FEB/MAR 2018
I would say I do approximately 150 boot fits
in a season (actual boot fits, not just trying
and buying) and out of those 150 fits I
might encounter 1-2 customers that we just
can’t nail down a solid fit for one reason or
another.
6. As technology has changed, how has
the boot fit kept up? Is there ongoing
training?
The ski industry is always experimenting with
the latest technological advances. The most
recent innovation has been in the co-molding
of plastics to increase comfort and decrease
weight. As ski boot manufacturers develop
new concepts they educate shop employees
regarding features and benefits that pertain
to our customers.
7. Did you ever plan or strive to be a
boot fitter or did it just happen? If you
weren’t a boot fitter what would you be
doing?
The funny thing is I started working on ski
boots when I was focusing all my effort in
to snowboarding, so no I did not plan on
becoming a ski boot fitter. I love my job at
9
Skjersaa’s and I could not imagine not work-
ing in a ski shop in the winter months!
8. What keeps the fire burning? How
stoked are you every day sending
people out on the slopes to enjoy life to
the fullest?
The love for the mountains runs deep in my
family, so I can not remember a time that I
was not stoked for the snow to fly. I feel very
fortunate that I have worked in several facets
of the ski/snowboard industry and nothing
gives more pleasure than sharing my lifelong
stoke to slide on the snow.
9. What is the best monetary tip you
have ever received or possibly the
strangest?
I have received some extremely generous
tips but quite honestly, and yes I know this
is cliche, there’s nothing better than running
into a customer and seeing the smile on
their face and to hear them say how you
made there skiing experience amazing!
MATT WARREN
Shop: Powder House
Hometown: Montrose, Colorado
Outdoor sports/activities: Skiing/snowboarding, backpacking
Years in Bend: 10
1. How long have you been bootfitting
and how did you learn your skills? Are
there certifications?
This will be my 6th season bootfitting. I have
been through quite a few clinics at the Pow-
der House along the way and that was how
I got my wheels turning when it comes to
bootfitting. I have been to Masterfit Univer-
sity 3 different times, each one focusing on
a specific aspect to bootfitting, whether it be
fitting a boot, assessing problems, building
custom footbeds, or being able to identify
issues involving the bio-mechanics of skiing.
2. What are some common misconcep-
tions about a boot fitting that customers
come in with?
Relating a shoe size to a ski boot size. No
one would wear a shoe in the way that you
would wear a ski boot, that would be awful.
There other difficult one to get past his ideas
about brands. Boot companies are constant-
ly changing molds and liner materials, not to
mention every company makes ‘narrow’ and
‘wide’ boots. Their goal is to constantly be
improving, and to not keep the mass market
from being able to wear their boots.
3. Quickly, what are procedures you
take a customer through when looking
for new boots?
It’s all about the discussion we have while
I’m measuring their feet and assessing
flexibility and shape. I want to get an idea
of where you ski, what style of skiing you’re
into, how aggressively and how often you
ski.
4. A customer comes in complaining
about foot pain. Break it down, where
do you start?
Lets shell fit. I pull the liner from the shell
and check how the overall size and shape
look in relation to your foot. If the size and
model look right, I check into the problem
area in relation to the shell and the liner
independently. Also, we have to look at your
foundation in the boot, the footbed. There
are a huge array of problems that relate to a
lack of stability inside a boot.
5. How many boot fits do you figure you
do in a season? Is it possible to send
every single customer home satisfied?
From a mathematical estimate, at least 400.
It isn’t possible to send everyone away with
a boot, not if it is the correct fit. In the case
that we don’t have a boot in stock, or are
unable to order the correct one, my goal
is to collect as much information for that
customer as possible and send them on their
way with it. That way if they end up online or
at shop in another town that doesn’t have as
much info, they aren’t hung out to dry.
6. As technology has changed, how has
the boot fit kept up? Is there ongoing
training?
Every year throughout October, we spend a
lot of late nights at the Powder House doing
brand specific clinics. At a clinic the rep
comes with new equipment to cover, training
aids, and of course beer and pizza. We talk
about what’s new, what hasn’t changed,
and how to work with new materials. It’s
not all boots, it’s everything, but that’s how
we stay up with advances among brands.
Otherwise, we send at least two fitters to
Masterfit every year and there we hear about
everything else new and exciting.
7. Did you ever plan or strive to be a
boot fitter or did it just happen? If you
weren’t a boot fitter what would you be
doing?
I never would have guessed it! I used to be
a Mercedes Benz mechanic in Denver and
lived a very different life there. I wound up in
Bend moving around in the ski industry and
found a job at the Powder House through a
friend. One thing leads to another.
8. What keeps the fire burning? How
stoked are you every day sending
people out on the slopes to enjoy life to
the fullest?
When I haven’t been able to ski for a good
few days due to the shop being busy, you’d
think the stoke level would fall. Luckily, I
spend all day talking about something I love
and am passionate about as well as vise
versa with the customer. Also, if you have
ever seen the look on someone’s face when
they say, “I hate skiing” and it’s because of
their boots. There is nothing better than get-
ting them comfortable and all of the sudden,
“Hey! I love skiing”. That’s my favorite part.
9. What is the best monetary tip you
have ever received or possibly the
strangest?
Definitely what I said in the previous ques-
tion. I love seeing someone return that has
been in the shop for a complicated problem
or has never been comfortable in boots.
When I first see them and don’t know
what they are about to say, then they show
that ‘look’ that says “I just had the BEST
day!” and thank me. Also, I have met (and
retained very few names) so many people
that I normally would get the chance to that I
genuinely enjoy talking to and seeing around
town.