Narrower feet 'onsale' alpine recommendations?

[tig]

I've been skiing resorts in my AT boots, but would like to get some on-sale alpine boot, since I am getting into the bumps more and more, and the AT having been fitted looser for walking comfort means there is some slop.

I have narrower feet, size 40-41 (8->8.5 us). Height 5'8", weight 130-135lbs.

I know that quite a few of the regulars here work or have worked at outdoor stores, so I thought I would ask...

[Sanchez]

Hi Tig,

If you are looking for alpine boots and you have narrow feet, I would definately look in the Lange, Technica, or Solomon department. I would also avoid Nordica, Atomic, or Rossignol, as they tend to run wide. This is all subjective, though, and you will definately have to try on the boots before you make a decision obviously (so don't rule out the last three).

In terms of sales, you missed the gun on that. Most of the pre-season sales are wrapping up, the next one that I know of is at the Blandford Ski Area in Western Mass (http://www.skiblandford.org). The next "barrage" of sales come around the holidays and they pump the prices through the roof on most of that stuff.

I'm not sure exactly how you ski, but I would keep away from getting the "under-budget syndrome". Alpine boots are still an industry where you get what you pay for. Regardless of what you get and where you find them, I strongly recommend getting a pair of insoles (you can pick them up for $40 on the low end or $100 on the higher end). Coming from someone who also has narrow feet and buys narrow boots all the time, the foot beds hurt more the narrower the boot gets for some reason (shell shape?) so you'll be glad you made the investment, especially in the bumps!

Good luck-- if I hear of any more sales, I'll update.

[RR]

Never ignore a chance to try "Play it Again Sports" in Woburn. Sure it's a "used" place but over the years my son has managed to score two pairs of year-old race boots for short money. In the Thermo age and with the assistance of modern boot-fitting wizzards a pair of two year old race boots or high end sport boots can be made to fit right for not so much...

It is a matter of luck but it is also a "check it out" situation too.

When that doesn't work head a bit further up 93 to SkiHaus, in Wilmington....they have always been good to my family. Their OktoberFest Sale is in progress.
http://www.skihaus.com/haus/index_fr.htm

[yuckster]

Figuring out what size you take in a certain model (try it on in a shop first), and then shopping for last year's version of it on the internet and in inventory-closeout sales, can be a good way to go... you get new gear for 2/3d the price...

[tig]

I will check these places out.

Sanchez: thanks for makes to focus on..