Custom shoes using 3d foot scanners

[hentaisan]

I just stumbled upon a new contraption at my local cobbler. It's a foot scanner for their new custom shoes service. The device has a big wooden box with holes at the top you put your feet into, and they go on some reflective surface at the bottom of the box. It's made by a Chinese company, and I can't remember the name, but it said "Digifier" or something like that.

At the end, it gave a whole number of measurements - at least 10, but I don't know whether a 3d model was generated. I have pronation issues, and it would be great to have a custom orthotic fit. but I don't see how it can effectively measure my arch when my feet are pressed onto a flat surface.

Then, my cobbler told me that the shoes are bespoke - the custom last and shoes are made in China. The construction is all goodyear welted, using Australian and Italian sourced leather. I wasn't terribly impressed with the leather quality of some of the samples - they didn't feel very supple, but he assured me that they were full-grain calf. Exotic leathers were also available. Also, some of the shoe designs were very gaudy. I think this was to show they can be customised in any way desired, but I don't see how clientele of shoes in this price range would be impressed with the designs offered.

The prices were reasonable - on par with C&J bench grade, I guess.

Has anyone had experience with anything like what I described? What do you think - worth taking a plunge?

 

[andrewmrsid]

I haven't personally seen a good version of a 3D measurement system in either clothes or shoes, and as a buyer at a premier men's store I see a lot! Technology amazes me every day, and someone will eventually make an AI version of a measurement system, but nothing short of the experience and intelligence of a great fitter fully understands the relationships of fit issues and solutions.

Long story short, I'd suggest going to a great podiatrist, get orthotics made, and then if you are going to spend North of $600 on shoes, ensure the shoes are quality.

 

[breakaway01]

You are asking two somewhat different questions re: using a foot scanner to create insoles to correct for pronation versus using a foot scanner to create a custom shoe last. My experience with orthotics and foot scanning comes from custom ski insoles. Digital scanning to capture an impression of the foot is rapidly replacing traditional plaster casting for orthotics. However to get an orthotic that actually corrects a foot problem, usually the scan is taken in a non weight bearing position with the person taking the scan holding the foot in a 'neutral' position. It sounds to me like you got a a full weight bearing scan, which captured your foot in the pronated weighed position, so it any insole made from the scan will not correct the problem.

No experience with scanning to create a custom shoe last. I don't see how it wouldn't be possible, but I think it would require a true 3D scan for best results rather than a set of measurements.

 

[DWFII]

This technology has been "emerging" for over 30 years...and I suspect it will continue to emerge for the next 30.

Simply said, anyone who thinks that they are going to get a good fit from a shoe made with digital scanning data needs to re-evaluate their definition of "good."