Ski Boots

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Permalink Reply by Nelson Wingard on December 21, 2008 at 5:48pm

Both are excellent choices. The key is to get the one that fits the closest. Your right that boots are core to performance. The best advice I can give you is to buy from a service based shop. Look for a place that guarantees' the fit. Also, be sure that you get a custom foot bed. They should run you about $150 and they are worth it. The foot bed will increase fit as well as performance. If you ski mostly here in Steamboat, I'd wait and buy them out here. That way you can be sure the fit is right day in day out.

Nelson

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Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on December 22, 2008 at 6:38am

One other tip. Different makers use different type lasts for their boots. For example, Lange favors narrow feet while Salomon favors a wide fore foot with a narrow heel. If a brand fits your foot, get that one. Frankly, IMHO, just about all makers have similar quality boots in the various performance levels so as Nelson says, get the one that fits you best and add the custom foot bed for the best experience.

Getting them when you are in Steamboat is also excellent advice. Takes a little time but if you have some problems, you can get it fixed right away.

Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Mesa on December 22, 2008 at 9:22am

Let's make it 3 agreements in a row. Both boots are great and far superior to rental boots. Get the one that fits the best. Boots don't have to be overly stiff these days due to the ease of turn initiation with shaped skis. I also highly recommend going to a good boot-fitter and getting a custom foot-bed. In my experience, if you have totally flat feet, avoid the SureFoot custom foot bed and get the heat-moldable one from OneStop, Christy's or other good fitters.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Goldkind(TeachToSki) on December 22, 2008 at 10:43am

Kurt,
I am on a new pair of the Superchargers and love them. I had the Fisher Aggressors last year and hated em. One thing to be aware of is that boot liners will pack out after several days of skiing, lending way to the truth about the fit. Narrow boots can be stretched as my Nordicas were but wider boots can't so a tighter fit at the outset is desirable and it is normal to go back for custom work after skiing and, as Nelson said, it is smart to by them where you will be skiing for a few days.
My favorite shops are Ski Kare downtown(they do not handle Nordica but do have Tecnica)and Sport Stalker in Gondola Square(they do have Nordica). As Nelson stated, custom foot beds are a must have and will anchor your stance efficiently in the boots.

Hope this ads to the other responses.

P.S. Foam filled liners are expensive and change the boot dynamics to a stiff non flexable performance better for racers, they also are colder than factory liners. I have had them and won't do that again.

Good luck,

Barry Goldkind
Ski Instructor

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Permalink Reply by jg atl on December 22, 2008 at 10:09am

Agree with the rest of the posts. To get the best results, you should plan on spending at least 2 hours to get the best boot for you. When I am shopping boots, I'll try one boot on one foot and another on the other foot. I'll eliminate the least comfortable one and try another boot on that foot. I will typically try 3-6 different boots to find the one I like best. Then I'll put both preferred boots on and wear them in the shop for 30 minutes standing, sitting, leaning just to make sure that they feel good. I may also try on both boots of my second choice to be sure.

Bottom line - give yourself plenty of time. And if none of them feel good, don't be afraid to leave the shop and go to another one that carries different brands. I've done this more than once.

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Permalink Reply by John W on December 28, 2008 at 2:32pm

As was stated above, boots brands fit different types of feet. A good bootfitter will measure and examine your feet, then suggest the brands that will best fit your feet. The boot you like on the shelf may be the worst boot for your feet.
I would add one more thing, that is to have your velcro top strap replaced with a Booster Strap. This strap has elastic bands in it and it actually holds your shin snug to the boot top unlike the velcro straps. It is the least expensive and best performing mod you can give your boots. They work for all types of skiers and I believe most shops sell and install them.

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on December 22, 2008 at 5:44pm

DEFINITELY buy some boots - makes a WHOLE lot of difference compared with rental boots! You will never look back ;-)

The key is not what boot you buy, but finding a fantastic boot fitter. I used Steamboat Ski and Bike Kare and they were very good. One Stop Ski Shop gets great reviews. Some people also like Sports Stalker or Surefoot. You don't choose your ski boot, the ski boot chooses you (as the saying goes!).

Find a good boot fitter - they will do the rest :-)

Boo

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Permalink Reply by trudeska on December 28, 2008 at 11:40am

Say you do decide to buy new boots while on a one week trip in Steamboat. When is the best time to do this? Do you ski for a day or two on your old boots? Do you buy in the evening after a day of skiing? First thing in the morning?

My body is so out of whack upon arrival after spending all day in planes and airports, add to that the swelling/hydration/dehydration rollercoaster of altitude + sports exertion, and I can't believe that anything that fits the first few days would still fit later on especially. There are some days my boots feel too big and some days I can barely get them on.

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