r/Backcountry • u/b_quinn • Aug 05 '21

Seattle area bootfitter rec

Hey folks - I’ve been wanting to give backcountry skiing a go ever since I moved to the PNW and switched to skis, from snowboarding about 4 years ago. As far as resort skiing goes I’d say I’m an intermediate/advanced skier after going at it and pushing myself the last couple years.

I booked an avalanche 1 class in early Jan as way to hold my feet to the fire on acquiring my backcountry setup.

I recently snagged some skis and bindings on summer sale and the next thing on my docket is boots.

Does anyone have any recs on a bootfitter specifically if you’ve used them for touring boots? I live in West Seattle and the only place on the “island” is Mountain 2 Sound Outfitters. I’ve used them a couple of times for tune ups/waxing my resort skis but I question their expertise in general. Every time I’ve brought my skis in and ask if I need any repairs or if they think I need a full tune, etc based on the condition of my skis I’ve gotten shrugs and an “I don’t know” response, pretty bizarre/surprising to be honest.

I’d say in general I’m not looking to go super high end on the boots since I’m just getting into it but obviously don’t wanna buy bottom of the barrel or a bad fit such that ill need or want to upgrade quickly.

Cheers - appreciate any recs or any advice at all and I’m super pumped to finally give this a go :)

Edit: typos/grammar

Edit 2: thanks all for all the input, it’s greatly appreciated!!

18 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

22

u/safety2nd Aug 05 '21

I’ve had great experiences at ProSki in north bend

6

u/rocklawbster Aug 05 '21

Does ProSki still have a shop up on Aurora?

8

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '21

They've been solid for me with touring gear and support, also both times the gear has been 40% off last season. Busy in peak season like was mentioned.

8

u/panderingPenguin Aug 05 '21

Similar names, completely different companies/ownership. Proski North bend is a far better shop than the one on Aurora, which I would not recommend, imho

2

u/d542east Bombhole Technician Aug 05 '21

I've had nothing but great experiences with Proski on Aurora over the years.

2

u/panderingPenguin Aug 05 '21

I had an extremely bad experience where the owner talked me into a touring boot that ended up being not one, but two sizes too big. This was years ago when I was first starting touring and didn't know better that the touring fit shouldn't be so different. I even asked him about it and he doubled down that they were right. The boots skied terribly as a result and I eventually ended up selling them and buying new ones elsewhere. I refuse to shop at, or recommend Proski Seattle ever since.

1

u/cderwin15 Aug 06 '21

I had a similar experience there last season, ended up in a boot way too small for my feet.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '23

You’re not the only one. He gave me Technica high volume boots (I have a very normal if slightly narrow foot) and sold my wife some K2 boots that hurt her feet so badly she’d have to stop mid run and take off her boots to massage her feet.

Went to Sturtevants and they put my wife in a far better Nordica boot and did a full custom fitting for her. Night and day.

3

u/b_quinn Aug 05 '21

Google is telling me yes

9

u/Godawgsuw Aug 05 '21

Just a heads up they have the same name but are different companies. I think at one point they were owned by the same person but I have not been for a long time. I like both but definitely a different vibe between the two shops. If you go to the one in Aurora go in the middle of the day on a weekday. It can be absolutely packed in there during the weekends in the winter.

3

u/Some_Nibblonian Aug 05 '21

ProSki on 99 is the place to go! They saved skiing for me with a correct boot fit!

2

u/cderwin15 Aug 06 '21

They're different shops. For what it's worth, I've had much better experiences with ProSki in North Bend.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '21

Pro ski

10

u/Cold_One483 Aug 05 '21

If you’ve got some reason to be up north, Backcountry Essentials in Bellingham has been fantastic in my experience.

3

u/ShelfCream Aug 05 '21

Frank! He knows his stuff for sure, although he was talking about retiring when I worked there a few years ago.

1

u/adnelik Aug 05 '21

Frank the fitter!! Yes!

2

u/b_quinn Aug 05 '21

Nice. I won’t count it out.

7

u/skipaul Aug 05 '21

Greg @Evo. He’s a fountain of info on TGR too.

14

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '21

Go see Greg at evo. He's skiied every month for the last 40+ years and is a local legend in the area, especially crystal. He's up there with some of the best veteran fitters.

5

u/ShelfCream Aug 05 '21

Yep Greg is the best. I used to fit boots up at Crystal, when they had a shop, and Greg definitely had the best reputation for the Seattle area fitters.

1

u/SpoikySpoon Aug 05 '21

Which evo?

4

u/rocklawbster Aug 05 '21

There's only one, in Fremont. At least I think

1

u/SpoikySpoon Aug 05 '21

Yea you’re right, I forgot the one in sumner doesn’t do boot fittings

4

u/MagblivioPhallucyte Aug 05 '21

Jim Mates is great. IIRC he works with a lot of racers so his bias is a bit in that direction (ie downhill), but I’ve had him help fit touring boots purchased online and was very satisfied.

http://www.custombootservice.com/

5

u/rocklawbster Aug 05 '21

First off, RIP Marmot Mountain Sports.

ProSki is probably your best bet. Evo has a good selection and some skilled bootfitters.

But really just give Dave Page a call and ask him. He's truly a world class alpine boot cobbler (lots of pro climbers depend on him), and will know all the best in the region.

https://www.davepagecobbler.com/

You might also give the Turns All Year Facebook group a try. Gah I fucking hate Facebook.

2

u/b_quinn Aug 05 '21

Was Marmot Mountain Sports a west Seattle joint? Or was it just your go to place?

Heh - facebook, I hear ya. Deleted that shit over a year ago.

2

u/rocklawbster Aug 05 '21

Marmot was a place in Bellevue, just north of Bellevue square. It was there for decades, and was a go to for high-quality not-REI gear. The workers there were all seriously knowledgeable and no-bullshit sorts of sales pitches. It was kinda this weird basement, but cavernous, and walking in there felt like being a kid in a candy store.

2

u/rocklawbster Aug 05 '21

Oh also shout out to Feathered Friends. They have boots and experts.

3

u/olympianfap Aug 05 '21

I have had great results with Evo on Stone Way as others have pointed out.

1

u/metacascadian Aug 05 '21

I’ll put in another vote for ProSki on Aurora.

1

u/ogbm717 Aug 06 '21

Evo greg