Bootfit A Lost Art ?
By
Phil Oren

Some people think that the art of bootfitting is a lost art; it is my personal feeling it was never found. Even the majority of boot makers that build boots from scratch do not use orthotics to stabilize the persons foot from elongation. It is a known fact that 80% of the people over pronate, which makes the foot elongate when the foot becomes weighted in the gait cycle. The worst elongation factor that I have measured was in excess of "4 sizes", which normally can be stabilized in the mid 90% with SuperFeet high custom profile sport orthotics unless a person has an excess hyper-mobile foot, which is less than 3% of the population.

Select the best footwear volume shoe or boot to match the volume of the customers feet. Then add an orthotic that reduces elongation, use the correct thickness of socks to fine tune the fit. If there is still excessive volume use a tongue depressor "made of approximately 3/16 inch thick foam" between the laces and the tongue, or it can be inserted into the tongue by a boot repair person. Last but not least use a 5/6 iron neoprene slip sole material under the orthotic to decrease the volume in the footwear when the person has an extremely low volume foot.

The next step is to modify the footwear for any protrusions the customer has on their foot . If you as a shop are not modifying 6 to 7 out of every ten pair you are selling you are doing an injustice to your customers feet.

The object is to have a great fit, comfort and performance.


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• A good selection of Socks
• The ability to properly measure the feet using a Brannock Device®
• A selection of Custom made Footbeds or Trim To Fit Footbeds
• The ability to check the volume of the boot to the volume of the feet
• A Rubbing Bar and boot modification tools
• A good selection of boot care products

We all need and want comfort. If our feet hurt it's hard to walk and Hike. To achieve this you need the proper sock; the foot needs to be stabilized with a footbed and the mass-produced boot needs to be fit and sized properly to each foot. Here is some important information about Socks, Footbeds and the What If situation "damaged feet"

THE UNSUNG SOCK
The sock is the only thing between your foot and the footwear. If you have the wrong sock for the occasion, it can be the difference between a miserable or great time. When people go hiking, socks are one item not researched enough to find the correct sock for the usage and the basic physiology of their feet.

There are many features and conditions that a person should consider when purchasing socks. Some of the problems your feet can be subjected to are cold, clammy hot, sweaty, diabetes, allergies, sensitive skin, Raynauds Syndrome, heart problems, etc., etc.

First we need to know about the Physiology of your feet. The average inactive male person foot gives off 1/4 cup of perspiration in a 12-hour period. This is increased dramatically when hiking, running, cross-country skiing, humid conditions or any high activity. Moisture management is very important. If your feet are moist, heat and cold are transferred 23 times faster. Excessive moisture creates blisters and makes your feet hotter and colder.

Are your feet cold, clammy, hot or sweaty? If your feet are always cold, wool is the fiber to use; it is hydrophilic and absorbs the moisture from your feet. Wool has many characteristics: wool absorbs moisture and passes it to the outside, it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Many people's feet are always hot and sweaty. These people need a moisture control sock with fibers that move the moisture away from their feet. A moisture control sock consists of various synthetic fibers on the bottom or next to the skin that repels water (hydrophobic) and fibers (hydrophilic) on the top or outside with the purpose to create a push-pull concept, moving moisture up and away. Moisture control socks need heat from the foot to create the pressure to move the moisture away via a capillary action.

There are many medical problems a person can have that make the proper sock selection very important:
Diabetes is a growing problem with the aging "Baby Boomers'. If a person uses insulin, it is important to have input on not only the sock, but also the shoe from a doctor specializing in Diabetes. A diabetic person's foot needs a sock that is dense, low friction factor, smooth toe seam, y-heel gore, and a sock that fits perfect. The top of the sock should not restrict the leg for proper circulation.

Allergies-Many people think they are allergic to wool when in reality, they just cannot stand medium or coarse wool, and they have sensitive skin. Wool can come in course, medium, fine or superfine grades. If they use Merino wool or lambs wool (first shearing), their problem is solved. We do have consumers allergic to wool and have to use synthetic. We are now witnessing consumers that use chemicals for a long time are allergic to the so-called "Hypoallergenic" materials. Those people now have to use natural fibers. An example is doctors / nurses using latex gloves for many years.

Circulatory conditions, and there are many, Raynauds Syndrome, heart problems, vascular, heavy smokers all have problems that effect the proper socks they wear. Natural fibers are best for these people as a result of being hydrophilic (moisture absorbing). Their feet do not have any heat for a driving source to move the moisture away from the foot.

Higher quality socks offer many features that make a sock more comfortable. Toe seams are a problem on less expensive socks, as they use a conventional toe seam that is bulky and creates pressure or blisters on top of the toes. Look for seams that are flat or non-protrusive. A heel pocket allows for a better fit, and higher quality socks have a y-heel gore heel which is more anatomically correct and creates a pocket for your heel to fit in, because your heel is a bulb. The sock thickness, thinner or heavier, can be used to adjust for a better fit in footwear.

High stitch density, more fibers per square inch, in a sock creates a more comfortable environment. If you have an inexpensive sock, it is like standing on a cheese grater. Finer fibers and more of them give you comfort and cushioning. Terry loops in the sole of the sock (bottom), creates cushioning which helps protect the foot.

Sock size is very important. Many consumers wear the wrong size sock because they look at the sock chart, relative to their shoe size and as a result they normally have a sock that is too big. If your foot is thin and narrow, you may go down one size. It is like putting a small finger in a Chinese finger puzzle - it stretches longer than if you put a bigger finger in the puzzle. A sock that is too big can create many problems on your feet as well as one that is too small.

Socks carry the burden of keeping the feet happy when they are subjected to a lot of weight, movement, friction, heat, cold and excessive moisture, pressure and the elements. As a result, we have to really think out what is best for you at the time.

TIME TO PUT YOUR FEET TO REST, ON FOOTBEDS
Let's talk a little bit about how the foot functions, so you can have a better understanding of why footbeds are so important to a proper shoe and boot fit.
The feet are like clouds in the sky, there are no two feet alike, and they are always changing shape. The goal is to try to keep the feet healthy and under control as they go through this shape change inside the boots. This is done with the use of a good supportive footbed. Because there are no two feet that are identical, the proper footbed can help to balance out some of the differences in the feet, which allows the boots and shoes to fit and perform much better.

With 8 to 12 thousand steps a day, the feet travel through a range of motion when we walk. This range of motion is Pronation and Supination. The feet start to adapt to the ground at heel strike. This is called Pronation. When the foot is finished Pronating it starts to Supinate, becoming stronger as the foot leaves the ground. 80% of the feet over-Pronate and are unstable feet. These Pronated feet need help! When the feet over Pronate, the arches become lower and the feet get longer. In the bootfitting world, when the heel to toe measurement becomes longer due to the over-Pronation, we refer to this as Elongation. The goal is to keep this elongation to a minimum inside the boots.

A Footbed that offers the proper shape and support will help to reduce this Elongation factor in the Pronated feet. What about the opposite effect when the feet supinate? 20% of the feet are in the Supinated stable foot category. Supinated feet are generally stable feet and do not have to deal with the Elongation factor as much. However, they can benefit from the footbed filling the voids under the foot so that there is added comfort to that more stable foot. Everyone can benefit from a supportive footbed; Pronated feet benefit from a biomechanical approach as well as comfort. Supinated feet benefit from added comfort. You do not need to have a foot problem to benefit from a footbed. When you purchase socks and boots and the fitting process begins, think of the process as if you were building a house. You start with the foundation and build up from there on a house. The Footbed is the foundation for the foot and the boot fit. Here are 10 benefits derived from a supportive footbed.

• IMPROVED COMFORT
• INCREASED FOOT STABILITY
• IMPROVED FOOT CIRCULATION
• LESS MUSCLE STRESS AND FATIGUE
• BETTER BOOT FIT
• EXTENDED OUTER SOLE WEAR
• REDUCTION OF BLACK TOENAILS AND BLISTERING
• BETTER BALANCE AND CONFIDENCE
• A LONGER WALKING STRIDE, WITH LESS STEPS TO GO THE DISTANCE
• OVERALL BETTER FOOT HEALTH

With out going into more detail the biomechanical function of the foot is very complex and difficult to understand.

Now for THE AGONY OF DE-FEET!
What about those common foot injuries related to hiking and walking?
Let's consider three of the most common injuries.

• BLISTERS,
• BLACK TOENAILS
• STRESS FRACTURES.
  

Beginning with those Blisters, it is obviously better to prevent blister formation with the use of sock technology, properly fitted shoes and topically applied skin drying products, such as Drysol. If you do however develop a blister, listed below are some helpful remedies that allow you to continue your activity while staying comfortable and reducing the likelihood of infection.

Topical preparations:

Astringents or drying agents: Zinc Oxide
Gentian Violet
Epsom Salts

Adhesive agents: tincture of benzoin or tape spray
Hydrogels: these cushion your skin and provide a moist wound-healing environment while protecting the wound from bacteria. An example is Second Skin.

Now moving forward to those bruised and black toenails?

Black toenail results from running our toes into the ends or tops (commonly called the upper) of our shoes. It is commonly encountered in running, walking and hiking activities, particularly when going downhill. This is commonly seen in those who wear shoes that are too small, but it is also seen in those with shoes that are proper in length, but not in volume. This allows the foot to migrate forward into the toebox of the shoe and cause the jamming. The black color comes about as the blood that has built up under the nail breaks down into dark blood pigments.

The best way to counteract this problem is to choose shoes and socks which are appropriate for the activity, and use lacing techniques, which are specific for unique foot structures such as high arch or flat foot.

Footbeds, orthotics and arch supports often can be used to reduce excessive motion going on between the foot and shoe, many times eliminating the potential for the foot to travel forward into the front part of the shoe.

The best trick for preventing black toenails should be credited to Phil Oren, expert shoe and boot fitter, who uses a tongue depressor (a soft piece of foam or similar material cut in such a fashion to fit between the tongue and laces). Because this increases the volume of your foot in the middle when used with a proper footbed, it does not allow your foot to move forward in the shoe.

Black toenails can also occur if a person loses sensation in their feet, which does not allow them to sense damage to their toes and toenails. This commonly occurs in diabetes and other conditions that affect the nerves in your foot.

We really do not want to get you all stressed out, but we need to talk about stress fracture's

Stress fracture is another common condition occurring in active people. If you put too much stress through your foot and leg bones with activities such as running, walking and hiking, your bones can develop little cracks called stress fractures. These cracks in the bone cause redness, swelling and heat in your foot surrounding the area of the broken bone.

Many times the pain associated with this bone crack will keep you from your favorite activity, and even hurt during normal walking or throb while sitting.

The key to preventing the possibility of developing a stress fracture is by eating a healthy diet, which helps keep bones strong. Another thing that helps is wearing properly fitted shoes, socks and footbeds, and gradually increasing the distances and effort levels in your chosen activity. Certain foot structures such as the rigid high arch, and the overpronating foot, are more likely to develop a stress fracture. For this reason, a foot checkup with your local podiatrist prior to engaging in a new walking, hiking or running program may keep you out of trouble.

Our mission is to educate the consumer so we can improve the quality of their life. When the proper sock, footbed and boot are brought together as one system we all benefit from a healthier body.


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1. Boots too big
2. Too much volume
3. Elongation problem
4. 1st met-head ( ball of foot) behind the widest apex of the boot
5. Hyper mobile foot
6. Heavy pack
7. Improper Lacing

Once you have the correct size boot, and volume you may still have too much movement inside the boot. You should use Superfeet Trim to Fit which will normally stabilize the persons foot by + or - 50%
unless the person has a hyper mobile foot. Check how much movement they had in the boot and adjust the size of the boot accordingly. When a person has a lot of elongation of 2 to 2 1/2 + sizes you recommend stabilizing the person with Superfeet High Custom Profile which will stabilize a normal foot + or - 90%. Again the incline board is the acid test for a good fit with very vigorous jumping. If the customer is going to carry a heavy pack I would suggest putting a pack on their back with the appropriate weight they will be carrying to check if any change. You must always communicate with the customer on what is happening in regards to a good fit. After stabilizing the foot it is time to modify any pressure points the customer may have. Again the incline board is the proof of the pudding of a comfortable fit.

Speaking of a good fit, I would like to recognize Kevin Laird of Kevin’s Ski & Sports of Carson City, Nevada; Dave Mc Keagney of Northern Lites Trading Co. of Bozeman, Montana; and Chris Hyatt of Ski Mountain Sports of Whitefish, Montana. Keep up the good work. Last month bootfitter John Andrew’s name was misspelled from Midwest Mountaineering. Sorry John.


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