I've decided to get my own snowboarding gear for this season. I've sourced a wide board, large bindings and inners from a friend of mine, but he couldn't help me with boots for my big feet (Uk 12.5, EU48).

I was recommended Sorel Caribou, and they certainly make the size, but these seem to be general snow boots, not specific to snowboarding. I don't doubt this guys recommendation but he has years more experience than me, are these suitable for an intermediate?

I'm also reluctant to purchase boots online, as manufacturers have different opinions on sizes, width and depth of feet, so sometimes I have to go a little larger or smaller. So if anyone knows of a shop here, where they're likely to stock a variety of larger sizes, it would be great if you let me know, so I can try a few out. The usual high street sport shops have 0 selection above size uk11 or eu46.

You'll probably have much more luck at the resorts themselves.

As for Sorel Caribou, these are snow walking boots not snowboarding boots.

There are lots of boots I could recommend but at the end of the day its all personal.

Check this link http://snowboarding.about.com/od/sno...yers_Guide.htm

its the buyers guide, has reviews etc etc. But again because of your feet size your choice maybe limited.

I like the brands thirtytwo, DC, and Vans becasue I come from skateboarding but these are really comfortable a light.

Hope that helps.

About the Caribou, he uses them himself, and they are cheap. But, not so sure, I don't know if there would be any disadvantage to them. I notice that most actual Snowboard boots lean forward, but do they offer additional support as well?

If I take a trip up to Engelberg, will the shops be stocking the winter sports equipment yet?

Well I check the Sorel website http://www.sorel.com/Subcategory.aspx?top=1 and it only has walking boots. take a look yourself.

Most if not all snowboard boots lean slightly forwards and will give you enough support.

The main point you need to check though is about your bindings, it depends on what bindings you have as to which boots you should buy. I would recommend taking the bindings with you to make sure its a good fit.

What bindings do you have?

To be honest I wouldn't use a boot that is not specifically designed for snowboarding. I have hear of too many cases where people have been injured by using the wrong (or wrong fitting) boot. I personally have Burton boots and find them very comfortable to wear all day and still easy enough to walk in with snow shoes when we go freeriding.

There is a shop in Wallisellen called Sport Plausch Wider, the usually get their snowboard stock in at the start of October and if you buy in the first two weeks of the month they give you a 20% discount. We bought a full new set of gear there this time 2 years ago and were very happy with the service and even more happy with the 20% discount.

If you go there ask for a guy called Evo, he really knows his stuff and gives good advice.

As far as buying in the resorts is concerned I usually find it more expensive there, and they are not open yet. I was in Lenzerheide last weekend and despite there being snow on the ground the resort was still very much in summer mode! Made it very interesting for mountainbiking!

I'm going to be buying the binding after the boot, but I'll be going for a strap in.

Yeah, I know the Sorels are shown as walking boots, that's why I started wondering! I though maybe it was a thing only snowboarders knew about. I'll double check with my mate I think.

Cool, then make sure when you buy your binding, you take you boots with.

Stick to a big name and for the most part you wont go wrong.

Burton
DC
Vans
Salamon

Better still buy the binding and the boot in the same place... but make sure you bring your board with you because there are at least 3 different systems for fixing the binding to the board that I know of. Generally there is a plate supplied with the binding that allows it to fit most boards... ...but you'd be pretty gutted if you got them home to find out they don't fit.

What kind of board is it you've got yourself anyway?

what are you riding Eire?

What kind of boarding do you do? Back country? Park etc?

I ride a Burton Baron, its a wide Custom.. (big feet).

I like to go back country as much as possible which wasn't too much last year due to sh!t snow and some other issues. I am not too into park as my ability in the air leaves a lot to be desired... (basically I have the flying properties of a stone!) but I have been known to hit the odd box and small kicker from time time. For me the deep pow is as close to the feeling of riding a wave that I can get in a land locked country.

Thought I'd give an update on this, in case other bigfoots come looking (and I'm bored). Also, to plug my mates shop because he was so helpful.

Finally got size 49 boots from http://www.number-one.ch. The owner knew a supplier of oversized boots and set about ordering in some on a sale or return basis, first pair were too small, but a week later, he got a perfect fit in. That's a pretty tough job for my odd shaped feet.

He had some bindings to fit the oversize boots, and ordered in an excellent wide board for me, very happy with the lot.

I need a size 49 as well so I will be checking out that shop

thanks for the info. Oh and can i ask how wide your board is?

Sam

It's a tanker, same width as this one, just a few cm shorter in length.

http://www.rad-air.com/index.php?opt...d=23&Itemid=45

Edit : I think mine is a 175 from last season, look to the 177.