blackrain

I just bought brand new Burton Hails from 2007 a few weeks ago. With the 30 day return policy, I have until this Saturday to return them, so I don't have much time to make a decision. I went to a professional "shop" where they measured me to be a 9 snowboard boot size. I have a 9.5 shoe, but they said that I want be snug, so a 9 is the way to go.

I took everyone's advice and went with these boots because they seemed to be the most comfortable. When I put my foot in, it feels like the boot was molded around my foot. My toes just touch the front of the boot without being crammed. The heel doesn't move much, etc. My foot doesn't move much. After trying on these boots again the other day at home, I was watching TV and left the boots on for a while (just being lazy). After about 20 mins to a half hour, the boots were numbing my feet or at least my feet felt the circulation wasn't so good or the boots might be tight. I tried the same walking around and same effect after 20 minutes. They don't feel too tight when I first put them on so I don't know what to make of this. Is this normal?

I am tempted to buy barely used (2-3 times) boots online for cheap because I am worried that I am going to spend too much money on boots that turn out not to fit right.

legallyillegal

and have you tried riding in them yet?

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blackrain

I guess I should have mentioned that I am a complete newbie that hasn't ever ridden snowboard. I won't have a chance to ride until next season. But I also wouldn't be able to return these once I use them.

Rufus

It sounds like you just need to break them in. I've been riding a pair of Hails for about six weeks now, they were very snug the first day or so, to the point where it was uncomfortable to wear them very long. Now that they have packed out they are the best fitting boots I've ever owned. I wear size 13 shoes but my Hails are a 12. When the Hails were new they were most uncomfortable when I was just sitting around or walking, I never had any discomfort while riding.

jgsqueak

Sounds like you have gotten pretty good advice, the only thing is, if you have never been on a board your feet are not used to being a boot yet. These aren't sneakers and your feet won't like that at first...like rufus said, they needs to be broken in (and so do your feet).

blackrain

Okay. I am going to roll the dice and hope for the best. I have one other follow-up question.

I was able to find a pair of brand new Hail boots online in a different color for "2007-2008" and they are alot cheaper than what I got my current boots for. Is "2007-2008" the same as "2007" and would the online Hail boot fit exactly the same as the boot that I have at home?

In other words, were all 2007 Hail boots built to fit the exact same way? Now that I know that I fit great in a 2007 Hail, I can try to find it cheaper online perhaps.

Rufus

Keep the boots you bought locally. I don't think it would be cool to return them after almost a month just so you could buy the same thing online for less. Don't treat your local shop like a fitting room where you try things on then buy online.

weipim

hey man, I personally got a pair of hail 08-09, which are very very comfortable despite that I got heel lift on one foot. I can't say for all hails, but I believe hail only gets better as year goes on.

I would return them and buy the cheaper pair

jgsqueak

Seriously. When your local shop is no longer there, where will you try on boots?

Muki

Do like this advice.