The Boot Fitter Conspiracy

My wife and I had a similar problem at a store in Portland last year. On a trip back from southern Oregon we decided to stoop in and have her try on - and most likely purchase - a new pair of Crispi CXP's. Se has a very narrow foot and I thought Crispi's might be the boot for her. For some reason the guy was really pushing the Garmonts and Scarpas. They didnt carry a women's 27 so she went ahead a tried the Garmont Venus that he was pushing. The guy measured her foot and insisted that she needed a 26. He brings it out and has her try it. Instant pain. The guy claims the thermo liner will take care of it and that he has fitted "millions" of boots. At that point I jump in and tell him "there is no way in hell a 26 will fit her feet". Bring us a 27 and a men's Crispi 27 to try. The jackass wouldn't budge. At one point I decide to try the boots on myself - we wear nearly the same size, her feet being a bit longer and narrower. The guy actually laughed at me for trying on a boot to check the fit for her. What an idiot. We walked out. Two days later we ordered a women's CXP in a 27 from the backcountrystore.com. Perfect fit first time, and cooking the liners ourself was pretty damn easy.

My friend went to order a pair of T2's from Black Diamond a few weeks ago and they suggested to order a whole size smaller than what her foot measured. I called them back to ask why they would suggest this and they said for a "performance fit". My own T2's are the same size as my street shoe and I would definetely not go any smaller, and this is after 3 years in them and having Jim Mates do some expansion work on them. <br><br>Perhaps the tight fit recommendations come from people who don't backcountry ski?

every skier poses a different issue for even the most experienced bootfitter. Especially you backcountry gear junkies who think your feet and your opinions are the only ones that matter. If you have wider feet than it is usually the case that you will probably not be able to downsize. However if you have a low volume foot chances are that you will definitely gain an advantage in fit by downsizing. There are so many variables within these basic premises that it would be impossible to go into all of them. Some are: How flexible are the muscles, tendons, and cartilage? What's the shape of your lower leg? How aggressively do you ski and do you like to carry a lot of speed in powder? These are only some. I have a narrow foot that is quite flexible, so my shoe size is 11 1/2 yet I ski a ten rando boot as well as a ten alpine boot. I suggest that some of you people do your own research and quit blaming it on some poor nincompoop in a box store. Or else go to a real bootfitter who knows what they are doing.

Who peed in your cornflakes this morning? Yes, I think as a gear junkie it is my opinion and my feet that really matter. That's because it is I wearing the boots and not the boot fitter. <br><br>The gentleman at this "big box store" has an excellent reputation. I understand that he attends boot fitting seminars every year all over North America. Unfortunately, even with all his experience and wisdom he was unable to find the correct size of boot for me. Fortunately, this "big box store" has one of the best return policies in the world. So if you are sold a boot that doesn't fit (even after you have skied on it all year), you can return it no questions asked. Do "real boot fitters" give that same service? I don't know.<br><br>My original post was in frustration of being tight fit (by several "real bootfitters") on several occassions over the past few years. I encourage everyone who is in the market for boots not to be pushed into buying a particular size just because someone says they will work. I understand that there are many different variables when trying to assess the correct boot. But I think it is the consumer who needs to make most of these assessments and not the boot fitter. I think an educated consumer will first do some research about fitting and brands. Then you should try on several different brands in many different sizes. Use a boot fitters advice for what it is worth...but remember, they are not the ones who will be traversing the Spearhead or powder hunting at Mount Baker in a boot that is WAY too small.

Or else go to a real bootfitter who knows what they are doing.

<br><br>better yet, measure your foot in centimeters and order that mondo size from backcountrystore.com. Shipping is free and the cost of return for a another size - and try - is less than the hassle of dealing with an "experienced boot fitter" who claims to have fit "a million pairs of ski boots". No way in hell is a foot measuring mondo 27 going to fit in a mondo 26 boot. I don't care how low volume the person's foot.

I am a bootfitter at a small seattle backcountry shop. I routinely blow boots out to make a more comfortable performance fit. I sell our customers a boot sized to fit their needs. A good bootfitter (dare I suggest I...) should get a "performance" boot on your foot. One that MUST be molded and worked with to give you an optimal fit. This process may take the better part of a season. AND .... a good bootfitter should get a "roomy" boot on your foot. One that fitts out of the box and may packout in time to be "roomy plus". A conversation about YOUR preferences, desire and realistic use/activities should ensue. <br><br>Give the fitter/me a chance.... but don't get worked. Know what you want, trust the fitters advise for what it is. Advise....and spend your money locally over the internet anytime you can. Help the small guy, the Pro.<br>