Between Boot Sizes

SnowMiser

SnowMiser

Member
Interesting/frustrating situation today buying boots. Saw a boot fitter (inb4 just get Full Tilts), and my feet came in at just under 28.0 on a Technica foot scale (I'm 17 and wear an 11.5/12 pedestrian shoe; this measurement is echoed on a slidinig foot scale). I tried on a few boots and got settled on the Dalbello Boss. It came down to a 2015 Boss in 27.5 and a 2014 Boss in 28.5... As the title suggests, the 27.5 felt too tight, and the 28.5 felt a wee bit roomy.

I was told that it's easier to work with a boot that's too small than one that's too big, but the 27's just were uncomfortably snug even when I was leaning forward all the way. I couldn't rationalize dropping all that dough on a boot that might not break in correctly, so I went with the 28.5's and some custom footbeds.

This'll be the first pair of boots I've owned, I have been season leasing since I started skiing, and I've been told they expand a bit on day 1... Did I make the right decision? Since I won't find out firsthand for two+ months (east coast real shit), it's been on my mind.
 
After a few days of skiing a liner will pack out and give you an extra half size to full size so you probably should have gone with 27.5 which would have packed out to be around 28 - 28.5 so the size of your current non-packed out boots. Also if the 28.5 feels roomy now in after a couple of days skiing they may start feeling too big and loose.

When you put on the 28.5 can you feel the end of the boot with your toes? And when you flex forward into the boot your toes should come off the end ever so slightly (you shouldn't feel like your slipping back in the liner).

You should also do a shell check, take the liner out the boot, with a sock on slide your foot into the boot so it touches the end and measure the distance from your heel to the back of the shell.

If you have more than 3cm of space then the boots are too big and you should take them back. Ideally you want around 2cm of space or even only 1cm of space if you want a high performance fit for skiing really hard and aggressively.

So go do a shell check and then report back with how much space you have between your heel and the shell and from there we can help you make a decision.
 
I am in the EXACT situation as you, i choose to size down to the 27.5 because they pack out and fit well after a week or two. And a bootpunch can solve whatever still feels a lil cramped after that. The 28.5 ends up being way to loose for performance movements after they brake in. My buddy also in the EXACT situation, and he goes with the 27.5 as well. also a good footbed should tighten your foot up, which helps if the boot is a little short (say 1mm), but volume is a whole 'nother game.
 
intuition liners pack out a TON. if a new pair of FTs or dalbellos don't feel way too small to begin with, you will be swimming in them by december (depending on how much you ski)
 
topic:pjosullivan said:
I was told that it's easier to work with a boot that's too small than one that's too big, but the 27's just were uncomfortably snug even when I was leaning forward all the way. I couldn't rationalize dropping all that dough on a boot that might not break in correctly, so I went with the 28.5's and some custom footbeds.

This'll be the first pair of boots I've owned, I have been season leasing since I started skiing, and I've been told they expand a bit on day 1... Did I make the right decision? Since I won't find out firsthand for two+ months (east coast real shit), it's been on my mind.
Click to expand...

If you measure a 28.0 on the scale there is a 99.99% chance that a 28/28.5 boot is too big for you. NEVER get fixated on the printed size of the boot, whether that is US, UK, or mondo point sizing. ALWAYS make a judgement based off the shell fit and your boot-fitters recommendation.

Being that this is the first pair of boots you owned, it is natural that you felt too tight in the proper boot size. Custom footbeds will also shorten your foot (or at least prevent your foot from elongating) inside the shell and the liner will pack out at least "a half size".

I would honestly go back to the store and get the 27.5 (provided they actually yield a 2cm shell fit). Even if they prove to be a bit snug, your boot-fitter can always make room in the boot. It will be very hard for him to shrink a boot that ends up being too big. You will thank us in December that you did.
 
yeah as said already, boots pack out after a few days of ridding, so I'd defo go back and change them for the 27.5 if thats possible. Also, for the first week of riding, it will be less painful wearing a boot too small than too big, too big will give you shin bang, calf bang and toe bang....they suck. Too small you'll get use to it, and when the boot warms us it won't be that bad.
 
I measure out between a 30.5 and a 31.0. I ski in a 29.5 Dalbello Lupo SP.

Like your bootfitter said, there's more they can do with boot that's a little on the snug side as opposed to a boot that's a wee too big. A brand new boot in the shop during "try-on" will be uncomfortable. After they've been fitted and have had footbeds installed, they'll feel right.

Trust in your bootfitter
 
I measure out between a 30.5 and a 31.0. I ski in a 29.5 Dalbello Lupo SP.

Like your bootfitter said, there's more they can do with boot that's a little on the snug side as opposed to a boot that's a wee too big. A brand new boot in the shop during "try-on" will be uncomfortable. After they've been fitted and have had footbeds installed, they'll feel right.

Trust in your bootfitter
 
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