We are often asked “is it worth buying ski boots or just renting?” and of course we are going to say it is, but how much will it cost if you decide to take the plunge?
Scott , Dudley and Dan – The Skiers Lounge
When it comes to gearing up for the slopes, one of the most important investments you’ll make is in a pair of correctly fitted and sized ski boots. The prices of ski boots can vary widely, depending on several factors such as brand, type, and whether you opt for custom fitted footbeds which we do recommend in most cases.
You could spend anywhere from £200 to £900 on a pair of ski boots. However, the average price for a ski boot here at The Skiers Lounge is around the £300-£400 price point, with your foot profile and ski ability and requirements determining the correct ski boot. While this might seem like a hefty price tag, it’s important to remember that properly fitted ski boots are crucial for comfort, performance, and safety on the mountain. In this blog, we’ll break down the different costs associated with ski boots and why investing in the right pair is essential for an enjoyable skiing experience.
What are the costs involved in getting fitted ski boots?
Ski boot fitting advice can cost anywhere between £50-£100 or more for you to visit a fitter and get advice and try on ski boots. This should include an initial assessment and adjustments for a better fit and a chance to try a range of different ski boots suitable for your feet.
However, here at The Skiers Lounge our appointment-based fittings are free, as we understand the importance of having correctly fitted boots. Our appointments take between 1.5 to 2 hours, this is to give us time learn about you and the type of skiing you’ll be doing and gives us plenty of time to make any adjustments to your chosen ski boots.
What if I already have a pair of ski boots and I just want these adjusted and tweaked?
If you already have a pair of ski boots that you love but you have a few issues, then we provide a boot tweak service. The cost of this will depend on how long it takes us to tweak your boot, this is typically an hourly rate of £50 per hour plus any required parts such as heel lifts or shaping inserts.
How much do custom footbeds (insoles) cost?
In the majority of cases both comfort and performance can be greatly improved with the addition of a more supportive footbed.
Prices start from as little as £40 for a pre moulded of the shelf footbed product. Our most popular option and in our opinion the best choice is for a custom made footbed that is tailor made exactly for your foot. Prices for this option start at £140 but we can offer this for a special price of £99 when purchasing your ski boots from us.
Why does professional ski boot fitting matter?
- Comfort and Performance: Properly fitted ski boots enhance comfort and significantly improve skiing performance by providing better control and response.
- Injury Prevention: Poorly fitting ski boots can lead to foot pain, blisters, and more serious injuries. Professional fitting ensures a snug fit that minimises these risks. The most common ski boot issues such as shin bruising – known as “shin bang” and black toes nails – can be solved with a correctly fitted pair of ski boots and a supported foot.
- Customisation: All skier’s feet are unique. Professional fitters customise the boots to your specific foot shape and size, ensuring optimal fit and function. This is very important, and something that we offer for free as part of buying a new pair of ski boots.
Is investing in professional fitting is worth it ?
- More Confidence: With the improvement in control, you can build your confidence on the slopes and enjoy skiing even more.
- More Comfort: Properly fitted boots make skiing more enjoyable by reducing discomfort and fatigue. You should not be uncomfortable in your ski boots!
- Save Money: While the upfront cost is higher, you will save on rental costs and professional fitting can extend the life of your boots plus reduce the need for frequent replacements or adjustments.
- Ski Better and Safer: Better fitting boots give you more control, which leads to improvements in your skiing
- Custom Fit Guarantee: When you buy ski boots from The Skiers Lounge, we offer a custom boot fit guarantee so that you are assured your fitting will include any follow up boot tweaks and in the event the boot is just not suitable that the fitter will look at alternative options for you. Read more about our boot fit guarantee here.
You might be thinking, why can’t I just buy a pair of cheap ski boots online, without having to make all these changes to the boot and pay these additional costs?
There’s nothing stopping you doing this; however, you wouldn’t believe the number of clients we see each year doing this and coming in after one ski trip complaining of horrendous foot pain and getting injured due to ill-fitting ski boots. The most common issue is that what feels comfortable out of the box is actually too big, so buckles get tightened too much as the boot beds in. It can end up costing them double, because they’ve chosen a boot that may have been cheaper and the colour matched their outfit, however the ski boot ended up being completely the wrong shape, size and level for their skiing ability and they have to start again. Ultimately your feet choose the correct ski boots, and there will be a boot shape and fit suited to your feet. Although we can tweak and stretch boots that are close in terms of fit, if the boot you have bought is not the correct shape and size, all the tweaking in the world will not resolve this.
There’s also nothing wrong with waiting for ski boot sales to start before making your purchase—it’s a smart way to save money. However, the range of ski boot options the fitter will have to correctly fit you will be greatly reduced. Here at The Skiers Lounge we NEVER fit ski boots that are not suitable. We would rather a customer walk away to hopefully return when we have new season ski boot stock arrive, than compromise the fit and possible safety by selling a ski boot because it is on sale. We can easily resume a ski boot fitting when we have suitable boots arrive in stock, so the time is not wasted.
We feel it’s essential to organise a boot fitting appointment to get professionally measured and ensure you choose the right pair. Expert advice during a ski boot fitting can make all the difference, as professionals can recommend the best boots for your foot shape and skiing style, ensuring maximum comfort and performance on the slopes.
In conclusion, understanding the price for ski boots involves more than just looking at the initial cost. Investing in a pair that fits well and meets your skiing needs can greatly enhance your performance and enjoyment on the slopes. While the upfront expense might seem significant, the comfort, support, and confidence provided by a properly fitted pair of ski boots make it a worthwhile purchase. So, when considering your next ski boot purchase, remember that the right fit can make all the difference to your ski holiday.
