Why are new ski boots so expensive?

I'm an "old" ski pro who might be able to help you. I've composed 2 answers below. The first one directly answers your question asking why ski boots are so expensive.

The second part gives you a few ways to find top-shelf ski boots on the cheap. I really hope that this helps get you on the hill in some comfortable boots!1) Most ski boots are expensive because it's a small, competition friendly industry. There are only 8-9 companies in the entire world who manufacture ski boots and as a result, none of the companies wants to undercut prices.2) Ski boots are constructed of very high quality plastics to exacting standards.

The folks who manufacture ski boots know that safety comes first on the hill and their design and manufacturing processes show it. Rarely will you find a ski boot that doesn't last at least 5 seasons of typical use.3) Ski boots are assembled by hand. Shoes, cars, tv's, etc are constructed in almost complete machine / robotic automation.

Most of the work that goes into a ski boot is done by hand. From poring the molds to assembling the final product, to packaging for distribution, assembly lines are filled with human labor at each step.4) There is a very low turnover in boots. There are a limited number of ski boot sales each year.

Sales numbers don't increase exponentially as they do in other industries. So if skiiers don't have to replace their boots every year and there are a limited number of sales every year, the profit for production, distribution and marketing costs can't be made in volume and must be made on each individual sale. 5) Last, many retailers put a healthy markup on all ski and snowboard equipment.

Skiing, snowboarding, golf, etc have long been considered luxury sports and retailers are known for 50 to 75 to as high as 100% markups. :== Here are a few ideas on how to get a good deal on a pair of ski boots. 1) The best way to find a good price on ski boots is to visit a local ski swap.

These swaps are often held before the start of ski season (October here in Toronto) and have the best deals on new equipment from last year. Often, retailers, vendors and even manufacturers will deeply discount merchandise for sale. 2) Check out Craigslist and the other private sale sites.

Often, folks sell ski equipment that is brand new for fire sale prices. Check out ski friendly areas such as Colorado, Vancouver, etc. 3) Talk to a pro. Ski instructors get very good (often for free) deals from vendors.

Many deals they can't use because they already have equipment that they like. Ski instructors also don't make a lot of money and are happy to quietly sell "pro deal" equipment if they can.4) Shop in small stores at the very end of the season. If you walk into a small store shortly after the snow has melted with the exact amount of cash (cash is important) that you want to spend and you're not picky about the model of boot you'll be using, more often then not, a small store owner will accept your cash and be thankful he/she didn't have to return the boot to the manufacturer.

Use this one wisely. You'll want to walk in armed with a bit of information including your ski boot size in millimeters (different from your shoe size), your preferred width, etc.When negotiating this way, the small shop won't provide the same service to fit and care for your selection when you weren't lowballing. But this tactic does work and it works well.5) If you live around a large ski busy ski resort, find out where they wax the skiis.

This usually isn't the same front desk where they accept skiis from customers who want them waxed, this is likely a backyard shack or basement dungeon that smells like a combination of burnt wax and weed. Talk to the folks who work there. Tell them what you're looking for.

They usually know "a friend of a friend" or a van with an open back door where you can find a deal. This isn't necessarily as shady as it sounds. Many demo tent employees and other marketing types get rid of equipment they can't sell directly to the hill locals.6) My last idea for you is to put a note up on the bulletin board of your local club saying exactly what boots (model and size) that you're looking for.

You'd be shocked what hill regulars have access to and will help you find.

Simply put, skiing is a luxury sport and ski boots last a long time. Ski boots are also the most important purchase of ski equipment you will make. Since the manufacturers (there are not that many) can get you to buy ski boots once, and you have ski boots for a long time, they do not believe it's a big upfront cost to you, the skier.It's your choice, but you can also choose to rent ski boots, and depending on how much you ski, it would probably not cost as much if you do not ski that much.

Also, since skiing is considered a luxury sport, I believe the manufacturers set the price on boots high, and since they don't really go out of style, they remain high. I'm sure you can find a pair of boots on sale somewhere for a lower price, but they might not be the quality or style of boot you are looking for. Ski boots probably do not cost much more to make than a top pair of rollerblades, but they figured out that the average skiing customer is willing or able to pay for them at this price.

When buying your ski boots, look for a shop affiliated with America’s Best Boot Fitters. The boot fitters at these shops have been tested, and understand your skiing needs, and what is best for your feet. bootfitters.com Check out this how to article on how to buy ski boots.

There are 9 great tips: howtodothings.com/sports-recreation/how-... 1. Trust your bootfitter.2. Try on at least 3 pairs of ski boots.

3. NEVER BUY SKI BOOTS FOR THEIR APPEARANCE!4. Try a shell-fit.5.

Put the liner back in the ski boot and try it on again.6. Get into a "skiing position" 7. Assess how snug the ski boot feels 8.

Get a footbed for your boot.9. Adjust your bindings!

Fashion. They could make them cheap. But if you can afford the luxury of skiing then you can wear fashionable boots.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.