My First Bootfitting...

[Solincia]

So I left work at 12:30pm today.

All I could think about today was dropping off my skis to have the bindings mounted, getting a boot fitting, and what fun it would be... sure.

Although this ski shop is about 45 minutes from my house, it was only 10 minutes from the corporate location I was at today. Knowing I had lots of time, I stopped by my sisters work on the way there, being she works right down the road. I showed her my new skis <now she wants a pair>and in the process, a friend of hers <and mine> hands me a card and tells me to talk to this gentleman first when I get there. Evidently he's the owner, and perhaps he could get me a good deal. Our friend had called him while I was showing her the skis.

When I arrived at the shop, I asked to speak to this man as suggested, and the kid behind the counter goes on to ask why. I explain in short detail and he said "well he's very busy and doesn't work on the sales floor."....yeah....I quickly respond.. "He told me to ask for him.".... Buh bye, go get him... yep. Okay. So with that said, he comes out smiling, cheery eyed and after explaining what I need done he tells me he'll be happy to help me out, just ask for him when we're all done. He then asks another sales associate to assist me <which is fine, he's a busy man, but now he knows I'm here and that was the point.>

So of course the next sequence of events went exactly as I've read it should... measuring, trying on some boots, adjusting this, adjusting that <I grabbed a pair of ski socks before we started and put them on, VERY comfortable, I could wear these all the time!>. The guy was nice and helpful, and was trying his darndest to make a 26.5 work for me... trouble is, I have a large foot. I'm a woman's 10, sometimes 11, and my left is a hair longer than my right. I have a high instep to boot. He inadvertantly <although jokingly, and I joked along> made me feel like every bootfitters nightmare.

Finally he decided to pull a 27... fast forward past the fitting, yes it fit great <or so I thought>. He kept on about this one boot, and I started thinking and then asked "Do you have others in this size"....Nope, he only had ONE, yes ONE 27... that's it. One model in my size. Okay...two things wrong here. I don't have anything to compare it to, and I hate the colour. I tried to convince myself that it's about the fit... remember it's about the fit... again, it's about the fit...once more... the fit... don't worry that it's white with lime green <i'm an earth tones neutral kind of girl>. They are the Salomon Charm 7.

Well, I bought them. The owner gave me a discount <it wasn't that big. In fact I saw them online for the same price> and didn't charge me for a rush mounting <24 hours> for my skis.

Fast forward 10 minutes into the drive home. I don't feel good about my purchase. I wasn't happy, I wasn't excited, I just plain didn't feel good about it.
I then remember that there is a snowboard shop about 15 minutes from my house <i'm an idiot, I can't believe I forgot its there... I actually used to work right next to it!> I called information, called the shop, yep... they do both skis and snowboards... I'm on my way!

So anyway... here's the scoop. I tried on about 5-6 pairs of size 27 ski boots, one fit PERFECTLY! In fact, I realized the Salomons were too big, I had too much room in them. I ended up with Technica Moda 4's in grey <very nice, see, happy!>. They fit snug but not tight, have good flex for me <they're comfy!> and have the ability to pack out without being too big. They were even less than the others, and so I had custom footbeds made.
While there, I told him of my interest in k2 karat poles, but he showed me the Leki titan lite that has a snap off strap. $35 for the pair. Sold.

I left happy. I left excited, and now I just have to pick up my skis in the morning and return the Charm 7's <thank goodness!>

My advice to anyone getting a bootfitting for the first time would be this...Try on a few boots, beware if they have only 1 in your size, don't feel bad about taking up so much time and not buying something. Trust your gut.

Thanks for listening!

 

[skigrl27]

Nice! Glad you didn't settle. Although the color REALLY shouldn't matter...

But I agree, when someone is pushing a boot & it just so happens to be the only pair in your size, be concerned.

Congrats!! Can't wait for the report on all your new stuff.

 

[Solincia]

Nice! Glad you didn't settle. Although the color REALLY shouldn't matter...

But I agree, when someone is pushing a boot & it just so happens to be the only pair in your size, be concerned.

Congrats!! Can't wait for the report on all your new stuff.

thanks, I'll be heading out wednesday <to far away!>. I can't wait to try out these skis~I thought it was pretty funny when my sister asked if she could have a pair for an early christmas present... IT"S FEBRUARY! ... I told her to buy her own! She hasn't skied in a long time either, so perhaps I'll be able to get her back into it.

I envy you ladies who live right near where you ski, even from where I live it's about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. It's a nice area though, it's in the valley, and the tow path from the Ohio Canal is done there. GREAT place to bike ride in the spring/summer/fall. Beautiful area, you'd almost forget your just outside the city.

 

[badger]

tThis was not a bootfitter

Boy, it really can be a letdown to be so excited about dialing-in equipment with experts, and coming away with doubts about the experience, let alone the purchase.
IMO I do not think you were visiting a true, certified bootfitter. Your gentleman at the shop was attempting to sell you a pair of boots; he was doing the sales protocols, but not bootfitting per se. A bootfitter, by trade, is one who will spend a lengthy time evaluating your feet, stance, balance, flex, biomechanics/canting (on the sole of the boot, not the misnomered "canting" adjustment on the boot itself), etc. It can take some time and usually requires an appointment. In many situations, the client already owns a pair of boots to his liking and then sees a bootfitter.
It's great to know you ended up with another pair you feel positive about! Now, you may wish to visit a bootfitter if necessary.

 

[badger]

This was not a bootfitter

Boy, it really can be a letdown to be so excited about dialing-in equipment with experts, and coming away with doubts about the experience, let alone the purchase.
IMO I do not think you were visiting a true, certified bootfitter. Your gentleman at the shop was attempting to sell you a pair of boots; he was doing the sales protocols, but not bootfitting per se. A bootfitter, by trade, is one who will spend a lengthy time evaluating your feet, stance, balance, flex, biomechanics/canting (on the sole of the boot, not the misnomered "canting" adjustment on the boot itself), etc. It can take some time and usually requires an appointment. In many situations, the client already owns a pair of boots to his liking and then sees a bootfitter.
It's great to know you ended up with another pair you feel positive about! Now, you may wish to visit a bootfitter if necessary.

 

[daniwrites]

I definitely agree....I went to Princeton Ski Shop in Long Island NY to try on boots and they had what looked like a 16 year old kid helping me.

I told him my ski level, and that I'm looking for a boot that would work well with my flat feet. Blank stare. He goes to ask his manager.
Comes back and tells me "You probably need a wide boot"...I asked him to get me some to try on...

He shell fits me which I was surprised about...3 fingers fit in the back--way too big. But my toes were crushed up in the front once the liner was put in.

I tell him this and ask for more to try on...He relunctantly gets another pair....these crushed my ankles...I told him that--and he said they should be fitting well. I explained they hurt and I don't like them and to please show me more. He said his manager told him only these two boots would be good for me. OK 2 boots out of all the boots in their shop? Please.

I thanked him for his time, got the hell out of there--and sped to Ski Stop 10 or so exits away....I was pissed...Was it because I was a woman? Was it because he was lazy and not knowledgeable ?? Not sure...Probably both.

Ski Stop: Spent 2 hours there (until they closed) with an extremely patient guy---tried on 10+ boots...and left amazingly happy. Ended up getting a pair of Dalbello's (Which also surprised me because I absolutely HATED my old ones)--and they ended up being the least expensive of all the ones I tried!