Boot Fitting Service

testicle

I see that the Great Outdoors provide a boot fitting service, like this one:

http://www.alpinecentre.co.uk/sidas.html

Has anyone ever used it, is it any good?

Will they do it on new boots that I've just bought only, or will my 6 month old boots (that I didn't buy there) do?

If B, can I jsut walk in off the street and get it done?

Thanks!

Evil Phil

My hiking boots have been fitted twice in their lifetime in GO and I can recommend the service. It doesn't matter if you're boots aren't brand spanking new or where you bought them. Service is excellent, not expensive and vital for your comfort tbh.

Prenderb

What exactly is involved? Is it fitting of insoles or something similar? I ask because I've a perfectly good pair of boots that I bought a little too big for me years ago, and I'm fed up wearing 2 socks all the time....(well, 2 on each foot you know that I mean!) so if they could install some padding that'd help!

Roen

Last time I was there getting a pair of Meindl trail shoes the guy showed me a way to tie the laces so the shoe was nice and free around the toe but well tight around the ankle. I was well impressed.
I showed all the lads down the pub, much to their amusement.

but I have seen one or two boot fittings going on in the shop and they seemed very thorough, and the guys very knowledgeable.

Evil Phil

Prenderb wrote:

What exactly is involved? Is it fitting of insoles or something similar? I ask because I've a perfectly good pair of boots that I bought a little too big for me years ago, and I'm fed up wearing 2 socks all the time....(well, 2 on each foot you know that I mean!) so if they could install some padding that'd help!

Yeah they'll might a combination of insoles into them, as Roen said they may show you a new way to tie the laces, and other stuff*.



*Possibly Free Masonary¹


¹Actually just stuff about socks

Prenderb

Thanks, Evil Phil. I must drop up with de boots (cos there's not much wrong with them other than size) and see if they can improve them slightly. Does it cost much, or am I right to presume that's a function of the required insoles etc?

Evil Phil

It doesn't cost that much, I'd think €30 rather than €70. Although having comfortable boots is worth every penny spent I reckon. The service itself is free, they make their money of the purchases required.

Prenderb

Sounds fair enough, just kinda wondering if it's almost as much as new boots might cost. Maybe a plan for Saturday, then test them on Sunday!

I definitely agree about spending money on boots/feet, it's so important to be comfortable when walking.

testicle

Prenderb wrote:

just kinda wondering if it's almost as much as new boots might cost.

That all depends on how good your boots are!

Prenderb

Naturally, that's for sure...
But these boots are in reasonably good condition at the moment, and while I'd love an excuse to go and get new ones, new boots seem really expensive( like anything from 160 euros up - shock horror dismay) !! So if I got another couple of seasons out of these for a measly turty euro or so I'd be laughing!

eoghan.geraghty

I got confortables fitted in GO with my snowboard boots, they were 2nd hand so I wanted them to fit my feet properly. They're a much better fit than before.
Friends have got superfeet fitted to their hiking boots, from meindl to salomon, also GO, and swear by them.
I never felt the need for insoles in my meindls til the blackstairs walk last week, maybe it was just cos it was my first challenge walk in over a year, but I'm definitely considering them.