Lange boots

[haylmom]

Yes, I'm STILL looking for boots....I've turned to ebay. Since I haven't had the chance to try on any Lange boots (but have heard great things, and they are moldable) can I have some opinions on these? (price, good boot, experience?)

https://cgi.ebay.ca/New-Lange-Exclu...0951565QQihZ004QQcategoryZ21241QQcmdZViewItem

https://cgi.ebay.ca/New-Lange-Exclu...5782403QQihZ004QQcategoryZ21241QQcmdZViewItem

https://cgi.ebay.ca/ski-boots-LANGE...6447076QQihZ004QQcategoryZ21241QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks!!!

 

[Bravosarah]

eBay is great for researching prices, but I wouldn't advise buying boots online. The best advise you can get from anyone is to see a bootfitter. One of the reasons a bootfitter is so important is because they will feel your foot and watch you walk sock-footed. This way they can recommend a brand that uses a mold that will fit your foot best.

Almost, if not all liners are heat mouldable. Boots are an expense, but a bootfitter is worth their weight in gold!

Here's a thread with some brand names and how they fit into a perticular foot:

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2377&highlight=boot+lab

And here's a great thread on why you need to see a bootfitter:

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075

 

[volklgirl]

Have you seen a boot fitter yet???? We all hesitate to recommend boots to anyone for purchase over the internet without lots of information about you as a skier and none of us can recommend a possible fit without seeing your feet. That said, however;

Ummmmm....the Exclusive 60 and the Comp 100 are VERY different boots, in both fit and function.

The Exclusive 60 is a very soft boot with a narrow heel, wider forefoot, and low cuff. Unless you're a slow speed, non-agressive, or very light weight skier, you'll probably outgrow the abilities of this boot very quickly.

The Comp 100 is made of comparable if not the same plastic as the World Cup 100, although its fit is slightly more generous. These tend to be narrower all over and have a higher and stiffer cuff. If it fits without significant modification, it should take you through intermediate and well into expert level skiing.

If at all possible, save your $ for now and see a fitter and try a bunch of different boots on. You'll be MUCH happier if you do. Boots are THE MOST important piece of equipment you will ever own! Save yourself lots of misery and do it right the first time, please! (I apologize if I sound preachy ).

 

[haylmom]

Ok, just so I can add to this....I have been to both local ski shops AND cleves just to check everywhere. I have tried on most Salomons, Rossi's and a couple Atomic and Head boots. I have not found one that is jumping out at me (oh, that they have in my size mind you....) Most of what our shops carry are a large inventory of beginner, very soft flex boots. There are no sizes left in anything decent around here. I do not want to spend a bunch of money... there are boots that fit well, but I just don't want to spend a ton of money. (and cannot really afford to since I've bought so much new gear this winter)
So that is why I've turned to Ebay. And Lange is not carried here in town, so its one I haven't tried yet....

Am I making a mistake here? Should I just dish out the money. What you are saying about bootfitting...they do not do that around here, so maybe we don't have any 'bootfitters'?? They simply try to sell you whatever they have left in stock.

 

[Robyn]

I'm with everyone else, don't buy a boot without first trying it on. I've read the fit profiles of many boots and ones that should have fit me well did not and those that shouldn't have fit well were right up in the running. For example, Langes are generally quite narrow but I loved one pair I tried on and was quite close to purchasing them until I went to Surefoot and had custom liners and orthotics done (to be fair the price was comparable due to pro form discounts I get for coaching).

 

[volklgirl]

Am I making a mistake here? Should I just dish out the money. What you are saying about bootfitting...they do not do that around here, so maybe we don't have any 'bootfitters'?? They simply try to sell you whatever they have left in stock.

Emphatically, YES and YES! Go where ever you need to go to find a true boot fitter (I had to drive for 2 1/2 hours one-way to get the fitter most highly recommended in Northern Michigan). Even if you don't buy boots there, the initial fit process is usually free and will give you a true idea of which boot and what size you need. While I recommend buying your boots from your fitter and they will then usually come with a lifetime fit guarantee, we all understand $ constraints. Again, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU WILL BUY and an ill-fitting boot will make your ski life h*ll! If this person doesn't follow the most of the process in the boot fitting sticky, walk away and go somewhere else.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Haylmom, you're still tentatively planning a weekend trip up to Sunday River, correct? There is a very good shop right on the main access road - Jack Frost. The shop right inside the base lodge at Sunday River is also good (I peronally think JF is better.) I think you'd be able to get a great fit start there. I agree with the others not to buy anything "cold" off ebay. The only time I did this was to replace DH's boots with an identical pair of new/old stock. Jack Frost is excellent. Hang on for a few more weeks, they have a ton of high-end boots.

 

[haylmom]

MSL, I'm not sure if I will make it there for a while now as since I've joined the 8-week lessons at the local hill it will take up all of my saturdays! I may just make a trip down to Maine anyway then to try to find some boots. (it makes me cringe to go down there though and not be able to ski!!!)

 

[bklyn]

(it makes me cringe to go down there though and not be able to ski!!!)

It makes us cringe to think you might buy some boots on ebay that you've not tried on!

 

[haylmom]

It makes us cringe to think you might buy some boots on ebay that you've not tried on!

I know...I feel like the black sheep!!
lol

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Portland has some good shops, probably Bangor as well, which is much closer for you. Want me to do some homework? Just holler. You then wouldn't have to be anywhere near the very tempting mountains anyway....

 

[Jilly]

I'm thinking if you can't get into QC, then Maine might be your best choice. Also in Maine you are going to gain on the $$ exchange!! I've tried contacting the rep's I know, but everyone is still on holidays. Rossi rep is in Utah according to his Facebook page! Tough life!

 

[Bravosarah]

Haylmom, only if you absolutely positively cannot get to a bootfitter.

This is what I would do if I were in your shoes, go to the SportChek in Regent Mall (assuming you are somewhere near Fredericton) and buy a women’s specific boot there.

Before you do, soak in everything you can regarding bootfitting on this site believe me, these Divas know what they’re talking about! Get to know your foot, do you have a high instep? Wide forefoot? Narrow heel? Research which brands will fit your foot best and try on each boot using the technique shown by Volklgirls sticky.

You should be able to find a boot for $150 or even less. Make sure they heat mould the lining to your foot. They will be able to do that in the store, when they put the lining back into the boot make sure they put the left lining in the left boot etc. (They’re not bootfitters, and you’ll be surprised how many right linings out there are in left boots. srsly) They’ll be good enough until the end of this season.

Over the summer take a little trip to a bonafide bootfitter recommended by one of the Divas here and buy a great pair of custom fitted boots on sale! (and save the others for a spare)

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Haylmom, I am batting ZERO in terms of finding anything that's within reasonable distance to you :( - let me know if you posted on epic and had any replies. Regrettably, most of the good shops are in the resort/mountain areas (or seem to be). I'm beginning to think the above post might be your better option?? Will keep hunting, but I'm seeing primarily snowboard shops. I've done all my boot stuff up here near the resorts, so I'm urban-clueless....

 

[num]

I see MSL said what I was originally thinking to say about holding off til your Sunday River trip, and if that's still a possibility at all, I say go for it. Is it the closest resort? How long is the drive?

Is anything in this list anywhere near you?

 

[haylmom]

Num, its about 5-6 hours to Sunday River...so not TOO bad. Nothing in that list is closer than Sunday River is to me. I'm going to go back to both shops in town today and see if there's anything new...yet again. They're probably going to be sick of me. lol

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I looked more closely at map the other day. Sugarloaf is probably closer for you, if you are coming in via I-95 westbound - exit is at Waterville - from there, Rt 16 takes you to Kingfield, ME, then Rt 27 to Sugarloaf. From my familiarity with Maine and the distances between the 2 resorts, Sugarloaf would be about an hour closer.

 

[haylmom]

Oh really?? I"ve never actually been to either of them so its a guesstimate from Mapquest I've also travelled to Bangor and Portland recently so I remember the distances for those ...

 

[haylmom]

OK...so I know you all are waiting for this, but .... here goes....

you were right. :p

I went to my shop and this time I tried stuff on, and again, they were willing to sell me whatever, but I got the owner to help after a while, and I started taking liners out and he finally sat with me and did some real fitting. Turns out I'm even a 24.5 and not 25.5. Imagine that! So, I'm glad you divas made me wait a bit. The only boot they had in that size is Rossi Intensive 110 for $319.00 plus tax. I may look around town again now that I know my size is diff...

 

[bklyn]

Well, with some shops, if they think you don't know what to ask for, or what exactly you need...

This is their opportunity to sell the low end/high margin junk that they need to unload.

Don't compromise on the boot fit. You may have to pay a bit more, but on the other hand bad fitting boots will hold you back for all the years you keep them. Or cost you double if you have to make another quick purchase because they're completely unsuitable on the hill.

I really suggest you work with a shop on a mountain, where you can get fitted, ski, and go back to the same shop for any adjustments you need.