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Minimalist shoes and custom insoles
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Been thinking about starting to transition into the whole minimalist shoe thing. Not the vibram five fingers; those are f’n weird. I’ve got some foot pain and overpronation issues. The science seems to go back and forth and Ive got no damn clue as to what’s actually right. I kind of agree that having our toes cramped up and feet cushioned for our entire lives seems like it would lead to weak feet.
So I’m wondering as to how this theory applies to custom insoles for ski boots. Obviously ski boots need to be hard plastic and there’s no changing that. But do we need custom insoles? Or do we need to just have stronger feet that can stand up on their own?
simply curious. What are y’all’s opinions?
**This thread was edited on Jan 19th 2022 at 3:10:45pm
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Here's my two cents as a former bootfitter and someone who wears minimalist footwear. Generally speaking i think minimalist footwear is great for strengthening our feet. This is great in applications such as running or other natural movements as this can help the body intuitively tweak its bio-mechanics to be more natural. With that in mind the movements and forces involved in skiing aren't natural. The downward forces when carving agressively place a lot of strain and force down on the outside foot in particular which can cause excessive pronation when/if the arch flattens. I've seen this with many people who I would say have strong feet and arches so while I do like minimalist shoes I do think footbeds both custom and trim to fit have their place in ski boots.
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on the topic of wearing shoes that are good for your feet, everyone raves about Birkenstocks because they perfectly mold to your foot while staying firm. But I've also heard that the perfect mold keeps your foot from exercising while you walk and you lose muscle eventually (maybe that's just a rumor but its a sensible rumor at least lol). so yeah, maybe the minimalist footwear thing is on to something as far as strengthening your feet go. but idk, and im not sure its something that could really have an accurate study on. I think if your having foot pain, it makes sense to try different options until you find something that works for you. But id imagine that minimalist footwear will hurt at first and take some getting used to as your are working out your feet more.
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In a rigid ski boot there would be no benefit to stronger feet muscles. The ski boot is more of an extension of your leg, not your foot, that is why it is important that the foot is stabilised so that your leg can pivot with the entire foot as a solid base.
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I’m intrigued by this thought. Because I work out on an elliptical and i’m usually barefoot/socks so I wonder if shoes with insoles will be better on knees, but on the other hand my feet might get weak?
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I generally agree with everyone who says that the ski boot is an extension of your leg. And that skiing in itself is an unnatural movement.
But the whole minimalist thing is quite an interesting subject. There’s research that supports it and there’s research that condemns it. The internet is a dangerous place nowadays. You can find whatever you want to hear if you search long enough.
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Puma Drift Cats. They're made for driving, but i use them for working out. Least amount of sole material in any shoe. I think the feel and true balance i get make up for any loss of cushioning.
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