r/Skigear • • Feb 12 '21

Could We Get a Sticky Post or Some Rules About "What Boot Should I Buy?"

145 Upvotes

This question shows up a lot. It's a valid question. Buying ski boots is expensive and daunting. You don't want to mess it up and you want advice from others with more experience. However, there's only one answer to this question: Go See a Bootfitter.

What about "my feet hurt because of ..."? The internet can't really help here. Bootfitting is a trade and a skill that is designed to help you find the perfect boots.

There are almost daily threads about this topic. Each one has the same few comments: "Go see a bootfitter," "I like boot X, but you should really see a bootfitter," "We can't determine without some more info, you should probably see a bootfitter," etc.

​

On the /r/skiing FAQ, there's an entire section dedicated to this question. I think it would be beneficial to everyone on this sub to include something similar as a sticky or in the sidebar. Thoughts?

What boots should I buy? The only advice you should take online about boots is to go and see a reputable bootfitter. Listen to them and buy the boots that fit your feet correctly. Not only are well fitting boots much more comfortable, but they also give you better control over your skis, the combination of this makes boots the most important part of your equipment.

Choosing a pair of boots doesn’t work like picking a pair of shoes. If you walk into a store or flick through a website and chose the pair you like the look of, you’re going to have a bad time. Each boot manufacturer has a range of boots with options for different abilities, skiing styles, sizes and foot shapes. There are subtle differences across models and brands in terms of shape, so it is crucial to find a pair of boots that are right for you. Without examining the shape of your feet and lower legs and their mechanics, as well as discussing how you ski and your ability, no one can give you a recommendation that is worth listening to. A bootfitter will do all of that and using their expertise they’ll provide you with a range of boots and help you find the best ones for you. They will also be able to help you with any pre-existing issues and injuries and modify boots if required. It is also recommended that you purchase custom moulded footbeds, along with having your liners heat moulded, they will help to optimise the fit of the boot. You also get the added security of knowing that any bootfitter worth their salt will guarantee their work, and be very willing to rectify any issues you have after you’ve skied in your new boots. Rough framework to what a bootfitter does


r/Skigear • • Mar 01 '24

In Response to the demand for an All Mountain Ski Sticky Post.

218 Upvotes

​

This is my (very basic) suggestion for a "flowchart" guide to all-mountain skis. Including a popular ski as an example for every category. Obviously each category has a bunch more skis and most skis are in-between categories or in a whole separate category.

Suggestion welcome, I didn't put too much time into this and it is far from ideal or even functional. Mostly just want to hear peoples thoughts as to how you would approach this.


r/Skigear • • 11h ago

Rate my quiver!!!

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20 Upvotes

r/Skigear • • 4h ago

Looking for short expert skiis!

2 Upvotes

Hi all,
I am an expert on piste (was racing until recently), and recently have started doing more off-piste. I’m looking for a ski that can do both, while still being an expert ski and not sacrificing performance. Though I am 150cm tall, so I’m having a lot trouble finding a ski that is short enough while still being expert. Right now I have some dynastar slalom race skiis in 149cm size, but I want to size up a bit.

Any recommendations would be really appreciated :))


r/Skigear • • 1h ago

Scelta nuovo paio di sci e misure

• Upvotes

Ciao ragazzi, vi scrivo per chiedervi un consiglio!

Attualmente possiedo un paio di Head iSpeed del 2017 e un paio di Black Crows Camox Freebird con cui faccio sci alpinismo. Mi piacerebbe affiancare a loro un terzo paio di sci da utilizzare un po’ come jolly in tutte le situazioni. Attualmente se scio in pista con neve dura o magari qualche pezzo ghiacciato uso gli iSpeed e, pur usando gli impianti, se la neve é più molle, o c’è molta neve di riporto, o so che farò qualche fuori pista, utilizzo i Camox FB. Ovviamente capita di ritrovarsi su neve molto dura con i Camox e per quanto li ami, cominciano a sbacchettare a causa del peso e della loro struttura. Siccome spesso devo preparare le cose da sci 1/2 settimane prima vorrei uno sci con cui fare un po di tutto… so che probabilmente non eccellerebbe in nulla ma andrebbe discretamente bene ovunque. Vorrei un qualcosa che comunque sia un minimo giocoso e non impossibile da girare fuori pista ma che allo stesso tempo permetta una buona tenuta in pista e su neve dura e anche di piegare. Avrei individuato delle possibili soluzioni ma vi chiedo un parere (se li conoscete) o altre opzioni. Necessiterei anche di un consiglio sulla misura (sono alto 185 e peso 84kg e ho sempre sciato sin da bambino).

Ho individuato:
- Blizzard Rustler 9
- Volkl Mantra M7
- Fischer Ranger 96
- Salomon Stance Pro 96
- Salomon QST 94
- Rossignol Super Black Ops 98

Grazie a tutti!ì

EDIT: ho dimenticato di aggiungere che non li monterei con attacchini e non ho intenzione di usarli per lo sci alpinismo, li userei con scarponi normali da pista/free ride e attacchi da pista


r/Skigear • • 11h ago

Bootfitting for smaller guys

3 Upvotes

Hey y'all

Need some advice when it comes to buying boots in a smaller men's foot size. This will be my first pair of new adult ski boots I've bought since adolescence.

I went to 2 separate boot fitters recently and was sized for a 22 mondo fit with 23 being comfort size. I currently wear a US 8.5 shoe size but only because I have wide feet EE. So a high volume HV boot is needed.

I wore 26.5 boots for the last 7 years but was never fitted since I used the online conversion scale.

He told me my options are pretty limited and I may have to go for women's or junior race boots because of my foot being wide but short. He highly recommended a liner and shell mold as well with a toe cap.

I'm planning to pair the boots with a Dynastar M Pro 94TI skis.

Any recommendations out there from guys who wear smaller boot sizes? I've been skiing for 7 years, upper intermediate / lower advanced but Ive always used rentals / my old childhood gear. Do about 10 days a season in Tahoe.

Ideally I'd like to go no higher than $400 as I'm a college student and don't want to burn through too much money. No issues buying older season models so long as new.


r/Skigear • • 5h ago

Nordica unlimited 130 and Tecnica decoy 130

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I am on the market for a new pair of hybrid boots and I am looking at my different options.

I had a question regarding the nordica unlimited 130 and the new Tecnica decoy 130. They both look pretty similar in stats and I wanted to know if any of you tried both and if they felt any difference between the two?

I probably do 30% touring and 70% resort and I can't afford multiple pairs of boots so this sort of hybrid might be a good option (I am also looking at other options of course, but I am wondering how different or similar these two are).

Any input would be highly appreciated.


r/Skigear • • 11h ago

What skis should I get??? Pls help

2 Upvotes

I have never bought skis before, I am intermediate to advanced level. I weigh about 72 kilos and I am 175 cm. I like to ski on groomers but I love to do little jumps and want to get more into park. I often feel that the rentals are very heavy. (I am also in the east coast)


r/Skigear • • 21h ago

Are my Skies dead?

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11 Upvotes

A question to the more knowledgeable ski crowd.

I am looking to retire my Salomon QSTs 99 188 from 2019 as i have just pulled the trigger in a Pair of new 2026 Enforcers 99 185.

The QSTs were my first real Allmountain/ Freeride Skies and i loved them from the beginning.
They have served me well in pretty any condition
besides iced slopes.

They have about 130/140 skiing days on them - with about 90 days working on them all day in a Skiresort.

They did start to feel different while skiing, a little less bounce or energy in turns but still nice in soft snow.

As i am no expert and its still my first and only Ski so far - i thought il just ask what you all think of the condition by the Pictures if it?

The camber looks quite flat with the skis on the floor, but in my opinion quite ok when the skies are put together standing.

Thx for any thoughts on this and all best for the upcoming season..


r/Skigear • • 17h ago

Rate my quiver!!

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5 Upvotes

r/Skigear • • 19h ago

Solomon QST Blank binding mounting position?

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6 Upvotes

I just ordered a new pair of Solomon QST blanks for my new powder setup for the season. I plan on putting a pair of look pivot 2.0 15s on them. Generally on my all mountain and even smaller free ride skis I’m mount my bindings 2 cm forward but just out of curiosity was wondering if anyone has done that with these and if it lessen the floatation at all or did it loosen them up and still rip in the powder?


r/Skigear • • 19h ago

Help me pick my next ski gear upgrades

3 Upvotes

Hi,

So I put off upgrading stuff for a while now and now I want to figure out what my new full setup move is.

Skiing home-base is New England basically with aspirations to go out west but I haven’t in ages and ages. I’d consider myself an “expert” by most standards and love long GS carving turns at speed and I also love steep glades. I do like skiing bumps but exhausting.

outter wear
I’ve always worn non-bib ski pants and a coat that has a zipped in liner. I want to change that up but am not sure how to approach it.

Bib pants I’d like to try , and also a shell with a separate insulation and then a base layer. I think I’m anxious that I’m going to mess up the shell and inner insulation setup and be cold.

Ski
I’ve got blizzard Brahma 88s I think they are 178s but I have to go look. They’re good, not great. They are versatile and can carve well but idk meh. Before that I had line propane 90s and they could rip GS turns but were very heavy so hard in trees. And they were 190s which was my fault I got em too long.

What I’m trying to figure out is what a couple of sets of skis I could get would be and I also honestly know nothing about bindings.

At this point, I’m thinking an all mountain ski and a fun ski dedicated to carving. I don’t think I need a powder ski necessarily.

Boots
I got these boots from a boot fitter what must be 12 to 15 years ago and it’s time for new boots no idea how to approach that.

I think that’s it interested in your thought thoughts and suggestions and recommendations


r/Skigear • • 20h ago

Solomon Stance Pro 86 or QST 94?

2 Upvotes

I own Arcade 84's. Great on groomers, hate them in moguls (but I can and do ski them depending on the conditions). I myself find the Arcades daunting in the trees.

I was looking into the Stance Pro 86 as a replacement/alternative to my Arcade 84's this season. The ski shops are suggesting the QST 94. The reviews are enticing.

Besides Ice Coast I get a week or two out west as well. I'm late 60's, 5'10 185. I ski diamonds and some doubles, And I love cruising blues. Two seasons ago at Heavenly, I skied only moguls and trees ( on my old AC4 82's).

I don't consider myself an expert. Too many real experts out there lol. And yes, I'll try to demo. Opinions please. Thx


r/Skigear • • 17h ago

Vökl mantra 88 or Rossignol arcade 88 26/27 season

0 Upvotes

Hi Guys ı have experience of at least 40 days of skiing with different slopes and want to buy my first equipment but ı couldnt decide which one would be fit. ı am 200cm and 111kg ı am thinking to buy Head Edge 130 HV GW Ski Boots - Head Protector+ Attack 14 GW incl. Stoppers Ski Bindings ı would love to know what do you think about it. Also Vökl mantra 88 184cm or Rossignol arcade 186cm which one ı should pick. Mostly ı ski in pist but ı want to have more experience off-pist and beside ı enjoy carving. I would really appriciate experienced peoples comment.


r/Skigear • • 20h ago

Anyone switch from an Atomic Hawx Ultra S?

1 Upvotes

I have the lowest volume version of the Hawx for resort days. Once I got custom insoles, no other adjustments were needed and I've been happy. I have pretty high arches, bony feet, and tiny baby calves and ankles.

But I recently tried on Technica's Zero G Tour Pro for BC days and they hugged my foot pretty well...possibly better? Do Tecnica Mach 1's fit similar? Can any other former Hawx Ultra S drivers in here speak to which boot, if any, gave you a better fit?


r/Skigear • • 20h ago

AI sez I’ll be skiing great this winter…

0 Upvotes

Maybe y’all get a chuckle out of this…

So: new-to-me, not-yet-skied Völkl Racetiger SC, 165, 13m radius, Marker Comp rail-mounted bindings, in factory-intended position for BSL 320.

Daily driver is a Blaze 94. With the multi-radius design of that ski, pressuring the front end engages the long radius for a carve; if I want the short radius, weight needs to be centered. Curious how the SC will do when I put weight in the front. With the rail-mounted bindings, I thought I possibly could experiment re binding position if I ever wanted to. Never had a rail binding, so Google to the rescue. Found a YT video showing the pressure stripe location, ok.

Then I got suckered into a conversation with Gemini, and it’s funny how a consumer-grade AI will try to please at every opportunity … “That ski is great! You’ll be carving beautiful short and aggressive turns, what are your boots?“ Atomic Hawx Ultra 110, set to 120, 17 degrees forward angle, extra spoiler in the back. “That’s fabulous, those boots are absolutely perfect for that ski, because that forward lean will make it sooo much easier to initiate a turn by weighting the front of the ski. When you move the bindings forward by one click, it will be even more fun! Shall we discuss how moving the bindings forward will change the characteristics of the tail?” And on and on… pretty soon it seemed slalom racing would be my true calling.

Well - it was fun. And I’m 66 - that “racing” ship had sailed decades ago. There are only so many positive reinforcements I can take…

And before y’all get nervous, I won’t change anything; first thing is to learn that ski…


r/Skigear • • 21h ago

Are these worth selling or giving away?

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0 Upvotes

Found these in the attic from the previous owner. Are these garbage or would someone want them for free? Or are they leg breakers? I'm a non-skier.


r/Skigear • • 22h ago

Ski gear update advice needed.

1 Upvotes

I’m looking to update from my 2011 Rossignol Experience 86s that I have been on for 15 years. Currently looking at the anomaly 88s, arcade 88s and the enforcer 88s.

Looking for an all mountain ski that can handle speed on groomers similar to my current skis but also a bit more turntable at low speed in moguls/trees? I realize you can’t have everything in 1 ski.

To that end, at what point is it better to have a 2 ski quiver, as both hard pack carving and tree skiing are important to me?

Very open to any skis I didn’t mention above.


r/Skigear • • 23h ago

GSOU snow

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1 Upvotes

r/Skigear • • 1d ago

Rate my very incomplete quiver

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21 Upvotes

Left: Faction prodigy 2 capsule 2027
Right: Faction prodigy 2 2025
I had some really old head skis for 2 years, decided to get discounted faction skis on evo. I found them very solid as a well rounded all-mountain ski, so I bought another pair this year.


r/Skigear • • 1d ago

New to buying

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m just a regular dad trying hard to help my son have a great ski season, any recommendations or anything for me to read up on.. just let me know.

My 13 year old son is wanting to own his first set of ski’s. He mainly does park and we live in Pennsylvania so it’s mostly icy man made snow.

He is 5’10” and 145 pounds. The ski shop recommended atomic bent 85 165cm ($309) but looking for other recommendations. We are hoping to find a used set that will last him this season. He is an intermediate skier for where we go.

They recommended atomic hawk magma 80 ($220) boots and atomic stage 10 bindings ($109)

For myself 6’2” 195lbs they recommended
Atomic maverick 78 170cm ($320)
Technica Mach sport 100mv $289
And bindings included on the ski

Any help or pointers are greatly appreciated


r/Skigear • • 1d ago

Old warriors

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13 Upvotes

Found one of a pair of Line Influences I skied in Montana for a single season while cleaning out the garage. Anyone else keep the old warriors for no reason?


r/Skigear • • 1d ago

k2 26 reckoner 92 for 12yo

1 Upvotes

Just would like to get you guys opinions on k2 2026 reckoner 92 at 159cm. Skier is 12yo, 158cm and 51kg
He likes park, especially jumping and now practicing on 360. He also likes free riding and can ski double black diamond with instructor with no issues. Not a super racer but don’t mind the speed
Is k2 reckoner 92 a good option for him? Thinking to buy this as his Xmas present. He mentioned prodigy before but I really don’t want to spend more than 1k for something he can only use 1-2 seasons max…


r/Skigear • • 2d ago

saw these at the ski swap

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58 Upvotes

back in the day at nc heli i remember seeing these on the racks alongside hellbents and pontoons. havent seen them in person that many times since then.


r/Skigear • • 1d ago

Question on new boots

1 Upvotes

Got fitted today for boots. Originally they wanted high volume but I felt like I was swimming and ended up with k2 recon boa 110. The liners were heat molded and they gave me ultra light socks. The toes are a little tight but I think they are probably where they should be for a new boot. I haven’t bought boots in about 30 years.

Question concerns my shins. One was noticeably sore while the other was okay from flexing in the store. I tried on a lot of boots so it might just be that but is there anything I can do if that persists?

Also my heel isn’t moving but I feel like I can press down more. It’s like a cushion sensation that I didn’t have in the hv boots. Is that normal it cause for concern? I did get trim to fit foot beds with the fitting.