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Demo boots/ my feet hate me

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c0ntentcreat0r
Posts: 347 - Karma: 890
Dear god I wish ski shops would offer a fleet of demo boots the way they do with skis and such. With the amount of times I’ve seen bootfit tees and had them set me up with a boot that feels “shop good” (slightly uncomfortably tight requiring some break in, good feeling flex, locked heel etc etc) and then after a few days skiing the boot feels too big, or too soft or too stiff, or some other bullshit like that. Even after heat molding, buying aftermarket liners, eliminator pads/gel pads, j bars etc, I can’t find a boot that feels good to ski. I always end up cranking my buckles ridiculously tight to get a snug/responsive fit on a proper fitting/professionally fitted boot to the point it hurts my feet and shins but the boot still feels loose the whole day on the hill. I would happily spend some good f*cking money to demo some boots so I don’t end up spending hundreds on a boot and fitting only to hate the boot a few days later. Anyone know of any shops in mainland BC that demo boots? I’m tired of my days on hill being ruined by my boots. I’d also like to add I’ve skied a few different brands over the past few years, none seem to offer the responsiveness/comfort balance I’m after. Such brands are full tilt, Salomon, and most recently atomic.

Sorry for the rant but I’m bugging the frig out. Also if y’all have any tips on how to avoid buying a boot that’s gonna feel like shit in a few days, please shout it out, I would appreciate all input greatly.

*** inb4 get full tilts although I might just buy em for the customizable flex so I don’t have to worry about buying a bott too soft/stiff. Dalbello is an option in that regard as well.
Jan 13 2019 2:12AM
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Narcopus
Posts: 148 - Karma: 556
I got full tilts and they hurt my feet so Idk if that’s the right answer here lmao
Jan 13 2019 12:19PM
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Session
Posts: 5320 - Karma: 21,415
My new go to technique is to try every single boot on the wall.
Jan 13 2019 12:54PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6640 - Karma: 10,548
Demoing boots sounds good in concept, but trust me it doesn't work like you think it would and is the reason why it doesn't really happen. Why would you want to ski a boot that has been worn and broken in by someone else with a different footshape? There is a very high chance that you not like the boot that is actually right for you.

But back to your dilemma. Let's talk about your boot-fitter & fitting experience. Do you know the length and width of your individual feet in millimeters? How does this correspond to the boots you tried on? What are the boots you tried on? Are you using custom footbeds?
Jan 13 2019 2:02PM
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c0ntentcreat0r
Posts: 347 - Karma: 890
SessionMy new go to technique is to try every single boot on the wall.


I tried on every boot from every shop here in sun peaks, shit boggles my mind
Jan 13 2019 8:57PM
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c0ntentcreat0r
Posts: 347 - Karma: 890
onenerdykidDemoing boots sounds good in concept, but trust me it doesn't work like you think it would and is the reason why it doesn't really happen. Why would you want to ski a boot that has been worn and broken in by someone else with a different footshape? There is a very high chance that you not like the boot that is actually right for you.

But back to your dilemma. Let's talk about your boot-fitter & fitting experience. Do you know the length and width of your individual feet in millimeters? How does this correspond to the boots you tried on? What are the boots you tried on? Are you using custom footbeds?


98 mm wide by 275mm long. Yep I’m on custom beds, also used intuition pro liners in the past. Tried on all boots with a narrow last in 27.5 even some 26.5’s. Tried on the following and then some: Atomic hawx ultra 100/110/120, drop kicks, first chair 8’s, Salomon x pro, Dalbello krypton, tecnica Cochise, k2 recon.
Jan 13 2019 9:01PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
SteezMcGee98 mm wide by 275mm long. Yep I’m on custom beds, also used intuition pro liners in the past. Tried on all boots with a narrow last in 27.5 even some 26.5’s. Tried on the following and then some: Atomic hawx ultra 100/110/120, drop kicks, first chair 8’s, Salomon x pro, Dalbello krypton, tecnica Cochise, k2 recon.


Think you just answered your problem, you should be most likely in 26.5 or even 25.5 boots in Atomic Hawx Ultra boots with your foot size. I have the exact same foot size and I’m in a 26.5 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 with loads of room and could easily go down a size with a bit of molding. I’d be swimming in a 27.5 and would have all the “trying to madly tighten down the boot but foot still still moves and it’s sore” problems you have.

Did you ever get a shell size test done where you take out the liner and see how much room you have in each boot before doing all that work? Bet you be more likely in nothing but 26.5 shells and 25.5 shells if your leg is super skinny or you wanted a “race fit”.

Would be surprised if all your issues wouldn’t be solved by first doing a shell test then heat molding the liner and shell with your custom insole in there during the molding process in the right shell size.
Good luck!
Jan 14 2019 3:55AM
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c0ntentcreat0r
Posts: 347 - Karma: 890
Greg_KThink you just answered your problem, you should be most likely in 26.5 or even 25.5 boots in Atomic Hawx Ultra boots with your foot size. I have the exact same foot size and I’m in a 26.5 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 with loads of room and could easily go down a size with a bit of molding. I’d be swimming in a 27.5 and would have all the “trying to madly tighten down the boot but foot still still moves and it’s sore” problems you have.

Did you ever get a shell size test done where you take out the liner and see how much room you have in each boot before doing all that work? Bet you be more likely in nothing but 26.5 shells and 25.5 shells if your leg is super skinny or you wanted a “race fit”.

Would be surprised if all your issues wouldn’t be solved by first doing a shell test then heat molding the liner and shell with your custom insole in there during the molding process in the right shell size.
Good luck!


Funny you say that... that's exactly what i did with the Atomics. I ended up going 26.5 in those and doing a slight toe punch so I don't get toe bang. Did the shell test, etc etc, and it feels like the boot just packed out instantly and has widened up. I also find the cuff on that boot to be very short in 26.5, causing me lots of shin pain.
Jan 14 2019 11:14AM
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