What boots do NSers ride? (I need help)

I would start looking into a boot that fits well. Find a boot that has a similar last to your foot, and an appropriate flex. Brands I trust are FT, Dalbello, Lange, Salomon, and Rossis. It doesn't matter what brand you buy if it fits your foot the best! Some of the best riders in the world ride "race boots" because it fits well.

THEE_wizardgo to a boot-fitter

You answered your own question.

After going to see the boot man himself, Tom Pietrowski, I was fitted for a pair of lange rx100, with custom footbeds, shell moulding, and extra bolts for stiffness, but was also offered salomon x pro 100s, both were going to need shell work and the lange was cheaper so went with them, bottom line is I went to a boot fitter with an open mind on brand/model with a clear idea of what i wanted to use my boots for and let the fitter decide what was most suitable for my stupid feet. Have never looked back in wanting on my boot purchase and feel the boots i ended up in were entirely the right thing for me and by being fitted properly i have pain free days with better control of my skis than i ever had before

TLDR Lange RX100 on advice of bootfitter

Some shitty lange freestyle BTs from 2007 that are really soft and bad

Can't wait till I head over to the US to get a proper pair of boots. For some reason I'm excited to drop a boatload of cash on them...

Dalbello Panterra 120. I got wide feet and ski pow/all mountain so they suit me just right.

People on NS always want to just pop into these threads and type boot fitter then leave. But it isnt always that simple. I ended up with a horrible pair in the wrong size because I went to a bad boot fitter. Do your homework and learn about the boots, think about stiffness and forward lean. Go through all the questions he might ask you in your head so that you can give him as much information as possible. Then ask him questions, make sure he/she knows what he/she is actually talking about and not just saying generic lines or company catch phrases.

As far as what boot im riding, i am in some dalbello boss boots from a two seasons ago. They fit like a fucking dream because I had a pro fitting them for me, and they have all the functions I wanted because I did a lot of reading before going in to have somewhat of an idea what I wanted to boot to be able to do. Also I am a sucker for 3 piece boots.

My personal preference is Salomon Ghost 90s or SPKs, but that shouldn't be what you get just because some kin on NS said they were good. GO TO A BOOT FITTER. They will get you exactly what you need

I thank most of you for sound advice. I just need some boots I can ask about and other options that aren't park specific boots to look into so I can get a better idea of what is good. I am such a noob with boots and I want to do some research before going to a fitter, so again thank you for options and bootfitting advice.

THEE_wizardI thank most of you for sound advice. I just need some boots I can ask about and other options that aren't park specific boots to look into so I can get a better idea of what is good. I am such a noob with boots and I want to do some research before going to a fitter, so again thank you for options and bootfitting advice.

If they don't first look at your feet, leave. If they don't recommend options after looking at you feet, leave. If they ask what boots you want to try, you should explain that you want their recommendation, but you should probably leave. If there is a language barrier for whatever reason, leave.

Communication is key. You need to be able to describe the fit to your fitter as it will be hard for them to guess all the problems that pain you. How is the heel hold, your metatarsal, sixth toe, last, etc. They should be able to suggest a boot that will work better or give options to fix the listed problems.

I think the biggest trap for fitters is that they can fall into a haze of "these people will go skiing twice, I don't have to work my ass off to make them happy" typically because they want to be in and out and don't understand that it takes time to fit a boot or even what they are looking to diagnose with their boots other than "it feels too tight". It is a pain as you want to help them, but in doing so you might make them upset or frustrated. You need to make it a point that you are the guy who wants the extra steps to get a proper fitting boot. It also doesn't hurt to have a good conversation going at the same time and to make them into a friend as having it any other way would suck for both parties.

THEE_wizardI thank most of you for sound advice. I just need some boots I can ask about and other options that aren't park specific boots to look into so I can get a better idea of what is good. I am such a noob with boots and I want to do some research before going to a fitter, so again thank you for options and bootfitting advice.

Things to look for from the fitter.

He he should sit you down and get you to take your shoes AND socks off. This lets is really look at your feet and see any Potential problem areas.

He should ask what type of skiin you do and issue you have had in boots in the past.

He he will have you stand so he can look at your foots stability an overal shape as well as assessing your range of Movement.

he should measure you fully. This means measuring the width and length of the foot both seated and stood.

After measuring a good boot fitter will talk about your foots stability and recomend which type of footbed will give the best fit (this stage is really important, if they don't bring up footbeds try somewhere else)

they should then bring a selection of boots to shell check. The liner is removed and the shell compared to the foot. This is the most important check as a boot fitter an work put exactly what needs to be done just from doing this.

From on there they should make recommendations on which boots will work best.

Try the boots they suggest. Tey should feel too small. Stood with your leg straight your toes should be quite form I the front of the boot. Lean forward and your toes will slightly pull back. Don't worry if they still feel tight as shell work and footbeds will help this.

The foot should be held well with the foot buckles barly done up. The flex can be assessed but remember boots will feel about 15% stiffer when they are cold.

Once you find a boot you and the fitter are happy with you start the fittin process. If your interested in that let me know.

As pretty much everyone else has said, go to a bootfitter. That being said, If they work for you I love Dalbello's 3 piece design boots. Im currently in a pair of KR2 pros and I love them.

Craig114People on NS always want to just pop into these threads and type boot fitter then leave. But it isnt always that simple. I ended up with a horrible pair in the wrong size because I went to a bad boot fitter. Do your homework and learn about the boots, think about stiffness and forward lean. Go through all the questions he might ask you in your head so that you can give him as much information as possible. Then ask him questions, make sure he/she knows what he/she is actually talking about and not just saying generic lines or company catch phrases.

As far as what boot im riding, i am in some dalbello boss boots from a two seasons ago. They fit like a fucking dream because I had a pro fitting them for me, and they have all the functions I wanted because I did a lot of reading before going in to have somewhat of an idea what I wanted to boot to be able to do. Also I am a sucker for 3 piece boots.

It sucks when someone does a poor job trying to help you find the right boot. But at the same time, I would not try to learn about all these different kinds of boots and their features. It will only confuse you because you will invariably get stuck on a certain model and you will become biased. This bias will start to inaccurately guide you and potentially convince yourself that a boot which has X, Y, and Z features is the right thing for you when it could very well be a poor fitting boot for you. That's a bad place to be in and it happens a lot.

Ideally what you should do is ask around. Invest time in researching what shop in your area is known for having the best boot-fitters and getting people dialed. Ignore what shop carries what brand. Ask lifties, ask patrolers, ask instructors, ask coaches, ask us (perhaps we can point you in the direction of a good fitter) and find that shop that does it the best.

Then you want to call them and make an appointment with one of their fitters. This will allow you to have the full undivided attention of a professional fitter who will find the best option for you and your needs. When you do this, you will have a boot that works for the types of skiing you will do but more importantly a boot that fits you like a dream.

Craig114People on NS always want to just pop into these threads and type boot fitter then leave. But it isnt always that simple. I ended up with a horrible pair in the wrong size because I went to a bad boot fitter.

Boots salesperson =/= boot fitter.

Caucasian_AsianBoots salesperson =/= boot fitter.

Never did I ever say that. But thanks for the clarification.

Ok, I have actually been clarified on what a bootfitter does, as in actually finding the right boot, not just "fitting" a boot. Thank you NS