Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I've been anguishing over the past few weeks about which new boots (ski not board) to buy and would like you guys'es input. If you don't mind, post which boots you use and your likes/dislikes about them. Also, how you are fitting in them size wise and if they are packing out or if you've had to find a custom boot fitter. I'm planning on maybe heading up to Tokyo on a boot mission this long weekend. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 The more info the better, but I will be stalking. I promised myself a pair of ski boots before long - then there will be no excuse other than my poor ability for failing at learning to ski. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 It would be more productive if you gave us an idea of what you're looking for Chriselle, your size, ability, the terrain you normally ski on, the skis you have etc Link to post Share on other sites
sand 17 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 My feet are my own worst nightmare, look more like dinner plates than feet. I have wasted a small fortune in buying badly fitting boots from so called boot specialists. However, last season for the first time in my life I finally had an awesome boot fitting experience i.e. comfortable feet. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Rhythm sports in Niseko if you need ski boots fitted. Link to post Share on other sites
sand 17 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Also, boots are far too personal for recommendations to be of any reliability in terms of comfort. a boot fitter should ask you what kind of skiing you like to do, and from there have you try on a few different brands until you have the right boot for you foot, then if need be they can further adjust the shell a little and make custom foot beds as needed. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 An experienced and knowledgeable boot fitter makes all the difference. I'm going to be in the market for new boots soon, though hoping I can get by just with a new set of liners for another couple of seasons. I've stopped buying boots in Japan, as they never fit right. My current boots have been terrific, fitted by a guy with a lot of experience and a good reputation. If you have any plans on a N.America visit anytime soon, I'd suggest buying then. Or, try Rhythm as Sand suggested. I've never dealt with boots there but their ski folks are very good and I expect they have one or two good boot fitters. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Ya Mike......I didn't give any specifics. I'm just more interested in what is working for you and your experience in your particular gear. I am an advanced but wouldn't say expert level skier quite yet and have been skiing a mid level Atomic boot (B tech 90's) for the past few seasons. Those boots have packed out and they were WAY wide and soft which I realized soon after buying them. I made due considering I have foot width at 100mm. This time around I have my eye set on a more appropriately narrow and higher quality Lange RS 110 or 120 race boot but I'm wondering if they might be a bit too stiff. I ski all terrain on Rossi S3's, Hart Quests, or Atomic ST's. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Last year when I was buying the Rossi skis in Tokyo I stopped in to Fuso sports and they seemed to be doing a good job with the customers that were buying boots at the time. So, I might check them out again. I won't be getting to Niseko despite going to Hokkaido over the holiday break but I will be driving through Sapporo and skiing mostly around Asahikawa. I'm researching Sapporo right now. DiGriz, I get back to Vancouver every summer but it's always a little premature for ski gear. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Sapporo sports has a very large selection of boots on the ground floor. The salesman spoke pretty good English too. Judging by the prices, I'd say they were mainly intermediate to advance boot. (if prices can be the barometer) My wife got her latest pair there, and had heated soles moulded to her form. She's happy, I'm happy. Link to post Share on other sites
MagSeven 40 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Paddle Club in Oyachi and Shugakuso in Shiroishi are two decent shops in Sapporo. They're both on Route 12, one of the main routes out of the city. Shugakuso is soon after you cross the river, and Paddle Club is just as you go under the Expessway. Shugakuso also has a smaller branch in Asahikawa, but focuses more on the AT and telemark side with their boot selection. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Thanks guys...I bought 3 kayaks from Shugakuso way back when ...when I lived up in Hokkaido. They never struck me as to having a great selection of ski gear though. Actually, I even bought one other boat from the Shugakuso in Asakikawa, too. Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 A few suggestions on what to avoid: 1. If the boot fitter doesn't inspect your bare feet, both of them, he/she probably isn't an expert so you better hope you have an ``average'' foot shape. 2. If the boot fitter doesn't shell size your feet (pull out the liners and have you put both feet into the plastic shell to check for proper size) RUN out of the shop immediately unless you have a very high tolerance for pain. 3. If the boot fitter suggests you just need to wear thicker socks to get a good fit...well, say ``Thanks, I'll think it over.'' and go elsewhere. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Yes, I've been all over youtube for the last week or so. Also, one of the guys I work with is a level 3 instructor and racer and he has been going through it all with me as well. But, you are right....definitely need a boot fitter. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 My foot suits a Lange - narrow, long. Not sure if your 100mm foot will feel the same. Unless they've started making wider fittings. All great advice above. Link to post Share on other sites
rider69 18 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I like Technica because I have wide feet. Also like the new noridca boots they are pretty awesome if you buy the sidecountry range. Boots are a pain the worst part about skiing really. As for another boot fitter the best I know is the shop 500 miles in the Goryu base lodge. He took a pair of boots and in one shot sorted them out and they fit like a glove. You will however pay for it he isnt cheap but he is that good! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm the same with the wide feet and Technical boots. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I don't like boots they are a pain, but I got some last year that really fit well. And made quite the difference. The very best thing about ski boots is how much they help with my highly original Robocop impression. Though I'm not sure they are worth it just for that. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I got lucky, with cheap boots at end of season clearance a few years ago. Fit perfectly, not painful at all. Heel and toe "lips" are starting to get thinned out from walking on non-snow surfaces. Hope they last a while longer -- not looking forward to throwing the dice on a new pair, or else paying for a custom fitting. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 a total spong question perhaps (but I am a boarder ), but why do ski boots have to be so hard? Do soft boots, more like boarder boots exist for skiing? are they just totally rubbish? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 My foot suits a Lange - narrow, long. Not sure if your 100mm foot will feel the same. Unless they've started making wider fittings. All great advice above. I might be able to get into their 98mm or they do make a 100mm wide RC series. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexander L 80 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 ski boots have to be hard cos they protect your ankles and shins. snowboarding boots are soft 'cos the manufacturers don't care. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 What if one put snowboard-like bindings on skis, and wore snowboard-like boots? Would that work? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Aren't competition boarder boots pretty much ski boots though...? Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Yes, alpine style snowboard boots are hard plastic like ski boots. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Good point. Saw a carving boarder last weekend at Sayama, and the boots and bindings looked pretty much like ski ones. Still, the idea of putting the stiffness in the bindings rather than the boots seems like it could have some merit. Link to post Share on other sites
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