Best Boot Fitter in MN?

UFOsarereal

UFOsarereal

Active member
I'm looking for new boots, but haven't been fitted for anything yet. does anyone know of a boot fitter with a really solid reputation?

I know people take racing really seriously in parts of the state, so there must be at least a boot fitter or two around on their shit.
 
The best boot fitter I have had in minnesota was at the REI in Bloomington. I i got a pair of boots from him this winter and he was awesome!
 
Although I've never dealt with them personally, besides my GF being fitted by them, Pierce skate and ski in Bloomington seemed like the real deal. Very race focused though, you wont find spks or full tilts, and will probably be expensive. HOWEVER, if you want to walk out of the store knowing you got the right pair that's fit and customized to your foot, they seem hard to beat. Also, Free adjustments after the initial fitting. Seemed incredibly smart after talking with them. Take a minute and just surf their website:http://www.pierceskateandski.com/alpine-boots
 
said this right on there website Ski Service

"Pierce Skate & Ski is one* of the top shops in the country for boot fitting and ski tuning" -Skiing Magazine, October 2005

One of my buddys from College is the Service Dept. Manager at Pierce.





 
I got bootfitted at Pierce a long time ago, so idk about their bootfitting really, but they are a super legit shop.

What about Pinewskis?
 
pierce... only downside is that your not gonna find any freeski boots there. i just got my boots at summit.
 
alllll right --- hit the last straw with my current boots and will be going somewhere Friday... anyone have any last minute advice for me about these places?
 
Dave Hinz is the man I see every year before I head west for the season. I have bought multiple boots and orthodontics inserts through pierce skate and ski. Even though I don't buy boots from him all the time he will work on any boots and give you a honest opinion. I have learned more things about my feet through dave then any other bootfitter I have met.
 
I was drunk when I posted, so sue me.

Point I am trying to make is Pierce skate and ski is with out a doubt the best bootfitter in the Midwest hands down.
 
Not many, I'm pretty sure they only have racing and all mountain boots, nothing that's marketed as a park boot. I'm just going off of what I remember seeing though.
 
yeah, he said they're getting park boots in next year. I wanted something I could rip up the whole mountain in, which also led me to choosing Pierce.
 
^haha, whoops, read the guy's post right after yours & started talking about park boots. I know they've got at least one atomic boot there, because I tried it on, and there are plenty of other all-mountain boots. I tried on a bunch of Technicas & maybe one by Head or something like that. They've got Fischers, too, and some other brands that I'm forgetting right now.
 
Hey, checkout the guys at Hi Tempo Ski Shop in White Bear Lake. They make custom orthotics for your boots while you wait - the whole process only takes about 45 minutes. All of their boot fitters are Certified Pedorthists so they make real medical grade orthotics not just standard 'ski shop' inserts. These guys are total game changers.
 
Pierce skate and ski is still the best in the Midwest (if not the world). Just saying since this thread was bumped.

Yes they handle a lot of ski racers but who knows ski boots better than racing nerds?
 
13826149:50Kal said:
Pierce skate and ski is still the best in the Midwest (if not the world). Just saying since this thread was bumped.

Yes they handle a lot of ski racers but who knows ski boots better than racing nerds?
Click to expand...

Do you happen to know if there is a price rate for getting boot fitted? I have an appointment with Dave to get fitted for some new boots but I’ve also heard their equipment is expensive. I was planning on him helping me find some boots but I probably won’t purchase them there.
 
13854761:ScootSkiLyfe said:
Do you happen to know if there is a price rate for getting boot fitted? I have an appointment with Dave to get fitted for some new boots but I’ve also heard their equipment is expensive. I was planning on him helping me find some boots but I probably won’t purchase them there.
Click to expand...

So be honest with him. He is a pretty understanding guy. Might give you a little shit but dude is without a doubt best boot fitter in the Midwest.

The thing I would say is get fitted and see what fits well. Then maybe buy a custom insole from them. Would save you some money.

I’m not sure if they price matches so ask them about that as well.

If you work in the ski industry they can do pro deal prices so even if your a part time on a hill they could help you on price.

One thing to consider is if you buy from pierce they guarantee the boot fit. Meaning no cost for modifications for the life of the boot for as long as you own it.

If you buy offline or somewhere else they will charge you for every toe punch or whatever else you might need. That’s the main reason pierce’s stuff is more expensive.

If you need 4-5 modifications on a boot (which if you buy online without trying on is completely realistic) and you get charged $40 a modification that adds up to 160-200.

which if you just spent more up front at a shop that is really really good that will also give you priority on modifications vs being other smuck who bought boots online and needs help mid season.

Make sure you tell them your fine if it’s not from this season. they might have something in your size from past years that just wasn’t popular with the racers. Would be worth considering.

Back to your original question I don’t believe they charge for sizing and trying on boots.

If they do I would say it’s worth it because you’ll learn a lot about what your foot needs in terms of boots. They are without a doubt in my mind the biggest ski boot enthusiasts I’ve met and I’ve spent the last 7 winters in Colorado. They will overload you with information about anything for boots.

And while I know lots of people say they are just racing nerds who’s gonna be the better boot fitters? A year round ski shop that do boot work for FIS competitors or a bike shop that sells ski in the winter?

I’d say if they are not charging you for sizing make sure you tip for their time. A twenty or a 6 pack of beer goes super far with those guys. At the end of the day those guys are just a bunch skiers.

I always tip a six pack to Dave. The dude drinks dark beer. He’d prefer beer over cash if you can.
 
13854799:50Kal said:
So be honest with him. He is a pretty understanding guy. Might give you a little shit but dude is without a doubt best boot fitter in the Midwest.

The thing I would say is get fitted and see what fits well. Then maybe buy a custom insole from them. Would save you some money.

I’m not sure if they price matches so ask them about that as well.

If you work in the ski industry they can do pro deal prices so even if your a part time on a hill they could help you on price.

One thing to consider is if you buy from pierce they guarantee the boot fit. Meaning no cost for modifications for the life of the boot for as long as you own it.

If you buy offline or somewhere else they will charge you for every toe punch or whatever else you might need. That’s the main reason pierce’s stuff is more expensive.

If you need 4-5 modifications on a boot (which if you buy online without trying on is completely realistic) and you get charged $40 a modification that adds up to 160-200.

which if you just spent more up front at a shop that is really really good that will also give you priority on modifications vs being other smuck who bought boots online and needs help mid season.

Make sure you tell them your fine if it’s not from this season. they might have something in your size from past years that just wasn’t popular with the racers. Would be worth considering.

Back to your original question I don’t believe they charge for sizing and trying on boots.

If they do I would say it’s worth it because you’ll learn a lot about what your foot needs in terms of boots. They are without a doubt in my mind the biggest ski boot enthusiasts I’ve met and I’ve spent the last 7 winters in Colorado. They will overload you with information about anything for boots.

And while I know lots of people say they are just racing nerds who’s gonna be the better boot fitters? A year round ski shop that do boot work for FIS competitors or a bike shop that sells ski in the winter?

I’d say if they are not charging you for sizing make sure you tip for their time. A twenty or a 6 pack of beer goes super far with those guys. At the end of the day those guys are just a bunch skiers.

I always tip a six pack to Dave. The dude drinks dark beer. He’d prefer beer over cash if you can.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much, this helped a ton, I will be going there today. Haha I would totally pick him up some beer but I think he might judge a 17 year old for tipping him with beer xD. Thanks again for taking your time to respond.
 
13854809:ScootSkiLyfe said:
Thank you very much, this helped a ton, I will be going there today. Haha I would totally pick him up some beer but I think he might judge a 17 year old for tipping him with beer xD. Thanks again for taking your time to respond.
Click to expand...

No problem man. He’d probably be impressed that 17 year got him beer.
 
11998741:Powder*Hound said:
The best boot fitter I have had in minnesota was at the REI in Bloomington. I i got a pair of boots from him this winter and he was awesome!
Click to expand...

bruh thats not even a ski shop like no offense but like what?
 
11998741:Powder*Hound said:
The best boot fitter I have had in minnesota was at the REI in Bloomington. I i got a pair of boots from him this winter and he was awesome!
Click to expand...

bruh thats not even a ski shop like no offense but like what?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top