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Footbeds $$$$$$ vs $?

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331 views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  NullR6  
#1 · (Edited)
So the other day I grabbed a 2nd hand Gen' 2 Burton Gig bag in an excellent condition locally on Marketplace for $Au80 ($US53). Pretty happy as the guy was just unloading gear he didn't use any more and I didn't have to drive too far to collect. Anyway when I got home I found that there were a pair of SIDAS footbeds in the central storage pocket. They were slightly scrunched up so I gave them a wash through the frontloader.

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Anyway I knew in the back of my mind that these were probably a little pricey so I checked them out online. $Au89.99 ($US60) RRP...., wholly shit, I didn't expect that.

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Over the years I've ridden in top of the range Burton SLX and Ions and you do get a high end liner and footbed in these but they are still not as good as aftermarket. For 12 months now I've been riding with footbeds I grabbed from AliExpress which I feel are pretty good. I do not have a high or low arch and if anything I do feel the arch support in these AliExpress footbeds with the slightest pressure underfoot in these. Now the AliExpress "eirmat" footbeds are like $Au7-9 delivered (depending if you grab them on a sale and some sizes have miniscule fluctuations on price up and down). However the AliExpress footbeds are like 8% of the cost of the SIDAS footbeds and these are both not custom orthotics, they are just off the shelf. These Aliexpress orthotics are the exact same footbeds they sell on Amazon Au for $39.99.


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Now this will be a laymen’s discussion here as I don't have any sort of Podiatry expertise to unload. You can feel that with the anatomy of the SIDAS footbeds they are slightly better around the underside heel area support however these are high arch footbed supports so will be constructed slightly firmer. The Gel pad in the heel feels pretty similar in compression and rebound with either footbed.

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The thickness of each is a fair bit different. I grabbed the calipers out and found the SIDAS footbeds are 3.1mm thick in the forefoot area whilst the AliExpress ones were 5.2mm thick. The SIDAS footbeds feel a little firmer in density but it's only 3.1mm thick so pretty hard to properly ascertain. The AliExpress footbeds are slightly softer underfoot and do feel heaps nice whilst riding.

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The arch supports fill up a similar sized area underfoot with the SIDAS footbeds being a designated high arch model are slightly more rigid to compressed movement.

Now what can I say about these footbeds. The AliExpress footbeds are pretty damn good I feel and I'm quiet happy with them. They give a lot more arch support than standard Burton footbeds and do feel so much better underfoot. I have a fancy Linisher in the workshop and are able to custom cut the footbeds down to size and sand them into the perfect shape matching the OEM originals.

The SIDAS footbeds appear to be only a hint slightly better in materials but they are definitely not worth 12 x the price of the AliExpress ones. Personally, I'd probably stretch to $Au20 for the SIDAS footbeds but I don't have a foot problem that would require custom orthotics which would be where the insanely big prices start to shockingly appear. In the end theses 2 footbeds are very similar in engineering, construction and quality and are basically just compression molded EVA foam with an Injection molded stiffener support frame with added gel pads so you shouldn't have to take out a bank loan to buy a pair.
 
#2 ·
I had been using the old Ed Vissure "signiture" Blue Sole for 10+ years, they were and still are great using them in my street shoes. But 2 years ago, my knees were barking from the AT boot shock impacts... kind of looked around at snowboard options... and nothing seemed better than what I had. Randomly out shopping for street boots, bought a pair of Georgia Boot "AMP" insoles cause they looked plush, made for pounding concrete all day laboring and were only $18. Trimmed them... and no more barking knees... they are my current winners. Btw they looked super plush and thick but they squeezed down nicely and are very comfortable without issues. Also the valsole heavy duty suppor insoles look like they might do the job.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Foam in insoles doesn't work for me at all, so I wouldn't have bought any of these 2.

Have tried Superfeet. They're only a bit less expensive than Sidas. Quite rigid and exist in different heights of arch support. It did alleviate my pain somewhat, just not enough for me. Know a lot of people that swear by them.

For me only custom insoles work. They have no dampening at all. They just fit my feet perfectly. It's worth the 120 euro it cost me extra, otherwise I always end up with extremely painfull feet. And I will go to that specific shop always, because they create a flat bottom on the sole as well (with Sidas custom soles that's usually not the case). That makes sure it doesn't move once in the boot.

Then again if you have no foot problem at all, by all means by the cheapest one that works for you!
 
#4 ·
I’ve always had the Superfeet Green in my snowboard boots.
They are a local company just outside of Bellingham which keeps me loyal, I suppose.
They work for me but I am not sure they are the best option as the technology is the same design as it’s always been.
I know they have newer design options and are getting sport specific with their insoles.
Might be time to do some research.

I wear orthotics in all of my shoes and have for the past 25 years.
Wide flat feet are great for swimming, but not much else.
Without added arch support I am useless.