Part of the thrill of doing a sport is having the correct equipment for it. Sometimes even your equipment can be seen as a social accessory, having that Adidas track bag or Gatorade water bottle is part of the excitement of getting ready for practice, or matches, or just psyching oneself up for the work that is ahead. While shoes are included in that list of “accessories”, what is in the shoe is not. Custom made orthotics are not often considered cool or novel, but science has continuously shown that correct footwear is essential for participating in any activity, recreational or professional. Oftentimes, it is the unknown secret to professionals at the top of their game. While this mentality of good footwear can be applied to any activity, for snowboarding, it is particularly important. Why?
Remember climbing out of the pool last summer and noticing the tracks your wet feet left on the concrete? It’s likely that the impression left did not look like your foot, as solely the ball and heel of your foot were the only thing that were actually touching the concrete. For the majority of people, the part of their foot that was not visible in that wet footprint – the arch of the foot – is the part of the foot that is often neglected when it comes to choosing footwear for activities both recreationally and for organized sports. For snowboarding, it is even more crucial to have the correct footwear, as it’s vital that your boots offer adequate support and comfort, firm responsive sides and allow the wearer to have stable balance. Unfortunately, the standard ski and snowboard boots, like many other genetically designed footwear, are designed with low cost as the priority, not the actual efficiency of the boot. Often the boot will end up having too cushioned footbeds that offer the least amount of support possible.
Fortunately, ski retailers offer many kinds of customizable footbeds (also known as orthotics) that will build up the standard sport or snowboarding boot, making it lighter, more comfortable, and with much better support. These footbeds encompass a solid arch and wide support around the important weight-bearing heel. Another option for a fairly standard customized orthotic would be one with an increased footbed. One company has one that is customizable for a period of time, since it is warmed in the microwave, allowing for it to be molded to the athlete’s foot. However, after time it will return to the original shape.
There are higher-end options, though, which usually lead the athlete to order custom made orthotics, which are made with their specific foot in mind. These tend to be on the higher end of the price scale but end up being the best option for someone who will spend a lot of time on their feet. These orthotics are not made to correct any pre-existing issues with the wearer’s step or movement, but by analyzing how the wearer walks and moves, the customized orthotic will greatly improve their range of motion. Athletes who opted for this option have only good things to say about their new orthotics.
Where Do I Get a Pair of Personalized Orthotics?
The Shoe Doctor has specialized in providing custom orthotics for 20 years. The right orthotic insoles can greatly reduce foot, knee and hip pain. Russell at The Shoe Doctor will help educate and assist you in finding the perfect solution for your particular situation. We will create a 3D map of your feet and make custom orthotics for your shoes or boots. These orthotics along with our expert advice will get you back to being able to walk peacefully. Our sole (haha!) purpose is to reduce your pain and make you comfortable again! If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, give The Shoe Doctor a call to get the best custom orthotics in the area! We are here to assist you, give us a call at (925) 820-0220 for your free consultation!
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/snowboarding/comments/7pb9s3/snowboarding_with_custom_orthotics/
https://www.pugski.com/threads/orthotics-vs-footbeds.6198/
http://www.theskizone.com/tips/index.php?9=1001
