need to buy new ski boots

stevepaa · 09:19 AM

Well, after more than ten years on a snowboard, I can not keep up with my kids and I need to go back to skis.

I have a thin foot, 10 A, with a high arch. The last boots I had were San Marco and fit very well. Anyone have a suggestion for new ski boots?

Jandrews · 12-31-2006, 09:17 AM

Interested to see the responses on this one. I have an odd sized foot as well...14 EEEE with an extremely high instep. I was thinking about going with a custom made boot, so we'll see what ideas come through this thread.

JA

Dottore · 12-31-2006, 09:44 AM

It's not the brand of ski boot that is relevant if you have an odd sized foot - but rather the fitting. Get boots where they form the liner to your foot.

I bought some Lange boots last season and had this done, and they are like wearing slippers. It's some sort of foam/putty compound that exactly fits your foot. Any serious boot shop should offer this service.

Jandrews · 12-31-2006, 10:17 AM

Good call, Dottore... So you're saying maybe I could continue to use my good Koflach's, but take them to a high-end shop and ask them to build me a custom-formed liner?

Thanks,

JA

Dottore · 12-31-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jandrews
Good call, Dottore... So you're saying maybe I could continue to use my good Koflach's, but take them to a high-end shop and ask them to build me a custom-formed liner?

Thanks,

JA

I'm not sure about your old Koflachs. The boots need to have a liner that can be taken out. Many new boots consist of a hard outer shell - and a seperate liner inside. It is this liner that is moulded to your foot and then inserted into the shell.

My guess is that the liner in your old Koflachs is built in and cannot be removed.

mjohnson · mjohnson's Garage

I've got an A width foot with narrower heels. Lange always worked for me before I freed the heel ("telemark" is how they say "slow hippie" in Norway).

New boots (even high perf) will be easier to get in and out of. No more hopping around in intense pain with your foot stuck half in and half out.

+1 on the custom footbeds. Prepare for the sticker shock but it is _so_ worth it. If they're good, you'll have them for a decade or more.

mike
'78SC

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

I'd say worry less about brand, but go with whatever your boot fitter suggests / your budget allows. Some boots fit some feet better (you sound like a Solomon foot). You can either get a fully custom liner and/or get a professional boot fitter to "punch" the shell (stretch the hard plastic in certain places), so that it fits your foot better. Heres a good place to start, but it is by no means an exhaustive list of good boot fitters (I got mine done by an outfit that is not associatd with this group).

http://www.bootfitters.com/

Most good boot-fitters will make free adjustments to your boot after you purchase from them, which is fairly important IMO.

stevepaa · 12-31-2006, 12:44 PM

Thanks. I still remember the problems I had getting a boot to fit 15 years ago. I'll go look at getting my foot fitted.

sluk · 12-31-2006, 01:39 PM

Go to a ski shop that offers boot fitting. They will be knowledgeable about the current products that will best fit your feet and can tweek and mold the boot/liners for best comfort/performance. Well worth the time and cost.

Dave Nordhoff · 12-31-2006, 01:49 PM

When you find the best fitting boots for your feet try to stand and walk around for an hour or so. Then you will know if they are the ones. The last solomans I bought I must have spent 3 or 4 hours trying different boots. Some would feel great for 10 or 15 minutes and then the pains would start. Take your time and good luck.
P.S Welcome back from the dark side.
Dave