Ski Boot NIGHTMARE: $1500 WASTED 

Thanks for watching and please go check out Angelina's Video Here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KZLkD7AlxbI.htmlsi=MN7DAxL1v93I3zec

Appreciate the feedback Elliott! And thanks for not being so brutal with my skiing haha. Some things I want to clarify: - When I said the Rossignol boots aren’t durable, I mean it in the most literal sense. The insoles are already shredded, and the hardware is obviously not super high quality. It’s not a comment on the flex. - Every boot I take on the slope with me fit me comfortably while I’m in the shop. Flexed over the knees and everything. The problem starts when I'm actually skiing and my feet swell up. - I'm not 100% sure yet of course, but I feel pretty confident about the Atomics because I skied on them for almost 30 minutes straight (revolving slopes are continuous, no lift breaks). This was also how I tried out the Rossignol boots the year before. Tbh I only picked 105 flex because they were on sale and in my size, but I had no issues flexing them. Guess I'll have to update once it starts snowing! - To their credit, Surefoot did refund me, but I don't think that's the norm.

After years of pain and misery having to stop skiing every few hours I discovered Fischer Vacuum. Get the right flex, mold them for a huge upgrade get a zip liner. My feet feel like they are wearing a compression sock, no pressure point just pure comfort. I can ski 8 straight hours without touching a buckle. nothing comes close. just get the vacuum, and don't forget a proper footbed.

Great advice Elliott!!! Legend!

This makes me glad for the shop where I got my new boots. I've been back several times for adjustments and each adjustment has been an improvement. They even told me, after the second or third adjustment, they'd let me return them if I wasn't happy. I don't know if that's the norm or not but I'd never had a shop tell me that before.

@10:43 So true that's why I'm a Head man. A good damp ski gets you over that intermediate hump. A lot of people get to intermediate, they definitely don't suck, but then they just stop progressing. They get that chatter and they just let up.

My wife had always used rental boots and had even bought a pair that “fit” when we first went skiing together she would be crying after each run we did because of pain and she thought that was normal for ski boots! one visit to a proper fitter has transformed things.

99.99% of skiers have no need for a custom fit 1500$ boot. I skied 50 days last season on a Rossi all track 110, A budget boot. I’ve seen this girl ski, no need for this.

I buy my boots at Killington Surefoot. I got my first set of boots 10 years ago. I had to get new liners because I had too much play within the liner, but then perfect after that. Updated last year with Surefoot again and they’ve been great! It comes down to this, first your feet need to be comfortable and fitting perfectly in your ski boots Basically no pain or play and your feet are warm. Next, you need to be warm so pick clothing and gloves that keep you warm and you don’t tense up. Finally get yourself a set of skies! Oh, and nice job on the reviews Elliott, I really look forward to hearing your opinion

thanks rickty' ski review', my feet are arched evenly', luckily', custom mold to your foot inner liners are the exciting to me! with boot' developments' i like lange or salomon boots. thanks elliot ' so funny!😄

With the kind of money she is spending on the boot and the pain that she is in, she should take a trip and get fitted at Daleboot. I have never tried them, but I may in the future if I have more money. The flex number is not always comparable between brands. A 120 flex Head boot will feel softer than a 120 flex Lange boot for example. Her boots were not durable - this is correct. Have you seen the liners for women's 60 flex boots? It is like bedroom slipper foam inside a hard plastic shell. When she says it is not durable, it is probably the liner that she is talking about. Perhaps she could try a custom foam liner in those 60 flex boots that worked for her. I really like your video and the discussion that you have started here. I have foot pain with my current boots, but they are the best I have found in the past few years. The pain is manageable if I take a break after a bit of skiing. Ski boots seem to be made for a certain type of European foot, and do not fit well for some other types. I am an advanced skier and have a small foot for a man. I measure at 25.5, and tried that size boot for a year when I started skiing again 3 years ago. After skiing on it for a season and breaking it in, I found that it was way too big for me. I went down to a 24.5 and the performance while skiing was MUCH better. Both were Head Rebels 120 flex boots which is about right for me. I generally only can find "race" boots in my size. The manufacturers literally don't make most of the boots that I would like to try in a 24.5. If you are an advanced skier that needs a stiff boot, you are supposed to have a bigger foot or be a racer. I could use women's boots, but they tend to be too low and not stiff enough for my style of skiing. Also, I don't like the look of most women's boots as a guy, and the liners tend to be way too soft. Running shoes: YES! I have had pain in all running shoes for the last 15 years. I just got a set of Saucony Endorphin Speed shoes this year and I was astonished that the pain has gone away. I am now in the process of trying to run again. I am older now, and conditioning takes longer.

Stiffness and durability can be somewhat related. The lesser flex boots don’t always use the same material and the liners are cheaper. This is why stiffer flex boots are more expensive.

Have had three pairs of Surefoot. First pair in 2009. Best fitting boots if take the time to adjust. Narrow ankle Stock liner never held. Always happy there.

I'm not a bootfitter, but this seems like a case of getting the order of operations wrong after a bad initial fit. Like, the troubleshooting flow chart they used (either from company training or boot fitter intuition or whatever) should not have taken so long to identify the right flex that she could flex properly from a body geometry and physics standpoint, and it should not have taken that long to find a shell with the right size and width. Given the experiences with Surefoot discussed here, it almost seems like their boot fitters are using the Surefoot liners as a crutch to make up for their lack of knowledge on how to fit people to the right shells. I'm feeling very fortunate to have basically not ever had major alpine ski boot issues as an adult. Cross-country ski boots have been another story. I did the 30 km skate Kortelopet a couple seasons ago (the mini version of the American Birkebeiner), and the bottoms of my feet (basically my arches) were in so much pain I could not walk when I clipped out of of my skis, even in street shoes. That was actually a vast improvement from before I got custom insoles, when I could barely ski 10 km of gently-rolling terrain (as opposed to the difficult, steep hills of the Birkie trail), and I had to stop every 1.5 km or so to let my feet take a break. Hopefully this season won't be as painful on skate skis, as I went back and had my skate boot insoles re-made using a insole blank with a new, different composition.

I really feel for her pain because for years all o skied on were packed out ski boots that I had to over cranck to get rid of shin bang bit that cut off the circulation to my toes. So injust dealt with numb and or burning toes for a few years and last season I was fed up and I agonized over what boots to get for 3 months and what skis to pair it with for 6 months and last winter I rode on them and I have to say that I think I picked the perfect mix for me. I do have problems with chatter but I chalk that up to my self taught lazy skiing.

i had a small issue with the eleventh toe as well, but my bootfitter was also able to easily fix it. i think you are right with this womens issue on the boot stifness, 80 or so. flex goes down over time so maybe she would have gotten away with fresh 70 ones that would feel stiffer to worn out ones already.

jeeeeeez I would just become a snowboarder if I had that level of boot problems. Or heaven forbid, a leatherboot telemarker.

I've heard the boot custom insoles are a Game Changer, yet I'm frugal! I've gotten cheaper than $10 athletic insoles off Amazon & Temu and must say that jump landings are much softer & easier on the knees now!

I watched all of Angela videos about this and my comment about surefoot was basically identical to you.. skiing for 30+ years and have never had custom boots.. my theory is they are to precise and don't accommodate natural shrinking of foot in cold and natural swelling from being on your feet all day. I couldn't believe ppl were telling her to take ski lessons.. she skiing a basin, so yea all those commentators can quiet down

I went through something very similar in my ski journey. In my teens / early 20's i was an occasional skier, and used a softer flex boot in one size too large. It worked fine and I was always comfortable skiing. But I started to dedicate more time to skiing and started progressing, so "upgraded" to proper sized stiffer flex boots. This exposed some foot issues i have naturally with high arches, and was experiencing bad foot pains while being in the boots even for a short while (even sometimes by the time i got up the first lift). I went through multiple boots, custom sizing, custom footbeds etc. It eventually got to the point where I stopped skiing completely in my early 30s, it just took the fun and enjoyment right out of the sport. However about 4 years ago, I decided to take another attempt at it again. I went to a ski shop, tried a pile of boots on, and despite my hesitations, ended up in a soft 80 flex Salomon S/Pro boot (Im 190lb male). I put in a footbed I know works great for my other footwear, and my ski life was changed. I was able to ski again with no foot pain, I've progressed my skills over the last 4 years to a level higher than I ever have, and absolutely love skiing again. That being said, I can feel the limitations in my boots, and the flex is definitely hindering some performance, especially in warmer weather. I'm going to attempt a higher flex again this year, and see what happens. Hoping the S/pro in a 100-120 gives me that extra bit of support, but still maintains my comfort. Fingers crossed!

I think I even commented on her channel when she was talking about boots.. I went up the lift with her during early season.. I saw her ski and she was pretty good.. I am trying to remember what skis I was on.. I think I was on my 2021 Kastle FX 96HP.. I am pretty sure she was on QST 93s.. I only say the skis because she was faster down the hill but I think her skis were more maneuverable than mine for the amount of people on the hill.. I want to say the length of her skis were around 170 and the length of my skis were 180..

Been told I've been very lucky, but I've fared well buying boots online. Got my latest pair, 2021 K2 Recons 140 Flex in late April for $300; I'm size 28.5 and followed Elliot's advice and bought my popular size while it was still in stock! I'll admit after day 1 on a baby powder day, when it warmed up and the pow turned to sludge, I quit before noon and was worried I'd bitten off more than I could chew. The learning curve was more than expected! But next day in corn snow skied wonderfully and have been in love w/my new boots ever since. I'll follow E's advice and wear my next new boots around the house a day before taking them up the hill. I hear I'm on a racing flex, and also that a K2 140 flex is like a 110 or 120 in other brands. I'm going from a 90 flex so IDK about all that, but I'm happy to say I really love the new boots. The moment I got on them I felt the edging difference, and I really feel the ski roll edge over to edge now. I can almost keep pace w/young Squaw rippers now which is a big surprise! I really like grabs w/these boots, feels like I'm just flicking the ski, it's much less work now. I wasn't feeling Shifty at all until riding on the new boots, then suddenly I'm getting Tailgrabs off jumps, and getting about half of that Shifty motion. Now I'm practicing Shifty jumping off stumps in my yard in my old boots, some indoor trampoline sessions are next before November!

Perhaps the fitter in Stowe is Inner BootWorks? Jamie ended a very expensive/frustrating 4 year, 3 boot, 4 fitter experience. As an advanced/expert skier that only gets about 10 days a year I find your opinions on equipment valuable. With so few days on snow the trial and error process of optimizing skis, bindings and boots is difficult logistically. Videos like yours help me get them most out of the few days I get, thank you!

Obviously people can spend their time and money anyway they want to. With that said, I try on ski boots at a shop during a sale. I find the boot that fits the best (with minimal pain) in the 120-130 flex. I also go into the shop in the evening after I have been on my feet all day and have gone to the gym a few hours earlier (get my feet nice and swollen). I will bring in my upgraded footbed to the store to place in the boots when trying them on with my ski socks since the footbeds that come with the boots are normally terrible for mid to high arched feet. I then look online for the same boot and if it is cheaper online, I ask if the ski shop will price match. My preference is to buy the boot at the ski shop, so if the shop will at least make an effort to somewhat price match, I will buy the boot at the ski shop. I do not do custom boot fitting. I am not a ski racer, so absolute precision is not necessary. Just remember that the tightest the boot will ever be is when you first buy it. This is why I am ok with minimal pain when buying. The boot will gradually expand. Also remember that the boot will be much stiffer outside in the cold when skiing versus in a warm ski shop. I don't need to spend an extra $300-$400 for custom boot fitting with a custom footbed. You can buy an upgraded footbed for extra arch support and/or comfort for $15-$60 if you need that. Dr. Schols at Target is $15 (Dr. Schols makes some for athletics or extra work duty with robust arch support) or Sidas footbeds are $45-$60 ( $45 if they are on sale). Good luck to everyone.

Watched her videos, and I was kind of stunned... Surely, the right person/fitter can do a proper shell fit and make a comfortable orthotic that will work? Crazy...

I got my foot beds done at Surefoot in Killington - they have been awesome. And the boot fitter at Northern Ski Works diagnosed that I needed heel lifters. Since then I've not really had problems even when coaching all day. Shoutout to those guys. And I got my Dalbellos at Mud Sweat and Gears.

Dude... just buy the boots you liked before. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And as far as flex, it depends on the flexibility of your ankle, and the conditions you ski in. Not surprising if someone pushes the flex that they are fine on groomers and miserable on moguls. Anyway, of course the ski industry can't wait to sell a bunch of unnecessary stuff to someone like this.

There's also a Rossi Alltrack 80, which is the same width as her old boots (and the Pure 70). If she's having a bit of a heel lift problem, that is much easier to fix than a width or arch problem.

It would be interesting to see the shape of her foot. She is a petite person and at her level should be in a fairly soft boot that perhaps need to be somewhat widely lasted. IMO I’ve always had success with Nordica boots. I know boots are a very personal thing, but I find them to be a very good starting point for fitting.

P.J Dewey. - Race Stock Sports In Waterbury VT . Is the guy you want to see . I assume thats the Stowe Guy Elliott mentions

Went to sure foot 15 yrs ago and it cost approx 900 then. Huge amount. Boots never fit right, two years of misery!

A great place to buy ski boots and get fitted is STROLZ Ski Shop in Lech, Austria… just sayin’ 😉

Maybe her socks are at fault? Maybe she tightens them wrong after leaving the shop? plenty of reasons to go wrong

Custom footbeds and boot heaters made all foot pain go away.

I’ve got a pair of K2 mindbender 120’s and I don’t have any problems other than my toes getting cold on most occasions. I still have the stock liners that came with the boot and have considered upgrading, but unsure if this would help with warmth. I have had this problem with cold toes ever since I was a kid playing hockey.. my toes would turn white and go numb most times when playing.

Flex bragging. Ha i did the opposite, i bought softer boots and hate it. I thought it was time to go down to a 120 from a 130, same brand but updated design, and i really don't like it especially in heavier snow. all good though it was a great deal and they will be my "weekend with the family boots"

What are her other activities? Does she wear a lot of high heels? I'm not a podiatrist but wearing high heels over 100lbs...I would put you on some kind of stepcounter limit. "Cinderella" IRL 🤣

Fun Video! You need a whole wall of whiteboards of flow charts, praeto diagrams and alike. 😂

I'm agonizing a bit debating buying a $2,500 eMountain bike, I can't imagine paying $1,500 for some damn boots! I've only skied Cali, Nev, and Oregon. Utah, Montana, and the Hole are calling, but strangely I have little interest in Colorado between the crowds, expenses, tourists, traffic, etc. It's an instinct thing now confirmed by Angeline. I've always had an aversion to ski/boot shops, especially ones in the village like Squaw or Northstar. I go talk to my boys in Reno if need be!

I'd like to request your thoughts on E-mtn bikes. Although I'm 53, I just feel like they're Cheating! And yet there's supposedly some screaming deals out in Reno-Tahoe area, $7,000 ebikes-mtn going for $2,500. I've got friends who e-mtn bike who love it, and I'll admit I'd like to ride w/them, and there's some long rides where an ebike would be nice, and I could expand my riding horizon too.

Elliott Ski Investigator & Detective 😊⛷ Angelina got fleeced BIG TIME by Surefoot. I wonder if she bought her boots at the resort or in a town?