It really is worth it. My personal recommendation based on my experience over the past 10 years with boot after boot after boot is to go with the smaller boot and make room where needed. What feels cozy and snug in the shop will quickly pack out and start to feel sloppy on the hill. Even my 92 last race boots have gotten sloppy with Intuition liners in them because the liners have packed out. This is with MAYBE 5mm behind my heel, probably closer to 3, and about 2 mm on each side of my foot (oh, how I wish I had zero mm on each side of my foot!)So, I drove 1.5 hours today and had an awesome convo with a real boot fitter. He showed me where my feet are fairly narrow with a low instep so I have a very low volume foot. He said he recommends the Atomic hawk ultra 95 and he's going to see about ordering them. He said if I were a super aggressive advanced skier he'd say I definitely need a 22.5 but I'm right in the middle where a 23.5 is spacious and a 22.5 is snug. Said he would see about getting both. Sadly I'll be paying full retail but I guess if I get the right fit it isn't the end of the world. Custom insoles are another 150 but he said I could do that next year. Kinda bummed on the price because I could order them 80-100 bucks less on line but feel like their knowledge is worth it and it would be low to save that cash when that's what they do and how they make $$.
Now I know why I slip-slide around so much. My current boots have a 102mm last and he's trying to get me in a 98 last.
Right, and the custom insoles I can buy next year but if I didn't buy boots from him they'd be 200 instead of 150, and they added stuff to my current boots to make them tighter. So the customer service was unbeatable and so it would be low to not buy, imo.I would think you will end up saving that money very quickly if you need any modifications done either now or in the future though! Most fitters should include that cost with the boot they sell you.
It really is worth it. My personal recommendation based on my experience over the past 10 years with boot after boot after boot is to go with the smaller boot and make room where needed. What feels cozy and snug in the shop will quickly pack out and start to feel sloppy on the hill. Even my 92 last race boots have gotten sloppy with Intuition liners in them because the liners have packed out. This is with MAYBE 5mm behind my heel, probably closer to 3, and about 2 mm on each side of my foot (oh, how I wish I had zero mm on each side of my foot!)
Do you mind sharing where you went?
Yes, the custom insoles are a really good idea now if you can.I also second smaller if you can manage it. Like @contesstant said....you can make a smaller boot bigger, but you can't make a bigger boot smaller. (says the lady on her third pair of boots in 4 seasons)
Also, if you can make the numbers work, consider springing for the custom insoles now. The insole will affect the boot fit (foot length) and the shell adjustments you might make.
ski boots fit so differently! I am a size 11 running shoe and a 255 ski boot (8.5)
yes, mondo size 255
Makes sense to me.Also, if you can make the numbers work, consider springing for the custom insoles now. The insole will affect the boot fit (foot length) and the shell adjustments you might make.
Just a word of caution on insoles: I had MasterFit custom insoles for two years and I had a lot of foot pain, including metatarsal pain. I finally switched out to off-the-shelf (Sidas 3-feet) insoles and found immediate relief. A friend who is also a bootfitter thinks that because the MasterFits were molded with me standing (rather than sitting) during the process, the insoles captured my significant pronation. That is, instead of providing support, they put my foot into an already-pronated position that causes a ton of problems in any shoe. It that's true, I spent a lot of money having my feet locked into the worst possible position in the boot.
So, I drove 1.5 hours today and had an awesome convo with a real boot fitter. He showed me where my feet are fairly narrow with a low instep so I have a very low volume foot. He said he recommends the Atomic hawk ultra 95 and he's going to see about ordering them. He said if I were a super aggressive advanced skier he'd say I definitely need a 22.5 but I'm right in the middle where a 23.5 is spacious and a 22.5 is snug. Said he would see about getting both. Sadly I'll be paying full retail but I guess if I get the right fit it isn't the end of the world. Custom insoles are another 150 but he said I could do that next year. Kinda bummed on the price because I could order them 80-100 bucks less on line but feel like their knowledge is worth it and it would be low to save that cash when that's what they do and how they make $$.
Now I know why I slip-slide around so much. My current boots have a 102mm last and he's trying to get me in a 98 last.
I think a lot with insoles depends on your individual feet. There are many "brands" of custom insole and also the insole is also only as good as the person making it. Some types of insole are more rigid than others. I had Instaprint for my first pair and they were made unweighted and I found the arch too high. They can grind them down to adjust though.
My current set is a different brand and they were made semi weighted or maybe it was weighted--can't recall exactly--but they are much better for my feet.
The Instaprint ones stabbed into my arch--the current ones have just enough support but not too much.
Like everything else with ski boots--I think it comes down to trial and error--which really stinks given the cost of things.
Custom insoles are another 150 but he said I could do that next year.
Unless you have a lot of trouble with too much mobility in you ankles, or wear custom orthotics in your normal shoes, I would recommend getting Superfeet insoles or similar for this year and evaluate if custom insoles are really necessary. Spend the $50 this year when you get your boots, trim to fit, and you may find that they are perfectly acceptable.
I just want to add to the chorus about paying retail for the boots. The service you get is already worth it, but it will be worth actual $$ in the years to come. The boots may not be right just out of the box, and all of the work this bootfitter may do comes with that retail cost (in general). As Jilly pointed out, you'd have to pay for those modifications if you bought your boots elsewhere. And if you have to buy more equipment, you'll start to get breaks on the prices here and there.