UKH

Finally had enough of renting ski boots and decided while I am out in Colorado I will buy myself a pair. Looking to get some boots for the resort, and when I get more opportunity for touring get some specific boots. Booked an appointment at Larrys Bootfitters in Boulder as they come recommended.

Anybody have any do's and don'ts when getting ski boots fitted. I've been skiing 5 years and would class myself as an intermediate, but happy to try anything, usually chasing my Canadian-skied before she could walk- girlfriend. So improving evertime I ski!

Any advice much appreciated.

In reply to sharpie530:

As an ex boot fitter, don't read too much about it online, I'm probably going to get some grief for that!

Go with an open mind, trust them and try what they offer you.

In reply to sharpie530:

Larry's is great. He will probably recommend boots that seem ridiculously small, but trust him, it works.

In reply to sharpie530:
If the bootfitter is properly good, trust his judgement and what's comfortable in the shop will likely pack out with use. So boots that feel tight in the shop aren't necessarily going to be the wrong boots just because they feel sore at first. Mostly though just pick a really good boot fitter and trust their judgement.

In reply to sharpie530:
As a general rule, boot fitting start by fitting the shell. Ie. the boot without the inner. And the second rule is, that if the unbaked boot feels nice and good on yer feet, they're too big. So trust the bootfitter.

However, if you're thinkin' of also doing touring? Are you plannin' on doing suffer slogfests (~2000+ m fest for a turn or two) or more like touring for turns (so ~1000 - 2000m vert gain for per day for a nice run or two)? If the latter, you could just get these new Freeride-touring boots. Basically they're proper downhilll boots with a walkmode and good sole. Most of them work in normal alpine bindings and also in touring binders, even tech binders.

In reply to sharpie530:

And also get the custom footbeds, whatever they offer. They make a massive difference to the fit, your comfort and the boot fitters ability to solve any problems.

In reply to sharpie530:

Agree with all the above, moving from hired / 2nd hand boots, to properly fitted new boots was like a revelation, in terms of both comfort and helping my skiing.

The only thing to add, is clear half a day, don't think you can squeeze the fitting into an hour or less. (you may already know this)

In reply to HeMa:

The free ride boots had crossed my mind and I did look at them. The touring I would be looking at would be day tours and hut to hit tours where the downs aren't the only aim of the trip, so my rational was to get some lighter ski touring boots and skis to make that more enjoyable.

At the moment I have found the touring boots I have rented to be a bit easier on my feet.

In reply to sharpie530:


Good...


Yah, they might not be the best option for mellower hut to hut or day tours. For normal day tours, they'll be fine though.


Which kind of goes to the point. If you foresee doing any touring or hiking, from the lifts... well, "normal" downhill boots ain't that great. In fact, even though majority of my skiing is at least partly lift assisted, I would not get "normal" boots but would only get those freeride boots. much comfier on ze feet...

In reply to HeMa:

Cheers for he advice. I will bear it in mind when I see what options they have at the shop. I did enjoy a days resort skiing wearing a pair of touring boots, as the few walking bits were a joy!

In reply to sharpie530:

A well fitted pair of boots is a great investment that will repay themselves over many years. To keep your future options open I would recommend free ride boots with interchangeable soles for alpine and touring bindings, with pin holes should you wish to go dynafit at some time in the future. Invest in a pair of top quality ski socks for the fitting

In reply to sharpie530:
One thing to keep in mind is boot style. Pretty much until about 5 years ago there were really only 2 styles, overlap and tongue.

Overlap are your standard downhill 4 buckle while tongue boots were those made by Full Tilt, based on the old Raichle flexon moulds.

Ignoring performance, tongue boots are easier to get in and out of, plus have a more natural flex so that is worth bearing in mind. Now there are few different hybrid options eg Scarpa Maestrale and some of the dynafit range. They might have a tongue that folds out a la FT, but have an overlap that holds it in place, and perhaps even a removable tongue for down/up performance.

Over the years I have owned:
- Garmont Radium a traditional overlap boot tweaked for touring
- Full Tilt classic
- Dalbello Sherpa

They were all professionally fitted but I had no end of problems with the garmonts, especially around the 5th metstarsal. Had better luck with the FT's but of course not great touring ability. Now found boot nirvana with the sherpas, a more modern interpretation of the FT syle boot.

Don't go into it with particular brands in mind but it's good to know how boot design has evolved.

In reply to kevin stephens:

Yep, just bought a pair of Dynafit Zzeus freeride boots with interchangeable soles and love them.

HTH, JW

In reply to sharpie530:

Your feet are slightly larger in the afternoon that first thing in the morning. My wife (somewhat of a shoe buying specialist) only ever tries on footwear in the afternoon.

In reply to sharpie530:

Well I went yesterday, tried a few options that were recommended and the Dalbello Lupo 110s seemed best suited. I got kitted out with a pair of custom insoles and got the intuition liners molded. However when it came to strapping on the boots, the right foot felt snug, but nothing painful. Unfortunately in my left foot I got nervous twinge just above my 2nd toe. The bootfitter tried making some adjustments, but after that even without the boot loose, I still got the twinge. They suggested that my foot probably needed a rest and suggested I would need to go back. No pressure to pay for the boots or take them away, just suggested I give them a ring and sort a time that suits.

I am pretty confident that they will get me sorted next week, and get the impression that if that boot just won't work they will look at other options. Great atmosphere and group of guys in the shop too.

I think my main concern now is keeping my fingers crossed that there is snow before the 17th November, when I leave the states!