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hi_vis360
December, 2024

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Boot Compromise: Control vs Comfort

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bootspace
Posts: 395 - Karma: 3,333
Currently riding K2 Methods, they don’t fit me very well (bought them online like an idiot) and they start to hurt too much to ride after 4-5 runs. Also have a good bit of heel movement, even when cranking the buckles all the way. Im planning on going to a bootfitter for next season, i just wanted to know if there’s a compromise between comfort and performance. Like if i have a boot that keeps me super locked in and fits well, is it going to be comfortable?
Mar 15 2024 9:47AM
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profa_212
Posts: 8960 - Karma: 36,646
No. A good bootfitter and a good boot that fit should be like a snug handshake. Not painful, not loose. You can definitely get a performance fit and be able to ski 8 hours in the boot. I used to work 10-12 hours in my boots with zero issue. And i am on a 1cm performance fit.


Also, dont necessarily expect perfection out of the box. It is more than likely you are going to get set up in the best boot for your foot, but still need a punch or two. So dont freak out if they tell you that. Thats why 99% of fitters do punches/grinds free when you buy the boot at their store.



As long as you're not going with a plug boot you will be fine. Even then, a fitter would work them to get them to a skiable state.
Mar 15 2024 10:15AM
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bootspace
Posts: 395 - Karma: 3,333
profa_212No. A good bootfitter and a good boot that fit should be like a snug handshake. Not painful, not loose. You can definitely get a performance fit and be able to ski 8 hours in the boot. I used to work 10-12 hours in my boots with zero issue. And i am on a 1cm performance fit.


Also, dont necessarily expect perfection out of the box. It is more than likely you are going to get set up in the best boot for your foot, but still need a punch or two. So dont freak out if they tell you that. Thats why 99% of fitters do punches/grinds free when you buy the boot at their store.



As long as you're not going with a plug boot you will be fine. Even then, a fitter would work them to get them to a skiable state.


so you’re saying that i may need to come back later in the season for a “re-fit” of sorts?
Mar 15 2024 10:21AM
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bennwithtwons
Posts: 1442 - Karma: 12,310
it almost certainly will take many trips to the bootfitter to get the desired feel. it may include new footbeds, liners, punches etc.

years ago, an experienced boot fitter told me that the fit should be sufficiently tight that while skiing, you feel locked in (without pain/discomfort) but when sitting on the lift, popping the buckles open would feel like a good idea. after all, your boots are designed for your weight to be pushing down into them rather than having them hang off your feet.
Mar 15 2024 11:09AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
bootspaceLike if i have a boot that keeps me super locked in and fits well, is it going to be comfortable?


Yes. This the main reason that 90% of our freeski athletes are in a Redster boot of some sort. If a boot fits you well (which means custom footbed and possibly having multiple refit sessions), you will be comfortable.
Mar 15 2024 1:18PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5107 - Karma: 51,882
My current boots are both the tightest fitting and most comfortable boots I’ve had. Custom liners, heat molded shell, and custom footbeds. 3 trips to a bootfitter in total
Mar 15 2024 7:27PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5107 - Karma: 51,882
onenerdykidYes. This the main reason that 90% of our freeski athletes are in a Redster boot of some sort. If a boot fits you well (which means custom footbed and possibly having multiple refit sessions), you will be comfortable.


I’m shocked they aren’t all in a boot that has BOA considering how revolutionary that tech is. It WRAPS the foot!!
Mar 15 2024 7:32PM
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bootspace
Posts: 395 - Karma: 3,333
hi_vis360My current boots are both the tightest fitting and most comfortable boots I’ve had. Custom liners, heat molded shell, and custom footbeds. 3 trips to a bootfitter in total


do you mind if i ask how much that all cost? trying to get an idea for how much i need to save
Mar 15 2024 7:42PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5107 - Karma: 51,882
bootspacedo you mind if i ask how much that all cost? trying to get an idea for how much i need to save


Well my older brother hooked me up with the footbeds as a gift but those are usually like 200, liners were 300, and boots were around 700. Totally worth it, you do not want to cheap out on boots

**This post was edited on Mar 15th 2024 at 7:52:02pm
Mar 15 2024 7:50PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
hi_vis360I’m shocked they aren’t all in a boot that has BOA considering how revolutionary that tech is. It WRAPS the foot!!


BOA doesn't turn the wrong boot into the right boot - never has, never will. As of today, Redster boots are only available with buckles and since these boots are the right fit and right stability the athletes are looking for, it would be 100% stupid to take a different fit and less stable boot simply due to the closure system.

With that said, when the same boot is available as a BOA shell or a buckle shell, the BOA boot will win the fit contest.
Mar 16 2024 8:41AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
bootspacedo you mind if i ask how much that all cost? trying to get an idea for how much i need to save


Totally depends on the shop. The boot price is the only "standardized" cost in the whole equation. Shops charge anywhere from $100-200 for custom footbeds (the better ones are simply made by more experienced people; it's not the brand of the footbed, it's the person making it) and a certain amount of fitting (small grinds, punches, liner molding) is usually included with the boot purchase when you buy it from the shop. If you buy a boot online and bring it into a shop, they will for sure provide you with custom fitting services, but you will be paying full price and it won't be cheap (anywhere from $50-100 per hour of work required). You are most often better off getting everything from the shop.
Mar 16 2024 8:53AM
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Benchhitter
Posts: 184 - Karma: 1,722
Performance fit while being comfortable is super possible! I’m 28.5 on the brannock but put myself in 26.5. Took a lot of adjusting and I have full access to a boot punch. I have spent 10 hours 5 days a week in the boots, no pain and no movement.

for your average person to do it it requires patience, a good relationship with a good boot fitter and obviously a little extra budget on top of your boot.

go into a good fitter, preferably at the start of the season. Be very very clear about your needs, your skiing style, etc. buy the custom footbeds. Be very articulate with what you’re feeling in the boots. Listen to the fitters advice and ask questions. Be prepared to go back a couple times to get adjustments until they’re perfect. Remember that your bootfitter probably deals with annoying geriatrics on their 6th visit all day. I’d personally way rather be working with your average NS type skiier. I absolutely do not mind doing little adjustments either way.
Mar 16 2024 2:49PM
2 0
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bootspace
Posts: 395 - Karma: 3,333
BenchhitterPerformance fit while being comfortable is super possible! I’m 28.5 on the brannock but put myself in 26.5. Took a lot of adjusting and I have full access to a boot punch. I have spent 10 hours 5 days a week in the boots, no pain and no movement.

for your average person to do it it requires patience, a good relationship with a good boot fitter and obviously a little extra budget on top of your boot.

go into a good fitter, preferably at the start of the season. Be very very clear about your needs, your skiing style, etc. buy the custom footbeds. Be very articulate with what you’re feeling in the boots. Listen to the fitters advice and ask questions. Be prepared to go back a couple times to get adjustments until they’re perfect. Remember that your bootfitter probably deals with annoying geriatrics on their 6th visit all day. I’d personally way rather be working with your average NS type skiier. I absolutely do not mind doing little adjustments either way.


this is all very helpful, thank you and everyone who commented. the general theme seems to be: be patient/go back for adjustment, and don’t cheap out on custom stuff
Mar 16 2024 3:02PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5107 - Karma: 51,882
onenerdykidBOA doesn't turn the wrong boot into the right boot - never has, never will. As of today, Redster boots are only available with buckles and since these boots are the right fit and right stability the athletes are looking for, it would be 100% stupid to take a different fit and less stable boot simply due to the closure system.

With that said, when the same boot is available as a BOA shell or a buckle shell, the BOA boot will win the fit contest.


So why don’t they already have BOA on them then?
Mar 16 2024 7:10PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,013
hi_vis360So why don’t they already have BOA on them then?

Because you can’t just add BOA to any ski boot your want. Adding BOA requires new molds and lasts = 1 million Euros per boot series you want to put it on.

Brands will be updating 1 boot series with BOA per year, it’s going to be a slow roll out.
Mar 16 2024 9:31PM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
onenerdykidYes. This the main reason that 90% of our freeski athletes are in a Redster boot of some sort. If a boot fits you well (which means custom footbed and possibly having multiple refit sessions), you will be comfortable.


When's the Redster CS XTD coming??
Mar 17 2024 8:17PM
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