Where to buy ski equipment?

[Arsenal14]

Of course you can hop on board Frequitude! I've gotten what I needed from this thread - just one last question from me: what should I be looking for from boots? Heat molding? Heaters? Specific brands to look for or avoid? Does it depend on the bindings I'm getting?

Thanks so much to everyone for helping out!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

what should I be looking for from boots? Heat molding? Heaters? Specific brands to look for or avoid? Does it depend on the bindings I'm getting?

Thanks so much to everyone for helping out!

1. You should be looking for a boot that fits properly. That's it. It's much harder than it sounds. To make that point, there is currently no boot being made that I am aware of that fits my foot properly out of the box.

2. Nearly every boot made nowadays comes with heat moldable liners so it's not really a perk.

3. Heaters are almost always aftermarket and aren't worth it. You should be able to find a boot that doesn't give you cold feet. If it does it probably isn't fitting right.

4. Basically every recognized brand makes good boots now. They all also make entry level junk, but such is the case for all sports equipment. Again, they also all have different lasts and fit differently, and fit is what matters. No human has feet that will fit into any brand of boot.

5. No, because you're definitely not going to be buying touring bindings, so everything you're looking at should have a DIN sole (which is the normal type of ski boot sole).

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

Of course you can hop on board Frequitude! I've gotten what I needed from this thread - just one last question from me: what should I be looking for from boots? Heat molding? Heaters? Specific brands to look for or avoid? Does it depend on the bindings I'm getting?

Thanks so much to everyone for helping out!

Boot fit is the single most important factor in all of your ski gear.

Brand doesn't matter but some manufacturers will tend to fit the shape better of your fit better.
Heat molding only matters so far as it can help with fit (most liners are heat moldable, some boots also have moldable shells).
Lack of warmth is generally only a factor if it doesn't fit (boots that are too small cut off circulation).

If you buy something and after the first three days it still doesn't feel quite right, take it back to where you bought it and they'll work on it to make it fit. Remember that it's easier to make more room than to fill up room and that the liner will pack out a bit so in the store is the tightest it will ever fit. A quality boot fitter will take the time to get the fit right, and stand by their work with free punches or even taking the boot back if the fit is no good.

Outside of that, flex should match your ability and strength. If you're a strong hard charger get a stiff boot (130+). Lower your ability the lower the number should be (leaving some room to progress).

[RoadGame]

+1 recommendation for Lou's Performance Centre... bought some boots there a couple years ago with assistance from Lou himself and it made a massive difference for me.

[Regulator75]

There's Skis-R-Us, that's on third. You got Put-Your-skis-There, That's on third. Ski Low, Sweet Chairlift...
Matter of fact, they're all in the same complex; it's the Ski complex on third.

[Northendzone]

I did not realize that the ski district was close to so many other districts - thanks for posting this, it will make my shopping easier......

[Huntingwhale]

I've gotten my equipment (during offseason) from this site, I believe it's based in Utah.

https://www.levelninesports.com/

They have some pretty crazy sales in the summer. I got my skies 87% off. My boots 80% off. And my jacket and snow pants all at discount price. $20 for shipping.

Phenomenal deals, if you are willing to wait until the season is done.

[fleuryisgod]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Can I hop aboard your thread, Arsenal?

I'm looking for ski recommendations. Life has been busy for the past 5 years so I've just rented the 1 time a year I get out. But its time to buy when the deal's hit.

6'3", 170lbs, expert skier. Some sort of all mountain ski that's good in the powder and trees, but still good to bomb groomers since I'm getting older and more boring. The last couple times I rented the Rossignol Soul 7's and liked them. Forget if they were the green or yellow ones, or what the difference is.

Rented a pair of Volkl's once and they were way too stiff for my skinny self. Aren't all Volkl's stiff? Not sure I'd recommend them for Arsenal.

Look up reviews on the Nordica Enforcer 100's. From the skiing you described they should handle everything nicely. Since they were released last year they've taken over as our most popular high performance rental ski, over taking the Rossi Soul 7.

As for the Soul 7's they would be the yellow ones, the green ones are the Super 7's which are the fatter version. The Sould 7's run a 104-106mm underfoot and the Super 7's are 116mm underfoot.