Custom Footbeds in Hardshell Bindings

[Ajskier]

Hello All,

 

Well, my season has started yet, but that doesn't mean that I am not thinking about being out on the water. Last season I purchased my first set of hardshell bindings and really like everything about them except for the footbeds that they came with, no arch support. So, I took my custom footbeds that I had for my snow ski boots and as soon as I did that I noticed the bindings fit way better and I was able to get a similar feel that I do in my snow boots, which I really liked. However, my custom beds did not like being submerged in water repeatdily and they began to fall apart. They were over 16 years old, but still worked great in my snow ski boots. I am now looking for new foot beds for my waterski bindings. Has anyone found any footbeds that hold up with being submerged in the water time and time again and still maintain the custom shape? I really appreciate everyone advice in advance.

 

Thanks,

AJ

[BraceMaker]

I got plenty of ideas.

 

You don't want any open cell foams, and you don't want any glued materials. But a one piece orthotic of either high density foam or straight up plastic will do nicely.

[ForrestGump]

Superfeet. I get them at REI.

[Steven_Haines]

Are you guys putting the Super Feet in or under the liner?

[ForrestGump]

I do mine under the liner.

[Steven_Haines]

Thanks @ShaneH

[KcSwerver]

How expensive is a pair of super feet?

[ForrestGump]

$30-40 for a pair.

[Ryno]

I also use Green Superfeet under the liner

[Ajskier]

I just got a pair of the sidas custom footbeds for my snow ski boots after I ruined my previous pair. They are really comfortable and seem to be made very well, but still don't know if they would hold up. Here is a link to the ones that I am currently using for snow skiing.

 

http://www.sidassport.com/en/our-products/winter-sports/winter-custom-pro-45-2.html

[Ajskier]

Are the super feet ones customizable or are they just a footbed that eventually forms to your foot? I think that I am looking for something customizable since that seems to work best for my snow skiing.

[danbirch]

Another vote for Superfeet! They are also available at Sports Challet. One other advantage in using them with Reflex, is that they keep the boot from sinking if you ever take it off in the water, etc...

[jackski]

I use Shock Doctor hockey footbeds inside my liners. They are not custom, but are arched and formed to an average foot. You can also heat them and mold them a little. They are quite hard so they have a good feel and they don't slip in the liner or on your foot. I found them less slippery than the superfeet.

[SkiJay]

I use Zapz outside heat-molded liners in Radar Stradas. I started with SuperFeet but switched to Zapz for two reasons. They fit in Stradas perfectly, like they were custom made for Radar. Also, the bottom of the Zapz is rubberized so they envelope the boot mounting lugs.

zapzinsoles.com/lp3/

[Deanoski]

no foot beds you want to articulate in the ankle and roll to be atheletlic, if you use them to take up space in our boots they are to big!!! many top snow skier dont use foot beds they want to roll to create angles and not be locked up( no roll) with a foot bed

[Ajskier]

@deanoski, can you tell me how you support the arch of your foot then? That is one of the problems that I deal with is that I have a high arch and without support it feels like it is going to collapse. I am a racer and many of the people that I race with use footbeds. We all use footbeds to support our feet, i.e. arch and take any unnecessary slop out of the boots. I can tell you that my boots are not to big, because I am two sizes down in snow ski boots and a size down in my hardshells. I feel that having my foot supported by the footbed helps to give my feet a solid platform to deliver power to my skis or ski.

[BraceMaker]

So you suppose those top snow skiers are not having their boots custom made/fitted/tuned for them?

 

Boot fitting specialists for downhill are some of the better foot mechanists I've met - so while i agree that you want motion - but I do not concur that fitting, tuning, and foot beds are negative.

 

As you mention the foot needs to be able to use the edges, but we want to transfer that force down to the ski, a foot orthotic can assist in that transfer, and it can enhance the ability to use the edge.

 

And the reality is that most boot systems you have 3-4 shell sizes covering the range of human foot sizes, you pick the one that is long enough to not hit your big toes, and you form the liner to fit.

[Deanoski]

I know for a fact bode and many other top wc racers do not use a footbeds they use a peice of wool or some other low profile pile product , bode wants to collapse and pronate. for sure the boots are punched ground , custom fitted and canted,( bottom of the sole ground for stance) for each discipline. I dont use foot beds in my reflex for one theres no room and I like the freedom of rolling and fine tuning with the ankle.

 

 

just saying foot beds are not for everyone or a must. my 2 cent

 

ski short

Deano

[BraceMaker]

That works for me!

 

Wish our market was large enough to actually get really specific sizing on product.

[LZywicki1]

SuperFeet inside, had the yellow in my first pair on RS-1's, went this green in the second pair. Green feel just a tad better.

[ToddL]

Blue SuperFeet inside the molded Strada liners

[SkiJay]

Comparing snow ski boots to water ski boots is like comparing hiking boots to tennis shoes.

[RichardDoane]

+1 on the green superfeet inside the liner, just make sure you trim properly so they fit well

[SkiJay]

Whitney McClintock, Radar Factory Skier, has her aftermarket footbeds outside her liners.

[TeamWally]

Surefoot. Dense uva material, custom milled/contoured to your foot. Use em in my touring, alpine boots and in HO animals. " www.surefoot.com

 

Surefoot Orthotics provide an accurate and exceptional foundation to improve comfort, performance, and efficiency in all your activities. We begin by taking a computerized scan of the bottom of your foot. While the scanner is working, we rotate your ankle, placing your foot in “sub talar neutral.” This “neutral position” is the strongest skeletal stance that your foot can hold in athletic activities. The scan in this position results in better alignment, and improves support for your knees, hips, and back.

[ForrestGump]

Whew.....surefoots are $200+. That's pretty steep!

 

[ScarletArrow]

I use Powerstep insoles. I put it on the inside of my liner (Strada). I remove the factory liner which detoriates pretty quickly.

[Bdecker]

I am a fan of the Sole insoles. Tried superfeet and couldn't get them to work. I've run Soles for several years and they seem to hold up fine. I actually tried them as a last ditch effort to avoid expensive custom insoles. Now I wear them in just about every pair of shoes I own, and even buy their flips for the summer. I didn't have success with them in my snow ski boots, but in my hardshells they are great. www.yoursole.com