Women´s Boot help

[Borat]

I know I stand the risk of getting flamed for this question, but I though I would post nonetheless.

I have been looking around for a boot for my girlfriend, who has small, relitivly narrow feet. Now she is by no means an advanced skiier (type 2), so I am looking for a relitivly soft, narrow womens alpine boot that is on the cheap side (were college students, and as such, cannot afford to to go in to a boot fitter in Mammoth, where we ski.)

If someone could recomend a boot that meets the description I have provided above, it would be of great help. I understand that a profesional bootfitter would be the best option, we just cannot afford the prices associated with a professional boot fitting. Thanks in advance for the help.

[mnflyfish]

Check evogear.com, click on their outlet tab. They have pretty solid prices on the Rossi Soft, used, last years model. Med to narrow, with a mid-high intep. I would suggest calling, they have a pretty good return policy if you get them and they don't fit or are not comfortable.

Good Luck,
Jay

[H-wood]

Well you could buy a random boot off the internet and probably get the wrong size, or you could spend less money and:

1. Go to Footloose in Mammoth, they will tell you the shell size you need for free. Invest in the cheaper custom footbeds- it's worth it.
2. Look for a pair of lightly used women's performance Langes in the recommended size. Anything newer than about 10 years old is great- it's the narrowest last available. They can frequently be found at the thrift shop in Mammoth for about $10 or on e-bay. Have your girlfriend ski on them, and then if she has hot spots or other issues, take them to Footloose where they will grind and punch them for a very reasonable fee.

This is the best solution for the least dollars- in fact it could work out just as well as going in to the shop and demoing and then buying a new $600 boot. There are limited options for the narrow footed, and a close fit is the most important thing. If your girlfriend has a narrow foot, most of the available intermediate-advanced boots (like the Rossi soft) will most likely be too wide, she'll be in pain, and you'll come into the shop and the bootfitters will explain that there's not much they can do.

I worked at Footloose for a long time- this is what I would do before buying new boots at retail price, or if I needed to get a friend set up for cheap. If you start with a good, simple shell that fits close to the foot, it can be easily ground, expanded, and softened to perfection.

[mntlion]

a second vote for used jr langes.

if you are buying the boots in person look for a 1-2 cm shell fit. MAX!! boots can be made softer and larger, not the other way

[L7]

3rd vote on the jnr lange. If she has a high instep you might look at jnr salomon but lange is a snugger fit.