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Bootfitting Question

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alexL
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
so anyways, long story short ive been using the same boots for the last 5 years, and i got them used for 50 bucks, so i figure its time to get some new ones, ive been wearing a 30.5 size so i went to the shop and tried on a 29.5 in the salomon pro model which is the biggest it comes in, and it was REALLY tight, my toes were jammed against the front. but the guy said that the liner will mold out and it will fit perfectly after a few uses, and when i just had the shell on i could get 2 fingers behind my foot, so should i go with this or look for something in a 30.5?
Dec 1 2008 10:33PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
you should have about 2 fingers in the back when there's no liner, so that's about right, however your toes shouldn't be jammed against the end. they should touch it, but not uncomfortably. then wear them around the house for a while, because it's a bitch to break in liners just by skiing on them.
Dec 1 2008 10:35PM
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scofield
Posts: 7973 - Karma: 2,467
sounds more like he's just trying to sell you the boot because he has no other option. see if the shop has a "bootfit performance guarantee".. it basically means if you go out and ski the boot a few times, like 3, and they're really bothering you, you can go back to the shop and they will do everything they can to get you into the right boot. i know they do it at proctor jones and im sure any dedicated boot fitting shop will do the same
Dec 1 2008 10:52PM
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huge-go
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 33
2 fingers isn't a very tight fit. I'm surprised your toes are that jammed.
Dec 1 2008 10:54PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
agreed

Probably because he's used to a boot which is a whole size bigger
Dec 1 2008 10:57PM
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doritos
Posts: 7368 - Karma: 53
That guy's fucking you around dude, if it's a little cramped up front heat molding can fix it but if it's jammed up there you're asking for trouble. The liner can only transform so much. Honestly you should just find a good bootfitter and ditch that asshole. 29.5 may be right for you but size is only half the story, some companies make boots that just won't fit your foot shape. I can't wear Langes or Full Tilts. The bootfitter should know that though, and he should also know that trying to sell you a boot that jams your toes is a stupid idea. Unless he's a sleaze. Which he probably is. Get someone who actually cares about findign a good fit for you who actually knows his shit, boots are so important and it makes all the difference, dude. Good luck.
Dec 1 2008 10:58PM
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alexL
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
thanks for the advice, n yeah they were pretty clueless so im gunna try other shops, im sure my current boots are a tad too big but i still think a 29 might be too small so i guess ill see whats out there
Dec 1 2008 11:05PM
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meggers
Posts: 2094 - Karma: 70
try on a few different pairs. and if you are standing up straight in the boots year your toes are going to jam...when you flex and bend you knees a your toes should pull back as your heel is pulled back into the boot. that is the position you are in when you are skiing, and the way a boot is meant to fit. but def go to someone who knows what they are taking about. they should measure you foot and do a shell fit and have you try on more then one boot. you could also try http://www.bootfitters.com/ and see if there is a shop near you.
Dec 1 2008 11:13PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
30.5? do you wear size 14 shoes?????
Dec 1 2008 11:40PM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184

on a two finger shell fit your toes definately should not be "jammed". if you are used to a larger boot, yes, your toes will feel "jammed".

personally, a two finger fit is absolute largest i will ever go for an adult boot. kids boots are a completely different story thought. now, answer these questions for yourself:

- does this shop come recomended by friends? (not people on NS going by your story)

- does this shop appear to carry a lot of high end race product? (race skis but also armour, high end helmets, big name race clothing)

- do they offer an unconditional bootfit guarantee?

if you can answer "yes" to those three questions you have probably got a good shop. in this case you might just want to find someone else that works there. don't pick the kid that looks like a park skier.

if you answer "no" to 2+ of those, you're going to want to look elsewhere  

hopefully that helps

Dec 1 2008 11:45PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
boots are for sure probably the most important part of your setup. get a good bootfitter.

2 fingers should feel real good. The only thing i can think of is some dumbass put in a smaller liner than should be in there, because that doesn't make any sense.
Dec 2 2008 1:04AM
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,956
May sound stupid, but be sure that you are buckeling the boot from the top buckels down, and not from the toes up. After you get the top two buckled, flex into the boot to lock your foot into the proper position inside the boot.

Also look into getting some trim to fit footbeds, they will support your arch and could give you the extra mm's you need.
Dec 2 2008 1:46AM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
yeah custom footbeds often reduce the volume a little - hit them up.
Dec 2 2008 2:36AM
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doritos
Posts: 7368 - Karma: 53
This method of buckling helped me so much, definitely listen to this. For the footbeds get A-Lines, they have a bunch of different models to fit pretty much whatever arch you could possibly have, so your foot is perfectly supported. Cost me 60 bucks but definitely some of the best money I've ever spent on skiing.
Dec 2 2008 12:33PM
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