Ok, thanks for the feedback. Yes, I'm a clueless who skiies less than 4 times/year. I'm also a big DIYer and not committed to this sport. There's a lot of info on the internet that talks about "aggressive" boot fit versus casual. We don't have great ski shops here in Wisconsin. I visited one shop who gave me some advice but did *not* steer me away from 29.5 which I now realize would be WAY TOO HUGE. How's that for expertise?
Also reached out to a friend of mine who is an avid skiier in the Pacific Northwest. He also has an 11.5 shoe size and was fitted into a 28 boot by a professional boot fitter (including punching out part of it). After skiing for several years he says they "feel loose". But that he also says he probably would prefer that loose feeling when skiing all day. So much for professional boot fit??
You all are right if I remove the liner from my very-old 27/27.5 Nordica Syntech F6 boots, that the plastic shell has plenty of room. I had already removed/lost the foot liner...I'm talking about the liner that makes up half the boot. Maybe I'll just keep skiing with these boots for a bit and concentrate on skiing less upright on difficult terrain. Or maybe I'll just order some $170 (clearance) boots that are size 28 (or 28.5) and run with it for now....
Skiing on something smaller than 27 seems crazy to me, but I'll all believe you that it is possible with impeccable technique and great fitting that "punches out" portions of the shell.
Also reached out to a friend of mine who is an avid skiier in the Pacific Northwest. He also has an 11.5 shoe size and was fitted into a 28 boot by a professional boot fitter (including punching out part of it). After skiing for several years he says they "feel loose". But that he also says he probably would prefer that loose feeling when skiing all day. So much for professional boot fit??
You all are right if I remove the liner from my very-old 27/27.5 Nordica Syntech F6 boots, that the plastic shell has plenty of room. I had already removed/lost the foot liner...I'm talking about the liner that makes up half the boot. Maybe I'll just keep skiing with these boots for a bit and concentrate on skiing less upright on difficult terrain. Or maybe I'll just order some $170 (clearance) boots that are size 28 (or 28.5) and run with it for now....
Skiing on something smaller than 27 seems crazy to me, but I'll all believe you that it is possible with impeccable technique and great fitting that "punches out" portions of the shell.
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