Ellis Brigham ski boot fitting

Hi Barney,

Both me and the Mrs have had boot fittings at Castelefield EB and no complaints great service and fit. Last trip the Mrs had a prob with big toe and went to resort shop (Courchevel 1650) and the guy in there said he was really disapointed as she had a really good fit (she had been walking downhill with clips undone).

SwingBeep mentioned 'Dave Casey' i agree. If you can get this guy really good. Also get there really early as there is always a cue to talk the guys there.

Enjoy your season

I've booked my daughter into Glide & Slide in Otley (next weekend 3rd Dec). Will report back on the experience (and with my wallet likely to be £250 to £300 lighter)!!

Glad you steered away from EB as used Milton Keynes and it was awful. Didn't really know much better when purchasing my 1st pair as did it after first 2 trips 9 years ago and realising that I liked the sport.

Nothing out of the ordinary with my feet but 1st set felt OK in the shop as they were describing the feel, but use on slopes I knew something wasn't right. Went back told wrong size, remeasure, refit to same boot just smaller, so off I go again feeling the boots were okay in the shop.

Next trips quite close to each other the following season, pain I can't describe. So went back, the next guy said wrong size, wrong boot for your feet, need new ones.

An argument later and compromise on buying footbeds again, changed boots again and this pair lasted for the last 4 years and were ok, but still having pain and went back and forth having bits done but still not happy.

SO last month off to Solutions4feet, new boots purchased and hopefully a much more pleasant experience Mid Jan, though will test them at MK before I go as advised. Just stood in them I can feel the difference with specialist advice and the process very much worth paying the extra for and of course their after service if not quite right

Thanks TC. It's not worth the risk methinks, especially with something so crucial as a ski boot.

When the time comes to change my boots I'm very tempted to go for an in-resort purchase. I had my current boots adjusted at Stoked in Zermatt. They were hugely knowledgeable and would be top of my list.

Fortunately, Solutions4feet are on my doorstep (20mins away) and highly recommended on this forum so ideal for me really and the after service if required of course!

Best of luck....

I ummed and arrr'd (sp?) about where to get my next pair. Was excited about getting some new ones to get straight out in and also aware of the euro exchange rate, so initially thought I'll get them here. But using my head rather than my heart have now booked a fitting appointment in resort for first day (after a few recommendations for the same place - we have a place in resort). I'll feel more comfortable with the advice they give me there and I can get them adjusted if need be.
Lee

I guess I find it difficult to think of Brighams as a "chain store". When I first started skiing, there was only one store, in Cathedral Street, Manchester. Ellis ran it, following a family history, starting with his grandfather, Frederick Ellis Brigham. He designed the first soft climbing boot, which became known as a pair of FEBs.

My ski travel business, Trans Pennine SC, ran on every winter Friday night from outside that shop, overnight to Cairngorm, and back overnight on the Sunday..... 13 hours each way.

I met Ellis this summer, and he still plays an active role in the business, but is not involved directly with the shop side. I will try to think of a way of passing the general feelings about fitting through to the family management.

Incidently, Ellis sold me my first ever pair of skis, a pair of Elan Jets, screw in edges, cable bindings.
£3.0s.0d. I still tell him he was a robbing beggar.

Having said all of that, if I still lived in Lancashire, I would consider a trip to visit Colin Martin at Solutions4feet. It's a bit of a drive, but you are there and back in a day, with a pair of boots that you are very unlikely to have issues with.

I would not buy boots on holiday. If you have issues, there is a time conflict, in that the boot fitter needs them, and you need them. Then when you get back, and next winter, in another resort, you have issues.....

Quick report. Glide & Slide were very good. Spent 2 hours with my daughter trying on a series of boots. No rushing at all and very attentive. She ended up with a pair of slim fitting Atomic boots plus custom footbeds.

Of course, it's like being a kid in a sweet shop. I'm now eyeing up a trip there in January for new boots!!