Finally got my boots fitted professionally (better late than never)

[BenedictGomez]

Did the thing everyone says you should do and had boots fitted (2 hour session) professionally at a highly-regarded boot shop. Definitely more expensive than buying online or buying from a ski shop, but I figured it was worth the investment given I now ski more than I ever have.

I must say, it was a pretty cool (and high-tech) experience, and if nothing else I learned quite a lot about ski boots (and feet). Tossed out the stock footbeds that come with the boots and got custom insoles as well.

If you're like me and have always wanted to do this, but never have, I say take the plunge. If you don't this year, in the immortal words of Warren Miller, "you'll be another year older when you do".

 

[ss20]

Did the thing everyone says you should do and had boots fitted (2 hour session) professionally at a highly-regarded boot shop. Definitely more expensive than buying online or buying from a ski shop, but I figured it was worth the investment given I now ski more than I ever have.

I must say, it was a pretty cool (and high-tech) experience, and if nothing else I learned quite a lot about ski boots (and feet). Tossed out the stock footbeds that come with the boots and got custom insoles as well.

If you're like me and have always wanted to do this, but never have, I say take the plunge. If you don't this year, in the immortal words of Warren Miller, "you'll be another year older when you do".

It's fun. Since moving here my feet got more and more aggravated despite me shop hopping and working with some pretty reputable talent. This off season I spent top dollar and got a nice setup with 2 days in already. No more missed work for boot issues!

To anyone who's foot fits in a stock boot, just adding a $100 footbed will make an incredible difference in your skiing and comfort.

 

[JimG.]

Just got my new boots fitted yesterday.

I still remember how it felt when I got out skiing in my first pair of custom fitted boots 35 years ago. That was the day I learned what skiing is.

 

[BenedictGomez]

To anyone who's foot fits in a stock boot, just adding a $100 footbed will make an incredible difference in your skiing and comfort.

That sounds like you got a pretty awesome deal. Cost me $250 today for custom footbeds, which $200 to $250 seems like the typical going rate for that.

 

[Quietman]

I have been VERY HAPPY with these Sole Heat Moldable Insoles for my trail runners and ski boots. They have a firm supportive base which is custom moldable to your individual feet. I combined these with my Solomon boots which included heat moldable shells and liners, and the results were amazing!!! Boots were on sale for $350, so total cost for "custom fit setup" was just under $400. Yes a professional most likely could have tweaked them better, but I and thrilled with the glove like fit and cost.

 

[drjeff]

Did the thing everyone says you should do and had boots fitted (2 hour session) professionally at a highly-regarded boot shop. Definitely more expensive than buying online or buying from a ski shop, but I figured it was worth the investment given I now ski more than I ever have.

I must say, it was a pretty cool (and high-tech) experience, and if nothing else I learned quite a lot about ski boots (and feet). Tossed out the stock footbeds that come with the boots and got custom insoles as well.

If you're like me and have always wanted to do this, but never have, I say take the plunge. If you don't this year, in the immortal words of Warren Miller, "you'll be another year older when you do".

Congratulations on taking the plunge! I've been enjoying a really boot good fittings and custom footbeds (many times over now as boots and footbeds do wear out over time and/or the shape of our feet/arch height changes with the aging process) since prior to when my oldest was born and she turns 21 in less than 2 months! Once you experience the fit and performace benefits, you never go back! I look at it the same was as the 1st time you get a GOOD fully waterproof, not water resistant, coat/shell/pants and your out skiing in liquid conditions, you're not going back to your previous ways

 

[deadheadskier]

My guy is retiring this year and even though I'm probably good to hold on to the foot beds another 2-3 years (boots I need next year), I'm probably going to have him make a new set of foot beds this year one last time before having to find someone new. Been working with Paul for 15 years.

 

[thebigo]

My guy is retiring this year and even though I'm probably good to hold on to the foot beds another 2-3 years (boots I need next year), I'm probably going to have him make a new set of foot beds this year one last time before having to find someone new. Been working with Paul for 15 years.

Has Paul confirmed he is retiring? He mentioned retirement a few years back but last i heard he changed his mind and was planning to stick around a few more years.

I will likely use adam at thoma when Paul does retire.

 

[deadheadskier]

Has Paul confirmed he is retiring? He mentioned retirement a few years back but last i heard he changed his mind and was planning to stick around a few more years.

I will likely use adam at thoma when Paul does retire.

Last year when I visited with him, he said 2024-25 season would be it. I believe he said he was turning 70. Doesn't look it. He said there was a chance one of his long time employees buys the business or it just fades away.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

That sounds like you got a pretty awesome deal. Cost me $250 today for custom footbeds, which $200 to $250 seems like the typical going rate for that.

for a lot of people the off the rack footbeds do the trick. these guys are a big step up from factory insoles without going full custom - https://www.rei.com/product/198557/sidas-3feet-winter-mid-insoles

i had a proper fitting for my current boots and was fortunate enough to not need much tweaking. a punch for a weird shape on one foot. the sidas inserts. and good to go.

i dunno if i need custom footbeds, intuition liners, etc. but i was very glad to spend the time for the proper consultation and measurements and trying on many boots before setting on what we agreed was correct. never had to go back for any adjustments.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Congratulations on taking the plunge! I've been enjoying a really boot good fittings and custom footbeds (many times over now as boots and footbeds do wear out over time and/or the shape of our feet/arch height changes with the aging process) since prior to when my oldest was born and she turns 21 in less than 2 months! Once you experience the fit and performace benefits, you never go back! I look at it the same was as the 1st time you get a GOOD fully waterproof, not water resistant, coat/shell/pants and your out skiing in liquid conditions, you're not going back to your previous ways

recs for full waterproof kit?

i got the jacket covered. my norrona goretex pro is a beast

i bought the flylow baker bib this year for a more waterproof pant. i had pacNW patrollers singing its praises to me. 3L 20k waterproofing without breaking the bank. i also really like the look and the fit.

but let's see if it passes the 'skiing in fucking new england rain' challenge for my ass and thighs.

i dont want to pony up for arcteryx pants.

i was considering sailing and fishing gear but decided id end up being a sweat swamp in that stuff.

 

[drjeff]

recs for full waterproof kit?

i got the jacket covered. my norrona goretex pro is a beast

i bought the flylow baker bib this year for a more waterproof pant. i had pacNW patrollers singing its praises to me. 3L 20k waterproofing without breaking the bank. i also really like the look and the fit.

but let's see if it passes the 'skiing in fucking new england rain' challenge for my ass and thighs.

i dont want to pony up for arcteryx pants.

i was considering sailing and fishing gear but decided id end up being a sweat swamp in that stuff.

I've been very happy with the Waterproofness of Helly Hansen gear (I tend to order the stuff for my light weight/damp weather gear hard shells based on what their maximum rated waterproofness is) and also own some of their sailing gear (even though I am not a sailor) as it has great fit, function and waterproofness as well

 

[deadheadskier]

I still think Gore-Tex is the gold standard for waterproof. I wore Flylow 20k for several years. Their Chemical pant and your ass and thighs definitely still get wet on NE rainy lift rides. I switched to Stio Environ last year, but haven't really put them through the rain test. I've kinda given up on wet weather skiing the past five years.

My understanding is that companies are moving away from Gore-Tex for environmental reasons. I'm unaware of a replacement with DWR that stands up to rain as well.

 

[BenedictGomez]

i dunno if i need custom footbeds, intuition liners, etc. but i was very glad to spend the time for the proper consultation and measurements and trying on many boots before setting on what we agreed was correct. never had to go back for any adjustments.

I dont think I needed custom footbeds either, but it's something I've always wanted to try because I've known so many people who've told me its a level-up from getting the typical heat-molded footbeds. I really just wanted to treat myself & go to one of the best shops there is for this & do the whole 9-yards at least once in my life to see if it really will make a difference in either comfort or skiing performance, or both.

As for liners, they told me stock liners are fine for the 1st season, that the boot brand I was getting actually has perhaps the best stock liners, but that (in their opinion) all stock liners are crappy, but will do for a season (or two depending). Given I ski a lot they suggested I come back next year for liners, they recommend Zipfit for serious skiers. Of course, they're also involved in the design/research for Zipfit so they may be a little biased.

 

[abc]

The proof of the pudding…

How does it ski?

I‘ve always NEEDED tons of tweaks (collapsing arch, bow leg, long list of issues). So the cost of the “professional” fitting I took it for granted.

However, the last pair of boots, my boot fitter said “your posture is looking good with the existing foot bed“. Sure enough, the new boot felt just fine (once I had the pressure points punched). Moreover, I’m in the northeast and my boot fitter is in Colorado. So he simply gave me instruction on how to fine tune a few minor things which was actually easy enough to do. (I bought the boot right before the pandemic shutdown, not realizing I had no more skiing that season to work out the kinks)

So I can see how for some lucky people, they may be just fine without needing all the “professional” fitting. At least not for every pair of new boots.

 

[ss20]

i dunno if i need custom footbeds, intuition liners, etc. but i was very glad to spend the time for the proper consultation and measurements and trying on many boots before setting on what we agreed was correct. never had to go back for any adjustments.

You're getting in 70 HARD ski days a year still? A couple hundred $$ on footbeds and intuitions would make a big difference (unless you are getting $1,000 mrsp ski boots).

 

[BenedictGomez]

You're getting in 70 HARD ski days a year still? A couple hundred $$ on footbeds and intuitions would make a big difference (unless you are getting $1,000 mrsp ski boots).

Even with the very best ski boots with the best stock liners I was told 80 days tops and those suckers are kicked assuming you're an expert skier (which is like 95% of posters here), and probably more like 60 days. This was the most surprising thing to me. And like the boiled frog, or someone whose vision deteriorates very slowly, there's a good chance you're not even perceiving the decrease in performance.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Another interesting thing I forgot to mention in the OP, and I dunno if all dedicated boot shops do this given I'm a "first timer", but they made me bring in my current ski boots and wanted to see me in them, inspect them, have me wear them & flex them in a skier position etc.... and they told me my current boots weren't stiff enough and that I need a much stiffer boot. Said that alone will likely make a difference. I was kind of surprised, because it's not like my Technicas were low-end or beginner boots by any means or anything, but in any even this is another instance of "what you dont know you dont know", but people who only do this & this alone for a living will know.

 

[deadheadskier]

Even with the very best ski boots with the best stock liners I was told 80 days tops and those suckers are kicked assuming you're an expert skier (which is like 95% of posters here), and probably more like 60 days. This was the most surprising thing to me. And like the boiled frog, or someone whose vision deteriorates very slowly, there's a good chance you're not even perceiving the decrease in performance.

This is why I'm considering Zipfits. Apparently they're good for about 500 days. I guess at $500 a pop they better be.

I push stock boots out to 100-125 days (3 seasons for me), but yes like the boiling frog analogy, you don't really notice how far gone they are until you get in the new ones. I also spend 90% of my time skiing with my kids, which is typically pretty mellow skiing still. So, 100-125 is fine. Before kids 80ish days and two seasons was more the norm.

So, I think at the end of this year I'm going for the total refurb on my boot interiors. New foot beds (mine are now 10 years old) and Zips. It'll probably cost me about $800.

 

[drjeff]

This is why I'm considering Zipfits. Apparently they're good for about 500 days. I guess at $500 a pop they better be.

I push stock boots out to 100-125 days (3 seasons for me), but yes like the boiling frog analogy, you don't really notice how far gone they are until you get in the new ones. I also spend 90% of my time skiing with my kids, which is typically pretty mellow skiing still. So, 100-125 is fine. Before kids 80ish days and two seasons was more the norm.

So, I think at the end of this year I'm going for the total refurb on my boot interiors. New foot beds (mine are now 10 years old) and Zips. It'll probably cost me about $800.

One of my good ski friends, who's a PSIA Level 3 instructor and a total gear nut, went Zipfit 2 seasons ago and raves about them. He's typically a 60ish day a year skier and skis aggressively. He's got me looking the zipfit ads more and more now, which knowing myself means that I'm likely to take the plunge sooner than later