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December, 2024

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Best Bootfitter in CO+ Advice

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Kevinb5
Posts: 190 - Karma: 2,063
I've been skiing a lot more this season than prior seasons and I need new boots. Right now I am 6' 175 pounds and have Atomic Hawx prime 90 boots that I've had for 4 seasons and don't like them at all. I don't feel secure or locked into my current boots and feel like I fold them over, but it's hard to say because I've never ridden properly fitted boots. I am an advanced skier or at least close to that and beginner/intermediate in the park making good progress. I ski 40% park and the rest all around the mountain. I do and will ski about 4 days a week through May at all the resorts within a couple of hours of Denver. I ride Vishnu keys and Rossignol blackops 98 if that matters.

Im looking to get the best fitting possible so please give suggestions for the best boot fitter in the area. Im in Lakewood so anywhere in Denver/Boulder is fine as well as summit county and winter park. It looks like the options are Larry's, A Racers Edge, or Larsons. Apparently the Golden boot mechanics location is not taking new customers and the Avon location is too far out of the way. I am interested in the K2 boa boots but I dont know if they fit my feet, so a K2 dealer is a plus.

Thoughts and suggestions about a recommended flex rating are welcome since I dont know what I want, like, or what to expect. Also are custom footbeds worth?

This season has been the best and is just getting started! Cant wait to get back out there after Christmas break.
Dec 25 2023 12:58AM
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Forrest.Gump
Posts: 579 - Karma: -1,183
sounds like your current shell is way too soft, its possible a new liner can get you thru the year...
i have "intuition power wrap", the coldest stiffest liner in the world.... legit cant flex. couldnt figure out why the dalbellos rode completely rigid for two seasons of pain...
Dec 25 2023 2:20AM
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Voyage86
Posts: 926 - Karma: 3,599
90 flex at 175 is boarder line dangerous for skiing hard stuff. 100% get new boots, probably in the 110-120 range depending on your preferences and how hard you ski.
Dec 25 2023 10:47AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4192 - Karma: 18,487
If you make it to evo denver they have most boots including the boas in stock. So you can at least try them all on. If you want to then go to a dedicated fitter after that to get the work done you’ll at least have an idea which boots fits you best. Some smaller shops may not carry all brand And you may find fitters partial to a brand personally.

racers edge came recommended to me.
Dec 25 2023 11:54AM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
stay away from larsons in denver. Fitted my friend a size too big and wouldn’t let him return or exchange.
Dec 25 2023 2:23PM
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Forrest.Gump
Posts: 579 - Karma: -1,183
you do need new boots, but keep these things in mind:
early season our leg muscles are not as strong as end of season, i dont care about your cross training or gym time, on day one of the season, we are all like "goofy" as delorme would say...
your boots arent folding over, your legs are just weak. strength allows you to shred, a race ski boot, will just be painful.
keep it freestyle.
Dec 25 2023 3:39PM
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Walleye
Posts: 36 - Karma: 185
In one of Deb Armstrongs latest videos she's getting boots fitted at a shop in CO, https://youtu.be/DeD4wIhUp-0?si=AC4FYAuoTZF4uoKn
Dec 25 2023 8:55PM
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sampli
Posts: 87 - Karma: 675
Powder7 in Golden is a great shop. just make sure to schedule an appointment
Dec 26 2023 12:33AM
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Kevinb5
Posts: 190 - Karma: 2,063
sampliPowder7 in Golden is a great shop. just make sure to schedule an appointment

They look good online and they’re close I’ll have to check them out
Dec 26 2023 2:53AM
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Amnolan4
Posts: 10 - Karma: 57
Larson's is amazing, got my boots there and have never had an issue. They will constantly work on your boots and make adjustments when needed when you purchase there. All the boots fitters are super knowledgeable too!
Dec 26 2023 2:59PM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
Amnolan4Larson's is amazing, got my boots there and have never had an issue. They will constantly work on your boots and make adjustments when needed when you purchase there. All the boots fitters are super knowledgeable too!


The bootfitter at larsons told me I had a size 26 foot. I left and got fitted at larrys in boulder (very respected bootfitter) and turns out I’m a 27.5 and my feet in my new boots are extremely comfortable and I’ve had zero problems. Larsons is a dogshit ski shop and I’ve only ever had bad experiences with them
Dec 26 2023 8:56PM
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Forrest.Gump
Posts: 579 - Karma: -1,183
SchizoSkierThe bootfitter at larsons told me I had a size 26 foot. I left and got fitted at larrys in boulder (very respected bootfitter) and turns out I’m a 27.5 and my feet in my new boots are extremely comfortable and I’ve had zero problems. Larsons is a dogshit ski shop and I’ve only ever had bad experiences with them


thats the things about ski boot molds being shit,
im a 27.5 and 28.5.
my whole life its too tight or too loose.
a race fitter says 27.5 and blow it out!
there no such thing as a freestyle boot fitter.
there is no such thing as freestyle ski boots.
unless you believe in unicorns...
Dec 26 2023 9:13PM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
Forrest.Gumpthats the things about ski boot molds being shit,
im a 27.5 and 28.5.
my whole life its too tight or too loose.
a race fitter says 27.5 and blow it out!
there no such thing as a freestyle boot fitter.
there is no such thing as freestyle ski boots.
unless you believe in unicorns...


Ya I didn’t say that
Dec 26 2023 9:25PM
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Forrest.Gump
Posts: 579 - Karma: -1,183
SchizoSkierYa I didn’t say that


you witnessed me skiing the ONLY freestyle boot/binding in the world.
that nose butter 5 off the little cornice, after banged out! made tom wallisch cry in his sleep.
Dec 26 2023 9:47PM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
Forrest.Gumpyou witnessed me skiing the ONLY freestyle boot/binding in the world.
that nose butter 5 off the little cornice, after banged out! made tom wallisch cry in his sleep.


Holy shit. I missed you. The king has returned

**This post was edited on Dec 26th 2023 at 10:37:52pm
Dec 26 2023 10:37PM
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Forrest.Gump
Posts: 579 - Karma: -1,183
SchizoSkierHoly shit. I missed you. The king has returned

**This post was edited on Dec 26th 2023 at 10:37:52pm


you can not simply forget meeting the master of the universe.
Dec 26 2023 10:39PM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
Forrest.Gumpyou can not simply forget meeting the master of the universe.


PM me dude we neeed to ski while I’m here in the front range for about another month or so
Dec 26 2023 10:40PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10582 - Karma: 11,183
If you can make it to a boot shop in the mtns, they really are better than front range shops. There's a lot that goes hand in hand with seeing more avid skiers more frequently that ultimately makes better boot fitters.

Racers edge and Boot fixation here in Breck are great (racers edge has the largest on hand inventory). Also a guy named Ethan on airport rd is awesome.
Dec 27 2023 11:20AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4192 - Karma: 18,487
.nastyIf you can make it to a boot shop in the mtns, they really are better than front range shops. There's a lot that goes hand in hand with seeing more avid skiers more frequently that ultimately makes better boot fitters.

Racers edge and Boot fixation here in Breck are great (racers edge has the largest on hand inventory). Also a guy named Ethan on airport rd is awesome.

Can you recommend any places near beaver creek for custom inserts? Headed there mid Jan
Dec 27 2023 2:19PM
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Amnolan4
Posts: 10 - Karma: 57
SchizoSkierThe bootfitter at larsons told me I had a size 26 foot. I left and got fitted at larrys in boulder (very respected bootfitter) and turns out I’m a 27.5 and my feet in my new boots are extremely comfortable and I’ve had zero problems. Larsons is a dogshit ski shop and I’ve only ever had bad experiences with them


Most likely tried to give you a performance fit versus a comfort fit. That's why they ask if you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced at the start of the fit. Most skiers that want a performance fit drop down a size from the actual measurement of their foot.
Dec 27 2023 6:18PM
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Richard69
Posts: 2 - Karma: 11
SchizoSkierThe bootfitter at larsons told me I had a size 26 foot. I left and got fitted at larrys in boulder (very respected bootfitter) and turns out I’m a 27.5 and my feet in my new boots are extremely comfortable and I’ve had zero problems. Larsons is a dogshit ski shop and I’ve only ever had bad experiences with them


Your new boots are comfortable? Enjoy those things when they pack out big man. Also do you think there are half sizes in ski boots?
Dec 27 2023 7:45PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37636 - Karma: 122,950
Im in Granby and I was told a dude named Eric at Christy Sports in Winter Park is solid and OG as fuck.
Dec 27 2023 8:35PM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
Richard69Your new boots are comfortable? Enjoy those things when they pack out big man. Also do you think there are half sizes in ski boots?


Yeah dumbass my old boots (26.5 descendent 90s) fully packed out and were still too small.
Dec 27 2023 11:37PM
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Richard69
Posts: 2 - Karma: 11
SchizoSkierYeah dumbass my old boots (26.5 descendent 90s) fully packed out and were still too small.


Haha just checking sweetie. Enjoy the buckets!
Dec 28 2023 10:41AM
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,081
Richard69Haha just checking sweetie. Enjoy the buckets!


Ok u shitter I will
Dec 28 2023 2:24PM
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muffMan.
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 26,532
.

**This post was edited on Sep 16th 2024 at 8:08:33pm
Sep 16 2024 8:04PM
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muffMan.
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 26,532
Bumping this cause want new boots.

is boot mechanic worth it if anyone has been? Pretty pricy, they only do $300 dollar footbeds and charge for binding adjustments,

while powder7 has the basic $50 ones, free binding adjustments, plus possible deals on past season gear.

is it really worth it as boot mechanic (1k+) or check out powder7 instead.

**This post was edited on Sep 16th 2024 at 8:09:06pm
Sep 16 2024 8:07PM
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Kevinb5
Posts: 190 - Karma: 2,063
muffMan.Bumping this cause want new boots.

is boot mechanic worth it if anyone has been? Pretty pricy, they only do $300 dollar footbeds and charge for binding adjustments,

while powder7 has the basic $50 ones, free binding adjustments, plus possible deals on past season gear.

is it really worth it as boot mechanic (1k+) or check out powder7 instead.

**This post was edited on Sep 16th 2024 at 8:09:06pm


If I did it again I would go to boot mechanics. I’m not completely happy with how powder 7 fit me
Sep 17 2024 1:37AM
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muffMan.
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 26,532
Kevinb5If I did it again I would go to boot mechanics. I’m not completely happy with how powder 7 fit me


Word, appreciate the response. Boots might just be worth it
Sep 17 2024 9:03AM
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midwestcoast
Posts: 214 - Karma: 2,144
A $50 footbed will do ya fine at first, and definitely an upgrade versus the stock footbed, but not even close to a custom molded footbed. I use Masterfit, I think my last pair cost about $200ish, I can't remember.

I've never been to Boot Mechanics but I've heard they're pretty good at their Avon Location. Racer's Edge in Breck is great, I'd assume their cheaper than Boot Mechanics, but likely in the same ballpark...

I've had all my boot work done by Boot Fixation. Jeff bounces back and forth between Denver and Breck.
Sep 18 2024 9:40AM
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jmabes
Posts: 28 - Karma: 225
muffMan.Bumping this cause want new boots.

is boot mechanic worth it if anyone has been? Pretty pricy, they only do $300 dollar footbeds and charge for binding adjustments,

while powder7 has the basic $50 ones, free binding adjustments, plus possible deals on past season gear.

is it really worth it as boot mechanic (1k+) or check out powder7 instead.

**This post was edited on Sep 16th 2024 at 8:09:06pm


I got my most recent pair of boots from Boot Mechanics in Golden and had a great experience. I definitely recommend them as far as front range boot fitters go
Sep 18 2024 7:53PM
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Lab_or_bust
Posts: 90 - Karma: 86
Go to the surefoot in South Glenn. They'll get you right and Mike their manager is the dude. Highly reccommend
Sep 19 2024 1:20PM
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muffMan.
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 26,532
jmabesI got my most recent pair of boots from Boot Mechanics in Golden and had a great experience. I definitely recommend them as far as front range boot fitters go

That seems the way to go tbh, appreciate it
Lab_or_bustGo to the surefoot in South Glenn. They'll get you right and Mike their manager is the dude. Highly reccommend


saw them too, the whole injection thing seemed gimmicky but might look more into em if you enjoyed it
Sep 19 2024 5:56PM
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muffMan.
Posts: 2802 - Karma: 26,532
jmabesI got my most recent pair of boots from Boot Mechanics in Golden and had a great experience. I definitely recommend them as far as front range boot fitters go

That seems the way to go tbh, appreciate it
Lab_or_bustGo to the surefoot in South Glenn. They'll get you right and Mike their manager is the dude. Highly reccommend


saw them too, the whole injection thing seemed gimmicky but might look more into em if you enjoyed it
Sep 19 2024 5:56PM
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lurking
Posts: 2222 - Karma: 6,788
Boot Mechanics did the best job I've personally experienced. Will be back & can't recommend more highly.
Sep 20 2024 4:52PM
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