The Superfeet Custom Copper insole
Price: £60 a pair
Weight (pair) 172g
Sizes: J to H, to fit shoe sizes 11 (junior) to 15 (adult)
Country of manufacture: South Korea
The Custom Copper process starts in the store with the Superfeet fitPod. The foot is measured first, and placed on a support. A laser in the unit makes sure the foot and ankle are aligned properly. The support cap is heated in an oven in the fitPod and the whole insole is then assembled and strapped to the foot.
A vacuum bag is then placed over the foot and insole and the air sucked out to ensure the insole is moulded correctly to the foot. A short time later, the vacuum is released and the Superfeet Custom Copper is ready to place in the boot. The process takes about 15 minutes in the shop.
You then take out your existing insole and place it on top of the Superfeet one, drawing round the outline. A quick snip round with scissors, making sure you don’t make it too small, and the Superfeet insoles are ready to insert into your boots.
The Superfeet Custom Copper insoles come in two parts, which are glued together in the fitting process. The rear cap section has the heel and arch support and is rigid. On top of this is fixed the three-layer foam insole. The top layer of this is memory foam which, in use, further moulds itself to the shape of your foot and toes. The whole thing also has an organic odour-control coating.
The benefit of the custom-fit insole is that you know it has been moulded to the shape of your foot. The disadvantage, of course, is that anyone else who uses it won’t have that fit but, outside of centres that loan boots to multiple users, we think it’s rare for people to share insoles!
Anyone who hasn’t used Superfeet insoles before might find the initial feel odd. You can sense the presence of the arch support immediately, and this takes some getting used to.
We used the Custom Copper insoles in some fairly stiff three- to four-season boots which have pretty stiff soles. Boot design has come along in recent years and there is some shock absorption built into the midsole of the boots, but over a prolonged walk, the soles of the feet still normally take quite a pounding.
The Superfeet Custom Coppers provided both comfort and stability. The heel cup is good and the arch support also helps keep the foot in the ideal position. This has the advantage of keeping your ankle and leg in the correct alignment and over time reducing fatigue. It’s difficult to quantify but there was a definite feeling that tough terrain put less of a strain on the feet and legs with the custom insoles in place.
The Superfeet fitPod
After a few outings, the top layer of the Custom Copper had moulded itself even more into the exact shape of the foot and toes. There’s a definite advantage in comfort when using the Superfeet insoles, particularly in unyielding stiff boots.
Only a few specialist outdoor retailers have the fitPod machine that will mould the Custom Copper and fit them to your foot.
The Superfeet Custom Copper insoles are designed with trekking and walking boots in mind. Although good modern boots’ footbeds of late have improved from the very basic ones encountered a few years back, most people will still gain benefits in the way of comfort and support from insoles such as these, even though it can be galling to have to fork out extra cash after you’ve spent a good amount of money on boots.
Superfeet offers a 60-day money-back comfort guarantee.
Comfort: 50/60
Quality: 15/20
Features: 7/10
Value for money: 5/10
Total: 77/100
Gareth
24 February 2016These look great, it'd have been useful if you could have told us where we could get some made.
Roscoe
24 February 2016Better paying £60 pounds more for a better pair of boots and spend the time finding ones that fit well.
It's not just about the insole. I think I would want to try the insoles in my boots first to ensure that there is sufficient volume in the boot for your particular foot - superfeet - sock combination.
There does seem to be a lot of variables not lease that after a few outings the comfort increases as the superfeet insoles further mould themselves to the shape of your foot.
Unless I had a good medical reason I doubt if I'd ever fork out £60 for a pair of insoles.
Stigofthenest
24 February 2016I use superfeet insoles in my Berghaus boots. They have made a significant difference to me. Better stability, less aching. Ok so the pair I got were half the price advertised above but yes, well worth it in my opinion.
OutdoorsAndy
25 February 2016Agreed Roscoe, get good boots fitted right, (and get the right boots for the job). Sounds like Stigofthenest is a good example of this. Berghaus lost its way 5 years ago and continue to produce false-price pointed guff, such a shame given their heritage, (its what you tend get when you see firms sold super groups).
If your having recurrent feet problems, unsolved by good fitting, fit for purpose boots, the first point of contact is a medical professional. I'm not saying these will to help or solve the problem, but you need to work out what the problem is!
Stigofthenest
25 February 2016I guess the problems I was having ( plantar tendon - hurdling injury and instability in the ankle following torn ligaments from football) meant I needed a bit more stability.. if throwing £200+ at a pair of boots is the way to negate these issues to climb every wainwright in one calendar year then I guess I made a mistake only spending £120 for my Berghaus/superfeet combo... but then again I've never subscribed to this most expensive kit is the best MENTALity, I had issues with my injuries before -I dont now. So, in my opinion they were entirely worthwhile.
Dan B
27 February 2016I use the Green Superfeet insoles and find them perfect. I first used them on a climbing trip to Canada where my boots, and therefore my feet to some long hard days of hammer - 19hrs being them longest.
They are brilliant. It doesn't seem to matter how much you spend on your boots the insoles are always poor. I wear La Sportiva Nepal EVOs and at £380 a pop I wouldn't consider them a cheap boot, and the insole must cost about 10p.
OutdoorsAndy
01 March 2016Stigofthenest- you know your problem, thats the best start, (which was my general point to people who might not know their problem and so not spend £60 on insoles before seeking advice).
I would not expect to pay over £200 for a simple fabric and leather far-eastern made boot, (like your Berghaus). The standards for Berghaus have dropped, very sadly and they are generally false priced, (which it sounds like your were, hence the discount). You can get gri-sport European made ones cheeper for example, which tend to be better built (and certainly ethically made).
I have £200 Zamberlan leather boots with the factory insoles. They are 5 years old and have done many many miles, (and about 45 Munroes). They are still water-proof, still have good underfoot support and owe me nothing and still continue to give good service. All the fabric boots I have ever owned have leaked within 18 months of buying, (another reason to get good boots).
The insole is just the top layer of a sole unit and generally not the main business end, (with some notable exceptions). The boot composite sole unit, seen in good boots, (very nasty boots have a single piece construction), is the part that offers the support and fit, which should be contoured etc. to allow underfoot support. However, if you have specific issues, then an insole that corrects this is very useful.
I'm not saying don't use Superfeet, if they work, then great. I'm saying that foot problems have multiple causes, (from old injuries to poor quality footwear), and spending £60 on insoles might not solve the issue and hence seeking professional advice is recommended, (wether that be a medic or a well trained shop shoe fitter).
Stigofthenest
01 March 2016My Berghaus boots bought in 2010 are leather too.. I felt that spending the money on the onsoles was worth a punt.. I was about to embark on an attempt to climb all Wainwrights in one calendar year (2012) and as such thought if there was a chance the insoles would improve my comfort then it would have been money well spent.
As Dan B describes above it matters not how much the boot costs all too often the insoles are poor. As for inferior quality of Berghaus, I cant say what the boots they are making now are like but the ones I've used in sun, rain, sleet and snow are now all but worn out but then again theyve covered the worst that Englands North Pennines, Mid Wales' boggiest bits and a good deal of Scotland too from Suilven and Quinag to Beinn Ime and The Cobbler.
Anyone out there thinking "shall I fork out £200+ for my boots or shall I at first see if a £30 insole (or even the £60 insole) will make my current boots more comfortable" the choice is yours.
If like me you have old injuries on all four corners of your body then great support is an absolute cornerstone of your kit. I'm not saying outdoorsAndy is wrong and I am right and any choices you make should probably be backed up with plenty of research.
Just remember though, Graeme Obree became a world record holder on a bike he made himself... It's not always the most expensive kit which gets the best results.
Stigofthenest
01 March 2016..and the half the price comment referred to the insole.. ie I bought the Green insole for £30... not that I bought the copper insole for £60..
Jimmy the Foot
01 March 2016Interesting stuff. Imagine the benefit inside £200 boots if the benefits are worthwhile to those with cheaper boots. Think sorts seat in a Ferrari & Sports seat in an MX5. Both relevant for doing a job & both driveable without a decent seat.... Even better with a decent seat inside though.... From £60 - £300 the standard insole in a boot is fault & largely useless so always worth trying something inside IMO. The money back guarantee was a sealer for me & I've never looked back!