Questions Most Often Asked About Custom Insoles

Can every skier benefit from using a custom insole?

Yes. Research shows that 80% of the population has some lower extremity or foot abnormality which could cause problems in skiing performance or comfort. Virtually all skiers will be more comfortable and will experience better control because all voids beneath the foot sole are filled.

What do custom insoles actually do?

Simply stated: it provides foot stability and improves power transfer from foot to ski. Technically: When the foot is aligned in the neutral position all the joints function efficiently and allow for controlled skiing movement. An example of an improperly aligned foot and a common problem is an overly pronated foot. This foot collapses excessively inward. On each turn the knee has to drive excessively inward in order to hold the ski on edge. A supported foot operates efficiently which results in less fatigue and precise power transfer from foot to ski.

There are many custom insoles on the market; what’s different about FASTECH?

Most custom or comfort insoles on the market are designed simply for comfort, offering no real foot support. Many insoles made in ski shops today are being molded without taking body alignment into consideration. FASTECH teaches analysis, molding, cuff and cant measurement, manufacture of the device and fitting in one appointment.

I just paid $600 for my ski boots; can FASTECH actually improve the fit and performance?

Although ski boot manufacturers have made advances in fit, comfort, and performance, the insole remains the weak link in ski boot design. Most ski boot insoles are nothing more than low density foam inserts that do little to provide foot stability. In most boot lines the insole of the $150 boot is the same as the $600 boot. In a recent article in Skiing Magazine, the Salomon boot product manager stated, “It’s hard to mass produce an item that fits thousands of different feet well. The insole is a weakness in most boots.”