking forward to Mayrhofen this coming January, followed by Sauze in Feb and to continuing to make up for the lost years!!

I use one of those big plasters you get from Boots on each shin and they do the trick nicely.