Boot Question

[doo]

How old (how many ski days?) do boots last?

My boots are 6-7 years old now (quick guess is 80 ish skiing days total in this time). Took a number of visits to my bootfitter (in Melb) to get them just right and they have been great.

But now they are not as comfortable - I need to do the buckles up a lot tighter to make them feel firm enough for control and then my feet get sore - but not like pressure in one spot, more like a larger area - but if I loosen them off I don't feel the control - so probably packed out?

So looking at options from here:

Get some packing to help make them fit again?
New liner?
New Boots?

Two Problems

I will probably only ski another 1 - 2 weekends in Australia and am going overseas in Jan 2009 - so not sure if it is a good idea to muck around with them and possibly not get them exactly right and then not have the same bootfitter to help if I have problems overseas

and

The bootfitter I have used (melb) is no longer in Australia and experience with others has not given me confidence

I am thinking that new foam liners would probably mean that they fit like a glove and should be comfortable and likely to not need any additional work - yes?

But also thinking that boots have probably come a long way in the past 8 years so new boots may be the way to go - thoughts? If I go the new route I may not have a chance to ski on them to see if they need any mods before I go overseas


Other option is new boots when I get overseas - but then I have no idea on who to go to and how good they are at boot fitting.

My current thinking is to head to see Paul with current boots and take it from there - but still concerned re possibly not being able to ski them in before the season is over and get any mods done if needed.


Any thoughts or some logic that would help me decide which way to go?

[SheSkis]

This is exactly the reason I got new boots here in June, I am headed to Utah next year and while I could get a recommendation for a good boot fitter over there, I want to be able to jump straight into my skis in well fitted boots and go, and not waste hours of my holiday mucking around.

However, I am lucky enough to have a low-maintenance foot and have done 7 days in the new boots already, no issues at all.

I can vouch for Paul's bootfitting, if he stocks boots that may be a good match for your foot, it should be worth the trip to Wodonga. Plus it's a good excuse for a couple of weekends skiing to get them dialled in.

Price wise, I don't think Australian prices are much more than full retail in the US either.

[John Deere]

If you are going OS for a while, it makes sense to get new boots where you are going.

In the meantime, either man up (cos chicks dig scars!) or go to a fitter to see if they can patch them up....a bit of faom glued here, a heel wedge there, that type of stuff, maybe re-do footbeds???

Anything else will cost a fair bit.

If they are too painful to man up/patch up, get new boots right now so it gives you max time to get them right for OS.

Getting a foam liner would help, but with 80 days on 7yo boots, I would rather get new ones!

[John Deere]

Originally posted by SheSkis:
I can vouch for Paul's bootfitting, if he stocks boots that may be a good match for your foot, it should be worth the trip to Wodonga. Plus it's a good excuse for a couple of weekends skiing to get them dialled in.

1. This is good advice, mine is more valid if you are heading OS for a long time....ie the season! If it is only a month or so, get boots now!! Don't want to be busting them in OS!!

2. Paul stocks a range that will sort out most people, so unless you have ham hocks for feet you should be right. Even then he will find something to suit!

[doo]

Thanks for the thoughts

Only overseas for 20 days skiing so don't want to reduce this mucking around with boots if at all possible.

I guess I was kinda thinking that boot technology has probably come ahead a bit over the last 7 years or so so new boots is probably the way to go.

If I bring my boots back with me next time I go up - 24 Aug (so I have my footbeds) then I will have a 2 week window before I go up again for the weekend and with the way the snow is (and new boots to wear in) I should be able to squeeze in another 2 - 4 day trip before the season is over
So that would give me 4 - 6 days which should be enough to wear them in and identify any issues.

So I guess I need to sort out my calender and find a time!

Paul - how much advance notice do you need for a boot fitting booking??

Cheers Doo

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by doo:



Paul - how much advance notice do you need for a boot fitting booking??

Cheers Doo

Maybe only a few hours notice as the season draws closer to the end, but I usually have at least one day a week off from the shop, testing skis on the hill of course, so still working. (Just in case Frosty reads this.)

[Seth]

When I was instructing full time i would generally get 300 days out of a pair of boots before getting a new pair.

Generally worked out a new pair every three seasons.

That said, that was completely trashing the boots and by the time i got new ones I would wonder why it took me so long to replace them.

Depending on how hard you are your gear a 'normal' recreational skier should get 200 days from a pair of boots.

[size="1"][ 14.08.2008, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Seth ][/size]

[John Deere]

Thats if they are fitted well with a 10-15mm shell gap. Many in oz are not.

[doo]

Finally met Paul in person 2 weekends ago and spent a couple of hours there getting new boots.

Couldn't be happier with the service, advice and attention to detail

Two days at Buller the weekend just past (fantastic spring skiing!) Boots felt great - will probably need to go see Paul for some minor adjustments but will fit in another 2 - 3 days skiing before then just in case they settle down.

Thanks Paul


Quick question - what sort of glue should I use to stick the foam seal back where it is comming away slightly on Carrera Kimerik goggles? (the foam between the goggle and your face that makes them comfortable)


(oops 2 signatures)

[size="1"][ 08.09.2008, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: doo ][/size]

[Paul Oberin]

That is a problem that I have only ever seen on the Kimerik, no other goggle even other Carerra's do it, my own set have the same problem, I am not sure what glue to use, but most likely some sort of contact adhesive should work, I just put up with it myself.
Carerra say it is due to not lifting the goggle off the helmet when pulling it down from the helmet, and that does make sense, but why is it only happening to the Carerra Kimerik. ?

[Seth]

Originally posted by John Deere:
Thats if they are fitted well with a 10-15mm shell gap. Many in oz are not.

That's a bit loose don't you think? I'm sure my boots have less than that.

[John Deere]

10mm shell gap is pretty tight I reckon (thats 10mm at the heel when your toes are touching the front with no liner!)

Not sure but I think most racers wouldn't go much less.

[SnowFlake]

I had new boots this year (bought off season) even though there was life in the old ones. Dual canting, foam injected and custom foot bed. Boot technology has progressed a lot over recent years with different flex patterns and what not to suit todays skiing technique and skis. Well worth every last cent.

[Silence]

Yeah 10mm is an incredibly aggressive fit..Maybe on a race boot with a thin race liner, but I think you would be in a stack of pain with a standard thicker liner in there

[Paul Oberin]

I fitted a set of Atomic M110 boots with a 10mm shell gap yesterday for one of the local hot skiers.
10mm is what I aim for often for top end skiers, and 20mm a maximum for the comfort level, as shells generally go up in 10mm increments and the ideal gap is 15mm plus or minus 5mm depending on the level of skier.

[John Deere]

Hahaha, I knew someone told me about the 10-15mm gap......the same bloke thats told me anything else about boots!

[Straight_Line]

I would suggest allowing a few extra hours to the trip and visit Paul on the way through. If you needed adjustments you could then visit on the way back (time of day/night dependant).

[Paul Oberin]

What sort of boot have you bought in the past that fitted well. ?

[Tobi]

Should probably buy new boots this season.

*I say this every year. This time I may actually do it.

[Billy]

Me too - got new bindings/helmet this year, always want more...
After drooling at banana boards the other day, I had to walk out of the shop before I nearly put it on layby!