Second hand boots - should I buy them?

cem wrote:ok before i start [etc]...buying ski gear is not about making a profit over hiring

Completely agree!

It is about comfort!!! Thats what I found to be the big difference. It will take a long time to get my £400 back in ski boot hire!!

Just got back from being fitted out by Colin at Solutions4Feet. Nice bloke, did a cracking job of checking my feet out and recommending a pair of boots. I was also very pleased that the pair he recommended weren't the most expensive in the shop, in fact he even gave me a decent price on a pair of last seasons boots instead of buying the current model. All in all, very pleased with the attention to detail and the service I got, now looking forward to trying them out properly.

Coop wrote:Just got back from being fitted out by Colin at Solutions4Feet. Nice bloke, did a cracking job of checking my feet out and recommending a pair of boots. I was also very pleased that the pair he recommended weren't the most expensive in the shop, in fact he even gave me a decent price on a pair of last seasons boots instead of buying the current model. All in all, very pleased with the attention to detail and the service I got, now looking forward to trying them out properly.

Nice one Coop :thumbup: When are you heading out?

bandit wrote:

Nice one Coop :thumbup: When are you heading out?

Next Thursday Bandit, Les Gets for 4 days skiing. This'll give me enough time to test them out and get them tweaked before my next trip second week of Feb.

It was refreshing to be sat opposite someone trying to sell you something, for the person to not try and sell you a dearer product. I would have bought a £500 pair of boots, had he said they were the right ones for me. But instead, I 'only' spent £220 on a pair that were cosmetically different to the latest model. However, the cost of custom footbeds pushes the price up somewhat so we'll see if they do make a big difference.

Also, one final point to make to others looking to buy. I thought I had 'normal' feet but Colin informed me otherwise. Thin ankles, narrow heel but wide forefoot meant that most boots were unsuitable for me, in that I wouldn't get a close fit. After much considered deliberation, he came up with a pair of Salomans that he felt would be right for me in terms of both fit and ability. Morale of story, it pays to get someone like Solutions4Feet to fit you out properly.

I bought my boots from Lockwoods in Leamington Spa. Excellent service. As above, I was not sold the most expensive boot. Loads of time spent checking and measuring. Apparently my left foot is half a size smaller than my right (I'm surprised I can walk in a straight line!). This explained why I developed a mega blister after 20 mins of my 1st ever indoor ski lesson with rental boots, my left foot was moving around too much. In the end I went for the custom shell Salomon boot (Impact eight). Bloody uncomfortable to start with to be honest but nicely broken in after a full week's skiing. Probably the best decision I made to move along my skiing.