rdctali said: Have been looking for a good ski+boots deal for a while. Is this K2 Apache Hawk skis for $200 a good deal? As a beginner, should I get some new gears or should probably buy used ones to save? Any skiers here? I think you are best served by buying a good ski for your level, or just slightly above your level. New or used is up to you, but you need to have the equipment setup for your boots... something you will also need to buy. Boots might be the most important part, and it isn't a good idea to be cheap in the boots, as that's where you are putting your body. Comfort and function don't need to be mutually exclusive, but they are at odds. Soft, comfy boots don't transfer your body's movements as well as stiff "tombstone" boots. But, you can get away with more flexible boot than a higher level skier. The most important thing is proper fit. A poorly fitting boot will cause discomfort, cold feet/toes, wasted energy, generally suckie experience. The liner should feel tight when it's out of the boot, but your toes shouldn't curl. The boots should be fairly tight when you first put them on in the store. When you step into the boot with the liner in place, your toes should go right up against the front of the boot until you buckle them up and you flex forward a few times. That will push your heal back and the toes will follow. If your toes are jammed after a few flexes, the boot is likely too small. You need to wear them for at least 20 minutes to feel for fit, as they change/mold to your foot as they heat up. The longer you wear them, the better. Walk around. Try on at least 3 pair (plan on trying on lots of boots. Different brands fit differently. Ask someone what would fit your type of foot best -- wide, flat, etc).
I'd buy new boots at a discounter or online. Internet boot buying is risky, but can be done. Find what will fit and is proper for your level locally, and then shop it on the net... Don't just go off the size and hope for the best. It doesn't work like that in ski boots. Used skis are fine, so long as they haven't been totally trashed or worn out. Used rentals can be really cheap, but they are likely skied out... But a pair with less than 50 days of use are likely a good deal. Don't buy anything that is really old, as the will need new bindings for a ski shop to touch them. Any binding over 8 years or so are not indemnified, and thus ski shops will not work on that equipment.... Rentals will solve this by having a rental binding. They are heavier, but can be properly adjusted to fit most boot sizes without being re-drilled. Another way around this is to find a "rail" based binding that has fully adjustable toes and heals. These usually come on the newer stuff as a ski/binding system. But you still need someone who knows what they are doing to setup the bindings. You need them adjusted to your skiing level, your weight and height. If not done properly, you will get hurt. Read as much as you can on the last few years models and see if you can't buy it new online. Stuff didn't sell very well the last 2 years....Shops need to get rid of that stuff. At your level, there might be a very nice NEW pair of skis WITH bindings for $200 plus or minus. |
