PSA Custom Footbeds: Necessary or Nonsense?

Thought some data and opinions might be helpful for peeps considering them.








Me.....I've used custom full-corks for over 12 years and just rediscovered this last week that (for me) skiing kinda sucks without them. I bought some new boots and tried skiing two days with the OEM beds. Maybe I'm in the minority with weird-shaped feet or something but I couldn't believe the pain, even though I knew I'd bought the right sized boots.
I didn't even consider contaminating my new boots with my old footbeds as they were close to 1000 days old and had been in 3 pairs of boots. They would probably be considered toxic waste at this point.
I stopped by a shop after skiing and had some new ones made. Well, I just skied with the new ones today. The difference blew me away. The improvement in comfort and control was so dramatic that it felt like I went from wearing cardboard boxes in a vicegrip the first two days to tightly-padded slippers the next.
My feet are so happy that I feel it is my civic duty to let peeps out there know that skiing really doesn't have to hurt. Not even with brand-new boots. About a hundred bucks just turned torture boxes into turbo control systems and I don't think I'm the only person in the world with an experience....

Can't Imagine Riding without them.

My footbeds were easily the best purchase I've ever made.

I've been meaning to get some but just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe next fall.

Just using superfeet out of the box right now, but I'm definitely going to get custom footbeds next year. I figure I won't be able to appreciate how much better it is with them without having suffered for a few years without...

Best purchase I've ever made. No more pain, and i'm less tired at the end of the day.
Getting a custom liner next season.

Custom fot beds and a custom liner is the only way to fly!

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but what is the lifespan of corks...I've been using the same pair for about 15 years...they still work, but is there a point at which they cease to be effective and you need new ones?

Surefoot custom beds for my fat feet. Great support; very comfy!:)

Doubt I will ever use them again.

The generic surefoots work for me. The only time I had a custom I could not stand the feel, especially in the forefoot. They also caused me to bruise my heel and achelees(sp?).

Sole Systems of Stowe, VT for me- not cork, hard plastic and microcell foam. Expensive ($150), but that was 6 years ago and they're still going strong.

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Originally Posted by StroupSkier

Doubt I will ever use them again.

The generic surefoots work for me. The only time I had a custom I could not stand the feel, especially in the forefoot. They also caused me to bruise my heel and achelees(sp?).

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I would have taken those back in a minute.


I love my custom footbeds. They obviously need to be done right though.

no customs for me, but that is more of a monetary than comfort choice

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Originally Posted by Endlessseason

Maybe I'm in the minority with weird-shaped feet

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Having made many, many pair of custom footbeds for people over the years; I assure you, everyone has wierd-shaped feet.

I love my custom beds. So comfortable I could wear my boots for days, even weeks. :D

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Originally Posted by soul_skier

no customs for me, but that is more of a monetary than comfort choice

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There are some less expensive alternatives. I used microwaveable beds for a few years and I thought they were pretty comfortable. I believe they only cost $30-$50.

Take one comparative look at the customs and the factory mold and you'll see why it's not nonsense. Your sneakers are generally not flat, why would your boot soles be any different?

If it's snow-sports related and involves cash leaving my wallet - I'm in.

Are they necessary?...no, but they are certainly not nonsense. They are very helpful, but are probably overkill for the average Texan. That is, if they replace the OEM liner with at least an out of box superfoot. The OEM liners are less then worthless.

As for longevity, if the cork is not falling apart, they should still be good, although your foot may have changed over the years. I have been told they last for over 20 years. I can't say the same applies, but I have had Birkenstocks that have been around 20 years, and they just keep conforming to my foot as it changes. I assume customs corks do they same thing. I don't know if that applies to surefoot plastics.

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Originally Posted by enlosandes

Custom fot beds and a custom liner is the only way to fly!

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what he said.

alpine boots = Surefoot foam liner, Surefoot thotic
AT boots = cooked thermofit liner, Surefoot thotic
Snowboard boots = Surefoot thotic
Running shoes = Surefoot thotic

Yea, I dig Surefoot

Data? on TGR? BWAHAHAHAHAHA

c) IT DEPENDS ON THE FOOT!

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Originally Posted by Nick Pappagiorgio

Take one comparative look at the customs and the factory mold and you'll see why it's not nonsense. Your sneakers are generally not flat, why would your boot soles be any different?

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What if your feet are flat? Are custom insoles beneficial then?

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Originally Posted by MadMatt

What if your feet are flat? Are custom insoles beneficial then?

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Again - the answer is:

c: it depends on the foot

Anyone have a recommendation for a place in Denver area (or mtns) for a good footbed fitting? I know of Le Feet Lab in Winter Park, but I know they are into boot fitting more than footbeds.

cant spend enough on the feet. boots are more important than skis. and custom beds are an important part of the boot fit

I had custom footbeds first, then thermofit liners, and now both. I'll never go back. With the combo of both my ski boots are the second most comfortable pair of footwear I own, only after my day-to-day AT running shoes.