2006-07 "Resident" Boot Fitter Thread

[NYDrew]

Originally Posted by awf170

I'm actually now thinking my boots maybe too small for me. I think I'm the only person who sizes ski boots too small. I guess I'm too used to climbing shoes. Unweighted I can fit 1.5 fingers behind my right foot and 1 behind my left foot. I'll probably be seeing you in the next month or so.

nope I squeeze my dogs into an 8.5. I wear a size 10 shoe (good solid fit) and a size 11 scuba boot (awesome fit.) After working those boots though, they fit great.

[awf170]

So I went to see Jeff thursday...







and the boots seem really like a really good fit and actually sort of comfy. But I can't really tell until I ski 'em. Hopefully next weekend (right...)

[uphillklimber]

Just visited Jeff this weekend. My boots werte almost 2 sizes too big. So it's next door to buy another pair. I got into the boots and they were clausterphobic, to say the least. He did up some footbeds, ground down a couple tight spots, tweaked this and that, and soon, my new boots are feeling molded to my feet. My heel does not move up AT ALL in this boot. Funny how that's what I have always heard, and have nevere been able to get that fit. These new boots are in deed snug. I feel I am likely to get that feeling of being attached to my skiis, finally. Used to be that I had to ratchet the buckles down to the point of bearable pain to skii like I want.

I gotta say that I am impressed with Jeff's knowledge and ability. He was able to describe, in terms I can understand, what the fit is supposed to be. And where my wife and I were the only ones he was concerned with, he wasn't rushing us so that he could attend to the next customer. He takes the time needed to make these boots right. You know how you are supposed to maintain contact, shins to front of boot? I have always felt like I had to exegerate it a bit. He installed shims on the tongue to make that easier and more natural for me. For a while I was imagining that I was skiing over a headwall and down the slope and then cruising the run out to get my stance so he could adjust things with the boots and my mechanics.

At this point, I need to get my ski bindings adjusted to fit my new boots, and then onto snow.

He said to get a couple half days on them, then come back to visit for adjustment. He also suggested that I put a few narrow strips of duct tape under the inside edges of my boots over the plates to approximate the ....hmmmm.... I forget what it is called. But anyways, I am always riding the inside edges of the skiis. And you know, I have always caught the inside edge of my skiis, never, never the outside edge. So along with whatever few adjustments I'll need, he'll work on the boots to adjust how flat I am on them.

Spent some coin this weekend, only 2 years after spending coin on new boots. But I feel much better that I'll comfortably ski these boots for some time to come, and be pleased with what goes on with them. I'll be demoing skiis this season, buying next season now, but I am very interseted in the Volkls that have been recommended.

Many thanx Jeff, I'll be back in a little while for more adjustment, as will my wife. For now, Bring on the snow!!!

[Greg]

Sounds like a great experience. Chalk up the extra coin as a learning experience, and forget about it. Your description of Jeff going through the boot fitting process in terms the common man can understand is right on. He knows his stuff and makes you feel comfortable; that's the key to a great boot fitter. Keep us posted on the effect this has on your skiing.

[uphillklimber]

Originally Posted by Greg

Chalk up the extra coin as a learning experience, and forget about it.

Keep us posted on the effect this has on your skiing.

The school of hard knocks is often the best school. I'll never buy boots like I have in the past. I'll let you know how the skiing progresses, fer sure.

[RISkier]

Originally Posted by uphillklimber

The school of hard knocks is often the best school. I'll never buy boots like I have in the past. I'll let you know how the skiing progresses, fer sure.

Agreed. I'll never buy boots again without working with someone like Jeff. I spent some time working with him last year. Got a new foot bed, put shims in the tongue, did a little grinding, and some alignment work. My canting was way off. He suggested experimenting with the duck tape trick until I get it just right. I've not had my soles planed yet since it was getting late in the year and I didn't feel had the exact number of strips completely dialed in. So I'll need to visit Jeff again this year. The changes made the boots more comfortable and also definately put me in a stronger position on the skis. I think you're cheating yourself if you just buy a pair cause they look and feel good in the store.

[JimG.]

Originally Posted by RISkier

Agreed. I'll never buy boots again without working with someone like Jeff. I spent some time working with him last year. Got a new foot bed, put shims in the tongue, did a little grinding, and some alignment work. My canting was way off. He suggested experimenting with the duck tape trick until I get it just right. I've not had my soles planed yet since it was getting late in the year and I didn't feel had the exact number of strips completely dialed in. So I'll need to visit Jeff again this year. The changes made the boots more comfortable and also definately put me in a stronger position on the skis. I think you're cheating yourself if you just buy a pair cause they look and feel good in the store.

Wonderful to see so many eyes becoming wide open about boot fitting.

You will never know how well you can ski until you visit someone like Jeff.

[Skiiboot]

Thank you all for the kind words. Let me know what I can do for you.

Thanks

Jeff

[uphillklimber]

I'll never buy boots again without working with someone like Jeff. I spent some time working with him last week. Got a new foot bed, put shims in the tongue, did a little grinding, and some alignment work. My canting was way off. He suggested experimenting with the duck tape trick until I get it just right.

That sounds exactly like my experience. I can't wait for snow!!!

[Henrik]

Hi Jeff

Last season I bought a pair of Nordica Hot Rods. The best and snuggest fit I've ever had. However, there's no cuff canting device and I'm very bow legged. 12 degrees on one leg and 14 on the other. The Hot Rod's low cuff height helps me a lot, but I still need som cuff cant adjustment to get my alignment right.

I've had a pair of Tecnica Icons before and their 2-3 degrees canting was not perfect but quite alright when combined with 4 strips of tape on the bindings. In my case, due to my extreme bowleggednes, I don't believe in the old saying that the ski has to sit dead falt on the snow. And believe me, I've experimented a lot and spent a small fortune on various boot fitters and boots.

Hence, I think that a 3-4 degrees cuff cant would do the work for me. But how difficult is it to get the Hot Rods reriveted and how much would it approx cost?

Thanks in advance for your answer.

Best regards

Henrik