FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Whats the Basic rundown?
1 hr consultation to gather the relevent information to determine what boots would be the most suitable, or what work needs to be done to the current boots to get your feet happy.
1.5 hr fitting appointment to modify the shape of the boots, and to adjust the liners, make custom insoles etc.
1 hr follow up appointment to adjust the fit, if required. Only about 20% of people come back for adjustments.
Further appointments indicate underlying sensitivities, or high performance requirements. This can add further time to the fitting process.
I THINK MY BOOTS COULD BE MADE TO WORK. SHOULD I BOOK IN FOR A CONSULTATION ANYWAY?
Generally people are surprised how much boots can be adjusted. So booking in for an In-Person Appointment should be fine. If however it is determined that the boots are not workable then The Boot Mechanic will consider the appointment an in-person consultation and refund the difference in cost. You should then be leaving with recommendations for the right boots, and what the best way forward would look like.
Do you have a waitlist?
The Boot Mechanic is too busy during peak season to maintain a waitlist for last minute openings. Emails requesting to be put on a waitlist or for any appointment availability that is not visible on the calendar will not be responded to. During peak season (Dec to Feb) there can sometimes be up to a 2 week wait for the next appointment. It’s best to plan ahead if you have a trip coming up, and book in as early as possible. Otherwise you can check the calendar frequently as sometimes openings come up.
Do YOU SELL BOOTS?
The Boot Mechanic does not sell boots due to the variety required for the full spectrum of feet and needs. Working on a service only model allows for truly independent advice and product selection. The Boot Mechanic can certainly help with where to source boots if needed.
What Do You sell?
As fits become more complex or performance orientated some product costs are added on top of the service fees.
These include:
Aftermarket liners
Fully heat moldable liners which provide the highest combination of warmth, comfort, durability, and workability that The Boot Mechanic has found. The full Intuition liner selection can be seen here, and is available for fittings as necessary.
Custom insoles
Heat moldable insoles support the foot in a comfortable and correctly aligned position. This support leads to less foot issues, while also providing superior edge to edge control. Generally footbeds last for a number of years and can be moved to new boots in the future.
Heating elements for insoles
Battery powered heaters are the most efficient way to get heat to where you need it most. Controllable heat to the toes and ball of foot makes sure your extremities stay toasty warm even on the coldest of days.
Socks
Good socks are the final piece of the fit puzzle. An appropriate thickness sock with the right material blend helps hold the foot in place, while dealing with moisture build up. The Boot Mechanic sells a couple of sock models to compliment the final fit, if required.
Shims, and wedges
Additional materials are sometimes required to dial in the fit. These include foam padding, shims, wedges, and other volume adjustment products.
These are available through The Boot Mechanic and are added only when needed for the correct fit.
I just want a NEW liner and fitting what do I do?
Book in for an In-Person Appointment and Tom will assess your best liner options and fit them up for you.
I have the weirdest feet and am in so much pain.
Book an Online Consultation or an In-Person Consultation and it’s possible new liners and/or some boot whispering can save you from needing to buy new boots. Both appointment options provide you the context to know the best way to move forward. If you do need new boots, you can bet that we’ll point you to the right model with a plan to fit them up correctly.
How long does shell work take, and what’s the process?
Usually shell work can be done within the 90 minute In Person appointment. A further 60 minute follow up appointment is included if more shell work is needed.
I’ve come in for a boot fitting but I still feel some pressure points or hot spots.
This can happen from time to time. While we know what to look for, take our time and have you walk around the shop, a 5-day traverse may challenge the new fit. Just book on in for a follow-up appointment here.
IS THERE A WARRANTY TO THE PROCESS?
In some rare occasions if the fit can’t be adjusted into the threshold of workability then The Boot Mechanic is happy to refund 100% of products that were used in the fitting process and 50% of in-person appointments. Consultations are advice based on years of ‘hands on’ experience and as such are non-refundable. Ultimately The Boot Mechanic takes customer satisfaction very seriously.
There’s BIG SNOWFALL in the forecast! can you get my boots fitTED by Friday?!
If you’ve seen the forecast, there’s a good chance other powder hounds did, too. As you can imagine, things can get very hectic from mid-November through February. You can often make next-day appointments in March, April, September, and October, but miracles may take a little longer during peak season.
You used to be a ski tech. Do you still Mount technical Touring bindings and such?
Tom no longer mounts skis, allowing him to focus 100% on boots.