Bootfitter will NOT sell me performance fit boot?

S

Sonofmickel

New member
I bought some Technica Mach Sport100 MV boots last season at my measured mondo size 24.5.

After a few runs my feet felt felt like a peanut in a can if I went over 10/15 miles per hour. Not very happy about my performance. I am blaming myself, not the equipment at this point.

I have been "consumer" skiing for 20 odd years, always relying on employees to get me the correct products, usually teenager salespeople.

The last pair of boots a purchased was from Christy Sports at a summer sale(2010?), they put me in a very comfortable 25.5 boot, cheap!.

Fast forward to this year:

I began researching online and found Newschoolers, among countless "get better at skiing" videos online.

All my research points to starting with a great fitting boot.

The majority of good skiers appear to size down from mondo size.

I am a MONDO 24.5 left foot and 24 right foot (242mm L and 238mm R actual measured size)

Shell fit shows over an inch behind left foot and even more behind my smaller right foot.

I went to a local, highly regarded bootfitter to try and remove any guesswork.

I told them that I wanted new boots, price no object, in order to get a very snug fit.

We tried boots on for over an hour and I settled on a pair of 23.5 Nordica race boots, I loved them, they felt snug/ tight and I felt that they would pack out perfect.

The store would not sell them to me.

They said that there would be no warranty on the boots.

I asked if we could order ANYTHING for me that they would be comfortable selling me, Fischer RC4...whatever they can get $$$ is no object... "NO" they can't order ANY boots for me that do not match with my MONDO sizing from the brannock device. What?!?!?

Sooooo... they recommend getting an Intuition DH liner to "fill" up the space in my 24.5 Tecnicas.

I said I should just sell the boots and get some 23.5 and they replied that would be a bad idea.

I order the Intuition liners from them, (they charge over retail price, they are a pro racer shop).

Next week I get the liners installed at the shop.

I am loose as a goose after 2/3 runs, start cranking down the ankle and forefoot clasps just to get down the hill.

Crushing my instep, numb feet.

I go back to the shop and they say "Yup, we need to tape up the liners and install some "sizing footbeds"".

They installed 3 thick bontex footbeds in each boot in addition to my Boot Doctor footbed. Plus many layers of tape strips on the back of the ankle to lock both my heels in place(it still moves).

My feet are crammed into this shell now and the heel is still loose side to side.

My toes are entombed in intuition concrete.

Looks like one layer of bontex is half a mondo sizet, so 3 layers equals 1.5 mondo size which should definitely clue the bootfitter that the shell is far too big.

All the research I have found says to go with a smaller boot and heat mold/punch it out.

The shop says that nobody does that any more, they do not punch boots for years now...Mondo size and tape...

I am pissed...

3 layers of bontex plus boot doctor insoles mean the shell is too big, no question...

I say the boots are too big and the shop misled me.

I have no idea why they would not sell me the 23.5 boots

I'll try to get a refund.

Advise please
 
dayum that was long winded.

so you are trying to make last years 24.5 ride with the new liner, correct?

the power wrap intuition liner is awful. rigid, cold... if you already bought it, add more than duct tape. find thin padding and tape it in to tighten things up, sounds like the shop you are working with , isnt working with you...

find another shop, buy the 23.5 you liked... and mount up new boards all together. every skier has to deal with this 1970's "technology"
 
A shop that doesnt do punches or heat molds? Seems like you need to jump ship somewhere else. Theyre full of shit. I had a heat mold, shell mold, and a couple other things done this season already…at an epic mountain gear of all places(i know kms) but my bro works at one so he hooked me up…also with his pro deals.

outside of fitting, if youre getting smaller boots, you need to do the things that will add ease to your struggles. Whats helped me a ton is throwing boot dryers into mine while I drive up to the hill. That slight softening makes it night and day difference getting into the boot in the morning, however what people should also tell you about getting that smaller size in a boot is that there really will never be a point where something doesnt hurt, but its not a discomfort thing and in my situation, it may be because atomic liners seem a bit thin so ill plan to upgrade to better liners for next season. Also if someone could enlighten me on what the fuck shin bang is, plz do because ive never experienced it…maybe because even with thunder thighs, i enjoy my boots crushing my thighs….idk.
 
[tag=134322]@Forrest.Gump[/tag], thanks for the reply and finishing the novella.

"I'm" NOT trying to make last years boot work with the brand new intuition liner, the bootfitter recommended this awful and expensive solution.

I wanted to originally dump the old boots and buy some new heat mold/fangled $500-1000 boots.

Do it right ya know?

I'm gonna see if they will refund tomorrow.

Whatever happens this is now online and people can at least enjoy not living my circus life!

I have learned a lot from this experience.
 
14586209:mikem said:
How tall are you bro to need a 23.5?

also sounds like a bad shop.
Click to expand...

Can’t tell if you are asking if he’s super tall or short, 23.5 isn’t that weird of a size
 
No idea where you are so I can’t recommend any shops, but if you are in SLC the sport loft is an amazing boot shop
 
14586210:sampli said:
Can’t tell if you are asking if he’s super tall or short, 23.5 isn’t that weird of a size
Click to expand...

He has to be short. 20 years skiing means he’s not a kid. 23.5 is super small for an adult male.
 
Wtf a race shop will only sell you a boot that is too big? I have had two boots sized too small by racers, I never in a hundred years would've expected a racing boot fitter to refuse giving you smaller boots. Yeah find a new shop and insist on a refund. They wasted so much of your time and money.
 
I'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.

Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.
 
14586223:Sonofmickel said:
I'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.

Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.
Click to expand...

Is it a plug boot? I can see a shop not wanting to order it unless you know what your getting into.

if it’s a retail boot in a weird size. Just find a shop that will do it or do it online. I’d suggest finding a better boot fitter tho.

Also buy zipfits
 
Just because someone else had good luck with another shop/ fitter doesn't mean that you will. Sometimes a fitter just won't care to give you attention or be able to help with your problems and needs. It happens, if you don't feel comfortable, walk away.

Better fitting boots can help you be more comfortable on hill and give you better response. I think proper fitting boots and skill level evolve at the same rate. It can be hard for someone to express to a fitter their current issues if they don't know what those issues are. This comes with experience and with experience comes improved skill.

At the end of the day it is about making the customer happy, not everyone wants or needs a race plug. If you are not happy you should go for a return and look for someone else who can help.
 
14586224:mikem said:
Is it a plug boot? I can see a shop not wanting to order it unless you know what your getting into.

if it’s a retail boot in a weird size. Just find a shop that will do it or do it online. I’d suggest finding a better boot fitter tho.

Also buy zipfits
Click to expand...

I bet it was a plug boot. I'm a 24.5 and coupled with where I live, it's impossible to find any 24.5 boots in any store in person. If his feet are that small I bet his last is extremely small and a plug boot + mods is all that would accommodate.
 
you need new boots... no amount of shims/footbeds/heatmold will fix an oversized shell. find a shop that embraces reality and get fitted there.
 
14586223:Sonofmickel said:
I'm 5' 6.5" tall. 170cm.

Yup, small feet, low volume too.

I have no idea why they will not sell me performance fit boots? It's baffling.
Click to expand...

Don't sleep on "ladies" boots. Thay might open up your options in 23.5 significantly. I'm a little bit bigger than you and have gone through a few boot fitter experiences some negative some more positive. Right now I'm in the Técnica Mach 1 LV Pro W, afaik it's one of the lowest volume non-race boot out there. The cuff height is almost the same as an Atomic Hawx Ultra 120 and it's noticeably stiffer. It's a bitch to put on and take off but the heel hold/ankle pocket/instep are all nice and snug around my tiny low volume foot.
 
14586569:Non_State_Actor said:
Don't sleep on "ladies" boots. Thay might open up your options in 23.5 significantly. I'm a little bit bigger than you and have gone through a few boot fitter experiences some negative some more positive. Right now I'm in the Técnica Mach 1 LV Pro W, afaik it's one of the lowest volume non-race boot out there. The cuff height is almost the same as an Atomic Hawx Ultra 120 and it's noticeably stiffer. It's a bitch to put on and take off but the heel hold/ankle pocket/instep are all nice and snug around my tiny low volume foot.
Click to expand...

Lots of 23.5 boots in stock for women, and they're usually on heavy discounts and clearance. I am using a 26.5 K2 Mindbender 110 womens boots because I wanted the colourway, and I get compliments everytime I go skiing asking what boots they are, and where I got them.
 
So, I've spoken to the bootfitter I work with and this is what he tells me just from what he has seen in this thread. "without seeing the foot and having more physical information. it seems that filling the volume of an appropriate shell is the issue. It sounds like the user would best be served with the right ZipFit liner in strong shell"

I hope this helps
 
SOLVED:

I got a pair of boots a full size smaller and what a difference it makes.

So much more control and the skis do not get chattery at speeds over 20mph.

The store actually gave a full return on the liners. It is still a mystery why they would not sell me in a performance fit boot, baffling...
 
14588719:Sonofmickel said:
SOLVED:

I got a pair of boots a full size smaller and what a difference it makes.

So much more control and the skis do not get chattery at speeds over 20mph.

The store actually gave a full return on the liners. It is still a mystery why they would not sell me in a performance fit boot, baffling...
Click to expand...

glad you worked it out!
 
14588719:Sonofmickel said:
SOLVED:

I got a pair of boots a full size smaller and what a difference it makes.

So much more control and the skis do not get chattery at speeds over 20mph.

The store actually gave a full return on the liners. It is still a mystery why they would not sell me in a performance fit boot, baffling...
Click to expand...

What did you end up in?
 
14588826:Sonofmickel said:
23.5 Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 EL, baked em in the oven, fit is near perfect.
Click to expand...

Great boot. That will break.

Don’t want to gas you down or anything but that boot is not a tank like the old xmaxs. If you need parts I have everything.
 
topic:Sonofmickel said:
I bought some Technica Mach Sport100 MV boots last season at my measured mondo size 24.5.

After a few runs my feet felt felt like a peanut in a can if I went over 10/15 miles per hour. Not very happy about my performance. I am blaming myself, not the equipment at this point.

I have been "consumer" skiing for 20 odd years, always relying on employees to get me the correct products, usually teenager salespeople.

The last pair of boots a purchased was from Christy Sports at a summer sale(2010?), they put me in a very comfortable 25.5 boot, cheap!.

Fast forward to this year:

I began researching online and found Newschoolers, among countless "get better at skiing" videos online.

All my research points to starting with a great fitting boot.

The majority of good skiers appear to size down from mondo size.

I am a MONDO 24.5 left foot and 24 right foot (242mm L and 238mm R actual measured size)

Shell fit shows over an inch behind left foot and even more behind my smaller right foot.

I went to a local, highly regarded bootfitter to try and remove any guesswork.

I told them that I wanted new boots, price no object, in order to get a very snug fit.

We tried boots on for over an hour and I settled on a pair of 23.5 Nordica race boots, I loved them, they felt snug/ tight and I felt that they would pack out perfect.

The store would not sell them to me.

They said that there would be no warranty on the boots.

I asked if we could order ANYTHING for me that they would be comfortable selling me, Fischer RC4...whatever they can get $$$ is no object... "NO" they can't order ANY boots for me that do not match with my MONDO sizing from the brannock device. What?!?!?

Sooooo... they recommend getting an Intuition DH liner to "fill" up the space in my 24.5 Tecnicas.

I said I should just sell the boots and get some 23.5 and they replied that would be a bad idea.

I order the Intuition liners from them, (they charge over retail price, they are a pro racer shop).

Next week I get the liners installed at the shop.

I am loose as a goose after 2/3 runs, start cranking down the ankle and forefoot clasps just to get down the hill.

Crushing my instep, numb feet.

I go back to the shop and they say "Yup, we need to tape up the liners and install some "sizing footbeds"".

They installed 3 thick bontex footbeds in each boot in addition to my Boot Doctor footbed. Plus many layers of tape strips on the back of the ankle to lock both my heels in place(it still moves).

My feet are crammed into this shell now and the heel is still loose side to side.

My toes are entombed in intuition concrete.

Looks like one layer of bontex is half a mondo sizet, so 3 layers equals 1.5 mondo size which should definitely clue the bootfitter that the shell is far too big.

All the research I have found says to go with a smaller boot and heat mold/punch it out.

The shop says that nobody does that any more, they do not punch boots for years now...Mondo size and tape...

I am pissed...

3 layers of bontex plus boot doctor insoles mean the shell is too big, no question...

I say the boots are too big and the shop misled me.

I have no idea why they would not sell me the 23.5 boots

I'll try to get a refund.

Advise please
Click to expand...

Bro idk what the fuck kind of boot fitter you went to but they fucked you. Any real boot fitter is way more stoked about putting you in a tight ass performance boot and making it work well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top