What to cheap out on and what to not

I made a big mistake and it relates to your question. I wanted to buy on sale boots, but there were only on sale online. Also, it was my first time purchasing ski boots so I didn't know how important it was to go see a boot fitter. I bought a pair of Full Tilt based on recommendation and it was on sale. Now, I can barely ski in them because I would be in so much pain. I regretted my decision and wished that I went to a boot fitter. I would rather pay full price for comfort than paying less for pain. So yes, I would not cheap out on boots since they're on your feet all day. Plus, essentially you pay full price of the boots for the "boot fitter's knowledge" rather than the actual boots. You get your boots, you get your fit, and the service from the boot fitter.

I try to get decent quality pants and jacket, goggles, helmet, bindings, etc. DON'T cheap out on boots, everyone will say this but boots are the most important thing in skiing. I always cheap out on skis, for example, I got three pairs of skis behind a dumpster that were in okay condition, meaning that I could fix them up and they would be skiable.

Skis, bindings and boots I drop more cash on for quality. Poles I really cheap out considering how many pairs I'll end up breaking

Pros and cons. Consider your style of skiing. Where you will be skiing. How much you will be skiing.

Summary: don't cheap more often than not.

Poles- cheap out for sure. They will bend and break no matter eventually once you have a good fall.

Helmet- don't cheap out, but you can certainly find good helmets for 50%+ off if you are willing to compromise on color and wait for sales.

Goggles- don't cheap out. Good goggles rock and typically fog less and can have added pros such as PRIZM lenses. Same as before, you can find ones cheap if you compromise on appearance.

Gloves- do not cheap out. Get quality gloves. I spent years with numb fingers after going through low and mid grade gloves. Only to pull the chain and buy expensive mittens. Although Kinco's are cheap and seem to be pretty good so far. I use those when it's not super cold out.

Jacket- don't cheap out, but don't pay full price either. I got my North Face at TJMAXX for 75%off, 7 years ago.

Snow pants- cheap out for sure. Mine cost me $15 at Burlington Coat Factory and they're still holding strong 5 years later. Unless you ski a lot of rain or are on the ground all day, screw paying premium for ultra waterproof pants.

Skis- depends. I can see an argument for both. I always buy my shit as cheap as possible, even if it is a good product. Nice skis are noticeably better in many conditions. If you're hitting rails and urban, consider looking for durability and low cost. Maybe some used shit.

Bindings- don't cheap. You don't have to spend a billion dollars and get pivots, but I wouldn't get the bottom of the line nobody knows brand bindings. Get something reputable that suits your style.

Boots- once again, do not cheap. This is probably the most important thing not to cheap on. If you find a pair of boots that you like and they're on sale, great! Check out previous year's models. You can always find a boot that fits you, then go buy it cheaper online (Yea yeah I know. I'm still gonna do it.). My local shop happens to sell cheap online as well so I didn't have to do that. They were cheap in the store and fit great.

Ski bag- don't cheap out. The big padded expensive bags are quite nice and some come with lifetime warranties (e.g. Dakine). Remember you're protecting upwards of $1000+ worth of gear. Why skimp $100 to risk it.

Ski wax- don't cheap and buy an indie brand. Stick to the name brands.
Wax iron- dont cheap, but there's plenty of digital ones for not that much.
Annual ski maintenance- don't be a cheapskate and skip out on doing these things. Do what you can at home and have the shop do the rest.

Ski socks- don't cheap. I bet some people will disagree, but good socks means happy feet.

Lift tickets (not gear I know)- fuck yeah 100% as cheap as possible. Who even buys at the window these days?

IsitWinterYet17Pros and cons. Consider your style of skiing. Where you will be skiing. How much you will be skiing.

Summary: don't cheap more often than not.

Poles- cheap out for sure. They will bend and break no matter eventually once you have a good fall.

Helmet- don't cheap out, but you can certainly find good helmets for 50%+ off if you are willing to compromise on color and wait for sales.

Goggles- don't cheap out. Good goggles rock and typically fog less and can have added pros such as PRIZM lenses. Same as before, you can find ones cheap if you compromise on appearance.

Gloves- do not cheap out. Get quality gloves. I spent years with numb fingers after going through low and mid grade gloves. Only to pull the chain and buy expensive mittens. Although Kinco's are cheap and seem to be pretty good so far. I use those when it's not super cold out.

Jacket- don't cheap out, but don't pay full price either. I got my North Face at TJMAXX for 75%off, 7 years ago.

Snow pants- cheap out for sure. Mine cost me $15 at Burlington Coat Factory and they're still holding strong 5 years later. Unless you ski a lot of rain or are on the ground all day, screw paying premium for ultra waterproof pants.

Skis- depends. I can see an argument for both. I always buy my shit as cheap as possible, even if it is a good product. Nice skis are noticeably better in many conditions. If you're hitting rails and urban, consider looking for durability and low cost. Maybe some used shit.

Bindings- don't cheap. You don't have to spend a billion dollars and get pivots, but I wouldn't get the bottom of the line nobody knows brand bindings. Get something reputable that suits your style.

Boots- once again, do not cheap. This is probably the most important thing not to cheap on. If you find a pair of boots that you like and they're on sale, great! Check out previous year's models. You can always find a boot that fits you, then go buy it cheaper online (Yea yeah I know. I'm still gonna do it.). My local shop happens to sell cheap online as well so I didn't have to do that. They were cheap in the store and fit great.

Ski bag- don't cheap out. The big padded expensive bags are quite nice and some come with lifetime warranties (e.g. Dakine). Remember you're protecting upwards of $1000+ worth of gear. Why skimp $100 to risk it.

Ski wax- don't cheap and buy an indie brand. Stick to the name brands.
Wax iron- dont cheap, but there's plenty of digital ones for not that much.
Annual ski maintenance- don't be a cheapskate and skip out on doing these things. Do what you can at home and have the shop do the rest.

Ski socks- don't cheap. I bet some people will disagree, but good socks means happy feet.

Lift tickets (not gear I know)- fuck yeah 100% as cheap as possible. Who even buys at the window these days?

basically skiings expensive. I think it is more about finding work/friends/hookups that allow you to get cheap gear. It is a lot more reasonable to get new gear if everything is 40-70% of msrp.

hippystinxbasically skiings expensive. I think it is more about finding work/friends/hookups that allow you to get cheap gear. It is a lot more reasonable to get new gear if everything is 40-70% of msrp.

that and buy shit that lasts (though that does make it a little tougher to decide what to spend on stuff). i have to buy one new thing a year MAX

Thanks guys! Its always so hard to decide what's worth the money. I definitely agree that skiing is an expensive sport. I've bought tons of used stuff and discounted stuff and that definitely helps the bank account.

GreatbumpThanks guys! Its always so hard to decide what's worth the money. I definitely agree that skiing is an expensive sport. I've bought tons of used stuff and discounted stuff and that definitely helps the bank account.

Yes it is expensive but thats only a one time sorta thing. You drop some cash on all the gear but it lasts you for years without falter. IMO thats worth it. My dad still rocks boots hes had since the early 2000s and wont give them up because they refuse to die. 400 bucks 17 years ago and they're still going strong today.

As well, people said this above but ill say it again. You dont have to spend a fuckton on outerwear but that depends on where you live. In the east or areas that see cold temps but not a ton of precipitation, you dont need a full gore-tex kit to go skiing. A cheap insulated jacket and pants will get the job done. That being said, in the midwest and PNW high waterproofing is almost a necessity. For the most part, you can find gore-tex shell outerwear and insulated layers for stupidly cheap at geartrades and swaps or on last years sale rack at a local shop. I got my kit for 250 including SP Supernaught Bibs and an Airblaster 30k/30k jacket at a gearswap. The pants were 225 but the jacket was only 25 bucks and is easily the best one I've had to date.

Tl;dr - shop deals and gearswaps are bae

Only talking EC here:



Do you really need a jacket? Eh. paid like $50 for mine and idek if its a legitimate skiing jacket. still going strong though but I barely wear it for skiing. didnt even use it when it was mad cold earlier in the year.

Mitts? $20 kincos. cheap and quality

I always try to get decent pants at half price since those get shredded within a season.

Boots/bindings I never skimp. havent bought anything besides high din bindings the past 3 years and I dont regret it at all.

Skis are skis. theyll break. deals are everywhere. IMO just get past years new though. they always last longer and imo its worth it to make sure they are new so you get the entire life out of them, even if that means paying a little more.

Goggles are nice but you can work with mediocre goggles and be fine. dont drop $200 imo.

I like having a new helmet so Im willing to pay more for those.

always get free beanies.