Newbie Ski Boot Advice
Discussion
I've been skiing a couple of times now and have decided that for this years trip I'm going to buy myself a set of boots. The ones I've rented the last couple of times have been OK (no bad experiences with blisters etc.), but I've heard a few horror stories, and I'd be severly p*ssed off if getting some rentals which hurt my feet ruined my holiday....!
I'm just after a bit of advice on what the decent makes are, what sort of prices I'll be looking at, and if theres any 'features' (other than a good fit!) that I should be looking out for....?
I should mention that it seems I have quite skinny legs / ankles, as I've found the retal ones to be slightly loose around the lower legs, even when tighted up as far as they'll go. This has meant that my outside ski was beginning to move around more than I'd have liked on the steeper stuff (although this could all be down to crap technique)...
Si
I'm just after a bit of advice on what the decent makes are, what sort of prices I'll be looking at, and if theres any 'features' (other than a good fit!) that I should be looking out for....?
I should mention that it seems I have quite skinny legs / ankles, as I've found the retal ones to be slightly loose around the lower legs, even when tighted up as far as they'll go. This has meant that my outside ski was beginning to move around more than I'd have liked on the steeper stuff (although this could all be down to crap technique)...
Si
find somewhere with a good fitter. They will advise what is best for the shape of your foot/leg and ability.
Have a look on Snowheads.co.uk for a recommendation.
The is a guy based in Bicester(Colin) at Solutions 4 Feet who gets a lot of good reviews and wont sell you a bad boot. Otherwise probably check out your local Snow and Rock or other ski retailer
Have a look on Snowheads.co.uk for a recommendation.
The is a guy based in Bicester(Colin) at Solutions 4 Feet who gets a lot of good reviews and wont sell you a bad boot. Otherwise probably check out your local Snow and Rock or other ski retailer
I was given 2 recommendations; Solutions 4 Feet in Bister as already recommended and Pro Feet on Fullam Road in London. As I live in London I went with Pro Feet and would definitely recommend them - in fact have recommended them to a couple of friends who both came away happy.
I don't know how Solutions 4 Feet go about things but at ProFeet are all about finding the boots that best fit your feet so you don't even see any boots for the first 20-30 minutes of the fitting. They start by looking at your feet, their size and shape and how you put your weight through them. Based on this they bring out a couple of pairs that they think are the best match to you and your feet and it's only after you've tried them and worked out what feels best that they tell you the price. Obviously you're not limited to just the boots they recommend and they will offer alternatives if you don't like the fit/look/price.
I don't know how Solutions 4 Feet go about things but at ProFeet are all about finding the boots that best fit your feet so you don't even see any boots for the first 20-30 minutes of the fitting. They start by looking at your feet, their size and shape and how you put your weight through them. Based on this they bring out a couple of pairs that they think are the best match to you and your feet and it's only after you've tried them and worked out what feels best that they tell you the price. Obviously you're not limited to just the boots they recommend and they will offer alternatives if you don't like the fit/look/price.
I bought my last pair from Ellis Brigham (Covent Garden branch). Decent choice of boots and an ok fitting service. I'm sure they will have a branch in Manchester too?
Alternatively, buy when you get out to the resort, depending on when you go a lot of the shops may have late season sales / last years stock to shift etc.
Alternatively, buy when you get out to the resort, depending on when you go a lot of the shops may have late season sales / last years stock to shift etc.
I got mine at Rivington Alpine in Bolton after a LOT of research. Be prepared for a full day of sitting there whilst the guy does his stuff.
I'd tried a couple of the bigger places like Brighams, Snow and Rock before hand (and even bought some the season before) but they just weren't comfortable.
The Rivington chap is one of the few people who actually knows what he is doing. I can't remember his name but he owns the business (possibly Neil?).
It's worth doing it properly as ill fitting boots is a nightmare!
I'd tried a couple of the bigger places like Brighams, Snow and Rock before hand (and even bought some the season before) but they just weren't comfortable.
The Rivington chap is one of the few people who actually knows what he is doing. I can't remember his name but he owns the business (possibly Neil?).
It's worth doing it properly as ill fitting boots is a nightmare!
You can't really recommend specific boots as they all fit different types of feet better...Lange for instance used to be suited to narrow feet. Like others I have used Profeet who were superb...Snow and Rock is a complete gamble on the individual shop that you will go to IMHO.
What is important is that you don't buy boots that are too stiff. It's really important for your skiing that the boots are flexible enough that you can flex your akles/knees so that you can get your weight forward a bit. Basically if you push your shins into your boots you should be able to get your knees over your toes. There's a bit about it about a third of the way down this web page http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/ski-fitness/...
I have Technica boots which were excellent for flexibility but that was five years ago....no idea who is good now. I know at the time Salomon were bad for it.
What is important is that you don't buy boots that are too stiff. It's really important for your skiing that the boots are flexible enough that you can flex your akles/knees so that you can get your weight forward a bit. Basically if you push your shins into your boots you should be able to get your knees over your toes. There's a bit about it about a third of the way down this web page http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/ski-fitness/...
I have Technica boots which were excellent for flexibility but that was five years ago....no idea who is good now. I know at the time Salomon were bad for it.
Looks like a trip up to Rivington might be on the cards then, I'll give them a call and have a chat with them first. Wouldn't mind keeping the spend down to around the 200 quid mark if possible, but I suppose it's like anything, I may as well spend more initially and not have to upgrade in a couple of years time.....
The only recommendation I have is to buy a pair of boots that suit your ability. Don't buy them purely on what they look like, buy them on whether you think you will be comfortable wearing them for 8hours a day.
If I'm brutally honest, if you only do a week of skiing each year a) it's not worth the money and extra hassle of carrying kit around b) it's unlikely you will feel a difference between your own boots and a decent pair of rentals. You are using muscles you don't normally use and so normally it's not only the boots that are hurting you (although "f
king rental boots" is a good excuse). Don't be surprised if you feel no difference.
If I'm brutally honest, if you only do a week of skiing each year a) it's not worth the money and extra hassle of carrying kit around b) it's unlikely you will feel a difference between your own boots and a decent pair of rentals. You are using muscles you don't normally use and so normally it's not only the boots that are hurting you (although "f
king rental boots" is a good excuse). Don't be surprised if you feel no difference.bulldong said:
The only recommendation I have is to buy a pair of boots that suit your ability. Don't buy them purely on what they look like, buy them on whether you think you will be comfortable wearing them for 8hours a day.
If I'm brutally honest, if you only do a week of skiing each year a) it's not worth the money and extra hassle of carrying kit around b) it's unlikely you will feel a difference between your own boots and a decent pair of rentals. You are using muscles you don't normally use and so normally it's not only the boots that are hurting you (although "fking rental boots" is a good excuse). Don't be surprised if you feel no difference.
That's very true. However if from what the OP says the boots are a bit loose on him becaise he's got narrow feet/ankles he seems like someone that would benefit hugely from getting his own boots. If I'm brutally honest, if you only do a week of skiing each year a) it's not worth the money and extra hassle of carrying kit around b) it's unlikely you will feel a difference between your own boots and a decent pair of rentals. You are using muscles you don't normally use and so normally it's not only the boots that are hurting you (although "f
king rental boots" is a good excuse). Don't be surprised if you feel no difference.bulldong said:
If I'm brutally honest, if you only do a week of skiing each year a) it's not worth the money and extra hassle of carrying kit around b) it's unlikely you will feel a difference between your own boots and a decent pair of rentals.
I disagree 
or maybe the times I've rented they've always been rubbish boots, or I've got bad feet If you are spending ~£1000 on a weeks holiday skiing, ( and by the time you've paid for accomodation/lessons/skis/lift pass etc you will be..), why take the chance that the rental boots you get may or may not be any good...
Sure you can take them back for a refit, after you've spent a day in pain....
But you are pretty much at the mercy of the rental shop, what they have there this season, what mood its fitter is in, ( lets face it if its 7pm in the evening and you are the 30th set he's 'fitted' on change over day, you think he really cares beyond 'can you do them up' ? Unless you are a young female of course...).
Really it depends on if you are going to keep skiing, and on your feet..
A decent set of boots will last 10+ seasons ( my first pair lasted 10 years and ~30 weeks skiing ) so long term its cheaper even at a week a year. ( you dont pay carriage on them )
A decently fitted set of beginner/intermediate boots, with footbeds should easily come in below £250..
As for carrying them around.. stick them in your suitcase, you wont even notice, no hassle whatsoever, you dont need to use a bootbag.
If you've std feet, and no issues then sure risk rental boots, they'll probably fit well enough...
But if you've got narrow/fat feet/ ankles/calves, or have problems with your instep/arches etc, then getting your own boots, and more importantly properly fitted ones with footbeds will make a big difference, at least to how comfotable you feel during and after the day.
I'd always recommend getting your boots, well ahead of a new shiny jacket / clothing / skis.
Best ~£250 you can spend in skiing I reckon
pgtips said:
I'd be tempted to wait until you are in the resort and buy there. That way, you buy on the first day and can then visit the shop each evening to get the boots 'tweaked' as you use them. May even be chepaer now with FX moving in your favour.
This - buy them locally and you can try them out and get them adjusted as you find sore points etcIf you buy in the UK, and find that actually they kill your feet when you are skiing, its going to ruin your holiday.
Depending on the time of year you go, you may be able to find ex rental boots in a sale in the local shops.
Regarding hiring vs buying, for me, once you have a good fitting pair of boots it takes the gamble out of getting a pair from a rental shop, I've had good and bad (bad typically being when you get to the shop @ 5pm on Saturday after everyone else has made their choices)
It also means you can go for a beer when you hit the resort rather than having to deal with the crushes in the rental shops...
Simon – I’d disagree with those that say rentals are fine if you are just doing a week. I found that ski boots were the single thing (apart from lessons, obviously) that helped me when I was starting out.
I have problem (very flat, narrow ankles and calves) feet though – so fit was critical to me. I would go and get a decently flexible intermediate level set and have them fitted. My first pair lasted me 10 years’ of skiing, despite being “intermediate” boots – I only replaced them this year.
I will say this though – avoid Snow & Rock. They push what they want to sell on you, and force a fit. Many of my friends who have bought from them have found after a week on the slopes that their new boots were not really suited to them. Find a good independent who stocks a number of brands, try on a number of pairs, and have them fitted. If you don’t have very weird feet, you may find a pair that are so good that all you need are custom insoles. You could of course get a more custom fit (shell moulding/stretching etc) done to these boots at a later date if you feel the need.
Ski boot technology has improved markedly over the last few years, with some intermediate level boots now having fully mouldable and customisable shells – unheard of not so long ago.
Oh - and buy in the UK. Service will be better, prices similar (or cheaper - resorts are very pricey), aftercare will be easier, and you won't wasted time on your holiday.
I use Profeet in Fulham, London – very good, but too far from you. They fitted me a pair of Dalbello freeride boots (I'd never heard of the brand before -but they've turned out to be excellent), fully customised to my mutant feet, and then refitted them for free after a week of skiing had bashed them in nicely. This is the sort of service you should be looking for – the boots will move around in your first week in them, so a free second fit/adjustment is something you want.
I have problem (very flat, narrow ankles and calves) feet though – so fit was critical to me. I would go and get a decently flexible intermediate level set and have them fitted. My first pair lasted me 10 years’ of skiing, despite being “intermediate” boots – I only replaced them this year.
I will say this though – avoid Snow & Rock. They push what they want to sell on you, and force a fit. Many of my friends who have bought from them have found after a week on the slopes that their new boots were not really suited to them. Find a good independent who stocks a number of brands, try on a number of pairs, and have them fitted. If you don’t have very weird feet, you may find a pair that are so good that all you need are custom insoles. You could of course get a more custom fit (shell moulding/stretching etc) done to these boots at a later date if you feel the need.
Ski boot technology has improved markedly over the last few years, with some intermediate level boots now having fully mouldable and customisable shells – unheard of not so long ago.
Oh - and buy in the UK. Service will be better, prices similar (or cheaper - resorts are very pricey), aftercare will be easier, and you won't wasted time on your holiday.
I use Profeet in Fulham, London – very good, but too far from you. They fitted me a pair of Dalbello freeride boots (I'd never heard of the brand before -but they've turned out to be excellent), fully customised to my mutant feet, and then refitted them for free after a week of skiing had bashed them in nicely. This is the sort of service you should be looking for – the boots will move around in your first week in them, so a free second fit/adjustment is something you want.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 25th October 09:36
Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 25th October 15:32
As a BASI instructor I would suggest that buying a good well fitted boot in the UK should be the first thing that any skier purchases, equipment wise.
Go to one of the shops already recomended, but make sure they actually measure your feet rather than working on your shoe size.
Important thing for you to consider is the stiffness of the boot, each boot shell has a stifness factor. Basically beginners boots have a very soft flexible shell which allows max comfort. Advanced / race boots are very stiff and can be uncomfortable over long periods.
Basically the better skier you become the stiffer the boot you will require, because as your skill improves you want to be able to transmit that movement and preasure to the ski rather than lose it by the boot flexing. A bit like stiffening the suspention on a car for better performance.
New boots will often be uncomfortable for a few days until they bed in, but if you have a real preasure point on the ankle or foot you can take them to a good ski shop in any resort and they will blow the shell out for you, ie heat the shell and stretch it slightly at the preasure point.
Go to one of the shops already recomended, but make sure they actually measure your feet rather than working on your shoe size.
Important thing for you to consider is the stiffness of the boot, each boot shell has a stifness factor. Basically beginners boots have a very soft flexible shell which allows max comfort. Advanced / race boots are very stiff and can be uncomfortable over long periods.
Basically the better skier you become the stiffer the boot you will require, because as your skill improves you want to be able to transmit that movement and preasure to the ski rather than lose it by the boot flexing. A bit like stiffening the suspention on a car for better performance.
New boots will often be uncomfortable for a few days until they bed in, but if you have a real preasure point on the ankle or foot you can take them to a good ski shop in any resort and they will blow the shell out for you, ie heat the shell and stretch it slightly at the preasure point.
Harry Flashman said:
avoid Snow & Rock.
I am of the same opinion. I have size 13 flippers and have always rented (I usually get new boots each time, such are the comedically flipper-like proportions of my feet) but have been amazed at he grief people have had with S&R boots...which have allegedly been expertly moulded and fitted to their feet.Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 25th October 09:36
I shall be buying at some point (poss before this year - bye-bye most of my luggage allowance) so shall look at Harry's suggestion!
If you spend any time in Wharfedale, these guys are excellent.
http://shop.backcountryuk.com/contact-us-2-w.asp
A good fitting should take a long time. I think it took two sessions of about three hours on consecutive days to get mine right and they're great. I really struggled with hire boots and having my own was a revelation.
http://shop.backcountryuk.com/contact-us-2-w.asp
A good fitting should take a long time. I think it took two sessions of about three hours on consecutive days to get mine right and they're great. I really struggled with hire boots and having my own was a revelation.
I bought a pair of Salomon X-Wave 8.0's about 8 years ago from Snow & Rock in Chertsey.
I had them fitted, with moulded inserts.
I've been skiing 7 times since and they are super comfy, no problems at all.
The only time I've felt a bit of discomfort was this year - and that was because it was -25 in Courchevel and my toes were bloody cold!
I'm glad I bought them - they've saved me money in the long term (think I paid around £300 including the inserts). That works out at £42 a week - and I'll be using them for years to come so the price will keep falling!
I had them fitted, with moulded inserts.
I've been skiing 7 times since and they are super comfy, no problems at all.
The only time I've felt a bit of discomfort was this year - and that was because it was -25 in Courchevel and my toes were bloody cold!
I'm glad I bought them - they've saved me money in the long term (think I paid around £300 including the inserts). That works out at £42 a week - and I'll be using them for years to come so the price will keep falling!
EJH said:
I am of the same opinion. I have size 13 flippers and have always rented (I usually get new boots each time, such are the comedically flipper-like proportions of my feet) but have been amazed at he grief people have had with S&R boots...which have allegedly been expertly moulded and fitted to their feet.
I shall be buying at some point (poss before this year - bye-bye most of my luggage allowance) so shall look at Harry's suggestion!
When I've flown with my boots I take them as my hand luggage. I can get other stuff in my boot bag as well so don't miss out on anything. Saves your luggage allowance!I shall be buying at some point (poss before this year - bye-bye most of my luggage allowance) so shall look at Harry's suggestion!
I've actually seen people board a plane with ski boots on......
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