Ski Footbeds Explained - All About Insoles, and Why

[@atonenjr]

This was a thorough and excellent explanation.

[@eugenek4493]

Nice video. It's be great to also mention what muscles of the foot are doing inside the boot and how footbeds can help the muscles be active. And also on what kind of movement the foot needs to have inside the boot to achieve skiing performance.

[@Starthaus]

Next level! Hopefully we'll get more nerdy with future videos on anatomy and boot interface.

[@carterfan80]

What if you have no Arch essentially? Every time I've tried to use a footbed product it's caused me discomfort.. in the past anytime I've tried something with arch support it's pushed my foot into an unnatural position and caused pain. I've even tried to custom footbed in my shoes. I've tried wearing them for a week or two and could never get used to the pain. Fitting for a footbed can be relatively expensive. I'm apprehensive about spending the money because of every experience I've ever had with something in my boot that's not flat. Is it possible on better off without a footbed? Or did I just have a bad experience with all the previous products? There's only one foot bed that hasn't caused me physical pain. And that's the Sidas. It's an ultra low Arch product. It's hard to find, most shops don't even carry it

[@Starthaus]

Great question- sounds like you are on the right track and are a candidate for a low to flat arch in a footbed. If the anatomy dictates low arch, there should be no need to try and correct that. You will still benefit from locking the heel in place in your ski boot and supporting the foot even with a flat arch. Softer and more forgiving material might also be in order! Flat feet can be sensitive to support, and softer posting material can offer that heel lock and arch support without the pain.

[@carterfan80]

@Starthaus you're right on all accounts....my experience has been softer materials are better. And very flat products. Everyone who handles my feet insisted I need some kind of arch shaping. Glad to hear there are still some boot fitters that understand what's going on with abnormal feet. Guess I just haven't found the right person yet.

[@Starthaus]

Well, best of luck in the search for comfortable foot support! Seek out those drop-in Sidas ultra low-arch, even if that means asking a shop to special order them. Go from there, and hopefully redefine your footbeds in both street shoes and your ski boots.

[@Holeysocks464]

Same here, I have low arches and every foot bed I’ve purchased got thrown out after one or two runs. Perhaps good fitters are rare. Or if my arch flattens slightly when I stand up doesn’t it want to do that when I’m walking or skiing , trying to prevent this by holding the arch up might be unnatural and painful? I go barefoot a lot no pain , no arch support in my daily shoes no pain? Why do I want anything different when skiing?

[@carterfan80]

​@Holeysocks464 same here. I never have any pain in my foot in any situation except for skiing and ice skating. I Only have foot pain when I ski Very frustrating

[@dobbsmovies]

Great video. How much can a properly fitted footbed help with heel lift?

[@Starthaus]

Only slightly. Heel lift is more commonly caused by too much volume somewhere in the boot.