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How do I know when the boot fits???
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Now, with a completely moronic title like that, I expect the replies to pour in.
I have decided to get a proper boot fitting after skiing in boots that never really fit me. My question is this: What should I expect the new boots to feel like?
Yes I will be fitted (hopefully well), but I want to know what to expect. Should the boot feel perfectly broken in the first time I put my foot in? Will I know the boot is the "one" within seconds? Will I need to compensate in my mind for how much it will pack out? How much is acceptable play between perfect fit, and what it will be with a few days on the slope?
I knew the moment I put on the last pair of shoes I bought, that I *had* to have them. Should the boot be like that?
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nah man. that link isn't what he's talking about
I know what you mean. I bought boots at the start of the season and didn't realize they didn't fit til 2 or 3 days in
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you can get a pretty good idea by wearing it around the store for about 20-30 minutes, flex it, clamp it down as tight as you would if you were skiing. If you notice an pressure points, loss of feeling in your foot/toes tell the fitter. He can either find you a new boot, or modify the boot so if accomodates your foot.
Remember if it feels a little tight in the store its going to pack out. Don't be afraid to get a small boot. for example, i wear 10.5-11 size mens shoe and am wearing a 26.5(8.5) salomon boot.
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Just go to a respectable shop and get an experienced guy to fit you. Don't trust anything you read on this site, especially about boots. Have some faith in a professional fitter.
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well, the shop i work at, we wont even let a customer try a boot on without superfeet, cause they pull your heel into the back of the boot, and provide a ton of support, not like the shitty insoles that come in a boot. but make sure your heel doesnt come out (riding switch), sometimes its hard to find a boot that doesnt do that, but then you can have some L pads put in to hold your ankle in place. hope that helped, somewhat.
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To reiterate:
I knew the moment I put on the last pair of shoes I bought, that I *had* to have them. Should the boot be like that?
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It should be whatever the trusted fitter puts you in.
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NO..they aren't going to feel like you are wearing a cloud.
When you first get boots they should be fairly tight all over, but not to the point of 'pressure' - think of a firm handshake.
Nomensteven is spot on with how the length of the boot should feel
Walking in a boot is useless, as your foot when skiing will be stationary. Walking around in one will put pressure in spots which don't normally get pressure under skiing conditions.
The boot should feel most comfortable when you flex forward in it - this is the position your foot will be in when you are actually on a pair of skis. If you flex forward in the boot, your toes come off the end, there is still a firm hold all over the boot (The toebox area doesn't need to be TOO tight, it's good to be able to wiggle your toes) Your heel has a good hold in the heelcup (It doesn't need to be cemented in place, but any movement more than 1cm is inadvisable)
Even trying to pack out a liner at home by wearing the boots is almost a waste of time - the pressure you exert on your boots when skiing can't be replicated in your living room
Expect 3-4 days of hard skiing before your boots have got to their prime, after that the liner will have adopted to the shape of your foot and the boot will feel much more comfortable - expect the liner will pack out around 3mm or so, which is why you need to fit the boot as small as possible in the first place.
Not to mention that a boot can always be streched, and things can always be done to create more space. It's VERY difficult to shrink a boot.
So to answer your question - No. A perfect fitting ski boot won't feel the same as a perfect pair of casual shoes..
It's great to hear you are getting properly fitted.
Custom Footbeds are something I would recommend to everyone. Me, nor anyone in my shop would EVER ski without them anymore. They take pressure off your arch, keep your foot stationary and restore the foot to be in it's natural position - often making the overall fit of the boot much better, therefore much more enjoyable.
- definitely look into them.
Hope that helped somewhat
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