Confused about ski boot sizes - HELP!

[MAD777]

I have decided to purchase new ski boots this year. I tried on the new Salomon Falcon 10's in the local shop in size 28.5 (which is what I normally wear). They felt great! However, the saleperson that measured my feet said that I could maybe go smaller. So, he brought out a size 27.5. Well, me feet screamed, my toes were jammed into the front, forgetaboutit!

I didn't buy that day, but after I left, I got to thinking, "What about a size 28.0?" Well, I went online and found several dealers that only stock half sizes, not whole sizes. So, I figured that Salomon only makes half sizes.

Then I checked Salomons website and behold, they DO list both half and whole sizes. After much searching, I finally found a very few online dealers that do offer both whole and half sizes!

So, my question is, "WHAT GIVES?" If Salomon makes whole and half sizes, why don't most dealers offer them? Can someone please enlighten me.

[mitch buchannon]

1) Half sizes and the related whole size (i.e. 27.5 and 27) are the same size boot. The difference lies in the footbed.

2) Go to a good bootfitter

3) Do what they suggest. That is why they are bootfitters.

Liners will pack out to fit your foot. If you buy something that fits in the store chances are approx 100% that you'll think they're way too big after about 10 days of skiing.

Oh yea, search function probably covers some of this, jong.

[Z]

Pretty much every boot company does whole and half sizes.

In truth, the shell of a boot only changes in a whole size (ie 27 to 28). A 27 to a 27.5 would really only change the bootboard and possibly the liner...

[thebigeast]

yeah definatly go smaller
i got some nordica beasts a few years back and thought they felt great in store, but low and behold they packed way out and i suffered for 2 seasons on boots that were way to big, go small u won't be sorry in the long run

[Lexi-Bell]

Don't buy boots online.

Pay the bootfitter, trust me, its worth it.

[Treepinner]

Sounds like the original shop knew what they were doing. Go back, trust them, get good footbeds.

[dk_alaskan]

1) Half sizes and the related whole size (i.e. 27.5 and 27) are the same size boot. The difference lies in the footbed.

Oh yea, search function probably covers some of this, jong.

the difference from what i know doesn't lie in the foot bed. Many companies use the same shell but different size liners for different sizes. Scarpa goes on the half size, garmont on the whole size. Using your size as an example, the 27.5 is probably made on the same last as a 27 but uses a thinner liner for the bigger foot size. The 28.5 you tried on most likley felt good because the boot is mimicking a packed out 28.

[L7]

Did you shell fit first? ie: foot in the shell with no liner to judge the room. If you didn't do that first you are in the wrong shop. Good shop, shell fit and go with what fits by the shell fit. The discomfort you felt with the smaller boot might likely have been just the liner, easily resolved. As mentioned difference in half size is just the liner or sometimes thickness of insole. Nothing substantial compared to getting into too big a liner that can never be shrunk.

[mitch buchannon]

the difference from what i know doesn't lie in the foot bed. Many companies use the same shell but different size liners for different sizes. Scarpa goes on the half size, garmont on the whole size. Using your size as an example, the 27.5 is probably made on the same last as a 27 but uses a thinner liner for the bigger foot size. The 28.5 you tried on most likley felt good because the boot is mimicking a packed out 28.

You're correct in that it's not the footbed, but I think it might be the plastic thingy between the shell and the liner. afaik the liners are the same, they just raise and lower the foot to make more room for the half sizes.

Either way, moral = go to bootfitter, do what they say.

They look at feet all day. You don't do that unless you love it.

[mntlion]

buy the red boots, they ALWAYS go faster, don't worry about the size. Like your girlfriend said, "size doesn't matter"

[shmerham]

A good fitting boot will make you feel like you can't breathe, but it shouldn't hurt - there shouldn't be pressure points or pinching.

[MAD777]

After all your unanimous replies, I'm going to reconsider my opinion that the 27.5's were too small.

As you advised, I'm going to use the shell as the determining factor for size and let the bootfitter tear up the liner to make it painless (but tight).

I was in the shop near closing time on my visit and the bootfitter checked the shell without the liner but I was focusing on the pain with the liner in.

Now I realize that the shell size determines fit; then work on the liner to get comfort.

Thanks to all for keeping me from making an expensive mistake!