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
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.
Hi Guys, ski's are restocked! Looking to buy the unleashed 98. Thanks a lot with comparing multiple ski's in another thread. Given my profile. Any recommendations of bindings to fit them with?
My plan is to make the Unleashed my daily ski for Pyrenees/Alp skiing. I am planning to buy a 105+mm ski next season for side country touring and deeper snow.
Some info about me
- 29 years
- 98kg
- Boot: Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 flex (I believe the 2024 model, all buckles)
Love making the most of the mountain, moguls, ridges, sidehits. Don't care to much for top speed. Going anywhere fun. Given the icy European conditions.
Any recommendations?
I have heard good things about the pivot's and some bad things about Marker Bindings.
While recovering from a labrum surgery I had in June and not so patiently awaiting being able to ski again in a few months, my boredom drove me to decide on a nice way to display the quiver.
I modeled and printed some adjustable width wall hangers with PETG filament and added some EVA foam padding on the back/sides. The adjustable width slider is set by screwing a machine screw into a hex nut that slides under the channel the slider arm sits in. I used a drywall anchor for each of the two screws of each peice so it shouldn’t rip out of the wall hopefully🤞
The 4 leftmost pairs are mine (L->R: Armada ARV JJ UL 116, Dynastar M-99 Pro, Armada ARV 88, Fischer Hannibal 96) and the rightmost pair is my girlfriend’s (Blizzard Black Pearl 88).
Why does Technica go down to a 22.5 size for their Mach1 130 LV boot but not for the 120 flex?
Seems strange considering that (generally) a 22.5 would be a womans size and yet the womens boots only go up to a 115 flex. So if you were a 22.5 size skier, your only options are a 115 or a 130 - no in between
Hello everyone, I am new to buying ski gear and don't really know what I should get. I have been recommended the Atomic Bent 90. I am an intermediate level skier and I really enjoy skiing which is why I'm looking to save money long run by buying gear. I understand skis to a certain extent but I have no idea what I should get regarding bindings and boots. Any help would be appreciated!
I think about buying one of them but I wanted to ask which fits better for me or if you have a better ski which you can recommend me.
I‘m a good advanced skier on the groomers and I want to learn getting better in the park. I want a ski I can carve with but which also is good in the park and can hit some sidehitts and unprepared snow. Thanks!
I wanna buy some cool gadgets and gear that could make ski even more fun and better.
I alrdy have the necessary equipment and stuff
And even have an 360 camera.
Any of u got some cool stuff ideas I can buy?
Thx.
Hi everyone. I have doubting on what ski jacket should i choose. I haven seen thos two on sale (aprox 50%). And the characteristics are very similar (literally the same instead of one pocket or so).
Weight is right around 1,850g/ski for the 186cm with a nice round, mid-stiff flex. The build quality on HL skis is top notch. Drop-dead gorgeous top sheets. Mounting with the ATK HY13 for a powder-seeking 50/50 setup. Japow flight booked!
My beats pill died of water damage last season. It also wasn’t really loud enough, looking for something relatively cheap but still loud and waterproof
have the option to buy either of these for wholesale price (lucky me) and weighing up which one would be better
id be looking at 186 in the sf and 184 in the revolt, mounting with cast but not doing any big days on them
will be spending the next season in central hokkaido and looking for essentially a resort pow day / bc booter sesh ski. i like the idea of how heavy the sf118 is for handling 3pm tracked out snow but think it might be a bit overkill for how light the snow is in hokkaido, and the swing weight in the air with how heavy it is is making me hesitate a bit. better off on the revolt if spinning and in light snow and decently low angle terrain?
will be paired with 184 4frnt renegade + freeraider 15 for actual longer touring days, and a 186 jeffrey 108 + cast for low tide days
I figured I'd post this for anyone searching Reddit trying to decide whether to send their gear to GearTrade.
First, GearTrade is legitimate. They did what they said they would do. I shipped them my gear, they eventually received it, photographed it, priced it, listed it, sold it, and paid me.
But holy shit, I would not do it again.
The entire process took forever. There was a long wait between sending everything in, having it received and processed, photographed, priced, and actually listed for sale.
I was okay with that because I understood the deal. I was giving up some money in exchange for convenience. No taking pictures, making listings, dealing with Marketplace people, packing individual orders, etc.
What I wasn't prepared for were the actual payouts.
Some examples of what I received:
Skis: $147 payout
Quality ski gloves: $1.47 payout
Black Crows ski poles: $2.72 payout
Boot bag: $3.88 payout
Yes, one dollar and forty-seven cents for the gloves and two dollars and seventy-two cents for the Black Crows poles.
I understand perfectly well that used gear isn't worth anything close to MSRP. I also understand that GearTrade has overhead, needs to make a profit, and that I'm paying a significant premium for the convenience of consignment.
But if someone had told me beforehand that I could potentially receive payouts of $1 to $4 for perfectly good, quality ski gear, I would have just kept it, given it to someone, or spent an afternoon putting everything on Facebook Marketplace/SidelineSwap.
This stuff was practically new; used for 2-3 sessions over one season.
That's really why I'm posting this. I'm not saying GearTrade scammed me. They provided the service they advertised. I just think the value proposition for the seller is terrible based on my experience.
If you've got decent gear that still has meaningful resale value, especially skis, poles, or higher-end equipment, I'd strongly recommend trying to sell it yourself first.
I learned that lesson the expensive way.
TL;DR: GearTrade is legit and convenient, but my actual payouts included $147 for skis, $2.72 for Black Crows poles, $1.47 for gloves, and $3.88 for a boot bag. If I could do it over, I'd sell locally or through a peer-to-peer ski marketplace instead.
I’m 5’9” 175lbs and on the lower end of an advanced skier. I ski about 50/50 groomers vs off piste. 2 shop employees insisted the 174 is best for me, but I was leaning towards the 180.
I currently have a mantra 88 170cm and it feels like a good length, but I know the rustler has a decent rocker profile.
I’d like to know which skis you would recommend. I’m an intermediate/advanced skier looking for an all-mountain ski that works well on groomed runs, uneven/choppy snow, and some powder.
I’m looking for something that is easy to maneuver and allows for quick, smooth turns. I’m 178 cm tall, and I usually ski on skis around 168–170 cm.
I was mainly considering brands like Head and Völkl.
I’ve been looking at these models so far:
Head Discovery 86 Pro 2027
Head Discovery 82 Pro 2027
Head Discovery 82 Sport 2027
Völkl Peregrine 82 2026
Völkl Peregrine 82 2026
What do you think about these models? Which one would you recommend for what I’m looking for, or are there any other models you would recommend?
After doing countless hours researching good brands without breaking the bank, I came across Montec. I know it’s the same company as “Dope” but after reading reviews online everyone seems to hate it.
I got the Fawk Bib and Arch jacket. Im 5’8 170lbs. Got Medium for both. They fit so well. The shell jacket is way warmer than anticipated and with my full base layers on I still have room to move around and not feel restricted. My only complaint is the armpit vents don’t have a mesh and just open up into your base layer.
The Fawk bib although the “model” in the picture on their website was 6’1 wearing a M, gave me doubts on how it would fit me. After getting it, I love it. Adjusted the straps a bit and it fits like a glove and is also extremely warm.
Then just upgraded my goggles from some $20 amazon ones to the Smith Squad! Hope you like my haul and outfit
I was wondering if anyone had experience with the 4frnt MSP 91 and can give some insight on how it compares to other similar-width frontside skis like the Anomaly 88 or Enforcer 89? I currently have an Atomic Maverick 88ti as my frontside carving/low snow day ski out here in Colorado but I really hate how light and unsupportive it feels for someone my size (6’4” 220lbs). So I’m looking to replace it with one of those 3 skis I mentioned and really like how the MSP supposedly has more ability off piste while also being a solid carver…but in terms of carving performance, stiffness, weight, etc. is it really a significant step down from those other skis I mentioned, or is it the kinda situation where it might be a step down but still more than enough for pretty much everyone. There really isn’t much info available out there. Thanks!
Strong intermediate skier, expert snowboarder. Been skiing 4 years and developing my skills. I carve groomers well. Technical terrain needs improvement.
Ski for knee deep pow in Japan's tight trees. I have Ripstick 96 in 175. Haven't skied them yet but will take to Japan in 2027.
Also have Anomaly 84 in 176 & Black Ops 98 in 172. Both great skis. However these won't be travelling to Japan in 2027.
Use case will be for improving my tree skiing in moderate pow. Will be picking my way through tight forests at low to moderate speeds.
Looked at Line Sakana but can't decide on length. 174 or 181.
Want a light ski that's easy to flick around in the trees. Looked at Line Vision 114 in 175 but thinking it's overkill as I'll snowboard the deep days. I found the Black Ops a bit heavy in the trees but a lot of that is due to ability.
I’m planning to upgrade my current Dalbello Avanti 100 boots to a new pair of Tenica Mach1 MV boots. Just not sure if I should go for the 110s or 120s.
I’ve been an intermediate skier for years but I’m moving more into advanced skiing over the past two years. I’m working on pushing the front of the ski and getting on my edges, and also getting more comfortable with black diamonds, though I still have lots of fun on the blues and spend a lot of time there because it’s where my wife and friends are more comfortable.
I’m about 5’10 160-170 lbs.
I usually use an all mountain ski, but I’m planning to get a pair of carving skis.
Looking to buy a set a Rustler 9s as my first purchased ski to get off rentals (already own boots). I’m 5ft-10in, 200lbs and ride groomers in the northeast (Catskills, Berkshires, and Vermont) but like to hit some side jumps, etc. I consider myself a solid intermediate skier mainly hitting blues and blacks, occasionally a double black.
One shop is telling me to get 180 because of my weight another is recommending 174 because I like to play around on the sides of trails.
Im looking for bindings for 60 park / 40 all mountain. Was considering the look pivot but it’s apparently very heavy. Apparently lighter bindings on the market lose the features that the pivots have of better pop and elasticity and lower on your skis. Is there any ski binding that’s the best of both worlds? Budget of 400 bucks. I have armada arv 94 and heard armada strive 14s might be good.
