I am an advanced skier (8 years experiance) and I am looking to get new boots, suggestions??

Question

I have a pair of fairly old boots and I am looking to upgrade, but I know very little about boots. I was looking at the Dalbello Aerro 50's (found here: http://www.buckeyesportscenter.com/products.jsp?criteria=boots,mens&label=Mens%20Ski%20Boots )but I noticed in the description of the boots it said for beginner to intermediate skiers, is that just a suggestions or should I spend the extra $200+ to get the boots that say they are for advanced skiers? Any help or personal experiance suggestions?

Answer 1

Your ski boots are by far the most important ski equipment purchase you are going to make. At your current ability level owning a good pair ski boots is a must if you want to advance in skiing. I am sure you are aware that the boot is the transmitter of your skiing movements to the ski. The right boot will help you improve as a skier. Now unless you know exactly the type of boot you want and need, use the internet and magazine reviews for research only.

Because boots are so important my best advice is to make the price of the boots a low priority. While it is good to have an idea of a potential limit, you can forego other ski equipment purchases to make sure you get the right boot. A good pair of ski boots can last you well over 300 skiing days. For most people who only go skiing 3-5 days a year that means your boots can last quite a while provided you take care of them.

Ski boots come in all types and sizes for all types of skiers. The only way to know which boot is right for your skiing ability and foot shape is to try them on. I am talking about multiple pairs of boots from different makers. In order to do this, you need to get yourself to a ski shop. Now you wouldn't buy your surf board in Nebraska before going to surf in Hawaii, so get your ski gear in a ski town. The better shops carry multiple brands of boots to accommodate all levels and types of skiers.

Another piece of advice is to look for a ski shop affiliated with America’s Best Boot Fitters, http://www.bootfitters.com/ . The boot fitters at these shops have attended seminars taught by the best of the best in the industry and have the best knowledge to deal with all kinds of foot issues (bone spurs, hammer toes, nerve damage, etc). They can also help determine what else you may need in terms of canting and foot beds. Any expert skier will tell you to spend the extra money for the custom foot bed, they all use them.

Now be prepared to stay for a while. Unless you have the perfect foot, a good boot fitting will take a couple of hours, along with maybe a couple of return visits for tune ups. You must go in with the mind set that boot fitting is a process. It takes time to identify a problem and work it out. Often times fixing one thing identifies another which needs to be fixed. So go in prepared.

Lastly and this is important. Mentally get it into your head that you will not be put into a ski boot which is BIGGER than your street shoe size. Your foot will just be swimming inside of it and it will not help you get any better. Upper level skiers all have boots which are the same as their street shoe or smaller. It is a question of control and performance.

Going in mentally prepared for the process and the time it will take, will make the experience more enjoyable. The pay off will be happy feet in a ski boot which can help take your skiing to the next level.

Answer 2

You need to listen to S.U.V.RoadRage (above poster). If you are actually an advanced skier (or even one that takes skiing even halfway seriously), you need to spend the money and see a professional bootfitter. There's almost an infinite number of reasons I can tell you why this needs to be, but I think it's just better that you go educate yourself on this. Or just listen to S.U.V.RoadRage above.

Answer 3

Before you purchase any boot, try it on for size and shape for your foot. Be prepared to spend 4 hours in the shop with an experienced boot fitter. Unless you are experienced with the particular make and model do not buy without trying the particular pair on your feet.
Each make seems to be designed for a different shaped foot. long and square, or narrow, or may be more of a triangle, wide toe box, narrow heel. Also have you had any foot or ankle injuries that require the boot to be modified?
Also a footbed, cants and relief of pressure points may be needed. The boots should fit tight, not painful, able to flex in the shop, they get stiffer in the cold. Overlap buckles only please. Enjoy our sport. Jim

Answer 4

it doesnt matter if they are for beginners or imtermediates skiers, if you can bend them and if they feel nice and you think that they can handle the type of skiing you do (moguls, groomed, powder, ect.), then get 'em.

Answer 5

make sure you try them on. if your advanced go for a more stiffer boot. they are suggestions but if you are advanced then i'd go for the advanced boots.