I've bought my skis and bindings but haven't been fitted yet for boots, so I haven't bought any. And my local ski shop's boots are ridiculous amount of money for a decent pair so I was just going to get my size and then buy discounted online and save some money. So can they just mount the bindings based off my foot measurement or do they need the exact boot to ensure a perfect set up? Also I read brand new skis should be de-tuned before you take them on the hill; is that true?
Feb 7 2016 11:24PM
Exact boot measurement. For example, you may be a size 28 boot, And you could get fitted for the full tilt Tom Wallisch pro, which has a solo length of 318 mm, but you could also be fitted for the Atomic Burner 130, which has a sole length of 308. So as you can see, there's differences in sole length between boots.
Feb 8 2016 4:18AM
Cking96000And my local ski shop's boots are ridiculous amount of money for a decent pair so I was just going to get my size and then buy discounted online and save some money.
I doubt your local ski shop has higher prices than the internet for the same year and same model (prices are set within the industry and internet shops are not allowed to discount at this time of the year). I'm not saying their boot selection isn't expensive, it just isn't more expensive than what you find online at this time of the year, for the same model.
Plus if you buy from your local shop, they will most likely give you a boot-fit guarantee and discounted prices on mounting your bindings. If you buy your boots on the internet, they will not offer a boot-fit guarantee and your local shop will most certainly charge you full price for a mount.
There are many benefits for paying regular price at your local shop. However, I do understand that it still might be too expensive for you. Just know that discounted boots from previous years come with their own set of unforeseen expenses that can bite you hard in the ass.
Feb 8 2016 1:52PM
Feb 8 2016 1:59PM
rozboonI'm going to throw it out there that if you go through a full boot-fitting session at the shop, settle on a boot and then go and buy it online then you are a massive douche-lord.
Thanks for your opinion. I'm sure they'll make some money back when I pay them 70 dollars to mount my bindings.
Feb 8 2016 2:22PM
Cking96000Thanks for your opinion. I'm sure they'll make some money back when I pay them 70 dollars to mount my bindings.
It still makes you a massive douche-lord.
Let's say you take an hour, maybe 2, out of a qualified boot-fitters day. They won't be the lowest paid person in the shop. They're probably also paying rent on the building, along with bills to keep it warm and light in the shop while you sit there wasting their fitter's time. Plus while you're sitting there thinking about the $50 you'll save buying your boots elsewhere, you're taking up time that a paying customer could be having boots fitted in.
But then you go and buy your boots online, only to find that after a day's skiing they're killing you on the "6th toe" spot, so you go to the shop and ask them to punch the boot out for you, only to find that custom boot modification is $50 each time if you didn't buy your boots from them.
So then you've paid $70 for a mount, $50 for some custom fitting, and you're still a douche-lord.
Feb 8 2016 2:55PM
Cking96000Thanks for your opinion. I'm sure they'll make some money back when I pay them 70 dollars to mount my bindings.
People get the idea in their heads that trying a boot on with a fitter is the same as being fitted when it really isn't. Simply finding the correct size and shape shell is only the first step. The fitting begins once you select a boot. So if you go find the right boot with a fitter then go buy it online, you may have a good boot for your foot but you don't have a fitted pair of boots. All ski boots will need the stock insole replacing and this will more then likly need to be done in a ski shop. Liner molding and possibly even shell molding or re shaping will be needed and final touches like heel height and boot board adjustments will be made. So buying a boot online is never the way to go as all that fitting will end up costing a lot whereas it would be free if you buy from a shop.
Feb 9 2016 8:33AM
tomPietrowskiPeople get the idea in their heads that trying a boot on with a fitter is the same as being fitted when it really isn't. Simply finding the correct size and shape shell is only the first step. The fitting begins once you select a boot. So if you go find the right boot with a fitter then go buy it online, you may have a good boot for your foot but you don't have a fitted pair of boots. All ski boots will need the stock insole replacing and this will more then likly need to be done in a ski shop. Liner molding and possibly even shell molding or re shaping will be needed and final touches like heel height and boot board adjustments will be made. So buying a boot online is never the way to go as all that fitting will end up costing a lot whereas it would be free if you buy from a shop.
Thanks for the info I appreciate it