 Poster: A snowHead
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I've been in the market for some new ski boots, and have tried on a number of pairs, narrowing down the field of contenders. However, the boot fitters I've spoken to so far have always only mentioned the process of choosing a boot, and subsequently tweaking the boot and footbed if possible/necessary.
But I can't help but think that it would make more sense to try different boots with a footbed that already supports my foot properly? After all, having flat feet, a footbed would lift my arches and shorten my feet and such a footbed would affect the fit of any boot I end up trying/buying in terms of length, volume and placement of ankle bone etc...
Maybe this is an obvious question for some, but having only ridden hire and low-end boots so far, I'm just wondering if this makes sense. Does it make sense to get a proper insole BEFORE deciding on the right ski boot? Do people do this, or people that already have a pair and go for new boots, do they take them to the shop for the fittings?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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skibomb, A custom footbed will support your foot correctly and conditions the shape and position of your foot inside the boot, so it is preferable to choose the boot whilst using the footbed. Due to different boot shapes it will be necessary to fine tune the footbed once the boot is chosen for perfect adaptation.
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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?
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skibomb, I had a custom footbed made for my old boots, and I used it when choosing new boots. As they were both Salomon, the old footbed fitted perfectly into the new boot with a minimum of trimming (as the new one was half a size smaller). I'm not sure it made that much difference when I was choosing, as I was mostly worried about the feel of the boot around the ankles and shins, but it seemed a sensible way round to choose a new boot with a footbed already moulded.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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LARGEZOOKEEPER, Thanks for that - it seemed obvious somehow, but I don't understand therefore why the footbed issue seems almost an afterthought in most bootfitting scenarios I've experienced: you choose a boot that seems to be a snug fit for the shape of your feet, after which you change the shape of your feet with a foot bed 
docsquid, For my own feet, for example, I know that a supported arch would shorten my foot by about half a mondo size, which could certainly make a difference between choosing a shell that's 10-12 mm too long or one that is just right!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Interesting point Skibomb et al - do a quality bootfitters like Lockwoods thus select a footbed for their customers before getting into the ski boot fit deliberations?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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White Gold, As soon as the sock comes off and the foot is naked the analysis begins. Certain symptoms being obvious as this point. After there are resistance tests to presure(a squeeze in the hand), elongation measurements and flex tests. This, in my case, is all being processed similtainiously. Bootshape and foot type can be chosen simply by looking at the client when they walk in. A short stocky person will more often than not, require a wide high instep shoe, thus reducing the selection on contact. Equally, a tall skinny person, a narrow thinner shell. Each time you see a client there is new information available, constant re-assesment as to average parameters, what is a medium width foot/ medium height instep. This for me is what make the difference between a good bootfitter and an exceptional one, their ability to assess and process the information before them quickly and correctly. 
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White Gold, Feet, footbeds, shells, liners, socks, beer, home, bed.
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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.
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Surely it should be:
beer, feet, beer, footbeds, beer, socks, beer, shells, beer, liners, beer, home, beer, bed, beer, for the most enjoyable bootfitting day out!?!? 
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White Gold, the skill of the bootfitter (and, ideally, his/her ability to properly and accurately get you balanced well in the boot, as well) will likely lead to them knowing by looking what boots are best for you. The basic shell fit usually happens with and without the footbed. However, any real fit tweaks happen after the footbed.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Odd you should put it like that White Gold, but there was a fridge full of beer involved as part of the footbed making process.
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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.
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As a newbie, I must admit I thought along the same lines as ski bomb; I have already had a pair of footbeds made even though I have yet to find boots that fit (off to Lockwoods tomorrow to hopefully rectify that). It seemed logical to me that the footbed would affect both the shape and the volume used inside the boot, so as I was aware I would need footbeds for my flat feet, I went ahead and had them made to help get a better fit when trying boots on.
One point though White Gold, as the beer comes before the feet, were you drinking in the womb? Good man!
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