Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Boots - Does it make a difference?

profile picture
TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 147

Ever since I started skiing I've been on yearly rental boots.  You know, the cheap simplestic plastic boots, they rent out at shops for the season.  Since my foot is still growing its a good cheap option rather than buying a whole new boot for each season.  But now that I've become more into park skiing I feel that it might be time to buy a real boot.  This past season I've been skiing back to back park days taking 30-40ft jumps.  It seems like the boots haven't been able to absorb the impact and my feet and sometimes knees kept hurting.  Now during lacrosse it seems like my knees and ankles are still weak (and painful).  Do you think that this has been because of the cheap boots?  Have I just been abusing my ankles/knees?  For next season, what will be the benefits of buying a real, expensive boot? - Performance? - reduced pain? - what?

Thanks in advance for the help. 

Apr 30 2008 10:42AM
0 0
profile picture
Happy.
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 9
Definately,
Boots make more of a difference than you think, imagine playing lacrosse in flip flops versus playing then in running shoes. Boots come with more padding and shock absorbtion and you will notice the difference almost right away
Apr 30 2008 10:49AM
0 0
profile picture
dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
Go find a place with experienced bootfitters. Hate me for saying this, but go find a racer shop, you'll find some good bootfitters there. Everyone has different skeletal alignment, and a good bootfitter will get your boots so they are ergonomically good for you. You'll find skiing whole days are less tiring/annoying. Less sore arches, knees, quads. And most of all, skiing will be more enjoyable. Funny thing is that you realized this after skiing park. Maybe you're just landing backseat too much. Properly fitted boots are even more important out of the parks, when you're skiing steeps and trees and stuff.

Just in case you didn't feel like reading all that, bottom line is, it'll be the best investment you make. Spend money on boots first, then the rest of your gear.

Apr 30 2008 10:50AM
0 0
profile picture
kzittle
Posts: 296 - Karma: 140
Almost everyone will claim that your boots are the most important part of your equipment. and guess what, they are right. i proper fitting boot will alleviate much of the pain you are experiencing during skiing and that you are still feeling. you really need to go to a bootfitter at the beginning of your next season and get properly fitted. i don't know how much you pay for boot rentals, i'm guessing in the $100 range for the year, but you could spend another $250 more and get a very good, properly fitting boot.

cliff notes - you need properly fitting boots all the time.
Apr 30 2008 10:50AM
0 0
profile picture
Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
What size do you need?
Apr 30 2008 10:52AM
0 0
profile picture
TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 147
Already convinced me, definitly getting good fitting boots next season.  Anye suggestions on what boot to get or should I just go to the shop and talk to the boot fitter.
Apr 30 2008 11:14AM
0 0
profile picture
BenJAMIN4aWhil3
Posts: 773 - Karma: 12
Deff go talk to a boot fitter. there are so many options and so many variables. How much you weigh, wide or narrow foot, what kind of skiing you are going to do... the list goes on. Just go talk to a boot guy and he will steer you in the right direction
Apr 30 2008 12:19PM
0 0
profile picture
Mex_LineJib^a
Posts: 3928 - Karma: 65
yep bootfitter is always the way to go.
Apr 30 2008 12:39PM
0 0
profile picture
SK1ERDUDE
Posts: 1365 - Karma: 51
YEAH LACROSSE!!!!!
Apr 30 2008 4:56PM
0 0
profile picture
T.L.
Posts: 4729 - Karma: 3,008
If there's one close to you go to a shop that's certified by ABB, America's Best Bootfitters.  I got the Krypton Rampages fitted for me and custom insoles and the change in my skiing is ridiculous.  My feet dont hurt,sweat as much, or float with properly fitted boots.  DO IT!!!!
Apr 30 2008 5:41PM
0 0
profile picture
huge-go
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 33

This dudes right.  Although many "newschoolers" will have grudges against racers, the guys know their boots super well.  And don't reject a boot because you went into the store wanting a different boots than the fitter recommends.  Also, I would say that you shouldn't be afraid to spend more money on a boot then previously anticipated.  You can't put a price on your comfort for a entire season, or seasons of skiing.  Unless you're young, and you think you might just grow out of your boots in a year.  But once you stop growing, boots generally last people for a really long time.

Apr 30 2008 7:25PM
0 0
profile picture
SteevJee
Posts: 1916 - Karma: 144
Check out full tilt. They're pretty narrow, but the best boot i've ever had. Shin bang will be a thing of the past.
Apr 30 2008 10:03PM
0 0
profile picture
huge-go
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 33
I'm really curious about full tilt right now.  I want to find a store and see how they fit.
Apr 30 2008 10:37PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)