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April, 2025

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Bootfitter will NOT sell me performance fit boot?

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Sonofmickel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 58
I bought some Technica Mach Sport100 MV boots last season at my measured mondo size 24.5.
After a few runs my feet felt felt like a peanut in a can if I went over 10/15 miles per hour. Not very happy about my performance. I am blaming myself, not the equipment at this point.
I have been "consumer" skiing for 20 odd years, always relying on employees to get me the correct products, usually teenager salespeople.

The last pair of boots a purchased was from Christy Sports at a summer sale(2010?), they put me in a very comfortable 25.5 boot, cheap!.

Fast forward to this year:
I began researching online and found Newschoolers, among countless "get better at skiing" videos online.
All my research points to starting with a great fitting boot.
The majority of good skiers appear to size down from mondo size.

I am a MONDO 24.5 left foot and 24 right foot (242mm L and 238mm R actual measured size)
Shell fit shows over an inch behind left foot and even more behind my smaller right foot.

I went to a local, highly regarded bootfitter to try and remove any guesswork.
I told them that I wanted new boots, price no object, in order to get a very snug fit.
We tried boots on for over an hour and I settled on a pair of 23.5 Nordica race boots, I loved them, they felt snug/ tight and I felt that they would pack out perfect.
The store would not sell them to me.
They said that there would be no warranty on the boots.
I asked if we could order ANYTHING for me that they would be comfortable selling me, Fischer RC4...whatever they can get $$$ is no object... "NO" they can't order ANY boots for me that do not match with my MONDO sizing from the brannock device. What?!?!?

Sooooo... they recommend getting an Intuition DH liner to "fill" up the space in my 24.5 Tecnicas.
I said I should just sell the boots and get some 23.5 and they replied that would be a bad idea.
I order the Intuition liners from them, (they charge over retail price, they are a pro racer shop).

Next week I get the liners installed at the shop.
I am loose as a goose after 2/3 runs, start cranking down the ankle and forefoot clasps just to get down the hill.
Crushing my instep, numb feet.
I go back to the shop and they say "Yup, we need to tape up the liners and install some "sizing footbeds"".
They installed 3 thick bontex footbeds in each boot in addition to my Boot Doctor footbed. Plus many layers of tape strips on the back of the ankle to lock both my heels in place(it still moves).
My feet are crammed into this shell now and the heel is still loose side to side.
My toes are entombed in intuition concrete.
Looks like one layer of bontex is half a mondo sizet, so 3 layers equals 1.5 mondo size which should definitely clue the bootfitter that the shell is far too big.

All the research I have found says to go with a smaller boot and heat mold/punch it out.
The shop says that nobody does that any more, they do not punch boots for years now...Mondo size and tape...
I am pissed...

3 layers of bontex plus boot doctor insoles mean the shell is too big, no question...
I say the boots are too big and the shop misled me.
I have no idea why they would not sell me the 23.5 boots

I'll try to get a refund.

Advise please
a year ago
9 0
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Forrest.Gump
Posts: 579 - Karma: -1,179
dayum that was long winded.
so you are trying to make last years 24.5 ride with the new liner, correct?
the power wrap intuition liner is awful. rigid, cold... if you already bought it, add more than duct tape. find thin padding and tape it in to tighten things up, sounds like the shop you are working with , isnt working with you...
find another shop, buy the 23.5 you liked... and mount up new boards all together. every skier has to deal with this 1970's "technology"
a year ago
0 4
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SmokedGouda
Posts: 1231 - Karma: 6,836
A shop that doesnt do punches or heat molds? Seems like you need to jump ship somewhere else. Theyre full of shit. I had a heat mold, shell mold, and a couple other things done this season already…at an epic mountain gear of all places(i know kms) but my bro works at one so he hooked me up…also with his pro deals.

outside of fitting, if youre getting smaller boots, you need to do the things that will add ease to your struggles. Whats helped me a ton is throwing boot dryers into mine while I drive up to the hill. That slight softening makes it night and day difference getting into the boot in the morning, however what people should also tell you about getting that smaller size in a boot is that there really will never be a point where something doesnt hurt, but its not a discomfort thing and in my situation, it may be because atomic liners seem a bit thin so ill plan to upgrade to better liners for next season. Also if someone could enlighten me on what the fuck shin bang is, plz do because ive never experienced it…maybe because even with thunder thighs, i enjoy my boots crushing my thighs….idk.
a year ago
14 0
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Sonofmickel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 58
@Forrest.Gump, thanks for the reply and finishing the novella.
"I'm" NOT trying to make last years boot work with the brand new intuition liner, the bootfitter recommended this awful and expensive solution.
I wanted to originally dump the old boots and buy some new heat mold/fangled $500-1000 boots.
Do it right ya know?

I'm gonna see if they will refund tomorrow.
Whatever happens this is now online and people can at least enjoy not living my circus life!
I have learned a lot from this experience.
a year ago
0 0
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Voyage86
Posts: 990 - Karma: 3,769
jesus christ i’d sue
a year ago
4 0
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Voyage86
Posts: 990 - Karma: 3,769
but ya, jump ship immediately, they have no idea what they are talking about.
a year ago
6 0
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 19,954
Who is this “pro shop”?

**This post was edited on Jan 30th 2024 at 11:50:21pm
a year ago
3 0
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,894
How tall are you bro to need a 23.5?

also sounds like a bad shop.
a year ago
0 2
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sampli
Posts: 87 - Karma: 676
mikemHow tall are you bro to need a 23.5?

also sounds like a bad shop.


Can’t tell if you are asking if he’s super tall or short, 23.5 isn’t that weird of a size
a year ago
0 1
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sampli
Posts: 87 - Karma: 676
No idea where you are so I can’t recommend any shops, but if you are in SLC the sport loft is an amazing boot shop
a year ago
1 0
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,894
sampliCan’t tell if you are asking if he’s super tall or short, 23.5 isn’t that weird of a size


He has to be short. 20 years skiing means he’s not a kid. 23.5 is super small for an adult male.
a year ago
4 3
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sampli
Posts: 87 - Karma: 676
mikemHe has to be short. 20 years skiing means he’s not a kid. 23.5 is super small for an adult male.


Ok yeah nvm I was thinking 23.5 was bigger than it is
a year ago
1 0
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6447 - Karma: 70,192
Wtf a race shop will only sell you a boot that is too big? I have had two boots sized too small by racers, I never in a hundred years would've expected a racing boot fitter to refuse giving you smaller boots. Yeah find a new shop and insist on a refund. They wasted so much of your time and money.
a year ago
6 0
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Sonofmickel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 58
I'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.
Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.
a year ago
4 0
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,894
SonofmickelI'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.
Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.


Is it a plug boot? I can see a shop not wanting to order it unless you know what your getting into.


if it’s a retail boot in a weird size. Just find a shop that will do it or do it online. I’d suggest finding a better boot fitter tho.


Also buy zipfits
a year ago
3 0
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 19,954
SonofmickelI'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.
Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.


What shop
a year ago
1 0
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Poikenz
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 4,311
Just because someone else had good luck with another shop/ fitter doesn't mean that you will. Sometimes a fitter just won't care to give you attention or be able to help with your problems and needs. It happens, if you don't feel comfortable, walk away.

Better fitting boots can help you be more comfortable on hill and give you better response. I think proper fitting boots and skill level evolve at the same rate. It can be hard for someone to express to a fitter their current issues if they don't know what those issues are. This comes with experience and with experience comes improved skill.

At the end of the day it is about making the customer happy, not everyone wants or needs a race plug. If you are not happy you should go for a return and look for someone else who can help.
a year ago
0 0
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9243 - Karma: 5,678
mikemIs it a plug boot? I can see a shop not wanting to order it unless you know what your getting into.


if it’s a retail boot in a weird size. Just find a shop that will do it or do it online. I’d suggest finding a better boot fitter tho.


Also buy zipfits


I bet it was a plug boot. I'm a 24.5 and coupled with where I live, it's impossible to find any 24.5 boots in any store in person. If his feet are that small I bet his last is extremely small and a plug boot + mods is all that would accommodate.
a year ago
0 0
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cyphers
Posts: 1836 - Karma: 21,022
you need new boots... no amount of shims/footbeds/heatmold will fix an oversized shell. find a shop that embraces reality and get fitted there.
a year ago
2 0
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Brule.
Posts: 3981 - Karma: 6,682
Always trust the instep…
a year ago
1 0
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,801
A proper race shop would push you to buy tiny boots.
a year ago
6 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5083 - Karma: 18,592
SonofmickelI'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.
Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.

Don't sleep on "ladies" boots. Thay might open up your options in 23.5 significantly. I'm a little bit bigger than you and have gone through a few boot fitter experiences some negative some more positive. Right now I'm in the Técnica Mach 1 LV Pro W, afaik it's one of the lowest volume non-race boot out there. The cuff height is almost the same as an Atomic Hawx Ultra 120 and it's noticeably stiffer. It's a bitch to put on and take off but the heel hold/ankle pocket/instep are all nice and snug around my tiny low volume foot.
a year ago
1 0
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Ryan2949
Posts: 1 - Karma: 10
Non_State_ActorDon't sleep on "ladies" boots. Thay might open up your options in 23.5 significantly. I'm a little bit bigger than you and have gone through a few boot fitter experiences some negative some more positive. Right now I'm in the Técnica Mach 1 LV Pro W, afaik it's one of the lowest volume non-race boot out there. The cuff height is almost the same as an Atomic Hawx Ultra 120 and it's noticeably stiffer. It's a bitch to put on and take off but the heel hold/ankle pocket/instep are all nice and snug around my tiny low volume foot.


Lots of 23.5 boots in stock for women, and they're usually on heavy discounts and clearance. I am using a 26.5 K2 Mindbender 110 womens boots because I wanted the colourway, and I get compliments everytime I go skiing asking what boots they are, and where I got them.
a year ago
0 0
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tesla.coupe
Posts: 16 - Karma: 592
So, I've spoken to the bootfitter I work with and this is what he tells me just from what he has seen in this thread. "without seeing the foot and having more physical information. it seems that filling the volume of an appropriate shell is the issue. It sounds like the user would best be served with the right ZipFit liner in strong shell"

I hope this helps
a year ago
2 0
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Sonofmickel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 58
SOLVED:
I got a pair of boots a full size smaller and what a difference it makes.
So much more control and the skis do not get chattery at speeds over 20mph.

The store actually gave a full return on the liners. It is still a mystery why they would not sell me in a performance fit boot, baffling...
a year ago
5 0
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Voyage86
Posts: 990 - Karma: 3,769
SonofmickelSOLVED:
I got a pair of boots a full size smaller and what a difference it makes.
So much more control and the skis do not get chattery at speeds over 20mph.

The store actually gave a full return on the liners. It is still a mystery why they would not sell me in a performance fit boot, baffling...


glad you worked it out!
a year ago
1 0
profile picture
PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 19,954
SonofmickelSOLVED:
I got a pair of boots a full size smaller and what a difference it makes.
So much more control and the skis do not get chattery at speeds over 20mph.

The store actually gave a full return on the liners. It is still a mystery why they would not sell me in a performance fit boot, baffling...


What did you end up in?
a year ago
1 0
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Sonofmickel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 58
23.5 Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 EL, baked em in the oven, fit is near perfect.
a year ago
5 0
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mikem
Posts: 968 - Karma: 9,894
Sonofmickel23.5 Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 EL, baked em in the oven, fit is near perfect.


Great boot. That will break.

Don’t want to gas you down or anything but that boot is not a tank like the old xmaxs. If you need parts I have everything.
a year ago
1 3
profile picture
iDontHitRails
Posts: 290 - Karma: 2,820
SonofmickelI bought some Technica Mach Sport100 MV boots last season at my measured mondo size 24.5.
After a few runs my feet felt felt like a peanut in a can if I went over 10/15 miles per hour. Not very happy about my performance. I am blaming myself, not the equipment at this point.
I have been "consumer" skiing for 20 odd years, always relying on employees to get me the correct products, usually teenager salespeople.

The last pair of boots a purchased was from Christy Sports at a summer sale(2010?), they put me in a very comfortable 25.5 boot, cheap!.

Fast forward to this year:
I began researching online and found Newschoolers, among countless "get better at skiing" videos online.
All my research points to starting with a great fitting boot.
The majority of good skiers appear to size down from mondo size.

I am a MONDO 24.5 left foot and 24 right foot (242mm L and 238mm R actual measured size)
Shell fit shows over an inch behind left foot and even more behind my smaller right foot.

I went to a local, highly regarded bootfitter to try and remove any guesswork.
I told them that I wanted new boots, price no object, in order to get a very snug fit.
We tried boots on for over an hour and I settled on a pair of 23.5 Nordica race boots, I loved them, they felt snug/ tight and I felt that they would pack out perfect.
The store would not sell them to me.
They said that there would be no warranty on the boots.
I asked if we could order ANYTHING for me that they would be comfortable selling me, Fischer RC4...whatever they can get $$$ is no object... "NO" they can't order ANY boots for me that do not match with my MONDO sizing from the brannock device. What?!?!?

Sooooo... they recommend getting an Intuition DH liner to "fill" up the space in my 24.5 Tecnicas.
I said I should just sell the boots and get some 23.5 and they replied that would be a bad idea.
I order the Intuition liners from them, (they charge over retail price, they are a pro racer shop).

Next week I get the liners installed at the shop.
I am loose as a goose after 2/3 runs, start cranking down the ankle and forefoot clasps just to get down the hill.
Crushing my instep, numb feet.
I go back to the shop and they say "Yup, we need to tape up the liners and install some "sizing footbeds"".
They installed 3 thick bontex footbeds in each boot in addition to my Boot Doctor footbed. Plus many layers of tape strips on the back of the ankle to lock both my heels in place(it still moves).
My feet are crammed into this shell now and the heel is still loose side to side.
My toes are entombed in intuition concrete.
Looks like one layer of bontex is half a mondo sizet, so 3 layers equals 1.5 mondo size which should definitely clue the bootfitter that the shell is far too big.

All the research I have found says to go with a smaller boot and heat mold/punch it out.
The shop says that nobody does that any more, they do not punch boots for years now...Mondo size and tape...
I am pissed...

3 layers of bontex plus boot doctor insoles mean the shell is too big, no question...
I say the boots are too big and the shop misled me.
I have no idea why they would not sell me the 23.5 boots

I'll try to get a refund.

Advise please


Bro idk what the fuck kind of boot fitter you went to but they fucked you. Any real boot fitter is way more stoked about putting you in a tight ass performance boot and making it work well.
a year ago
2 0
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