Boot Fitting 101: Stock Insoles Vs Aftermarket Insoles

July is boot fit month. As such we're going over the basics of how things work and why things happen before we delve into the steps to fix any issues that arise. In this video we're going to talk about the big differences between a stock insole and getting an aftermarket insole as well as the issues that they help alleviate.
Hosted, filmed, and edited by Avran LeFeber
This video made possible by the fine folks of Angrysnowboarder.vip
Join the crew www.angrysnowbo...
Get your boot fit supplies here:
www.tognar.com
www.remindinsol...
www.shredsoles.com
Buy boots online here:
Evo bit.ly/2KESMkl
Backcountry bit.ly/2MIeSQm
The House bit.ly/2lN54cl
REI bit.ly/2m7srhb

[@NeverSickAtSea]

Dear Avran, there's something about your straight no-nonsense delivery that inclines me to trust every goddamn word you say about snowboard boots. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Best regards, M.T.

[@bitchfuck123456789]

Great tips. Bought first pair of snowboard boots today and the difference aftermarket insoles make in immediate comfort and even fit is night and day.

[@Daz5Daz]

I'd never bothered with after-market insoles when I was younger but learning to ski (yes, yes I know) with my kids in recent years was causing me some serious foot pain I'd never had whilst snowboarding. It was insoles (Superfeet Active medium - in my case) that fixed my ski boot pain. So now I use those same insoles in my Salomon snowboard boots and man it's improved how they feel so much as well. I never had any pain issues but my feet are less fatigued now after a day's riding. Should have got them years ago!

[@travelexplore1145]

Took your advice on insoles, goe some remind insoles can Instantly feel the difference top advice 🙌🏼👌🏼🏂🏂

[@nicholaskovary9750]

Which type of reminds did you Go with and why? Thanks in advance!

[@metthanos]

@@nicholaskovary9750 Yea i want to know too i am between the medics and the cush my problem is my big toe touches the front of the boot and after a couple runs it becomes so painfull i have to stop

[@MGnFF224]

I was getting horrible numb foot in my boots because they came with this soles that were super fluffy and plush. But they were huge and caused my foot to get crushed on the outside edges ...so i grabbed a pair of custom insoles from my local ski shop (Dr. Boot brand) and OMGGGGG such a difference. I lost some of the warmth that those insoles/inlays were giving me but woth a heavy pair of socks everything is good now. Thank goddddd. I was getting so pissed on the mountains and so discouraged from riding. They made a huge amount of difference. I went from having problems, getting pissy and crashing/falling all the time because I literally couldn't feel my feet to being able to feel my feet again so much more, gave me better control of my board, better feel for everything happening. And instead of crashing due to not feeling what was under my board and feet I'm now able to feel what's happening on the snow below me and compensate for it so I don't end up wiping out. Edit: let it be known I have odd feet. They're thin from the side but when I put pressure down/step my foot flattens out in a huge way and I also have a small arch at the center of my foot but a huge arch on the inside by the interior of my foot... so finding comfort in boarding boots is difficult for my foot type...So with the insoles it came with it wasn't allowing my foot to stretch/flatten out and my outsides was getting all messed up, pinched and folded I would say. Just sucked. But yah custom insoles save my feet..... for sure.

[@SarahDick78]

I get that, too, the numb feet and feel like my little toes are smushed. Thanks for the info, I'm hoping my $350+ boots will feel a little better now!

[@MGnFF224]

@@SarahDick78 they'll deff help. I also grabbed custom fitted insoles. Those helped so much

[@TaylorPhase]

thinking of getting some footprint insoles for snowboard boots this season.... been using footprints in skate shoes and they change everything. wont even skate shoes without them anymore

[@MarkMc70]

What fixed my stiff K2 Maysis boots was putting putting my old running insoles (Sof Soles) underneath the liner. Now they’re fine.

[@Lucky13p0]

Footprint insoles and more the gamechangers are really a top product for me. I got issues with remind insoles.

[@jincabahug8219]

What are your issues with the remind and how are the gamechangers better? I'm trying to decide between the 2. I'm leaning towards the gamechangers, but I'm wondering if they're worth the extra $20

[@Lucky13p0]

@@jincabahug8219 The gamechangers are heat molded, so I got a perfect fit. remind insoles are not moldable. I know people who prefer remind. It's just a case of trying.

[@jincabahug8219]

​@@Lucky13p0 That's an awesome point, I was really only leaning towards the gamechangers 'cause of the better impact absorption I heard about. Gonna pick up the gamechangers before my next trip. Thanks man!

[@Lucky13p0]

@@jincabahug8219 no problem, have a nice trip

[@SarahDick78]

This is what I just ordered.

[@MG-sg2ci]

Dfp blueprint insoles are pretty nice too. They are based in Salt Lake city.

[@carmine619]

I would recommend Sof Sole AIRR polymer gel performance inserts. I'm using them in my Burton Rulers and they're great.

[@roddynesbitt767]

This hopefully changes the game for me this winter! I also have superflat feet. Please let me know the specific model you use and keep up the good work.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

remindinsoles.com/collections/shop/products/cush-dcp-2018

[@S14AA]

I brought nitro ventures and the inner sole was flat after a few days, caused me abit of ankle pain till I worked out what was wrong, I packed the heal with cardboard to get me through the next 2 days 😅, can't believe how rubbish the inner is for money spent ha

[@stevefoley7109]

went from the stock insoles on my burton ions, toes felt like they were cramming into the toe box, feet hurt at the end of the day, to a set of superfeet insoles. The difference the next day was unbelievable. No more crammed toes, no foot pain. I could spend the entire day charging and not have any issues with my feet. Quick question, when you say 2 or 3 seasons, how manyy actual days is that for you? I usually only get 35 - 40 days a season. In turn I tend to get 3 seasons out of my gear, 4 if I really push it.

[@derdiesonnemeidet]

I think in another Video He was talking 100 days per season

[@Desouza1994]

Nice video Angry

[@JPTinioMedia]

I've been seeing FP Insoles every where, where they do a test and have the insole placed on a block and drop a bowling ball onto it, every other insole had the block break underneath where as the FP insoles didn't and reduced bounce. Have you checked those out?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Oh you mean the marketing video created by the brand that makes their product look better? Yeah such a great product video because it's not consistent. Fuck those guys.

[@atticusallen]

Remind has a DIY heat-moldable footbed option, is this the best option if you can afford it? Dose heat-moldable trump all other options? In comparison shred soles offers similarly priced "Maximum Performance Snowboard Boot Insoles" but they are not heated moldable. Perhaps a slow break in of a nonheat moldable insole would lead to longer lasting insolse?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

They're different.

[@bukchoiii]

Do I need custom insoles if I have no foot pain from my boots? I get knee soreness but mostly from jumps and weak glutes/quads. Gets better as season goes on.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

I doubt you need full custom but an aftermarket is always a good idea.

[@ThielRuperto]

Does anyone know which thickness of the fpsoles work with a Burton Ion Boot?

[@jordanmolinaro6507]

If you're going to get insoles should you size up half a size or keep it the same because they'll break in?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Match it up to the stock insole.

[@joeroche552]

how do you rate sidas insoles? tried finding the snowboard brands but picking are slim here in Switzerland. Keep up the good work and thanks for all the advice!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

I have very limited knowledge of them, from what I've seen they're on par with most generic aftermarket ones but nothing mind blowing.

[@joeroche552]

@@AngrySnowboarder nice one mate

[@QiWang9]

Can I put my running insoles fully customized to my foot shape? Or that's a bad idea?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You going running in your snowboard boots?

[@QiWang9]

@@AngrySnowboarder no, just wonder what's the difference between them. If a customized one is better than the general superfeet insole, even it's made for running. Or does superfeet make any different insoles just for snowboarding?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

That running insole is designed for running, you clearly aren't running in a snowboard boot now are you? Get one that's designed for snowboarding.

[@Pkurkowski2]

Think this will help with foot numbness? A friend of mine who does boot fitting says that its most likely from pressure on the top of the foot, but am curious if this could also be the culprit.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

If you don't have a aftermarket or custom footbed that's a good starting point.

[@bardcorebush]

Do think an insole will help stop my foot rolling outward in my boot?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

I think a boot that fits you would help.

[@baldemaroo]

What's your take on custom soles which the boot fitter mold after your feet? Got some at the end of the season and my only issue I've noticed was the non existing shock absorption of the heel area. Land flat and you'll feel the pain big time.

[@mtcsypkens]

baldemaroo wonder about that too. The ones I got made last season (2nd custom soles) also didn't take up more volume, which keep the fit of the rest of the boot feeling the same.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

They're great if they're done right, they're awful if they're done wrong.

[@peterwang3587]

What is your opinion on custom/individually fitted footbeds vs buying an off the shelf aftermarket one? Are they worth paying the extra $?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Oh hell yeah. That's an even better investment in your boots and one that requires putting in more time, but generally the end result is amazing.

[@peterwang3587]

cheers mate, appreciate the reply.

[@ConstructMTL]

Some shop convinced my to try Superfeet... but compared to the stock insole (Vans Pow Cush in a V3 Liner) the new insoles make my boot feel empty since they have less volume. Any other solution? Or should I give the empty liner feel a try?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Sounds like you need one with more volume, aftermarket is great but you want to make sure that it matches the thickness.

[@kellenmck]

What do you think about footprint insoles

[@AngrySnowboarder]

They're shit.

[@kellenmck]

@@AngrySnowboarder well that’s unfortunate to hear

[@henkka3931]

Do the high end boots aswell have bad insoles like burton photons and ions?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Oh god yes.

[@henkka3931]

@@AngrySnowboarder gotta get some new ones then💯

[@JJpowerjj]

Great info thanks!

[@metthanos]

I am between the medic and the cush remind insoles. With my stock insoles i feel my big toe touching the front of my boot and after a couple of hours my toe hurts so much i have to stop riding. Which of these 2 do you think is better for me and would free up some space for my toe so it doesnt touch?(i would say i have a medium arch)

[@derdiesonnemeidet]

I Always have that Feeling , when i Put my Bindings in a new Board and dont have the correct stance im used to. Maybe U should Just move that Angle of your Bindings a little

[@horacionochetto8454]

Great Video

[@williamavery_303]

Avran, have you heard anything about Tread Labs? I know you like to support snowboard type companies but they look decent and have replaceable tops.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Yeah they're designed for running and walking not for snowboarding.

[@williamavery_303]

@@AngrySnowboarder They look to have a more pronounced arch that goes further to the lateral side of the foot (forward as well). They also offer a metatarsal pad which may benefit me. On the other hand, Remind have more material under the arch which may resist compressing better. Any other thoughts on them? Thanks in advance!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Be wary of anything designed for running/walking. You're not running the NYC marathon in snowboard boots, hopefully.

[@williamavery_303]

@@AngrySnowboarder haha! Nope no marathon running here!

[@barrys1873]

Hi, has anyone tried the DC sole repurpose insole in the Judge. They claim this is a more sturdy insole with a TPU moulded arch support. Just wondering if its still worth getting an aftermarket insole to replace this. Thanks!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Replace it.

[@brilthonion]

I'm too old to not ride on good insoles. Thank's for convincing me. The selection here in arctic Norway suck but there is a store that sells 32 Elite Footbeds. Any opinions on those? Keep doing the good deed!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Never heard of them.

[@rishabhphukan8339]

@@AngrySnowboarder They're the ones that come with the TM3s and such. They actually have a bit of a heel pocket and have replaceable arch inserts so you can pick how much arch support you want. I swapped for shredsoles and didn't really use them but they're actually pretty awesome for stock insoles.

[@derdiesonnemeidet]

Does anyone know where to get those on the German/european Market?

[@TheLastMoccasin]

Avran, any suggestions on how to know what aftermarket insole to buy if you can't try them in person? The websites were not much help. How do I know what arch height I need or the difference between the types (medic vs. cush for example). Also, are all the ones in a given type (cush for example) the same with just different artwork? So many choices!! Thanks for a great video!!

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You look at your arch and go it's flat, it's middle of the road, it's high. It's a pretty visually telling thing. Then from there you read. Yes they're the same it's just a graphics issue.

[@_3chainzzz_]

Hey avran, my regular shoe size is 11.5 but my burton boots are 12. Took out the insoles from the burtons and they are a perfect fit for my foot. What size of remind insoles should i get?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

12.

[@_3chainzzz_]

@@AngrySnowboarder you da man!

[@mikeromano2185]

My son has severely fallen arches. Any recommendations on a boot fitter in the Denver area that can help him with custom footbeds?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Make an appointment with Larry down in Boulder www.larrysbootfitting.com/

[@norton4962]

Hey Angry, I picked up a pair of insoles to try to support my low and collapsing arches. I was wondering if boot stiffness affects arch pain/collapse?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

It's not necessarily the stiffness it's the space inside the boot. So if you have a low arch your instep is sitting lower which means when you flex into it, it's hitting different flex points. This can cause pain on the instep and through the arch.

[@norton4962]

@@AngrySnowboarder Gotcha. I thought I had wide feet until a running shop guy told me I actually have normal width feet and it's my instep rolling inward, causing my toes to splay out. Any idea on how this could translate to my snowboard boot fitting? Should I get a wide boot to accommodate what my foot wants to do or would I want a narrower boot to prevent the toes from splaying?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Sounds like you need a medium width boot that has a heat moldable liner. Heat the liner up then put the footbeds in and see what happens.

[@marianoc261]

Hey man great video, im Mariano from Argentina, this seasson i have an awfull pain in my aquiles tendon when riding with my toe edge, the boot was pressing my tendon and the pain was increasing during the day, finally i have to stop riding at day six of my trip. when i saw this video i bought the remind medic clouds, and im going to try them next winter, one question can i use the same for skate and then put it in my snowboard boots? im more skater than snowboarder (only ride 8 days per seasson), or i have to buy two insoles one for my snowboard boots and one for my skate shoes. thanks again !

[@AngrySnowboarder]

You don't want to use the same footbed that you use in your boot in your skate shoes. You can use reminds for skating in, but not the exact one you put in your boots.

[@Mikipadilla303]

Im getting customs insoles and also new boots.. Do you recomend heat molding with the insoles in there?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

No.

[@aych23]

Any suggestions for wide foot? I have Burton Photon wide which are 3E

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Maybe the Remind Medic.

[@aych23]

@@AngrySnowboarder my concern is the stock insole are super thin and the medics are 5mm. I'm thinking the low profile game changers. I'd go a size up and trim. Thoughts?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Could be an option, or heat mold the liners as well with the new insoles.

[@aych23]

@@AngrySnowboarder good idea. The boots are 9.5 3E. You think I should go size 10 insole. Thank you angry snowboarder

[@AngrySnowboarder]

As long as the instep and arch support isn't pulled more forward than that to the shape of your foot. If that happens then no.

[@jacobgravitt9796]

does an aftermarket insole have to be made for snowboarding or can you use one that is made for normal everyday stuff?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Wouldn't recommend it.

[@jacobgravitt9796]

okay, thanks (also holy shit that was a fast response)

[@AngrySnowboarder]

@@jacobgravitt9796 ninja skills man. Or could be the fact I'm one of ten 13 year olds locked up in a basement chained to a computer tasked with answering questions. SAVE ME!

[@seanc2550]

So I know I'm way late to the game. But I have a consistent issue of pain on the outside of my foot. Like just behind the ball of my foot. Tried messing with stance width have superfeet green in the boots. They are heat molded and about 6 days in. Any ideas? I'm fine walking around but being strapped in hurts. They are nice and snug stiff boots. Would canting help?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Could be a lack of metatarsal arch support, could be the footbed is giving too much support, might need to slit the liner a little in the problematic area.

[@seanc2550]

@@AngrySnowboarder thanks! Apparently I'm just soft because it's getting better. Not sure why I thought breaking these in wouldn't hurt that much. These boots started out like the Avren Performance Fit.

[@toddsavren-mccormick922]

What should I do f my foot esa are missing? So Can’t trace them. Hmm?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Probably man up, get your tools out, and slowly cut off the excess foam as needed till they fit slowly removing tiny sections at a time so you don't drastically remove too much.

[@marklarkins219]

Do any of these options come with canting built in?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Pretty sure Shred Soles offers one with it.

[@tocino-kk3yt]

I don't use insoles because my boots too small and they dont fit with them in what can I do

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Get a boot that fucking fits.

[@in8080]

Lollingsgrad p

[@MTNcorps]

Check out sidas.com, top shelf orthotics, i use the Activ high for snow and skate. I'm not some corporate shill either, they actually perform.

[@newrenaissance]

So basically you are like the snowboardings Al Bundy. jk jk love the content. super helpful. Ive never used aftermarket insoles on any shoes, let alone snowboard. I know you determine your inside arch by doing a test with water, but my result is weird its somewhere between normal arch and high arch. What do? what soles do I get?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

I'd get something that caters towards a normal arch for you and see if it works, then if it doesn't you'll know to go up to a higher arch and may have to cut the instep to get it to fit better.

[@newrenaissance]

@@AngrySnowboarder Thanks!

[@stopthatloudmusic]

What remind insole would u recommend though ?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Whichever one fits your needs.

[@aych23]

I have flat feet but wide(3e). Any recommendations?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

That's a wide foot, Superfeet tend to go that wide depending on the model.

[@CultureKids1]

Would you use these for skating to?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Remind and Shred Soles make skating specific ones.

[@CultureKids1]

Angry Snowboarder ahh ok cool, I was looking at the remind website and it looked like the skater ones were the same ones as the snowboarding ones except that had a pro skaters name next to it instead of snowboarders (i.e. Chico brenes Cush sole vs Nicolas Müller Cush sole). Are they the same or slightly different?

[@AngrySnowboarder]

The Destin is really the only one that's more designed for skating. Otherwise that Muler and Chico are the same except for the graphic.

[@CultureKids1]

Angry Snowboarder makes sense, thanks for the input! I think I'm gonna get some for skating and snowboarding, my feet are always killing me

[@AngrySnowboarder]

It'll be a game changer.

[@mikebernhardt92]

Thirtytwo and remind insoles 👌🏻👍🏻

[@rollingedges9469]

Ill have to try that, i have thirtytwo tm2's with ride jackson inserts no different insoles but comfier than the stock insert, where thirtytwo sewed toe part always hurt because its right over my toenails (actually lost a toenail breaking them in).

[@skipskipper99]

Why don't boot companies that are reputable boot companies put in good insoles since we all know they are junk? Maybe do a collaboration with a insole company like remind. Ride/k2 and remind should get together.

[@huup4389]

Totally subscribed after you called me a "fucking idiot".

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Surprisingly that happens more than you would think.

[@stokedGSXR]

I have a 20 year old Toyota truck that's never had the water pump replaced. Are you advising me I should get this changed?

[@JakeXSV]

Shit didn't even know these exist; time to find a pair..

[@dariusnoriega3773]

I just subs because everything you say doesn't make sense (sarcasm emoji) LOL thank you.

[@alanpoon1883]

She's a superfeet, superfeet, she's superfeet-ky.

[@MGnFF224]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EricFarmer01]

Youd think $350 swnowboard boots would come with decent insoles...Fuck me dead.

[@AngrySnowboarder]

That's how they get you.

[@SkuzzelB8]

Snowboard boot shopping sucks ass. After trying on 6 different boots i ended up paying over $400 for the T Rice DC Pros. I paid extra just for the comfort. And yes the stock insoles suck. Odd pressure points.

[@mikaelnyblom]

Come back when you've tried 35 different models. ;)

[@carmine619]

Wow! So what's your preferred boots now?

[@mikaelnyblom]

@@carmine619 ...well, none I suppose. After the first serous round a couple of years ago I ended up with a pair of Nitro Team that were half a size too big. They were comfy and worked well, but after some 50 riding days it was time for a new pair. In that round I ended up with a pair of 32 Team-Two, also half a size too big, but they're not super comfy even after two heat molds, so I'll have to dive deep into boot fit 101 to amend some of the lingering problems.

[@LaxFreak211]

am I the only one to notice the hat changes?

[@mikeb3642]

Ordered a bunch of Remind insoles because of your great video on them. Now getting targeted ads from multiple companies & fpinsoles videos doing drop tests etc claiming Remind to be barely better than stock & not absorb what they claim like fp does. Have you tested both? Is fp full of it? Hoping you'll please give some more insight into the insole market like you do with everything else snowboard related. @angrysnowboarder

[@AngrySnowboarder]

Is that the egg drop test?

[@mikeb3642]

More the "watch the bowling ball & pool ball" tests along with boasting about NASA. I just knew you'd have the legit input if not probably be lining up a brand comparison video explaining the truth behind things. Only rode my Iguchi Impacts once since they arrived, definitely more comfortable than the stock K2's so far. @@AngrySnowboarder

[@AngrySnowboarder]

So here's the thing with these tests, they're all kind of bullshit when a company puts it on to dissuade another brands product as they obviously want market share. When FP first came out they used to do this drop test with an egg and drop it on theirs and it would bounce, then drop it on the remind and it would shatter. The egg they dropped on the FP was frozen. Won't exactly break if it's frozen now will it? FP always rubbed me the wrong way after one interaction with one of their people at a trade show. Dude couldn't answer my boot fitting questions and just kept saying "it's better" or "that's not how we do it" but wouldn't elaborate on how they do it. I personally think their shits whack compared to Remind.

[@mikeb3642]

I actually spoke with remind and they elaborated very well about everything too. I had a feeling something was fishy with the tests. Only have 1 day on my Impact Iguchi's but they felt good & family members said they love the ones I ordered them too. @angrysnowboarder