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Buying boots online

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timdurkin7
Posts: 19 - Karma: 52
I live in the Midwest, so there aren't a lot of ski stores around here. I want to buy some full tilts but I don't know if I should order them online. What should I do? Order them, or wait to try them on in a store when I travel somewhere that has one
Nov 26 2015 12:24AM
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DBack1321
Posts: 410 - Karma: 485
Never buy online unless you've previously tried them on or preferably, been fitted in them.
Nov 26 2015 12:37AM
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*DOG
Posts: 241 - Karma: 469
DBack1321Never buy online unless you've previously tried them on or preferably, been fitted in them.


I agree! even if you have to drive an hour or two it's worth it, nothing sucks more then having a boot that doesn't fit you!
Nov 26 2015 12:59AM
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timdurkin7
Posts: 19 - Karma: 52
Ok thanks
Nov 26 2015 9:15AM
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Kygourz
Posts: 112 - Karma: 172
if the boot fitters aren't good just choose a couple of boots you think might work well and find somewhere to try them on, its to big a risk to buy boots before you wear them. some advice for when you go in is shell test the boots, make sure the heel hold in good and then obviously make sure there are no pressure points
Nov 29 2015 1:02AM
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timdurkin7
Posts: 19 - Karma: 52
Steezenbreezeif the boot fitters aren't good just choose a couple of boots you think might work well and find somewhere to try them on, its to big a risk to buy boots before you wear them. some advice for when you go in is shell test the boots, make sure the heel hold in good and then obviously make sure there are no pressure points


Okay thanks
Nov 30 2015 7:21PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6704 - Karma: 11,278
Kygourzif the boot fitters aren't good just choose a couple of boots you think might work well and find somewhere to try them on, its to big a risk to buy boots before you wear them. some advice for when you go in is shell test the boots, make sure the heel hold in good and then obviously make sure there are no pressure points


While I agree that you should never buy boots without trying them on first, trying random ones on has a super high risk of failure. I would go so far as to say, if you cannot find someone to help guide you through the fitting process then wait until you can find someone. If your local shops are unhelpful, then do not buy boots from them. Try to find a good shop at your ski area and get boots there. Chances are if there is no good shop within a 2 hour drive from you, then there probably will be at the mountain where you go skiing. I cannot stress how important it is to buy boots based on a fitter's recommendation rather than what you think is good for you. When you do the latter, chances are you will buy boots too big because you are buying them based on how the feel right now (and based on how your street shoes fit) rather than buying them knowing they will get bigger as they pack out. The fitter will help you in the process more than you realize.
Dec 1 2015 4:37AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Bought boots online. Got very very lucky. Got them basically for free to I committed to them. Fit me like a glove right out of the box. I did try sizes on in the store previously just to see all within the same brand since I usually rock a 27.5 if I should go down to a 27. But nope stuck with the 27.5.

All they needed was a new footbed and a litlte work which cost a couple bucks.

Not saying everyone should do this...I happened to get very lucky. I would say if you know your foot well, know what type of boot you approximately need, and have the $, it can't hurt to buy 3 or 4 pairs and then return a few.
Dec 1 2015 8:51AM
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Kygourz
Posts: 112 - Karma: 172
KravtZBought boots online. Got very very lucky. Got them basically for free to I committed to them. Fit me like a glove right out of the box. I did try sizes on in the store previously just to see all within the same brand since I usually rock a 27.5 if I should go down to a 27. But nope stuck with the 27.5.

All they needed was a new footbed and a litlte work which cost a couple bucks.

Not saying everyone should do this...I happened to get very lucky. I would say if you know your foot well, know what type of boot you approximately need, and have the $, it can't hurt to buy 3 or 4 pairs and then return a few.


Still probably not the easiest way I'm gonna stand buy what I said and suggest going somewhere to try boots on even if you don't have high end help just go in knowing what you should be looking for in a fit and know your foot, different boots have different shapes
So two 120 flex boots with a 100mm last may feel very different so just go in knowing the shape of your and try and find a match.

It also is a good idea to buy when your near the mountain, they usually have good bootfitters in ski towns
Dec 1 2015 9:30AM
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Shoey-Ski
Posts: 1649 - Karma: 6,194
Buying boots online (3/10) would not reccomend to a friend
Dec 1 2015 9:55AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
KygourzStill probably not the easiest way I'm gonna stand buy what I said and suggest going somewhere to try boots on even if you don't have high end help just go in knowing what you should be looking for in a fit and know your foot, different boots have different shapes
So two 120 flex boots with a 100mm last may feel very different so just go in knowing the shape of your and try and find a match.

It also is a good idea to buy when your near the mountain, they usually have good bootfitters in ski towns


Agreed i'm not arguing. What you said is the 100% right way to do it. I just said my experience buying boots online for the first time and got very lucky.

I don't think, with the prices online compared to retail, though that buying 3 or 4 pairs of boots or more online and returning them all isn't such a bad idea.

If you can afford to have a couple thousand dollars sitting in return money, etc for a while could save you a lot of money.
Dec 1 2015 10:03AM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
DBack1321Never buy online unless you've previously tried them on or preferably, been fitted in them.


Don't do this either. If you go to a store and a fitter takes the time out of their day to work with you and fit you, buy the boot at the shop. Don't be an ass.
Dec 1 2015 5:05PM
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DBack1321
Posts: 410 - Karma: 485
BogsDon't do this either. If you go to a store and a fitter takes the time out of their day to work with you and fit you, buy the boot at the shop. Don't be an ass.


While I agree to a point, if I find the boots online for like half the price, sorry bud I'm saving myself a couple hundred. That's extremely unlikely though.

Are fitters hourly or commission based?
Dec 1 2015 9:11PM
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brov1
Posts: 1826 - Karma: 8,837
#DONT
Dec 1 2015 9:13PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6704 - Karma: 11,278
DBack1321While I agree to a point, if I find the boots online for like half the price, sorry bud I'm saving myself a couple hundred. That's extremely unlikely though.

Are fitters hourly or commission based?


Every shop has their own way to pay their employees; there is not a broad sweeping agreement of all shops that says boot-fitters must be paid hourly or on commission. With that said, however, most of the good shops that I have come across refuse to pay their employees on commission because they don't want to encourage the employee to sell the customer needless or wrong equipment.

Concerning internet prices, if you are looking at current year boots then prices will be the same in the shop and online. Prices are set and strictly agreed upon until the spring when shops can officially advertise them on sale. So, if you are shopping now for new boots, then the same boot will not be found cheaper on-line. It will be to your benefit to buy from that shop since they will most likely give you a boot-fit guarantee along with the boot and other such deals in order to keep your business there with them.

But, let's say it's spring and sales are happening and you find the same boot on-line for cheaper. I guarantee you that shops 90-95% of the time will match the price in order to keep your business. And that is something you should always ask.
Dec 2 2015 5:07AM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
BogsDon't do this either. If you go to a store and a fitter takes the time out of their day to work with you and fit you, buy the boot at the shop. Don't be an ass.


Agreed.

DBack1321While I agree to a point, if I find the boots online for like half the price, sorry bud I'm saving myself a couple hundred. That's extremely unlikely though.

Are fitters hourly or commission based?


Then don't complain about local shop prices when you need work done. Just go back to the shop you bought them from.
Oh, wait...
Dec 2 2015 9:53AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Caucasian_AsianAgreed.



Then don't complain about local shop prices when you need work done. Just go back to the shop you bought them from.
Oh, wait...


Dude idk where you live but shops don't charge hundreds for relatively minor boot work. A heat molding, and some minor shell work for me cost $50 bucks. And im fine with it cause I got my boots for free. If you do extensive work maybe.

I gotta agree with the kid before though. If im saving myself hundreds of dollars buying online then dam right thats where Im going to buy. I generally buy everything online now. If my local shops won't match the price online or come reasonably close ( I know they have overhead and have to make $) then i wont buy it. Retail is a dying industry. Shops need to adapt to compete with the evo's, backcountries, etc of the world. Most shop prices certainly don't do that. Outside of boots, major ski repairs or tuning work if you don't do it yourself, I see no real reason to ever set foot in a ski shop. I can buy everything online SO much cheaper.
Dec 2 2015 10:06AM
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Kygourz
Posts: 112 - Karma: 172
KravtZDude idk where you live but shops don't charge hundreds for relatively minor boot work. A heat molding, and some minor shell work for me cost $50 bucks. And im fine with it cause I got my boots for free. If you do extensive work maybe.

I gotta agree with the kid before though. If im saving myself hundreds of dollars buying online then dam right thats where Im going to buy. I generally buy everything online now. If my local shops won't match the price online or come reasonably close ( I know they have overhead and have to make $) then i wont buy it. Retail is a dying industry. Shops need to adapt to compete with the evo's, backcountries, etc of the world. Most shop prices certainly don't do that. Outside of boots, major ski repairs or tuning work if you don't do it yourself, I see no real reason to ever set foot in a ski shop. I can buy everything online SO much cheaper.

I don't know about where you go but this is not the norm of shops, between the adjusting and testing of skis, heat molding, and any shell work, you can usually come out even or close to it at a shop plus it's just curtesy to buy from them if they spend their time to help you.
Dec 2 2015 10:28AM
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DBack1321
Posts: 410 - Karma: 485
Caucasian_AsianAgreed.



Then don't complain about local shop prices when you need work done. Just go back to the shop you bought them from.
Oh, wait...


I bought my current boots at my local shop so everyone calm themselves haha! If you buy that seasons gear, the prices at the shop are pretty much what you're going to find online anyway.

But I bought my last two pairs of skis online. I saved about $200 doing it that way on each pair. I'm all about buying local and giving the shop business, but I don't have an extra couple hundred to be throwing around when I could be saving it.
Dec 2 2015 10:33AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
KygourzI don't know about where you go but this is not the norm of shops, between the adjusting and testing of skis, heat molding, and any shell work, you can usually come out even or close to it at a shop plus it's just curtesy to buy from them if they spend their time to help you.


I get the "courtesy" man...thats all fun and games but not real world applicable. People aren't nice in the real world.

Some shops charge more others charge less it is what it is. Your telling me its "courtesy" to buy my $700 dollar boots that I got online for $200 ( a couple years old) from the shop? I doubt they would match my price. I saved probably 4-500 just buying online. I don't have an unlimited budget so this worked great for me and the shop understands.
Dec 2 2015 11:22AM
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