The Boot Fitter Conspiracy

Well I recently went into a reputable store to buy some new AT boots. Lets call this store MEC. I had been told of a great boot fitter who worked there. I met with this gentleman and was impressed with his approach to fitting. He was very calculating and suggested he only wanted perfection. He said my previous boots were way to large and suggested I move down from a 27.5 to a 26. I put my faith in him and we went about fitting a new 26 Garmont Mega Ride. After baking the liner and slipping into the boot I dealt with extreme pain for ten minutes as the molding process took place. He told me to walk around for awhile. I gingerly walked about the store with an expression on my face which caused shoppers to wonder whether I was passing gall stones. We eventaully took off the boots. My feet now looked like they had been mangled in some sort of torture device. To make a long story short, I said they were to small, he said they were the right size and that we just haven't found the right way to manage the space in the correct way. Well, after two hours we still hadn't found the right way to manage the space. I ended up returning the boots and buying a much larger size from a store online, lets call it BStore.com. This is the third time that a boot fitter has tried to put me into a boot that is way too small.<br><br>My question is this, has anyone else found that boot fitters try to put you in boots that are way too small? Is there a conspiracy going on here? Are they hoping you suffer through a season with these tights boots which forces you to buy a new pair the next season?

Matt, I have experienced this also with the same boot. I just left that store. <br><br>I think it is an alpine lift boot approach. Without saying anything, I blew that guy/ store off because I knew I needed room for my toes to walk when standing erect.

When he had you put on the pantyhose, that should of told you something was wrong right there! I agree with Rando, you have been putting on shoes/boots your whole life, you know what fits! Choose the best stock fit and make minor changes if necessary (dremel tool, baking liners). On the other hand, one of the best things for a good fit is a QUALITY footbed made by a fitter or a PT.

I had an identical experience purchasing a new pair of alpine boots years ago at a reputable, service oriented ski store. Unfortunately, the sales person persuaded me to purchase these boots on the theory they would be more responsive. I found these boots too painful to ski on for more than one day in a row. After a year of mangling my feet, I stopped using them. My left foot still suffers the aftereffects of that ski season. Interesting this boot fitting philosophy is still occurring.

I have had just the oppose happen with a great Bootfitter in Whistler. I wanted them smaller than he suggested, so we went down a size (which got the heel cup small enough) and then punched the heck out of it , to get the width and length straightened out.<br>My advice would be to trust your instincts and only work with people with a one year (or better) fit guarantee. It is true that all liners will pack out, however, probably 60-70% of that packout is in the first 5 days (at least that has been my experience). So if you want to give the boot fitter the benefit of the doubt, only give it to him for 5 days and then call him on it. Boot fitting is an art, not something that a highschool kid can learn in an afternoon.<br> Of course the real solution is to go Tele; even if the Petex side is not facing down as much, the boots are real comfy. <br>

I skied my new and larger boots this weekend for the first time...I LOVE them. I haven't even baked them yet and they fit like a glove. <br><br>Toby, yes the panty hose they made me wear with the toe box was probably a good indication to walk away.<br><br>jdclimber, I do tele and I love the way my boots fit. Not sure how much tele I will do this year now that I own these sweet new AT boots.<br><br>I think the best thing to do when trying on boots is to sample a ton of different sizes and models to see which ones give you the best fit. Then narrow down your selection. But never let someone talk you into a boot that is painful from the start...unless your name is Alberto Tomba.<br><br>The good thing about MEC is that they have an excellent return policy. I probably could have returned these boots after two years of use and they would have given me a full refund.