What boot to buy...Nordica or Technica???

**Gaffney10** · 12-24-2006, 12:56 AM

I am in the market for a new ski boot and I have narrowed my choices to the Technica Vento 8 and the Nordica Gransport 10. I was wondering if any of you guys know these two boots or would recommend a similar boot. I am looking for a good all mountain boot (not racing) and I am an intermediate skier. I want comfort as well...

Do these boots come a little smaller than regular shoes or? I wear a 10/10.5 shoe but I was fitted with a 27.5 boot.....

One more thing, what are most of you guys wearing for ski socks?? Is there a must have "ski sock" out there?? Thanks!!

**skifree** · 12-24-2006, 04:14 AM

Just get what feels better! Wear them both for a while and allow your feet to settle in.

**schuss** · 12-24-2006, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Gaffney10

I am in the market for a new ski boot and I have narrowed my choices to the Technica Vento 8 and the Nordica Gransport 10. I was wondering if any of you guys know these two boots or would recommend a similar boot. I am looking for a good all mountain boot (not racing) and I am an intermediate skier. I want comfort as well...

Do these boots come a little smaller than regular shoes or? I wear a 10/10.5 shoe but I was fitted with a 27.5 boot.....

One more thing, what are most of you guys wearing for ski socks?? Is there a must have "ski sock" out there?? Thanks!!

For boots, whatever feels the best and most even (no hot spots or dead spaces). For socks, I use smartwool ultrathins,

**SkiED** · 12-24-2006, 12:28 PM

what they said, performance wise every company makes a decent boot. We have no idea what size foot you have so youre going to have to try them both on and see which one feels better, it should be pretty clear. And socks...uhh just use some smartwool ones or somethin.

**lph** · 12-24-2006, 01:13 PM

both boots fit you?

Hmmm, last time I tried on Nordicas they were a completely different fit than technicas.

get the one that is a better fit (as always).

socks, thin, eurosox are nice, smartwool are great.

**naedward81** · 12-24-2006, 02:55 PM

get a boot that feels the best...have them heat them up, mold them to your feet. walk around them for awhile. thake them off then put them back on and buy the one that feels better when you put them on for the second time. and go with smartwool

**half-fast** · 12-24-2006, 03:44 PM

lph wrote:

both boots fit you?

Hmmm, last time I tried on Nordicas they were a completely different fit than technicas.

I haven't even tried in a while-but I have a technica foot and pretty much can't even get my foot in a nordica or lange

**Gaffney10** · 12-25-2006, 09:28 PM

thanks guys for the help.....

I was wondering what the BEST bootfitters/shops were in the SLC area? I am traveling there in Feb. Also, who would have the best prices and are there any coupons out there??

**schuss** · 12-25-2006, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by half-fast

lph wrote:

I haven't even tried in a while-but I have a technica foot and pretty much can't even get my foot in a nordica or lange

Depends which shell, as the beast shell is hermungous vs. speedmachine and hot rod

**addict** · 12-25-2006, 11:01 PM

^agreed, I'm in punched out beasts and can also squeeze into a technica pretty nicely.

**kellen** · 12-26-2006, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Gaffney10

thanks guys for the help.....

I was wondering what the BEST bootfitters/shops were in the SLC area? I am traveling there in Feb. Also, who would have the best prices and are there any coupons out there??

I'm all for saving a few bucks here and there, but it pays to not worry as much about cost and more about getting the right fit. Very few people fit well in a ski boot right out of the box. Expect to consider footbeds, grinding, punching, etc. so that you can get a good fit. You will save yourself lots of pain and suffering by spending that extra $40-60 to get the custom work.

**Gaffney10** · 12-26-2006, 04:44 PM

with that being said, what are the best stores in the SLC area to buy a pair of boots (best bootfitter/prices/selection)....I am visiting in early Feb...

**Gaffney10** · 12-26-2006, 10:40 PM

also, are there any good sales during this time?? Thanks for all of the help!

**scurry4** · 12-26-2006, 11:12 PM

nordicas seem to be wider than most.

**Pilazzo** · 12-27-2006, 12:16 AM

deep powder house at alta is very good.

**uncle crud** · 12-27-2006, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by naedward81

get a boot that feels the best...have them heat them up, mold them to your feet. walk around them for awhile. thake them off then put them back on and buy the one that feels better when you put them on for the second time. and go with smartwool

I agree with everything except the "walk around in them" bit.

Walking is not a good idea unless they are AT boots that you will be hiking in. Ski boots are designed to be used in a stance that doesn't include walking movements. When you walk in a ski boot that fits you well, it can come to feel too short because the heel strike portion of walking in a ski boot can drive the foot forward and make the boot shell feel way too short.

It is much smarter to stand in a skiing stance and make knee bend & articulation movements, or simply sit. Walking is something that lame bootfitters tell you to do mainly because they don't know better.

**altagirl** · 12-27-2006, 12:00 PM

Earl Middlemiss at the Sport Loft is IMO the best bootfitter in the SLC area. There's no coupon, no discount and it's expensive. But my feet are warm and comfortable in ski boots for the first time in my life and boots that are finally balanced correctly even took a bunch of stress off my knees. Most money I've ever even thought of spending on boots and footbeds, but it's been worth it.

**hoarhey** · 12-27-2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by altagirl

Earl Middlemiss at the Sport Loft is IMO the best bootfitter in the SLC area. There's no coupon, no discount and it's expensive. But my feet are warm and comfortable in ski boots for the first time in my life and boots that are finally balanced correctly even took a bunch of stress off my knees. Most money I've ever even thought of spending on boots and footbeds, but it's been worth it.

Seconded. You get what you pay for at Earl's. I've been comfortable with the boot/footbed combo from Earl's shop for the past 5 seasons. His son Jeremy(?) did my boot fitting.

**FartBag Commando** · 12-27-2006, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Gaffney10

also, are there any good sales during this time?? Thanks for all of the help!

Heart of the season - not the best time to get boot deals. Some shops might start reducing prices around this time but it's doubtful. How did you narrow your choices down to those two boots? Not to say that it isn't a good boot but the Gran Sport is new this year and is a psuedo rear entry boot. If I were you I'd go with something proven before trying something this gimmicky. What about a Beast 10 instead? The cost shouldn't be much different. Vento 8 has a lot of volume. Do you have a wide, thick foot? Before you come out here, get into some shops in your area and try on a couple boots each time. No more than two or your foot will not feel the difference beyond that.

**steved** · 12-27-2006, 02:34 PM

...agree with most all said...
You can't ski much at all when your circulation goes south.... At shop temperature...it takes a while for your feet to feel cold after circulation stops...so take your time...and take the socks off often...redness is fine...can be fixed, but the pale loss of circulation in an area...leave them [possibly for another day]...<--imho($.01)

Shell-fit is the #1 trial...

**Gary** · 12-27-2006, 02:56 PM

You're an intermediate skier. Get ANY pair of boots that are fitted a/o comfortable so you'll stick with it and become a super-duper ripper some day. Also, go to a local shop near your house (not a shop in SLC while on vacation) so you can go back and tweak them during the season if needed.