Buying Ski Boots?

Big Nelly

Hey Guys

Back from my 3rd Ski trip and got the hang of it again. Was in Andorra a few years back and it was crap and so was I so lost faith in myself. Anyway group of us went this year and was great. We are already planning for next year so maybe a late ski this year.

The big issue I seem to have most of the time is the boot. In Bulgaria and Andorra and boots where terrible. Too big and I think this was part of the problem. The boots where better in Soll but towards end of day my legs would be dead and it felt like my feet where crushed into them. One of guys had bought his own boots and got them cut to his feet size. I was wondering if you purchase second hand boot off adverts could you still get this done? moulded to your feet? or are you better off buying new and getting moulded?

Also if you are a UK10 normal shoe size should you get a size up in ski boots? I have heard 20 different versions of what size you should wear!! thanks

Redmond101

Buy new boots, it's a long term investment, you'll get 3 sessions out of them at least! Especially if your going to take it more seriously and want to progress! I personall went and got professionally fitted and tried 10+ different types of boots! When I settled on a pair ordered them off the Internet at a discount to retailers such as snow and rock etc

Big Nelly

What is price range of average boot? from what to what?

Best places to get around Dublin area?

p

I would suggest buying boots where you go next year. Buying boots in Dublin is expensive and done by inexperienced people. If you buy boots in a ski resort, then they'll know what they're doing.

I'd suggest getting boots that are moulded to your feet. They heat them up, and then you stand in them for 15 minutes, and the shape adapts to the shape of your feet.

Boots will start at 200 and go up.

Redmond101

Anywhere from at least 250 up, would get you a good boot, as said above ensure that you have an experienced person fit the boot! Heat moulded are always the best for a custome fit, I opted for this option aswell!

Also ensure you know what type of boot you want to suit your skiing type it free ride, speed, park etc

Big Nelly

How do they mould the boots? if you buy just normal unmoulded boot can they do them after purchase?

Was looking at Roxa Cruise Ski Boots

am i bovvered

There s a sticky ...look up !!

Fattes

Big Nelly;

1) Check the sticky loads of info in there at the top.

2) Boots are almost the same price in Dublin as they are in Ski resorts

3) Pascal, Dan and Dion are all excellent boot fitters.

4) Pascal is the best of them

5) MCSki in Belfast are pretty good swell.

Drop me a PM if you have any questions.

I would suggest buying boots where you go next year. Buying boots in Dublin is expensive and done by inexperienced people. If you buy boots in a ski resort, then they'll know what they're doing.

I'd suggest getting boots that are moulded to your feet. They heat them up, and then you stand in them for 15 minutes, and the shape adapts to the shape of your feet.

Where do I start with this!!! Ski resorts charge a huge premium on all products they sell and most stuff is more expensive in resort.

Only two companies mould boots to your feet. All boots except for the ones with fluffly lining have LINERS that can be moulded to your feet and this means bugger all compared to the importance of good footbeds!

Big Nelly

Thanks guy

Never seen the sticky

In regards to buying on a resort....are you mad??? even on a hat or a pair of gloves in a shop at resort they are massively overpriced because if you forget something there is nowhere else to go to buy!!

p

Big Nelly wrote: »

In regards to buying on a resort....are you mad??? even on a hat or a pair of gloves in a shop at resort they are massively overpriced because if you forget something there is nowhere else to go to buy!!

I mean, there's a big difference between an emergency pair of gloves and a set of boots.

Could be wrong, but have seen skis and boots that were 30% more in Dublin compared to Austria, but maybe I was just in smaller places where they don't rip you off as much *shrug*

Big Nelly

p wrote: »

I mean, there's a big difference between an emergency pair of gloves and a set of boots.

Could be wrong, but have seen skis and boots that were 30% more in Dublin compared to Austria, but maybe I was just in smaller places where they don't rip you off as much *shrug*

Just back from Austria and was with a gang of people, some of them had there own Ski boots and said the prices where mad compared to what they paid in Dublin.

Fattes

Could be wrong, but have seen skis and boots that were 30% more in Dublin compared to Austria,

For the last 3 years prices have been cheaper in UK & Ireland due to the exchange rate and the way boot manufacturers are charging.

The only time resorts are cheaper is at the end of the season as they try to clear stock!

53 Degrees North is the worst place on the planet to have boots fitted!

Redmond101

Try this place can vouche for them, myself and 3 friends have ordered from them http://www.snowinn.com/

But only good if you know exactly what your ordering, size model etc etc

k123456

Sometimes they are cheaper abroad

Andorra and Livingo, and some Italian resorts, spring to mind


However you don't want to waste skiing time getting boots fitted

UNLESS

you arrive early afternoon, and your skiing starts next day

Fattes

NEVER EVER EVER BUY SKI BOOTS OVER THE WEB NOT MATTER WHAT THIS.

STOPG GIVING **** ADVICE THAT WILL NOT HELP PEOPLE!

Snowbride 2011

Bought first set of boots in the Italian sales about 6 years ago...rubbish! There wasn't much choice in Ireland at the time but after a recent trip to snow & rock I realised how much they didn't do in my "fitting" in Italy.

My new boots were got in snow & rock a few months ago - highly recommend. Pascal was great
Saw my same new boots on trips to Italy & Austria this year and both were at least €50 more expensive in the resorts

bovril

Snowbride 2011 wrote: »

My new boots were got in snow & rock a few months ago - highly recommend. Pascal was great

Same here. Got mine last year in their sale. I got lucky at the time I wanted to buy that the sale was on. The fit was very thorough. You can also take them up to Kilternan etc and get them tweaked in the shop afterwards if there are issues.

robinph

Fattes wrote: »

NEVER EVER EVER BUY SKI BOOTS OVER THE WEB NOT MATTER WHAT THIS.

STOPG GIVING **** ADVICE THAT WILL NOT HELP PEOPLE!

In this case I think the shouting is justified.

Got my first set of boots in Andorra when I knew nothing, but they at least made us come back first thing the next day to get fitted as he said our feet would have expanded after a days skiing that we had already done. They lasted me a few years, no idea how much of a bargain they were, although it was the end of season.

Redmond101

Fattes wrote: »

NEVER EVER EVER BUY SKI BOOTS OVER THE WEB NOT MATTER WHAT THIS.

STOPG GIVING **** ADVICE THAT WILL NOT HELP PEOPLE!

**** OFF

Why can't somebody buy boots online, if the research is done and boots professionally fitted in store and your confident in what your ordering!

Your just a proper Bellend

Fattes

Your just a proper Bellend

You may be right but i am also a qualified boot fitter, employed by one of the largest manufactures of ski equipment in the world and a qualified and active ski instructor!

Buying boots on line the description may not always be what you get.

Models have variations from year to year in sizing last and flex.

You could end up with boots that may have been planed all ready (This has happened someone I know)

There are so many factors that effect boot selection that unless you have a qualified boot fitter help you, it will not be done right!

It is the most important rule of buying boots NEVER EVER DO IT ON LINE.

micko123

I bought a pair of Nordica boots 5 years ago in France at an end of season sale. Despite having them for so long I feel that my ankle tends to have a little too much rotation at times.

I spoke to one of the guys in the great outdoors, seemed knowledgeable, and he advised to overhaul the boot with new insoles and inserts to the tune of €250 as opposed to purchasing a new pair of boots.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Thanks.

Fattes

Micko123,

Couple of options here

1 New liners & insoles I would recommend zip fit liners if you can get them

2 depending on the type of boot you have or are looking for you could pick up a pair for 300 in the sales

Manufactures say that the plastic in boots starts to deteriorate after 5 years with the amount of 1980's rear entry boots on show in the alps this is obviously tosh. :D

Option 2 it would be for me shiny and new

micko123

Thanks Fattes, I was thinking that a new pair would be the best option alright but you've helped me make my mind up.

Are snow & rock the best in town?

Fattes

Yeah I would use either Pascal or Dan either or. Pascal will be back in late next week!!!

Normally around April they will start to discount the boots.

Let me know if you need anything at all

Rew

Great outdoors have Solomon boots on sale for 99 and 150 ATM down from 350, didnt get specfic models (ill be cack in for a look in the morn) what are they life for fitting in there?

Fattes

Most Linley RS & Charm boots for 90 and impact 8 for 150

Rew

Fattes wrote: »

Most Linley RS & Charm boots for 90 and impact 8 for 150

Ill check tomorrow any opinions for an almost intermediate skier, plan to try go once a year, not into apres ski in a big way so I ski a lot while im there?

Northern Monkey

Rew wrote: »

Ill check tomorrow any opinions for an almost intermediate skier, plan to try go once a year, not into apres ski in a big way so I ski a lot while im there?

From looking at your videos on you tube I would say I'm of a similar standard to yourself (primarily a red and blue slope skier). I have Impact 8's and find them a good boot for me.

Rew

Sizing worries me a bit though, Fattes makes a irrefutable argument for getting it done right

Rew

There were Impact 8's and Mission RF CS's. Nothing left in my size either way and im not ready to drop 250-350+ yet.