Ski Boot Disaster at Whistler - Page 3

I was going to second the opinion of going to Jeff Rich in NYC for a boot recommendation but it looks like you already got yourself a pair. But if you're doing the Instaprint route, I would get it from him if you can't get it from your guy at Hunter. I've had several orthotics and Instaprint seems to be the best. He's the Instaprint pioneer.

Only thing I would mention is that make sure he can also refer you to his partners at Green Mountain Orthotic at Stratton so that you have an on-mountain component to your bootfitting. Then you can go up there and have further adjustments made while you ski. If I had to do it all over again I would make sure I had the optimal situation for bootfitting: Buy the boot, orthotic, and do any mods at the same good place that's on the mountain you go to most and have them include all of that in the purchase price. Trust me, you'll save yourself a huge headache.

Referring to your original problem, my first pair of purchased boots were too big and a boot pro recommended that I bring it back to the store, which was heartily against any refunds. I argued my case and reluctantly they gave in and took the boot back for about 75% of the purchase price.  

Good to hear you're in good hands now, BB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjaminetanyahoo 

Just returned from Hunter today.  I spent roughly 45 minutes with Keith from Pro Ski & Ride (?).  He is very knowledgeable and suggested three boots.  I almost went with Dalbello Photons, but decided with the Head Plug boots.  The boots were very snug around my feet and it showed on the mountain.  I never had any pains in my boots or had to unbuckle my boots and more importantly, I was not swimming in my boots.  Granted, a double black diamond on Hunter is a mild blue at Whistler, I still felt like the Plug boots will serve me well on more challenging runs at taller mountains.  All in all, I had a  very productive day and my next decision is whether to purchase an InstaPrint orthotic.  Thanks everyone.

Which ones did you get?

ascemia.....no

ischemia....yes 

hi

try emilios ski shop in forest hills, see paul. 

sorry.... its great that you're happy with the new boots, but after reading your posts , i have to question your 

logic and perhaps agree with your detractors.  Mt. Snow challenging? ugh............

Bad fitting boots from Paragon

Good fitting boots from Pro Ski and Sport at Hunter.

Conclusion: a good boot fitter can look at and measure a foot, recommend the boot brand and model (maybe several) that match the foot characteristics and provide a good fit even to a relatively novice customer. Maybe not the perfect boot with the perfect level of "tweak", but close. 

Getting closer to perfection will require the skier to spend more time on the snow, to get more "knowledge" (like from this forum) and to go back to the fitter for even more fit and performance dialogue. 

P.S. Getting boots too big the first time around is not an uncommon occurance.  

Glad you finally got dialed in.  Nothing beats good boots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjaminetanyahoo 

 

Hyprocrite, seems like you used the same great logic after reading my posts.  Hunter is not a challenging mountain as I already stated and actually a joke to test my boots while Mt. Snow is enough of a challenge to test my boots, hence my comment about Mt. Snow.

 

 

I beg to differ....I defy you to rip Annapurna or some of the other West side trails...sure they can be skied but the steepness and ice does make for a challenge, unless you tippy-toe down it..in that case anything is easy.   Hunter is challenging enough for them to hold Nor-Am races.

inmo, the terrain is better technically at hunter than mt snow. clares, annapurna, racers edge, k27....

when these trail are icy they are very tough to ski well on.

i dont know why you adrressed me as hypocrite,you have more issues than ill fitting boots.

i think you should become a boarder. 

  Whatever you do, I would recommend avoiding Jeff Rich at US Orthotics in NY.   Others have said good things about him; my experience couldn't have been worse.  He was expensive (and there always seemed to be new charges); took months; and the boots are unwearable.  Two times on the hill and my toenails are falling out.   When I called to ask for help (adjustment, direction, partial refund, anything) his office said he no longer does boots and was travelling, so buzz off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by everyman 

  Whatever you do, I would recommend avoiding Jeff Rich at US Orthotics in NY.   Others have said good things about him; my experience couldn't have been worse.  He was expensive (and there always seemed to be new charges); took months; and the boots are unwearable.  Two times on the hill and my toenails are falling out.   When I called to ask for help (adjustment, direction, partial refund, anything) his office said he no longer does boots and was travelling, so buzz off.

I think this just went off the scale.  Jeff Rich is still listed with America's Best Bootfitters.  You have no credibility here since your one and only post is to bash someone with a good reputation.  Go troll somewhere else.

First, I wouldn't say buying a boot off mountain is a bad thing.  But a local store close to the fitter is ideal.

When I went to see Brent Amsbury in Pk City (terrific guy and fitter by the way), he measured my foot and gave me a list of recommended brands of boots that would probably be good for me, wrote my info down on a card and said told me to go next door in the shopping plaza to the sports store and buy boots.  He didn't have anything on hand to try on.  Which in the end worked out great.

Now I don't mind buying from the fitter, but I did find a terific feeling boot at the local sports store he recommeded next door.  Technically you could say it was on mountain/local.

The point being, you need a good fitter to get your measurements, and analyze your foot, and they should be able to recommend specific brands to try on and see how they initially feel.  That is critical and foremost.  Once the fitter has done his intial assessment, then go try the boots on and see how they feel.

Finally, bring boots back to the fitter and let them work their magic.

I couldn't be happier with my setup, and got my boots at a great price on sale, Brent made his money on his service for his expertise/boot fitting and did another adjustment a month later for free to fix a few minor complaints...and overall great experience.

Surefoot is a pricey/marketing operation it seems.  Some swear by them depending on where you go, but overall...I like the indy fitter with a reputation for service.

Good luck.