I am fan of superfeet - they work.
Have a variety of pairs for all sort of foot wear (downhill ski boots, ski touring boots, running shoes, hiking boots).
My only objection is the price.
£38 for a piece of hard plastic / carbon plus insole seems like license to print money.
Are there any cheaper alternatives?
There are certainly plenty alternatives on amazon, ebay, temu <etc>
However: I have never found anything that works quite as well.
Am I stuck with paying a premium for comfortable feet?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 3-10-24 20:58; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Not really - Sidas 3 feet are a similar price, Bootdoc again similar in price and they're the 3 big ski footbed brands. cheaper footbeds available but not ski specific.
There might be something from our Chinese friends on Timu or somewhere like but thats a punt at best.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Having run through a variety of OTC gel type running/hiking insoles in my hiking shoes that despite plastic posted arch support in those the Superfeet just work better. Don't know why no one seems able to do a £10 posted insole but maybe that's because most buyers think "cushioning that's what I really want".
^ Similar experience.
I guess £40 insoles to go inside £400 ski boots (+10%) isn't so mad.
However : £40 insoles for £80 running shoes / hiking boots (+50/%) seems bonkers.
I can't imagine super feet are that expensive to manufacture.
Not by much. Guess we're actually looking for someone who generically knocks off the superfeet type design without gimmicky gel pads, comfort foam and massage balls etc. Scholl seem to fail at that despite seemingly doing 1001 footbeds.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Dave of the Marmottes, there is a few on there for a tenner....
After all it is free
After all it is free
Remind insoles.
You can pick a pair up for around £20 if you dont care about graphics.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Haggis_Trap wrote:
^ Similar experience.
I guess £40 insoles to go inside £400 ski boots (+10%) isn't so mad.
However : £40 insoles for £80 running shoes / hiking boots (+50/%) seems bonkers.
I can't imagine super feet are that expensive to manufacture.
I've had the same experience and like you I use superfeet in nearly all sports shoes (not in ski boots - have custom insoles).
I agree about the price - the margins must be amazing!
But the good news is that they last much longer than shoes. When I wear out running shoes I just switch the superfeet into the new shoes.
So I don't think its right to compare the price with one pair of shoes. Some of mine have survived 5!
I've now carry custom insoles across ski boots too.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
^ Funnily I have had x3 different pairs of custom footbeds over the years.
None of which really worked for me in ski boots.
... I have a theory that my foot prefers to splay a little naturally rather than be rigidly supported.
However that is another topic! (everyone's feet are totally different).
Also - yes, agree, superfeet do last.
I have some old pairs which must be 20+ years.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I really like the Specialized Body Geometry footbeds - I use them both in cycling and running shoes.
Sidas heat moulded custom for ski boots.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Haggis_Trap, surely £40 for something that works and last 20+ years is something to be delighted with rather than looking for a cheaper alternative.
If it lasts (through several pairs of shoes) then "£40 insoles for £80 running shoes / hiking boots (+50/%) seems bonkers" is bad logic?
Disclaimer - I don't use them aside from ski boots - which I rely on the boot fitter for.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Haggis_Trap, I used to use either superfeet or orthaheel footbeds in all my footwear, orthaheel were a similar price to superfeet, but aren't an option now as they were taken over by Scholl and not the same anymore. I also looked for cheaper alternatives and currently have some "Valsole" footbeds in my approach shoes, not bad, but heavier and not as nice as superfeet. I am happy with CEM's custom footbeds in my ski boots.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I've seen Sorbothane double strike recommended on various walking and running forums, though I've never tried them myself. I've been thinking of getting some for my 30 year old Scarpa walking boots which have solid soles and no cushioning whatsoever.
The Sorbothanes are about £18-£20. I suspect they are squidgy foamy things so might offer some comfort from walking/running impact, but unlikely to offer anything in the way of firm support for ski boots.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Haggis_Trap, hahahahah, you get it right? the ski boots you wear are worth maybe 13 Euros in materials, the meal you eat in a good restaurant possibly 1/20th of the price you pay. Are you really so dumb as to attribute the value of what you use to the cost of the ingredients it's composed of, or can you actually get the value of the transformation of those things? The posts on this forum become more ridiculous one by one, this is the worst nonsense i've read in years. TW@T
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
CH2O wrote:
@Haggis_Trap, hahahahah, you get it right? the ski boots you wear are worth maybe 13 Euros in materials, the meal you eat in a good restaurant possibly 1/20th of the price you pay. Are you really so dumb as to attribute the value of what you use to the cost of the ingredients it's composed of, or can you actually get the value of the transformation of those things? The posts on this forum become more ridiculous one by one, this is the worst nonsense i've read in years. TW@T
Seems like someone needs a wee juice box or something to calm down.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
paulrow wrote:
I've seen Sorbothane double strike recommended on various walking and running forums, though I've never tried them myself. I've been thinking of getting some for my 30 year old Scarpa walking boots which have solid soles and no cushioning whatsoever.
The Sorbothanes are about £18-£20. I suspect they are squidgy foamy things so might offer some comfort from walking/running impact, but unlikely to offer anything in the way of firm support for ski boots.
Correct up to a point.. I'd say they'd offer virtually no "support" as such, but they are the complete opposite of "squidgy foamy things". Sorbothane has a cold, dead flesh feel to it, which is great for shock absorption, but has zero application in a ski boot, unless as a shock stopper for someone doing massive aerials. Double strike refers to having pads of sorbothane at both the forefoot and the heel. They're also extremely thick , and as such , utterly wrong for use in a good fitting boot, ski or otherwise.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Smokies and Wine, more misinformation, maybe less juice in your brain box?
@Haggis_Trap, hahahahah, you get it right? the ski boots you wear are worth maybe 13 Euros in materials, the meal you eat in a good restaurant possibly 1/20th of the price you pay. Are you really so dumb as to attribute the value of what you use to the cost of the ingredients it's composed of, or can you actually get the value of the transformation of those things? The posts on this forum become more ridiculous one by one, this is the worst nonsense i've read in years. TW@T
Did you engage brain before smashing return?
I could simply be equally abusive in reply but it would be far to easy.
FWIW:
i) I am guessing a pair of ski-boots costs ~£100 to manufacture (molds cost 500k-£1m per size)
ii) A major cost of a good restaurant meal is the staff and building.
In both case the mark up is probably no more than ~50% ?
Neither of your comparisons relevant to superfeet - which are simply a piece of molded plastic glued to an insole manufactured in asia.
The cost of manufacture must be < £1? They sell for £40. Margin is way higher than either of your random examples.
Though this topic not just about foot-beds for ski boots.
But also hiking boots, trail shoes, running shoes <etc>
Seems like you are actually offended about consumers sharing information and ideas rather than anything else.
As you said yourself :
CH2O wrote:
TW@T
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 3-10-24 20:59; edited 1 time in total
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Haggis_Trap, superfeert uk made £100k profit after a £180k loss last year….
@Haggis_Trap, superfeert uk made £100k profit after a £180k lost last year…
Superfeet UK is simply a distributor for one small region (rather an office that does any R&D or innovation).
The origins of the company are based in Pacific North West USA.
https://www.superfeet.com/
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Thu 3-10-24 21:14; edited 2 times in total
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
CH2O wrote:
@Smokies and Wine, more misinformation, maybe less juice in your brain box?
Where's the misinformation?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Haggis_Trap wrote:
Am I stuck with paying a premium for comfortable feet?
Let's put it another way - am I stuck with paying a premium for a premium product?
Answer: Yes.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Just to add if it really was as simple as "a piece of molded plastic glued to an insole manufactured in asia" then clearly it wouldn't command a premium.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Layne wrote:
Just to add if it really was as simple as "a piece of molded plastic glued to an insole manufactured in asia" then clearly it wouldn't command a premium.
No doubt you believe the same thing about premium bottled water?
There are lots of different brands making footbeds named in topic.
Sidas, Scholl, Sorborthone, 3 feet, body geometry, remind (etc). Prices range from £6/7 to > £45+.
Amazon or Temu full of aftermarket alternatives.
For ski boots I still use superfeet in both pairs. I have a bag of older ones that I rotate between various other footwear as required.
However it would be good to know what alternatives people have tried / found to work.
Especially for running shoes / hiking boots or daily footwear.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
you are paying a premium price for a premium product, sure, there are cheaper ones available on line for sure, but the Superfeet product is one of the most powerful OTC orthotics you can get without a prescription , the thing with the superfeet is , as you know they have worked well for you, they spent a lot of time developing the shape and getting it right, the whole product shape internally was developed by one of the leading podiatrists in the world and a British engineer with a 3 dimensional mind, lots of history, and lots of great product, their main focus for years was skiing, now, sadly skiing is a small part of their business so we don't see as much new development as we would like
@Haggis_Trap, I have a lot of sentiments for Superfeet. It’s how I met all the enthusiastic and passionate people that now are most revered in our industry. Every single one of them, the fitters still work true to Superfeet’s theory. Weighted, unweighted, plastic, carbon fibre, or cork. The principals and the theory are the same. We all still work to it, trying to perfect that process. It upset me to read your post, diminishing the work and development of product that cannot be bettered, unless custom made using the same theory as the off the shelf product. I’m frustrated by the consideration of price when the product doesn’t work. Superfeet are without doubt the only off the shelf product to buy, you’ll find less expensive however it simply isn’t doing the job. Not an opinion, just skience.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I used to suffer, and I do mean SUFFER, from "policeman's heel"
I was told to use footbeds in all my shoes.
I have Superfeet Green in ALL my shoes, wellington boots, even my slippers (but CEM special custom ones in my ski boots).
Never had a moment of pain since.
Worth EVERY penny!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
rungsp wrote:
I have Superfeet Green in ALL my shoes, wellington boots, even my slippers
Similar : I have some kind of insoles in most of my footwear
Accumulated whole bag of them in various shapes, sizes and forms which are rotated.
@Haggis_Trap, hahahahah, you get it right? the ski boots you wear are worth maybe 13 Euros in materials, the meal you eat in a good restaurant possibly 1/20th of the price you pay. Are you really so dumb as to attribute the value of what you use to the cost of the ingredients it's composed of, or can you actually get the value of the transformation of those things? The posts on this forum become more ridiculous one by one, this is the worst nonsense i've read in years. TW@T
Did you engage brain before smashing return?
I could simply be equally abusive in reply but it would be far to easy.
FWIW:
i) I am guessing a pair of ski-boots costs ~£100 to manufacture (molds cost 500k-£1m per size)
ii) A major cost of a good restaurant meal is the staff and building.
In both case the mark up is probably no more than ~50% ?
Neither of your comparisons relevant to superfeet - which are simply a piece of molded plastic glued to an insole manufactured in asia.
The cost of manufacture must be < £1? They sell for £40. Margin is way higher than either of your random examples.
Though this topic not just about foot-beds for ski boots.
But also hiking boots, trail shoes, running shoes <etc>
Seems like you are actually offended about consumers sharing information and ideas rather than anything else.
As you said yourself :
Superfeet Green are my favourite Superfeet insoles, if that helps.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
^ thanks : they look really interesting.
After all it is free
After all it is free
This thread is very interesting. I need insoles, and didn't know about superfeet, I just bought common garden insoles. It seems ( and it explains a lot of falls on flat blues when I catch inside edges) that I have feet that turn in, so need arch supports, my physio for ACL injury suggested I get some but he didn't explain that there were some way better than others. I got some on amazon, think they cost about €25 euro, but I was wondering would they be good with my ski boots. I had only last year replaced my old ski boots which had custom liners, I thought that it didn't make a difference but it does . So are there different type of super feet out there? how will I know which to buy?
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
biddpyat wrote:
So are there different type of superfeet out there? how will I know which to buy?
Superfeet certainly seem to be the brand leading Coca-Cola of insoles.
Other colas exist - but the recipe isn't quite the same.
The 3 main types in the line-up are:
Green: High arch / high volume
Blue: Medium arch / medium volume
Grey: Low arch / low volume
Which one to get? Seems to be an element of trial and error required.
No doubt I have high arches and for many years used to favour blue,
Recently discovered the grey to be a little more comfortable in ski boots.
Make of that what you will (peoples feet change over time) - though it seems to vary between shoes.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Good thread, a direct result of reading it I have dug out my superfeet black insoles and am going to use them in my hockey boots for training tonight.
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