I waited to write this review as I wanted to ski a few days in my new set up prior to sharing my experience.
I had been skiing on 20+ year old set up from play it again sports that I bought when first moving to Denver. After 3 seasons in those boots, I had enough of the pain. I booked an appointment in February and they were booked til March (makes sense in peak ski season). I signed up for the regular boot fitting.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by Gordy at the check-in desk. He ended up taking me to a different room in the building next-door as it was super busy in the retail store. Gordy then sat me down and asked me if I wanted a beer since they are sponsored by 805 brewing. Thinking it'd be rude not too, I said hell yeah.
Gordy asked all about my skiing experience prior to taking any measurements. He seemed genuinely interested in improving my skiing and making me more comfortable in some boots. He asked to see what bindings I currently ran, and when I showed him a picture, he informed me that my outdated bindings were not going to work well withe newer boots. On top of that, he said they were probably next in line for becoming indemnified and explained how my skis were system skis. He went on to explain that a new set-up was probably a wise decision based on the factors above. So I ended up asking for a whole new set-up.
Having a high-volume foot with high arches and scrunched toes, finding shoes that fit has always been hard. Gordy took some measurements and told me that only a few boots are going to fit my feet. He brought out three pairs and I tried each of them on. After standing in various poses, walking around, and discussing the features of the boot, he worked with me to find the most comfortable pair. After heat molding the liners, he worked with me to determine where they needed to be punched out.
After the boots were taken care of, we went over to the computer to look at skis. He showed me a variety of skis and explained how they'd react to a person of my size (6'6" and 295lbs) and skill level (intermediate). He was geeking out over the K2 99ti mindbenders and told me that this was the ski for me. He stressed how the ski, paired with the stiffer boots, would help me have more control at higher skis and overall help me improve my skiing. They were already having an end of season sale, and although they weren't in-stock at this location, Gordy asked the manager if I could still get the extra 15% promo they were running for in-stock skis. So I got these skis for almost 1/2 off MSRP.
I never felt like I was getting pushed into a decision or oversold. As someone who didn't know much about the difference in skis, I left there with a bunch of knowledge thanks to Gordy. After skiing in the new set up, I could not have been happier. The boots are very comfortable, and the skis performed far beyond my expectations. I'll be coming back with...
Read moreShopped here about three years ago now to buy a back country set up. Paid for custom insoles in my boots. I told the boot fitter at the time that I thought they were much to small as my foot was in significant pain. I told them that with the liners and custom heated insoles I was going to put in, there was no way it was going to work out. Feet also swell at altitude. I just knew it wasn’t going to work but the boot fitter talked me into it. Saying it was the perfect size and shape for my foot.
Well I really tried to use them. I broke them in on the first year and my left foot was going numb within five minutes of putting the boots on every time. I kept at it, hoping I would break them in. Then I let the boots and my set up sit for a year because I had spent the money and they were too tight and painful to wear. Now three years later I’m in Alaska, and I decided to try and use them again. I figured it would be fine since I’m currently down in elevation but no. I brought them into our local ski shop here and the boot fitters I have talked to all cannot believe that someone sold me the set up that I got.
It’s absolute crap that even I pointed out my discomfort to the boot fitters, but they talked to me like I was a child who was complaining about ski boots being pinchy, and ultimately made me feel like they were right and I was wrong, so I backed down.
I have been skiing my whole life. This wasn’t my first pair of boots. I really feel like evo denver failed me here. I’m not sure if they still have the same boot fitters or not, but I was displeased with thier knowledge and thier treatment of me.
Obviously since I have skied in the boots in an attempt to break them in, (since they kept telling me that’s all I needed to do) I couldn’t return them.
I’d suggest going somewhere else to spend your money on ski gear. Preferably someplace that actually listens to customers and takes swelling at altitude...
Read moreRode for 16+ years before a knee injury took me off the slope for the better part of a decade. Now that I’ve gotten it addressed, I’m ready to hit it hard again. Technology has changed so much in the time I was down and it was a little intimidating getting back into the sport.
Fortunately, I found Evo. I was greeted promptly upon walking in by Will. He was extremely patient and knowledgeable and helped me through the process of securing all new gear! He chimed in with recommendations that he felt would fit my style of riding well - taking the time to explain the logic behind each selection. From the snow up, Will got me outfitted in the sickest gear - all while fostering a super stress free, non-pushy, and friendly atmosphere.
This was my second time in Evo but my first time purchasing. Will thoroughly explained the member benefits: the tiers, rewards and all of the other perks that Evo members can enjoy - from money off shop services to cheaper trips to riding and skiing destinations around the world. Their inventory in store is huge and their online inventory is even more vast - insuring you can always find the right gear at the right price. They were already priced better than the competition and the extra 10% back i’m enjoying in rewards made the whole experience that much better.
There are a few other stores in Denver that love for my outdoor needs as well, but, honestly, the experience at Evo was such that it’ll be the only place I shop going forward for all my snow sport needs. They also have a large skateboard section and their website lists other outdoor gear that I’m excited to check out in the spring and summer.
Huge shoutout to Will and the rest of the team at the Denver Evo store as well as Evo for setting up such an awesome free...
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