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SPK Boots Question

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WHO_DAT
Posts: 403 - Karma: 24
I know, I've been asking a lot of gear questions... but I'm a n00b and I trust and respect all of your advice.

I'm moving to Colorado and I'm going to be buying new boots. I know I will mostly ride park, but I was wondering if the Kaos or Kreation would be a bad boot to buy knowing I will be doing some pow runs also...

I'm asking because I'm new to skiing (was a boarder...), I don't know how these boots will ride on the rest of the mountain, and I get cold feet...

Would it be a better idea to invest in an all-mountain boot instead? Or if they would be fine, which one would you recommend, the Kaos or Kreation?
May 7 2009 1:59PM
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skihood
Posts: 903 - Karma: 154
kaos, even though its more its worth it. They have a little pulley strap which i thought made it 100 percent more different. And i have tried both

kaos for sure
May 7 2009 2:00PM
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45.
Posts: 3164 - Karma: 170
dont decide on a specific boot till you try a bunch on. fit is most important
May 7 2009 8:25PM
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skihood
Posts: 903 - Karma: 154
same exact boot...
May 7 2009 11:55PM
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pjbauer
Posts: 2145 - Karma: 480
yeah go with the kaos
May 7 2009 11:59PM
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ski-swagga
Posts: 5276 - Karma: 219
yeah, i own the kaos boots and i love them. but if you have a skinny foot try full tilts because the spk's are for wide feet.
May 8 2009 12:00AM
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s.bishop
Posts: 665 - Karma: 26
go to  shop get them fitted, make sure spks fit first !! its not like snowboarding where alot of boots fit you well, in skiing a good fit is alot harder to get.  so go to a shop, and try on alot of boots. also try and go when its not busy so the boot fitter can devote the proper time and attention.  i suggest going to Colorado ski and golf in Aurora, i went there when i lived in CO, they have a good selection and a really nice fit garentee system. never went to other shops though, but i was satisfied everytime i visited CO ski&golf
May 8 2009 12:26AM
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Shpadoinkle
Posts: 10437 - Karma: 84
Nope! Stop!

Go to Larry in Boulder. He's the best boot fitter in the business.
May 8 2009 5:18AM
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pDails
Posts: 1238 - Karma: 75
what she said. serious.

and worry number one about fit. fit, fit, fit. if you have multiple boots that fit after you try a few on, then get picky about flex and other characteristics of that sort. serious. I have some extremely strange feet and so i cannot find a boot that automatically fits me. therefore i have to just get the closest, and then do work. believe me, a boot that doesnt fit, but is a "park" boot or whatever will be miserable no matter what.
May 8 2009 5:44AM
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WHO_DAT
Posts: 403 - Karma: 24
Thanks for all the advice! I have super wide feet, so I thought the SPK's would be good for me... I will for sure try a lot of different ones on though.

Anyone know of any stores in CO that would have the SPK's? Around the Midwest it's impossible to find them in any store...
May 8 2009 11:28AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
If you have wide feet the SPK will likely work for you, but there is probably a better fit out there for you. Having a park specific boot isn't as important as having a good fitting boot, so if the boot that fits isn't a park boot it's still worth going for. If SPKs work for you the kaos is better than the kreation, and the pro is the best. Boots are important. I had a really bad season last year because my boots didn't fit, lost my toenails, and had to get surgery. Not fun.
May 8 2009 2:37PM
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Evan.Frazee
Posts: 2285 - Karma: -40
Spend the extra cash and get the pro models. I THINK they are slightly stiffer which will make them better all mountain. I think they are like a 90 flex compared to the kaos whick is 80 and the kreation which is a 70.


I might be wrong someone correct me if i am.
May 8 2009 3:12PM
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Ming
Posts: 966 - Karma: 35
The blue spk kreations are 85 flex, the yellow ones are 90

the pros i believe are 95-100 same with the khaos's
May 8 2009 3:35PM
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RtC.
Posts: 1156 - Karma: 28
Kaos - 95
Pro - 110

BOOTFITTER... Please don't make the mistake.
May 8 2009 3:57PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
Good to hear. I'm going there at the end of summer to get my first pair of fitted boots. No more rental boots!!!

Sorry for the thread jack. You do not want a poor fitting boot so the only way to avoid that by my logic is to get a fitted boot
May 9 2009 8:10PM
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WHO_DAT
Posts: 403 - Karma: 24
Wow, sounds like a legit dude! What boots are you getting fitted? (Just out of curiosity.) Congrats though, ha! Steppin up in the ski world... Rental boots gotta suck!!
May 9 2009 11:12PM
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Shpadoinkle
Posts: 10437 - Karma: 84
Ya, seriously. He was voted best in the country.
May 10 2009 12:21AM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 608
I second this motion. I love my full tilts. They are super light and the liner is really warm. If they fit your foot (HUGE if here) they are an awesome boot, and I would highly reccomend them. The booter would be a good choice because of it's soft flex, since you are a girl and all.
May 10 2009 12:58AM
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RtC.
Posts: 1156 - Karma: 28
Here's out it works...

Said person (A) walks in to store (Larrys Boot Shop in this case (person B)) at prearranged time (really helpful with Larry)
They shake hands and small talk. They then discuss what person A wants from their boot and what they'll be using their boots for. You might get offered a drink.
A takes their shoes and socks off. They were considerate, washed their feet before coming. Nice.
B then looks at A's feet, measuring the feet, analyzing the width the instep height, heel cup size, ankle bones, achillies width and calf width/size amidst other things, any random burrs/corns or things that could affect boot comfort and recommendation.
notice that bit, Person B will recommend person A boots, the boots that best fit your foot and needs.
B will walk away and come back with a choice of normally 2-3 boots, generally 1 he knows will not fit As foot well, it's to make the choice easier. A will likely wear all 3 boots for 15minutes, pacing around the shop flexing them as naturally as possible.
A will know which feels better, be abel to talk about which one feels better, any sore spots or things that aren't quite right like heel lift.
B will make the boot fit A best, knowing about their corns/unusual bits that will cause rubbing. These will then be worked out.
More than likely B will fit A for custom footbeds, unless A brought their own with them or is a fool.

Lastly A pays B, they shake hands and B knows that A is in the right boot for their foot and not what they wanted to fit... A also thanks god they didn't have a preset boot in their mind before going to see B as after their first 10days on snow, they couldn't be more stoked.

Moral = Don't have it set in your mind about which boot you'll be fitted in. Big mistake.

Peace
May 10 2009 4:51AM
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s.bishop
Posts: 665 - Karma: 26
Person A IMO should also bring about twice what theyre expecting to spend because sometimes that perfect fit cost more than you thought, (ESP if you have weird feet like me !) and i bet person B would enjoy a little tip for doing such a good job ;)
May 10 2009 9:23AM
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Shpadoinkle
Posts: 10437 - Karma: 84
Expect to stay there for 2 hours.
May 11 2009 2:29AM
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partyalex
Posts: 131 - Karma: 11
I'd recommend going for the Pro model too, i picked some up a couple of months ago, while i was in the shop i tried the Kaos on too and the flex on the Pro model is definitely firmer and closer to what i was looking for. Also, i have really wide feet and they fit great. Usually able to downsize in these boots too, my old boots were 27.5 but im riding some 26.0 pros now.
May 11 2009 10:18AM
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WHO_DAT
Posts: 403 - Karma: 24
Ahhh yeah, that's what everyone at my local hill was saying... that they all downsized. That's a bummer because I just got my bindings mounted on my new Suspects. Ha! Oh well, not guaranteeing I'm going with the SPK's... I'll just worry about fit.

Thanks though man!
May 11 2009 1:17PM
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MidwestSteeze
Posts: 1839 - Karma: 153
hahaha who did you ask? the only kids who rock spks or kreations/koas are me my brother and josh. and yeah there are a bunch of places that sell them. lackee and joys in brookfeild sell them, as well as les mois also in brookfield, the board shop in lake geneva sells them. thats all i can think of off the top of my head,
May 11 2009 1:45PM
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WHO_DAT
Posts: 403 - Karma: 24
No not at Alpine.  I was asking at Tyrol when they had their Spring Jam.

Les Moise and Lackee and Joy's haven't had any in for quite a while... only those little pee wee ones.


I didn't check the BS Shop though, that's a good though.
May 11 2009 3:09PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
The Les Moise in whitefish bay had a pair or two as of a few weeks ago. I dont think we are bringing them in next season though, they didnt sell well at all. But we will have FTs!
May 11 2009 4:09PM
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WHO_DAT
Posts: 403 - Karma: 24
Thanks! Good thing I'll be in CO next season then... =p
May 11 2009 4:42PM
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Shpadoinkle
Posts: 10437 - Karma: 84
Girls don't usually go with the usual stiffness of a guys boot.
May 11 2009 10:13PM
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