i went skiing for the first time this year and loved it, im going again early next year and want to get some boots.

They are going to be used 1 week a year for the coming years and i have no idea how much i should spend and what to look for.

i suppose i want shimano XT/LX ski boots …..

any help would be great.

cheers

Nick s

Personal preference but i'd go Solomon.

Good boots make a massive difference. However, defining good boots is hard. You need boots that fit well, and which suit your ability and style, and since you're new to the sport, will allow you to progress. You can just wander into Decathon and buy a pair, and it might be that they will work well for you – if you are serious about getting good boots however, you should consider visiting a specialist. Note that a specialist does not mean a stockist – ski boots are not the same as shoes, so just because someone sells boots doesn;t mean they are good fitters, I've heard some horror stories of people ending up with useless boots that cost a fortune.

Colin @ solutions4feet is widely regarded as one of the best bootfitters in the country – is that close to you? If not then check out the forum @ snowheads.com, boot fitting is a question that pops up regularly. I got my boots from Franck @ Nevada Sports in Tignes.

*awaits someone popping up to say they bought Decathlon boots and were skiing black runs before the end of their first day skiing*

ah, you see, eistrar got in there first. Manufacturers have differentlast shapes, so just like your head tends to fit helmets from a certain manufacturer, boots from different manufacturers fit different shaped feet. I had Salomon boots for years, when I saw Franck he told me I should not have had them as they were the wrong shape for my feet. I ended up with Head boots.

The best advice I can give it what I learned from experience with snowboard boots. Best to get them in resort, this is where the real specialists will be. I got caught out first time as i bought mine from Showcase in Whistler, which while it looks the part, isn't actually staffed by people who know.

The trick I learned the second time was to make sure you're served by a local, not someone working a season. I found the manager of Condor (I think it was) was amazing. get them to fit you up and also get them to explain the science and the theory behind what they're doing. Also, they're not just trying to make a bit more money when they suggest using superfeet insoles. they really do make the world of difference and it really helps when they fit the right size, which in my case, involved trimming the edges down and then they also ground off some of the toe edge to give the room back in the toe box.

As for how much to spend, that's a hard call but remember that the wrong boots will mean all the money you spent on the holiday is wasted.

A very wise choice. Arfff.

All the boots have slightly different shapes and the shape of your own tootsies will determine the best boot for you. You need to go to a shop where they know what they're talking about, get your feet measured there, and listen to their recommendations.

Don't be sold a beginner boot because you will quickly outgrow their capability and then need to buy another pair. Nor do you want a race boot which will clamp you into a position you will find v uncomfortable.

Other than that, the gadgets/refinements of particular brands are pretty inconsequential for the amount you plan to do. It's more about fit to your foot shape and comfort.

Conformable inserts are great if you can run to the price.

Ski boots are very large very inflexible lumps of plastic that go on your feet. If they don't fit right they will cause you a world of hurt. OK taking that one step further everyone's feet are different shapes e.g. narrower heels, wider forefoots, etc. Most different manufactures will have different lasts (shapes) they make their boots too. So what's good for one person will not necessarily be good for you. With that in mind you should ignore all recommendations for specific models that read online & get yourself to a good boot fitter (very different to just a shop selling boots) who will measure you up & then start recommending boots that should suit the shape of your feet. I know it's easier said than done but price should be almost irrelevant as they're something that should last at least 10+ years if you're only using them for a couple of weeks a year. They'll also make a massive difference in both your skiing & your enjoyment of your skiing.

thanks for all the advice – can any one recommend a good boot fitter in London or is that asking a bit much ? i thought about buying at the resort but worried about the exchange rate .

i was thinking circa £200 -£250 but understand from the bike world you get what you pay for.

somebody mentioned heat fitted / custom foot beds but im guessing i would be hard pushed to get such a thing for the money im thinking of spending.

thanks again

Nicks

What nbt said. Ignore brand, visit a bootfitter. Got a fitting session booked at Solutions4Feet myself next week.

It may be worth trying a couple of different brands aimed at the same level just to feel the difference. For me, Rossi were agony just stepping in, Lange were too stiff, and Salomon felt right, but after a few weeks the Salomon's were agony, and the poor design really showing up. All 3 were the "correct" size.

Nicks you are on the right track going with a boot fitter. There will be very little difference in the performance of a set of 08/09 boots with this season's stuff, so try and get some of last season's stock and spend the difference on the insoles. The other thing to consider is that if you go to a boot fitter in London you will have to pay for any adjustments when you are out in the Alps, wheras a local shop will make any small changes you might need once you have used them.

I can actully feel my knees straightening out after a couple of days in the Superfeet ski boots. I really need to get some for my other shoes!

£250 is lower end of the range to be honest, but you never know. I am pleased that 3 people all seem to have given similar advice though!

Profeet in Kensington seem to be the name that crops up for London on snowheads

1.Get your feet measured correctly
2. A good ski boot fitter should be able to assist.Visit during the week as they will be more inclinded to spend longer on you.
3.you will also need custom foot bases formed to the soles of your feet, expect to pay about 35 to 40 quid for this service on top of your boots.
4. You can get some good boots for around £100 to £150 quid.
5. Dont get drawn in by the flash looking boot, fit is more important you will be in them all day.
6. Dont buy in resort during the season as the shop staff dont usually have enough time to dedicate to you and are usually seasonal workers. Also as they wont see you again after your trip you cant get niggles sorted out and do you want to waste time on holiday in a ski shop when you should be sorted before you go?.
Hope this helps. 😆

frank4short – didnt you used to pop up on ukclimbing anytime anyone asked about skiing?

as above – good boot fitter needed, if you dont spend at least 1.5 hours ish in the shop getting everything sorted then something is wrong. probably only one make of boots will fit your feet so if you are trying on hundreds just in case then someone doesnt know what they are talking about. thin socks. get a solid mid range boot and it will do you for years. superfeet or conformables footbeds are really good but prob not essential.

anything technical in kendal are good, they train a lot of people (me included) in ski teching.

i wouldnt buy in resort, seasonal staff, possible language barrier, not enough time.

I'd hire in resort for at least this year & try to have a go in several brands/types (costs you an extra week's rental but in the end that might be well spent)

If you get pretty good (even on 1 week a year) you'll want boots that may well differ from what might suit you best when starting your 2nd week

theres no point in hiring resort boots to try and work out what brand fit you. they will be shonky and all the foam will have been squashed out by other peoples feet.

well, he says he's going early next season so prob not so bad and I'm not suggesting it's to see what fits – within the bounds of common sense & basic foot shape, a decent fitter can make a boot fit.

An idea of what you find convenient / awkward / too hot / cold etc (even too stiff/soft) is well worth it when you've only ever worn 1 pair in your skiing career – IMO

sorry i misread then. i suppose at the end of the day the problem is that no matter how good the boot fitter is if you dont know what is good and can communicate that to them then they will have a hard time. i know my heart used to sink when a customer came in and went 'right i want ski boots, i know they are supposed to hurt, these will do'

Nicks, go to Surbiton, find Cyclopedia (266 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7AG), across the traffic light is the shop I buy skiing stuff from but whose name escapes me now. They were recommended to me by several British skiers that I met in Czech Republic when I was trying to re-learn skiing.

|got my Salomon's 2 years ago and got the from my local bootfitter in the sale (always summertime 😉 ). Salomons are a narrow fit often and Langes wern't favord, Atomics seemed a wider fit. Try them on and get some heat molded insteps 🙂

As per NBT and other's advice. It's definitely worth getting a proper fitting and it's worth using snowheads.com to find out where the best boot-fitter near you is.

As it happens Mrs Higs can walk into Decathlon and pick boots that will give a good fit and be comfy all day for years. I'm at completely the other end of the scale and always use footbeds and have had all manner of stuff done to boots in the past – remoulded, clips moved, material ground out of the base etc etc.

There is no pain on earth like poorly fitting ski boots and it can ruin a good holiday.

FWIW I use Heads or Salomons, depending on where I am (Heads are kept here, Salomons at my mate's). And Blizzards!
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… and no skiing this Winter as no money, no time, serious changes in life…..

Hairychested – I think you mean Europa Ski Lodge in Surbiton. I got my boots there, excellent service.

That's the one!

Beware the whole insole thing. Don't waste your money on cut to fit insoles e.g. green Superfeet. Snake oil.

Go for a heat moulded one- Conformable as suggested above.

second comformable

i used to sell superfeet and they are crap … point blank

comformable actually support your feet correctly and are moulded for specific support tailored for you

when you buy boots you must get this done as part of the fitting as they are really a semi blank canvass that combined with heat moulding the liners and the custom insole makes the perfect ™ fit 😉

few tips for your ski visit to a good bootfitter

avoid saturdays …best go a midweek afternoon
feet will be normal activity swolen size
have your own socks
….a good wool sock like smartwool ski light is a winner for me

keep the boots on for at least 30mins to get some heat in them

go with no pre conceptions about brand / colour , the footshape will guide the boot/brand for you

fwiw – full tilt boots based on the old raichle fexion comps do it for me

i ski telemark in scarpa t1's too ..thermod inners and comformables
great insoles ..nuff said

Slight hijack, dab what sort of bike/running insoles would you recommend?

Agree with Dab – well most of what he said as I don't telemark!

Walk in to the shop with NO PREFERENCES over which brand you want – every foot is unique, and different boots are different boots are different shapes. The best boot is one that is comfortable!

Go to a reputable shop with well trained fitters.

Go during the week, when the shop is quiet and you can have all of the fitters attention.

Remember that your feet are slightly bigger at the end of the day.

I used to be a bootfitter and worked with conformable, i am also a ski instructor instructor(retired)

As said almost everywhere above find a reputable bootfitter and let them tell you what fits your foot. The last is the important but, the liner just makes the boot more comfortable. Flex is the next issue as it will impact the way you ski and how much you enjoy your skiing.
Footbeds can be a minefield. As your foot is static in a skiboot the method of moulding etc is totally different to an active footbed (running etc). I always favoured cork beds however the normal comformable (used to be the yellow ones – plastic base) moulded on the sand bags are good IF and only IF the person doing it knows how to get your foot neutral and then posts it properly afterwards.

6. Dont buy in resort during the season as the shop staff dont usually have enough time to dedicate to you and are usually seasonal workers. Also as they wont see you again after your trip you cant get niggles sorted out and do you want to waste time on holiday in a ski shop when you should be sorted before you go?.

I'd disagree with this, a good shop with good bootfitters can easily fit you with something that will last a long time. I would say that in my 4 seasons doing it I must have replaced hundreds of pairs of boots that were 'fitted' in 'normal' shops. Almost all were either totally the wrong shape and/or far too big. I have a nice pair of Nordica GPR's that I got from a girl who was 5'3" and a size 5 shoe. I am 5'11" and a UK8 and they are the right size and shape for me ! These came from a reputable and well known shop.
Anyhoo, its like lots of things in life, if you feel uncomfortable with the service or advice walk away.

You do not NEED any form of custom liner… i have friends who have them and it made the boots bad and I have friends who have them and they made a massive difference. I have flat feet and the fitter refused to my feet, told me i need to go to a podiatrist. anyway, for the past 2-3 years i have been skiing in Salomon Falcon Guns, with the regular foot bed and no customisation and not a prob.

So there is a differnce in price range too. I had Salomon really basic boots when i started again, they were high volume and got a lot of shin bang. then Rossignol race boots, super comfy but was jumping too much so now have the Salomons… as they are narrow. tried on Rossis and all sorts.

Ultimately you have to tell the impatient bootfitter what works and what doesnt. and walk away if its no goood….

Invest in boots. Rentals can ruin a week away. packed out foam, rubbish feeling, cold wet and sweaty.

Give it up now and get a snowboard…

I have flat feet and the fitter refused to my feet

I have very unflat feet and when I was after a pair of new boots a few years ago, two of the four shops I went into refused to fit me pretty much as soon as I took my shoes off!

As with ALL boots for whatever purpose the fit is THE most important thing. I paid a shed load ($800 ish) for my ski boots in Vail last year, however it involved getting s orthotic inserts and custom liners. What I ended up with is pair of ski boots that are more comfortable than my snowboard boots. The fitting took over an hour to complete and it was the best thing that I did. If you are spending serious amounts on a holiday, and lets face it ski/board holidays are expensive, then spend money on your boots. That way you'll be able to enjoy your time on the snow.

Edit I should point out that I'm not saying that you must go down the custom route, just that the fit of the boots is the most important thing.