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"growth spurt" kids boots

#1
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11/20/09 at 3:53am
  • Joined: November 2009
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I'm getting my 4 year old daughter on skis for the first time this winter.  Her current boot would be a 16.5.  Anybody have any experience with the growth spurt boots?  They're expandable from 16-18, so hopefully we could get more than one season out of them.  They run about 100 bucks, where a regular boot is about 80.
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#2
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11/20/09 at 5:09am
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Is renting not an option?
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#3
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11/20/09 at 5:33am
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We're going to be skiing for 6-7 days, and with the current rental prices, we can buy for roughly the same amount as rent.  For 200 we can get her in her own skis and boots.  Renting for 6 days is 180.  It's worth 20 bucks for her to have her own gear and not have to deal with rental lines, returning skis, etc.
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#4
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11/20/09 at 6:15am
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Just ordered the size 19-21 Roces boots for my 5 year old son this week.  They should be here today and I'll let you know how they fit after he tries them on.  My only real worry is that the shells will be huge since they go up to size 21, and that he'll have a hard time walking in them.

Mike
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#5
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11/20/09 at 7:38am
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My wife likes the Roces boots as well.  That's probably what we'll end up getting.   Definitely let me know how they work for him... we're going to try to order them in the next couple days.
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#6
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11/20/09 at 1:02pm
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It's been some years since my kids were at that age, but the last time I looked at expandable boots they didn't appeal to me.  Never mind footbeds & canting, but even at 4, kids deserve a decent fit. 

For me though, with two kids 3 years apart in age, I was able to use the "hand-me-down" method to get more than one season out of some of the boots.

One trick I used on one pair of boots was to cut part of the liner out to get more toe space.  Just a short term fix (not advisable in mid-winter when it's still really cold), but it helped finish the season.

I recommend measuring your daughter's feet monthly so that you will know for sure when she is starting to outgrow her boots.
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#7
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11/20/09 at 6:29pm
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At his age, you have two other options that I can think of...

You could consider seasonal rentals. The shop should fit you for the entire season. If your kid goes through a growth spurt, you can trade the smaller boots in for a bigger pair.

Some shops also ofter trade-in or up for half of what the cost.


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#8
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11/20/09 at 7:05pm
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they actually make a boot that expands, like the in-line skate that slides the toe box forward to increase the size. but by networking with friends and the used market, you could re-buy as needed. they grow so fast they don't wear it out before they outgrow it, so lots of good stuff out there, ski swaps.......
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#9
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11/20/09 at 7:29pm
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Got the Roces adjustable size boots today and they seem to be pretty well made.  They are a bit big for him at this point because he is now a size 18 so I ordered the 19-21 Mondo boot so they will last him a while.  

The size adjustment system is pretty slick. The heel of the boot slides inward to shorten the boot, but the sole of the boot remains the same size.  No adjustment of the bindings is necessary when the size is changed.  There is a key on the side of the boot that adjusts them in 1/2 size increments.

He tried them on and said they were comfy so I think he's good to go.  I have to disagree with mogulmuncher, and don't think it's necessary to worry about canting and footbeds in a very young skier.  Comfort is by far the number one priority with young kids and skiing.

Mike

Quote:
Originally Posted by bayleaf36ff View Post

My wife likes the Roces boots as well.  That's probably what we'll end up getting.   Definitely let me know how they work for him... we're going to try to order them in the next couple days.



Edited by MikeC - 11/20/09 at 7:39pm
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#10
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11/22/09 at 2:15pm
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With the adjustable boots,  Will the kid have a problem with being too far forward or backward on their skis?

Maybe at 4 it really won't matter.  But if the sole sits still in the binding, and you tighten the boots pushing the heels forward, aren't you essentially just putting them all the way to the front of their binding, shifting their weight further forward on the ski?  Maybe that's not a bad thing?  Or am I just thinking too hard about something that doesn't matter? 
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#11
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11/23/09 at 5:24am
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Forward is probably a good thing for a young kid since it makes turning easier.  I could compensate if he ends up too far forward since I am mounting his skis up with Railflex Lite bindings.  At worst he will be 2 cm forward with the boots at their smallest, so I could move is boot back with the bindings.

I'm thinking it will be a non-issue though.

Mike
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#12
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11/23/09 at 2:16pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeC View Post


He tried them on and said they were comfy so I think he's good to go.  I have to disagree with mogulmuncher, and don't think it's necessary to worry about canting and footbeds in a very young skier.  Comfort is by far the number one priority with young kids and skiing.
 


 

Just to be clear, I don't suggest canting or footbeds for young skiers, especially as young as age 4.

I last looked at adjustable boots several years ago, and I was not happy with what was available.  If they've improved since then, that's great.
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#13
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11/24/09 at 6:12am
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  • Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Quote:
You could consider seasonal rentals. The shop should fit you for the entire season. If your kid goes through a growth spurt, you can trade the smaller boots in for a bigger pair.
I have done this for both my children - by far the best method to get gear that fits properly now.  My oldest is now in racing with equipment I must purchase but between the ages 3 to 6, which my daughter still is, I simply rented the full outfit (skis, boots, and polls - helmets were purchases).  Every January/February I would take them in to be resized at no additional cost to myself.  Boots were always a perfect fit, as were the ski length and it was all cheap.  A win win situation in my book.
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#14
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11/24/09 at 9:13am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chanwmr View Post

At his age, you have two other options that I can think of...

You could consider seasonal rentals. The shop should fit you for the entire season. If your kid goes through a growth spurt, you can trade the smaller boots in for a bigger pair.


 
+1 for this option. Last season my then 9 y/o had a growth spurt and we just went back and got larger boots. Plus the seasonal rental cost less than what you are paying. Bonus is better gear each year and proper sizing.

Are we there yet?

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#15
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11/24/09 at 9:36am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYSkier55 View Post



+1 for this option. Last season my then 9 y/o had a growth spurt and we just went back and got larger boots. Plus the seasonal rental cost less than what you are paying. Bonus is better gear each year and proper sizing.

 

The downside is: make sure you bind your child's feet when you go on a ski trip. If your kid times it perfectly with a growth spurt, you'll end up paying for a rental at the resort too. This did happen to us one year (not the foot binding part ).
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