Custom footbeds

**Danno** · 10-18-2007, 03:23 PM

Ok, I know custom footbeds are great, especially if you have serious foot issues. But what would you say about a bootfitter talking to someone over the phone, that they have never met, and know of no foot problems, saying you really need custom footbeds to the tune of $200+. That seems way over the top, and really would kind of turn me off to buying any services from the guy.

what say y'all?

**llyon** · 10-18-2007, 03:28 PM

Pretty much all boots come with garbage factory stock soles. If you ski many days at all its a requirement to buy custom footbeds.

**Fritz** · 10-18-2007, 03:35 PM

Depends on whether or not his name is Larry

**Danno** · 10-18-2007, 03:42 PM

I don't want to get into any guessing games, this is a "hypothetical" and I will not impugn or call out anyone. Just asking for a friend, who asked me about this.

**pechelman** · 10-18-2007, 03:43 PM

pure guess here

but was the person asking to just get liners fit or have their boots blown or something?

could be a way for him to make money on an otherwise not very profitable visit? Conversely, its his way of turning you off from coming down and "wasting his time". all of this is obviously conjecture

if the guy has a good rep, go down there in person and he might be more personable and honest and can give you a real opinion.

akin to going to a bike shop with your bike and a new fork and asking them to install it. One shop\guy would always give me the "So where did you buy it" questioning, which was fair on his part, but just kinda annoying.

**jerr** · 10-18-2007, 03:47 PM

You definitely need foot beds. But $200 is stupidly expensive!!!! They must super high performance. Which kind of seems odd if they, say, end up in a mid-range boot that has comfortable fit rather than a performance fit. It's like putting formula one running gear on mum's car.

After much careful thought - "Money sharks are in the water!!!!"

**DJMingus** · 10-18-2007, 03:48 PM

Personally I can't imagine not having top notch footbeds. From my experience they are basic gear. I don't have foot problems that require them, but I do have a high arch and pronate a bunch. Maybe people with really flat feet don't need a footbed as much.

**ChowdahRidah** · 10-18-2007, 03:50 PM

I good foot bed usually costs 100 at the most unless it's orthodic. Those can be quite a bit more but you need to have some serious foot issues to require those.

**Danno** · 10-18-2007, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by pechelman

pure guess here

but was the person asking to just get liners fit or have their boots blown or something?

could be a way for him to make money on an otherwise not very profitable visit? Conversely, its his way of turning you off from coming down and "wasting his time". all of this is obviously conjecture

if the guy has a good rep, go down there in person and he might be more personable and honest and can give you a real opinion.

akin to going to a bike shop with your bike and a new fork and asking them to install it. One shop\guy would always give me the "So where did you buy it" questioning, which was fair on his part, but just kinda annoying.

that was a super good guess. The context was one of those "if I buy boots elsewhere will you fit them" questions. Although I will say that calling such a thing "not a profitable visit" when the charge is $85 to fit the liners seems crazy. I agree that in-person is the way to go, was just wondering if the conventional wisdom is that everyone needs fancy footbeds or not.

**Danno** · 10-18-2007, 03:52 PM

wouldn't a non problem foot be ok with a $25 off the shelf foot bed?

**jerr** · 10-18-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

wouldn't a non problem foot be ok with a $25 off the shelf foot bed?

No. get personalised moulded ones. Everyone should use them. Making footbeds is an art. So it's also important to find a good boot fitter to shape/structure them.

After all - $5-600 is a lot to spend on boots that you can't touch the sole of your foot to properly.

You won't regret having spent money on them.

**MakersTeleMark** · 10-18-2007, 04:01 PM

I'd say, "Welcome to Vail".

**pechelman** · 10-18-2007, 04:02 PM

im going to disagree with Jerr and say, yes, if your foot is fine on a stock footbed, than it is ok

there is no need for everyone to have a custom footbed
its also important to realize everyone has different needs, and while a custom footbed might be nice for everyone, you reach a point of diminishing returns.
ie is the custom footbed 10 times as good as the stock superfeet? (because it sure as hell is 10 times more expensive)
infact, theres a big long thread here about this somewhere. search for it for more answers\insights

also, 85$ for a fitting?
seems high no?
i was under the impression its more like 20-30$ for cooking some liners and such.

**Kski** · 10-18-2007, 04:03 PM

Ive had pretty good luck with the $25 off the shelf ones... I have never had "custom" ones made... so maybe I dont know what I am missing.

Search Lou's site for footbed posts... a while back he did a review of some DIY custom footbeds that you mold at home. Seems like they were better than the off the shelf ones... but much cheaper still than a true custom job

**bagtagley** · 10-18-2007, 04:13 PM

The difference between my $100 (thick hard foam) foot beds and my $200 (thin composite) foot beds was ridiculous.

I went to the Sport Loft, who is definitely on the high side price-wise, but they know their shit and these are by far the best foot beds I've ever used.

**Danno** · 10-18-2007, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by jerr

No. get personalised moulded ones. Everyone should use them. Making footbeds is an art. So it's also important to find a good boot fitter to shape/structure them.

see, I think that is the talk of a ski geek, who is out of touch with the way that most people think. I'm not criticizing you, I just think that there is sometimes a conventional wisdom here that may be overkill. The majority of skiers out there are just fine without footbeds (admittedly, some folks could use them).

**Rontele** · 10-18-2007, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by pechelman

pure guess here

but was the person asking to just get liners fit or have their boots blown or something?

could be a way for him to make money on an otherwise not very profitable visit? Conversely, its his way of turning you off from coming down and "wasting his time". all of this is obviously conjecture

if the guy has a good rep, go down there in person and he might be more personable and honest and can give you a real opinion.

akin to going to a bike shop with your bike and a new fork and asking them to install it. One shop\guy would always give me the "So where did you buy it" questioning, which was fair on his part, but just kinda annoying.

You'll better listen, pechelman is the mayor of tech talk!!!

**bagtagley** · 10-18-2007, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

see, I think that is the talk of a ski geek, who is out of touch with the way that most people think. I'm not criticizing you, I just think that there is sometimes a conventional wisdom here that may be overkill. The majority of skiers out there are just fine without footbeds (admittedly, some folks could use them).

I don't necessarily disagree with you. I got by fine for years without foot beds. However, I think if you're gonna spend the money, you should do it right. I'm far from being a ski geek, but there really is a difference between factory and custom...and between hack-job customs and well-done customs.

When I'm at the pool, I leave 2 foot prints with each foot (read: ridiculously high arches) so I, admittedly, probably benefit more than the average (flat-footed) Joe.

**mtcham** · 10-18-2007, 04:37 PM

I've run the gammut of footbeds. Had customs made at a ski shop, at the foot doctor, and at the physical therapist. I've used the superfeet and the downunders. I've got a bad ankle sinovial joint problem, plantar fasciitis, and a dislocated toe I never had reset.

If you have no existing problems the superfeet or similar off the shelf beds are way better than stock ones whether they are in your ski boots or shoes. They give you some arch support which is critical when buckling up tight. I pay attention to the surface material and stay away from the slippery ones.

If you have problem feet keep searching till you find what works for you. After 10 years of trying different ones I am almost satisfied with my current pair made at my PT who is a competetive runner. And watch out for the inexperienced footbed makers-they can do more harm than good.

**tromano** · 10-18-2007, 04:46 PM

Superfeet is aftermarket, not factory. And there are dozens different after market insoles that you can buy off the shelf that will assist different people with different types of feet. IMO, you only need customs if none of the after market stuff works for you or if you don't want to track down all the other options you have before saying enough and just spending $200 on good quality customs. Some people don't need any custom fitting or modifications to boots to get a good fit.

**mojorisin** · 10-18-2007, 05:00 PM

try superfeet first. $30 is much cheaper than $200. and if you end up realizing you need the customs anyway, throw the superfeets into your running shoes

**Core Shot** · 10-18-2007, 05:12 PM

$200 freaked me out, but that's what my guy charges. He is the best for miles around and only works by appointment, books out completely in season, and sets aside 1.5 hours for each person. Full analysis of foot/boot/footbed, and molding of footbed to address your issues.

What really sets the experts from the rest is that they force your foot into a specific shape when molding the footbed. this corrects your sins and flaws. If you think its just heat the bed and slap it on your foot, you are missing the point.

And yes, to answer the question, everyone needs $200 footbeds if they can afford it and if they fitter is the best of the best.
If you can't afford it or the guy isnt the best around, then $100 footbeds will do.

**Poz** · 10-18-2007, 05:14 PM

If your feet are fairly normal I would recommend Sole Custom Footbeds.

They run around $40 or $50, place them in the oven for a few minutes, fit into your boot, then insert foot and stay in place for 5 minutes. About as custom as you'll get without going to a podiatrist.

I use the thicker ones for my ski boots and thinner ones for my running shoes and hiking boots and love them.

**hutash** · 10-18-2007, 06:39 PM

Do most people need custom footbeds? No

Will most people benefit from custom foot beds? Yes

Just like they will benefit from good boots and a proper fit. The better the ski, boot, skier interface, the better the skier,(which does not mean good boots and footbeds will make you a good skier, but they will make you a better skier.)

Is it worth $100, $150, $200? Depends on the person and their wallet.

**lemon boy** · 10-19-2007, 07:50 AM

A slightly different take:

If somebody thinks they need to spend the coin to see a specialty bootfitter to fit their foot in some boots they bought, then 99% they're gonna benefit GREATLY from footbeds.

Of course, I have fucked up feet and in my old age can't even function without custom footbeds for street shoes, much less my ski boots.