Need help and advice:

[billcoe]

I'm planning on buying a pair of new (thats "brand new") ski boots soon for downhill. Going high end full $. This is a big departure for me as the current pair I own are the most expensive I've ever purchased at $100. The last pair were $15.

 

Where in the pdx area do you recommend I go to get them.

 

Looking for a good knowlege-selection- pricing matrix. I've had good results at US Outdoor - but just saw another post from someone dissing them.

 

Advice for downhill ski boots? I'll get the best ones for me, that fit well, but where do you recommend going?

 

Thanks:

 

Bill

[Greta]

Oregon Mountain Community would be my recommendation. I havent been there for a while, but they used to have a good selection and knowledgeable staff. Perhaps someone who actually lives in pdx could confirm or rule this one out?

[billcoe]

They don't sell downhill gear.

[letsroll]

Go to The Mountain Shop. Good Place or US OutDoor Store. I like The Mountain Shop however.

[iain]

Thumbs up to the Mountain Shop for skiing. They know their stuff. They do a great job on mounts as well. And now Climbmax is right next door for your spending pleasure.

[Greta]

They don't sell downhill gear.

 

You mean, they dont sell Alpine gear? You are correct. I forgot that some people still Alpine

[ajm]

I second the vote for The Mountain Shop. I have gone to US Outdoor for many purchases but for skis I'd stick with TMS.. Although you could always find out exactly what you want/need at a place like TMS then go online and find that exact set-up for much cheaper... Be wise - dont pay full price unless you absolutely have to.

[transplant]

GET CUSTOM INSOLES!

[kioti]

Although you could always find out exactly what you want/need at a place like TMS then go online and find that exact set-up for much cheaper... Be wise - dont pay full price unless you absolutely have to.

 

This is a good way to make sure that there won't be any good shops around. If you want all shops to be REI, or Sierra Trading Post, go this route. But I suggest supporting the local shop, especially if they give you the info that will make you confident in the purchase. I work at The Mountain Shop, so maybe I'm biased. But my opinon is that we have the most experienced staff in Portland, and definitely the most complete backcountry ski selection.

 

On top of that, we guarantee our boot fits (both ski and hiking boots) If you bought a boot elsewhere, and needed help to get it to fit, it would be $40/hour to fit. We do this for free for our customers who purchase from us and sport us.

 

Sorry for the rant, but we often help customers for an hour or two and lose them to websites. I won't go as far as saying that you are stealing by getting advice from a shop, then purchasing elsewhere, but there is a bit of an obligation, I feel.

 

Good luck finding boots! Definitely come in and talk to us at the Mountain Shop. I can't help you with alpine boots, but I can help you with the Garmont Adrenaline (an AT boot that will fit into alpine bindings and AT bindings)

 

Alan

[thelawgoddess]

ditto with above. a good boot-fitting shop cares about their customers ... and will guarantee their boots to fit and will fix them or replace them if they end up not working out ...

[rbw1966]

Another vote for Mountain Shop. When I bought my new T2s the guy spent well over an hour fitting me to them, and I still got them at a better price than anywhere else I had seen them, including online.

[Cobra_Commander]

Not only do they do a great job helping you out for skiing, they actually get out there and do it, giving great first-hand advice even if you are very experienced. thumbs up.

 

I can't imagine someone spending hours in the shop asking questions and getting fitted, and then hitting a website. Total b.s.

[JoeMack]

I agree with the recommendations for the Mountain Shop. I got a pair of Dynafit boots and bindings there a few years ago. They spent a bunch of time helping me with the purchase and did a great job fitting the boots. If you want to save some serious $, go during their pajama sale (you have to wait until February). I got the gear for something like 30% off. It made up for having to wear a pair of PJs into the store!