Insoles in ski boots

I normally where orthotic insoles in my shoes to correct the arch of my foot and relieve my knee problems. Does anyone know if I should also wear the insoles in my ski boots?

Have you got your own boots or are you hiring them?

I have orthotic insoles in my ski boots, but they were made specially for me when I bought my ski boots. I'm not sure that you can put insoles made for shoes straight into ski boots.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply,
The insoles are made specifically for me to us in my shoes normally. The boots are my own and I got them a few weeks ago but haven't actually skied in them yet. I have always hired boots previously so have used them without the insoles.

A different type of insole is required for use in ski boots, the ones you have are full gait orthotics. Alpine skiing is a mid-stance sport, the foot and lower leg are held in the mid-stance phase of the gait cycle. There is no heel strike or toe off in skiing. Skiing insoles are full length, full contact orthotics that match the bottom surface of the feet, most of them are moulded directly to the feet.



As you have problems with your feet you might need a corrective insole so it would be best if you went to a ski boot fitter who is also a qualified pedorthist, rather than a general pedorthist, depending on where you live you might also need a doctor's prescription.

Did you buy the boots online, from an outdoor sports shop or from a specialist ski boot fitter?

Thank you for your reply. The boots were from an outdoor sports shop. The orthotic insoles are full length with additional support under the arch. They are made specially by the Royal Ortho hospital for me from an initial molding of my foot if this is any help.

As you went to a sports shop rather than a boot fitter they probably didn't carry out a biomechanical assessment of your feet. I'm guessing that your feet over pronate like those of the person in this video.
If this is the case then it's likely that the boots you bought are too big, see how the foot changes shape when the pedorthist moves the foot into a neutral position.

The insoles you have at the moment are also likely to be a different size and shape to that of your ski boot liners, compare them to the insoles that came with your boots, the ones made for ski boots are more rigid in the forefoot and are usually 'blocked' in the liner so that they don't move around.

As the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is in Birmingham, you can't be that far from one of the UK ski boot fitting experts who is also a pedorthist http://www.solutions4feet.com/index.php I would get in touch with him and ask his opinion.

Thank you for the advice and the links. The video with the exercises is especially interesting.

I use standard NHS orthotics in ski boots without undue results. If you can get them specially fitted though.....