Should I Tip My Boot Fitter?

Boot fitting is probably the most important step to getting the right ski gear for yourself. Well fitted boots, as plenty of us know, are key to staying happy throughout a day on the mountain, but getting well fitted boots can be a major, complicated process. If you can, you should 100% work with someone who knows what they’re doing. But after all their work is done, and you have the best fitting boots you’ve ever had, should you throw them a tip?

Short answer: No, you don’t have to tip. Long answer: it depends on the work being done, who you ask, where you are, and so on.

First things first, this really is an opinion based thing. I was a boot fitter for a bit, and while I can share my opinion, someone with much more experience or much less experience may see it differently. Some stores may not even have a way to tip, some might strongly encourage it.

Here’s how I see it: if it’s a simple, run of the mill boot fit, don’t worry about a tip. If things get a lot more complicated, start considering throwing a few bucks their way. So where is that line drawn? If you go into a shop, try on a few boots, listen to what the employee has to say, pick a boot, and go through the basic process of getting it set up for you, I would say you don’t have to tip.

If, however, you try on three boots, keep asking to try on more, and then go with one of the original three? Now it’s time to think about a tip. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with trying on lots of options, as long as you understand that you’re taking up an expert’s time to do so.

If you’re going in to get work done, like a punch or two, on boots you already own, there are a few more things to consider. Did the store that you’re currently visiting sell you the boots originally? If yes, I would call that part of the sales process. If no, that starts to feel more like a service and tips might be considered if you’re asking for a lot of work. If you’re being extremely sensitive about the fit of your boots, and keep coming back again and again to get the fit just right, some cash in the jar would be appreciated.

Here’s a big one: if you’re coming in to try on boots, take up someone’s time, and then look for better prices online, tip them. Don’t just tip them, tell them ahead of time. Most boot fitters want to make you happy with your gear, but taking advantage of their service and heading elsewhere without any sort of thanks or compensation is downright disrespectful.

Of course, at the end of the day it really is up to you. If you feel like they’ve treated you well, found the right gear for you, you’re really happy with the service they’ve provided, and you have some cash to spare, stuff some bucks in their jar or buy them some beer. If you feel like they’ve blown you off and are just doing their job to get it over with, then they’ve done their job and they’ve gotten it over with, they’ll get paid for the work they do.