Boot shopping: where's the good boot reviews/info at?

[G]

I need new boots.

I'm looking around at as many as I can find, but I'm becoming a little overwhelmed. I've learned that trusting the morons in the ski shops regarding fit & function isn't a good idea.

where do I find good reviews for all of the boots out there? I need technicial info, including size/width/volume as well as how they work - flex and performance.

Ive checked out some manufacturer's websties, but that isn't really informative.

thanks.
G

[altagirl]

Are you just looking for a high end, all-mountain type of boot? (vs. race boots or park-specific boots). Does this help any?

http://www.bootfitters.com/04_amx.htm


It's good to have an idea of what you're looking for, but for the most part it's all about fit. And a good bootfitter can look at the shape of your foot and tell you what's going to work best. Because I know when I got my new boots this fall they didn't feel good at all out of the box, but with a few little mods they're the best fitting boots I've had.

If you're not trusting the bootfitters when they're just pitching which boot you should try, I'd find a better shop. If they can't intelligently figure out what you need and explain it I'd be pretty skeptical of their fitting skills. Or perhaps the problem is that you're not getting to talk to the actual bootfitter, just a random employee walking the salefloor? Might be worth asking for their expert.

[G]

Wow, that website it great, thanks!

I guess I'm looking for an all around high-end boot. I don't do much serious racing, I ski alot of pow, crud, corn and all over the rest of the mountain. and I don't do much park.

bootfitters tell me I have an average, to slightly wide foot and narrower heel. But they all have a different boot to sell me, so I'm starting to distrust them all. I know who the good bootfitters are around here, I'm just having bad luck. anyone have a good recommendation for me?

Unfortunately, I have some badly facked up feet, and I can't really tell if a really boot fits me or not untill there has been extensive changes to the shell. that makes buying more difficult since I can't get a good feel of a boot just from wearing it around the shop.

[joshbu]

The best advice I can give you is to try on everything. Shell size every boot first becuase you'll be a different size boot to boot. Buy whatever feels best at the time. Get to know the person who is doing the fitting. Get their card. Ski the boots. Keep of list of everything that's wrong. Take the boots back to the shop and have them adjust to address your issues. Later, rinse, repeat. The chances of getting it right out of the box, espically with facked up feet is nil, so don't even bother.

[altagirl]

Part of getting various recommendations might just be that there are several boots that will work well for your foot (especially if there close to average). Since you have problems with your feet I'd go to the place that has the most highly recommended bootfitter in the area and have them get to work... Unfortunately I don't know any in your area so I'm not much help there...

[mtn.dry.]

www.dalebootusa.com

Custom ski boots. 6oo clams. 30 days of skiing and you don't like 'em send 'em back, they pay shipping. you won't send 'em back, just ask anyone wearing them.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Originally posted by mtn.dry.
www.dalebootusa.com

Just don't ask Spats about his, unless you've got some time to kill.