I noticed that there were a number of skiers on the CC board. I don't know if you are here, but I wanted to share..

I had a pair of boots which used to be comfortable. I hadn't used them for 2 years and this year, they killed me. My EU friends kept on and on about the new soft boots. I tried a pair and they are heaven. They aren't well known in the US yet and our well-regarded, local ski shop talked Doug out of them this year.

Do look for them. I got a pair of Dolomites with built in heater attachment. My skiing dramatically improved as I am able to sit very low without the tongue cutting into my shin. I have a short, wide foot with a thin heel. No heel lift either.

Those sound great!!! I'll have to look for them and maybe try to demo a pair. I have also gone to shorter skis - when you only ski once a year or less I've found it's easier to get back into the swing of things with the shorter skis. I don't ache so much at the end of the day.

Kathy

Andi, are there a lot of them around?

One of our local ski shops had the Dolomites and another brand (I've forgotten which). They fit my narrow heel and low volume instep well, but not my gargantuan calves. I'm waiting for the technology to trickle down to Nordica, notorious for wide calves.

Kathy, if you're demo-ing skis this season, check out the K-2 women's line; you may find a REAL performance advantage in them.

Cerinda

Solomon, Rossignol and Dolomite have them in both mens' and women's versions. Still in infancy in US. Found a lot more in Europe. Our local US ski shop suggested waiting until next year to purchase soft boots, as they say fit is still in transition at this point. I guess I just got lucky.


I'm purchasing the K2 T:nine-spires today.

Andi:

Did you change you screen name? If not someone's using your beautiful signature photo too!

no. I just liked the picture

We enjoy skiing and will spend this weekend at Sunapee in New Hampshire. For many years, I upgraded annually but no longer. I last invested in new equipment about 10 years ago. My skis are neither short nor scooped.

Your recommendation for the new soft boots intrigues me. How do they differ from other boots and what is the advantage? What is the price range? In the past, I bought my equipment at the end of the season. It sounds like the new soft boots are unlikely to be found at the end of season sales.

Thanks.

Bill

Bill,

According to my favorite boot-fitter the significant advantage to the softies is comfort --comfort you can't touch without going into totally custom boots (He sells an ugly black custom model that starts at $850; he had the women's Dolomites on sale in January for about $400).

He also told me that he doesn't think they're well- suited to really aggressive skiers. I wonder what Andi has to say about that...

Cerinda

I don't know if they're suited for really aggressive skiers because I'm not one of them.

They are not hard plastic all the way around. The main shell is plastic, but the front tongue is leather, like snowboard boots. They have a lace cord, which you pull at the top. This tightens the boot around your calf and instep. I find I can sit low on my skis without having them cut into my shins. I also like the Dolomites in that they have an integrated hotronics system. I paid $250 for them. I think I got the women's 80s.

In Europe, soft boots appear more prevalent than in the US. They've been around for several years. In the US, I took my husband last week and the ski shops said to wait, they weren't perfected.

All I know is that I like mine and I skied better with good comfort. I also like the rachet buckles.