Ski Boots from Profeet

31st December 2024 | James Cove, Profeet, London.

Questions, questions, questions.

For the past couple of decades I have sought my answers at Profeet in Fulham, West London.

Profeet is not the cheapest, but I happen to think it is one of the best.

The first choice to make is whether to buy boots in the Alps or in the UK.

If you buy in the Alps  you can have them adjusted on the spot.

However, I prefer to be able to re-visit the shop if any adjustments are required in the years to come.

Profeet offers a two-year guarantee, though I have gone back many years later and adjustments have been made.

“We offer a quality of service where the customer is at the very centre of what we do,” said the head boot fitter and shop manager Johan Jakobsson.

“If you want the cheapest then look elsewhere and in the bargain racks of the other shops, but we firmly believe the ski boots are perhaps the most important piece of ski equipment you will ever own and they have to be just right.”

And with that Johan set to work at the start of the 2-hour process.

First he asked me about my level of skiing, the amount I was in the mountains each winter and what performance I needed.

That was the easy part as I specifically wanted a hybrid boot that was good for ski touring – light and comfortable with a fitting for a pin binding by the toe for going uphill.

And yet sturdy enough for downhill, both on and off piste where performance was not compromised.

First Johan started fiddling with my foot for its flexibility and he began making some notes.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Then he scuttled off to the back of the shop and appeared with three different boots that he thought fitted my requirements.

First a Dalbello that was more aimed at downhill.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Then a Dynafit that was lighter and more flexible, so better suited to uphill ski touring.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Then a Tecnica.

I immediately knew it was the one for me, but I didn’t tell him.

I wanted to hear his advice.

It felt ‘snug’ – that magic word that should describe exactly how a boot should feel.

The heel, ankle and lower leg seemed well supported, with the toes just about touching the front of the boot but there was room to wiggle them.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

“Many people have come in with preconceived thoughts or they want a particular colour, but it is better to to get the boot that is right for you,” he said.

“A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous, but I like to think the customer always leaves with the right boot for them, with the performance and fit they want.”

“Comfort is crucial and some people come in wanting a particular boot, but if it is not right for them they will soon be back.

“If you are not comfortable in your boot you will not enjoy the skiing experience.”

Then it was off to some pads on the floor to measure the soles of my foot, check where my balance was and come up with a suitable insole.

The images resembled those ones a dentist shows you as they inform you of the state of your teeth.

I was not sure whether red was good or bad, and what yellow indicated.

Was it good to have all the foot on the floor, or bad?

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

On one of them all my left toes seem to have vanished.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

No matter, it seemed my feet are fairly normal and the pressure was falling in roughly the correct places.

Then the all-important custom insole was heated up.

The insole is the foundation of the ski boot fit.

By stabilising the foot and increasing contact the insole distributes pressure more evenly through the foot giving greater control.

“The extra contact may feel strange to begin with but should not be uncomfortable,” said Johan.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

My feet went into a mould.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Socks are actually a key part of a good fit and can have a major influence on performance and comfort.

Profeet recommends a thin sock that maximises space in the toe and allows more air to be trapped in the liner, resulting in more insulation and warmed feet.

The insole reached the correct temperature to be flexible.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Johan then carefully place it in the mould of my feet.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

And it cooled down.

Then Johan disappeared into the back room to work his magic and ensure the insole was a firm finish.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

I waited along with the others for 20 minutes or so.

Profeet is a popular spot on a Saturday afternoon.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

It is one of the longest established ski boot fitters in London, founded in 2001.

Up to 36 people a day have boots fitted in the winter months, from the nine full-time staff.

Many come from London and the southern England, but people come from across the UK and Europe.

The shop has returning customers from the Middle East and North America,

The store has a stock of well over 1,000 boots on the premises, so it is likely the boot you want and in your correct size will be in stock.

If not it can be ordered.

Profeet’s recipe for success is there for all to see.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

And then the moment  of truth as I tried on the Tecnica boots with my custom insole.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

The process had been faultless, the advice expert and the experience fascinating.

The boots are now back home and out of the box as one is advised to wear then around the house to bed them in before hitting the slopes.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

“Wear them 10 to 15 minutes a day if you can, and if you are able to get to one of the indoor snow centres in the UK to try them out then so much the better,” said Johan.

“Don’t just sit with them on while watching TV or scrolling through your phone.

“Go up and down your staircase and give them a good test as you won’t regret it on your first day on the slopes in your new boots.”

I am out in the Alps this coming weekend and will be putting them through their paces – both uphill and downhill in my Atomic shift bindings.

Profeet boot fitting. Image © PlanetSKI

I’ll let you know if they live up to expectations.

Watch this space….

And if you want to know what this ski touring malarky is all about and whether to give it a go:

• Ski touring for the first time

Ski touring for the first time. Image © PlanetSKI

For more then check out the Profeet web site, or give them a call 020 7736 0046.

Profeet’s services are by appointment only and need to be booked in advance.

We started this article with a series of questions.

Here are the FAQs and Answers from Profeet:

What does an appointment include?

At Profeet we fit ski boots on a one-to-one basis with each appointment lasting up to two hours.

Each appointment consists of:

• Bio-mechanical analysis
• Boot selection and modifications if needed
• Custom insole manufacture
• Custom ski boot liner i.e. Foam Liner/Zipfit/Intuition. (Optional extra*)
• Comfort and Performance upgrades. (Optional extra*)
• Ski Boot Fit Guarantee

Although we strive to complete every appointment within the two-hour time frame it is not always possible and return visits may be needed. *Optional extras are charged at per item price.

What is the Ski Boot Fit Guarantee?

Every Sport and Pro ski boot assessment at Profeet is covered by our Ski Boot Fit Guarantee which can be viewed here.

What is the benefit of a custom insole?

Profeet custom insoles are a multi-layered heat mouldable composite that conforms to your exact foot shape.

The addition of the insole in the ski boot brings contact to the whole underside of the foot, stabilising the whole body and giving the optimum foundation for the foot in the boot.

The increased contact also distributes pressure, reduces fatigue and improves proprioception resulting in an increase in sensory feedback, comfort and performance.

What is the benefit of a custom ski boot liner?

Custom ski boot liners replace the original liner supplied with your ski boots to offer improvements in both comfort and performance.

They fall into three categories.

1. Foam Injected: PU expandable foam is injected under pressure into an empty liner giving a precise fit, improving performance and helping specific fit issues.

2. Zipfit (Zero injection pressure fit system): Has a cork and dry-ceramic clay in panels either side of the ankle and through the tongue. Through initial heating and then skiing the mixture moulds and forms to the foot. Offers an excellent improvement in heel hold and can be transferred between boots.

3. Thermo form (Intuition etc.): Made of heat mouldable EVA, once heated and placed into the shell they cool and form to the foot. Offer increased warmth and comfort. All three option may or may not fully suit your needs. To discuss all options please contact us at skibootlab@profeet.co.uk.

I have a specific problem, can you help? Sore shins, cold feet etc.

Of course, however, every issue is personal and the same problem may have different solutions depending on the individual.

Contact our ski team at skibootlab@profeet.co.uk to discuss any issue.

Is one brand or boot better than another?

No! Each brand offers a different take on foot shape and we are looking to find the boot that best suits your foot.

If you have any questions regarding a specific boot, then please feel free to contact us however we will not be able to tell you if it will fit your foot over the phone.

Do you fit ski boot bought elsewhere?

Yes, we do.

For boots bought elsewhere we offer appointments of one hour starting at £80.

The final price will vary depending on what work is undertaken.

How long do ski boots last?

This completely depends on how often you ski.

For a one to two week a year skier we usually say six to eight years.

Why are your insoles so expensive / so cheap?

Profeet custom insoles are generally far cheaper than traditional rigid orthotics but more expensive than the non-custom and more basic custom insoles available through general sports stores.

If you have any questions that are not covered here, then please contact our ski team at skibootlab@profeet.co.uk

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