Count me in the "Gams are perfect" camp! They happen to suit my feet & my skating, but I have known people who couldn't get on with them at all. Which is why you MUST get your feet measured and see what sort of boots suit your particular feet.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I'm just curious what he meant by calling the superfeet " worthless". I've worked at a specialty running store for over 8 years and have dealt quite a bit with superfeet as well as numerous other types of arch supports. The catch with over the counter insoles is that you need to find one that fits your arch correctly. When you stand on the insole there should be little to no gap between your arch and the insole. With the superfeet I find the arches run pretty far to the back ( superfeet says it is because that is where most collapse happens, which is true, however supporting the entire arch is desirable and usually more comfortable). To move the arch farther forward it helps to go up a size and trim the excess. Moving up one size is usually not a problem, however if it is still too short, another brand may be best as you don't want to now have a heel that is too wide. Superfeet is also one of the few companies that makes an insolse designed for a skate. If the arch fits, it could save you some good money by going the over the counter route rather than custom. LONG STORY SHORT (sorry..i need to get out of the retail business) i just am curious why he finds them to be " worthless".

Klingbeil's goal in making a custom skate is to eliminate the need for other products. (That is MY expectation of paying more for something custom.) In DBNY's original post, she states that he's evaluating Superfeet customs as an option for Klingbeil skates.

Yes, I know there are countless people on this Board who wear bunga pads, use insoles, and other products. But, you cannot fault a manufacturer that wants to make his/her product perfect, if for no other reason than to build customer loyalty and create a better product.

For those of you who don't know Don, he's very passionate about the company and its products. He's also justifiably proud of the Klingbeil name. Plus, he's quite funny and has a great sense of humor, especially when he gets on his soapbox.

Full disclosure: I've worn Klingbeils since 1985 and had the honor of being measured, fitted, and adjusted for my first pair by the founder, Mr. Bill Klingbeil.

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^^ fully understand, the thing is custom orthotics are not always neccesary unless you have an unusual foot that cannot be fit with over the counter insoles. When you compare a stock superfeet with a custom, they are not all that different in terms of quality and how they sit in a shoe, that part is going to be the same. More than anything i was just curious WHY exactly he would call them " worthless". Not questioning his or anyones intelligence. Even with custom orthotics some are better for certain things than others. There are also several different ways to make a custom orthotic. Some have you stand on a box of a memory foam material while seated. Some have you do it while standing. At my work the owner does custom orthotics and you stand on a machine and pins come up and make a topagraphical map of your foot. He moves your foot around a bit to get it into a neutral position. Anyway, as i said before I need to get out of retail and the foot business, as I am only 22 and personally am a bit concerned that I am able to ramble on like this about feet and foot products while not even at work. Worst of all, we don't get commision so its like, coming from the heart i guess...So scary.