Hi,
So I am in need of a new pair of ski boots, and was curious if anyone had some recommendations/input on how to find a good pair of new boots.
I have had bad luck buying new boots from a ski shop in Utah that offered 'boot fitting'. I ended up buying boots and spending lots of money on insoles, and wedges and other modifications and in the end was still in a lot of pain - they ultimately blamed it on my feet. In the end I really don't think the ski shop knew what it was doing.
My current set of boot were accidental, and are pretty comfortable but I think skill wise I have out grown them and I want something stiffer.
Pretty much my last roomate had a fetish for buying random boots of off ebay and then discarding them when he found out they didn't fit - so I got a discarded 40$ pair of old ebay ski boots - which has allowed me to quickly improve my ski skills to the point where I can easily ski most blacks all day long pretty comfortably - but when I get into glade skiing or more technical slopes I want a stiffer boot.
Anyways I know comfortable ski boots are possible!
Ultimately I am curious if anyone has any insight on not repeating my first boot buying experience, I don't want to spend another 900$ on boots to be wildly uncomfortable.
So I am kinda torn:
- Buy boots at REI and make use of their exchange policy until I find the right boot
- Visit a quasi boot fitter at one of the ski shops like Christy or Colorado ski and golf
- Visit a professional boot fitter
If I go to Christy or Colorado Ski and Golf, how can I tell if I am talking to someone who actually knows what they are doing verses taking a quick course on boot fitting?
Thanks,
celer