Geeking Out on the Greatness of Custom Footbeds

No skier daydreams about a sweet new pair of footbeds while watching the clock and clicking through ski websites on a Friday afternoon at the office. Well, maybe Jim Schaffner does, but that’s a different story.
Most people pour over magazine reviews of the latest carbon this or rockered that, gear of the year winners and that pair of powder skis that made the latest Internet edit look so cool.

But for most of us, wanting to make a real difference in performance and comfort on the mountain, a pair of custom footbeds might actually be the breakthrough we’re all looking for.

Book an appointment with a bootfitter at Start Haus and you’ll quickly find out that custom footbeds aren’t just about being comfy (although that certainly is one result), but about performance.

If you’re still skiing on stock insoles, pull one out of your boot. Odds are it's a flat piece of foam doing next to nothing. Flat insoles make for flat feet, bones spread out and toes jammed against the end of the boot. Custom insoles lift and support the arch, align the bones and create a stable platform for you drive the ski properly.

Getting all those little bones in your feet properly aligned and supported has a “from the ground up” effect on your whole body.

The end result on the hill is not only more comfort, but also more precise control over your boot and ski (quicker turn initiation, more stability through crud, more sure-footed power when arcing a big GS turn), less fatigue on all the small balancing muscles and a better experience on the snow.

Common problems like pronation (ankle rolling inward) and supination (ankle rolling out) are also addressed with custom insoles.

While we tend to see the most dramatic results in stiff plastic ski boots, custom insoles are great for your daily shoes, hiking boots or bike shoes. Those same results of balancing all those little bones and muscles make a big difference in any pair of footwear.

Sidas Drop-In Footbeds

Aftermarket insoles like Sidas at $50 dollars can make a difference for those who aren’t sure, but for those who really want to see an improvement, contact Start Haus to book an appointment today. Going through the process typically takes around 2 hours and costs $200.

Always best to make an appointment!