New Gear for this Season

[Scrundy]

I tried different used boots at the local gear swap store and nothing felt right. Ski boots for myself now need to be perfect or I’m not skiing.
I can’t beat my feet up anymore.

This^^^ Zipfit’s went a long way for me. Also being in the right size and more importantly last boot combined with correct flex helps.

 

[raisingarizona]

This^^^ Zipfit’s went a long way for me. Also being in the right size and more importantly last boot combined with correct flex helps.

Totally. Unpopular preference for myself is that I don’t like super stiff race boots either.

 

[Sbob]

I tried different used boots at the local gear swap store and nothing felt right. Ski boots for myself now need to be perfect or I’m not skiing.
I can’t beat my feet up anymore.

Does bike riding affect your feet in a way that causes trouble for ski season?

 

[Andy_ROC]

Totally. Unpopular preference for myself is that I don’t like super stiff race boots either.

I went with boots that have heat moldable shells and liners. Nothing crazy expensive and REI did the heat molding which took less than 1 hour and cost less than $60 to do. They fit like a dream and I have finicky feet.

Then did the same for my wife who always complained about boot fit. She loves her new heat molded boots now.

Did you ever consider something like that? EVO has lots of good info about boot fit, measuring etc so I had no issue researching and ordering boots on line that were right.

After doing this I can't ever imagine buying anything used or non-moldable for my feet.

I don't have touring boots but this is one example of something that may work for you

Salomon S/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2023

Read or share reviews of the Salomon S/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2023 or shop similar Boots

www.evo.com

 

[raisingarizona]

Does bike riding affect your feet in a way that causes trouble for ski season?

No. My riding shoes are super comfortable. I had race fit boots for years u til about 20 years ago I started to develop 6, 7 and 8 new toes (bone spurs) so I decided to go for comfort which I found in Technica boots.

 

[raisingarizona]

I went with boots that have heat moldable shells and liners. Nothing crazy expensive and REI did the heat molding which took less than 1 hour and cost less than $60 to do. They fit like a dream and I have finicky feet.

Then did the same for my wife who always complained about boot fit. She loves her new heat molded boots now.

Did you ever consider something like that? EVO has lots of good info about boot fit, measuring etc so I had no issue researching and ordering boots on line that were right.

After doing this I can't ever imagine buying anything used or non-moldable for my feet.

I don't have touring boots but this is one example of something that may work for you

Salomon S/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2023

Read or share reviews of the Salomon S/Lab MTN Alpine Touring Ski Boots 2023 or shop similar Boots

www.evo.com

I’m definitely going to look into that. I need to get alpine boots first before I think about touring gear.

 

[Ripitz]

I have those S/Lab MTN boots. There are major fit issues with them. They are very tight in the toes. The lower buckle goes over the top of your foot so it cuts down on blood circulation making your feet cold and numb. The buckle should have been moved back to keep your foot in the heel pocket. It is also has a lot of volume around the ankles, too much. They need to be heavily modified to fit correctly. I think this is why you see them on sale now. These issues were fixed in the heavier Shift boot and the lighter Summit with the BOA. The all can tour as long as they are matched with the compatible bindings. I now have all three. I ski the S/Lab Summit the most. They are like wearing sneakers. Super light for touring but I can still charge hard inbounds.

 

[Andy_ROC]

I’m definitely going to look into that. I need to get alpine boots first before I think about touring gear.

I went with an older model of Salomon s120 alpine line but I know there are other manufacturers with basically the same thing. There are fit differences between manufacturers and you find the info on Evo.

They convinced me to go 1 size down from my normal shoe size and it was tight. But once molded it was dreamy

There's a few on sale

Men's Salomon Downhill Ski Boots | evo

Shop Men's Salomon Downhill Ski Boots at evo. Best selection, authentic reviews, and helpful humans. Enjoy Fast FREE SHIPPING on qualifying orders and our Lowest Price Guarantee.

www.evo.com

 

[Harvey]

decided to go for comfort

Tele is that choice in taken to the extreme. I really do like NTN. While admittedly expensive to switch, it's just as comfortable as duckbill, and it gives you a significantly higher level of performance. Obviously not alpine, but really good. I don't actually tele that much (maybe 30% of turns?) but the comfort is key, for me.

 

[Sean Mc]

I tried different used boots at the local gear swap store and nothing felt right. Ski boots for myself now need to be perfect or I’m not skiing.
I can’t beat my feet up anymore.

Watch this starting at 9 minutes: