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What to do when you don't have a boot dealer?

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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,120
I am new to newschoolers so I may not be aware of all the posts but I didn't see a thread about what to do if there are boots you want but you can't get them from a shop.

Recently I was looking to build a new park setup. I got Salomon NFX Lab skis, Rossignol FKS 140 Bindings, but no boots. Everything I have heard so far has been that Full Tilt boots were the best for park. I currently ski a pair of Salomon SPK's but the tongue has rigid edges that dig into my shins. I saw that the Full Tilt Classic boots were marked down for about $270 but I don't have a Full Tilt dealer within 3 hours of my home to go try them on.

My question really is; is it advisable to order them and possibly return them if the fit is wrong??

everything I have read on here is that you need to find a boot with the proper fit for your foot.
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Jun 25 2015 5:55PM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,182
Although Full tilt may have a 1mm difference in last than Salmon boot, there's other characteristics one must deal with when buying a boot that a fitter will compensate for. Like the lean of angle of the boot, toe size of the boat, heal size of the boot, footbeds, get foot beds can't stress this enough, and punching out the shell.

I tried on 9 pairs of boots, before I decided to buy my FT's so unless you care more about being "cool" rather than being functional, go to a boo fitter with a clear mind and listen to him.
Jun 25 2015 6:18PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1406 - Karma: 3,131
FT's aren't the end all be all and the help and service you will get from your local fitter (if they are competent) will more than outweigh the cost of ordering online and having to live with a boot that only kind of fits or the hassle of trying to return a used boot. I say used because you have to at least ride them a bit to really feel out the issues you think you have.
Jun 25 2015 6:42PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
CabbyArrantI am new to newschoolers so I may not be aware of all the posts but I didn't see a thread about what to do if there are boots you want but you can't get them from a shop.

Recently I was looking to build a new park setup. I got Salomon NFX Lab skis, Rossignol FKS 140 Bindings, but no boots. Everything I have heard so far has been that Full Tilt boots were the best for park. I currently ski a pair of Salomon SPK's but the tongue has rigid edges that dig into my shins. I saw that the Full Tilt Classic boots were marked down for about $270 but I don't have a Full Tilt dealer within 3 hours of my home to go try them on.

My question really is; is it advisable to order them and possibly return them if the fit is wrong??

everything I have read on here is that you need to find a boot with the proper fit for your foot.


The SPK is an extremely wide high-volume fit and the FT Classic is an extremely narrow low-volume fit. I have never met someone that fitted both. The fact that you are asking this question means you won't even be able to tell, in a worthwhile way, whether they actually fit you and by the time you know for sure (i.e. about 20 minutes after you start skiing them you won't be able to return them because they're used. Even if you only need minor adjustment to the fit the shop is going to bend you over because you didn't buy from them in the first place.
Jun 25 2015 9:04PM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,120
I don't have a boot fitter within 500 miles of me. I live in the flat state of Illinois. But to address the fit of the Spk I actually wear a smaller size than I normally would because I have narrow feet part of the reason I want out of them is because the last is too wide.

My problem lies in that there is no actual boot fitter in a reasonable distance from my home. I have to order pretty much everything I use so trying out lots of boots and getting them fitted isn't something I can feasibly do.
Jun 26 2015 12:38AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
CabbyArrantMy problem lies in that there is no actual boot fitter in a reasonable distance from my home. I have to order pretty much everything I use so trying out lots of boots and getting them fitted isn't something I can feasibly do.


No you don't, which is good news.

Obviously you don't live where you ski. So, when you go on your ski vacation you should do some research of who/what/where are the best boot-fitters in that area. Call them up, speak with their fitters, make an appointment, and when you go there, you will walk away with a great fitting boot. Do not go in to any store with an idea of "I want a park boot" or "I want boot X". A boot-fitter's job is to find the right boot for you and I am very confident that you will find a solution for your foot/needs at your vacation destination.
Jun 26 2015 8:54AM
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Skiingsnow
Posts: 1567 - Karma: 797
onenerdykidNo you don't, which is good news.

Obviously you don't live where you ski. So, when you go on your ski vacation you should do some research of who/what/where are the best boot-fitters in that area. Call them up, speak with their fitters, make an appointment, and when you go there, you will walk away with a great fitting boot. Do not go in to any store with an idea of "I want a park boot" or "I want boot X". A boot-fitter's job is to find the right boot for you and I am very confident that you will find a solution for your foot/needs at your vacation destination.


all you need to do is listen to this guy
Jun 26 2015 10:24AM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,120
I'd just like to thank everyone for the feedback. I will do my best to make it to a boot fitter. I will be honest I've never been to one to know the subtle details that they cater to but I'll be sure to try it. My interest in the full tilts wasn't really that I had to have a pair of them but rather they were cheap and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Does anybe know of a boot fitter in the Chicago area or in Wisconsin I'll be in that area in a few weeks so might try and make it to one if possible.
Jun 26 2015 2:54PM
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
a quick google tells me a shop called viking ski has good reviews, that'd be a good place to start...
Jun 26 2015 7:12PM
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