Individual Fit – From Concept to Adapted Footbed
Different foot shapes, individual stress factors, and functional demands may ultimately require a personalized footbed – this is what led to the development of Climatocork Perfect Fit Technology.
We’ve already explored the importance of a breathable environment for the feet in a previous Journal article. This is why all Hackner shoes come with our proprietary Climatocork technology – featured in the ready-to-wear collections from Runnertune and VitalloFlex in the form of an anatomically shaped Climatocork footbed. Even this standard version already offers most people an exceptionally good fit.
When Standard Is No Longer Enough
No two feet are alike. Each one has unique characteristics that may call for equally individual adjustments to the footbed – whether to improve comfort or support performance.
In common foot conditions such as flat feet with overpronation, the arches and heel bone alignment deviate significantly from the anatomical norm. In these cases, targeted support or correction by the footbed becomes crucial – not least because these misalignments can affect joints further up the chain, such as the knees.
There are also conditions that primarily affect the forefoot but still disrupt gait dynamics – making a customized footbed necessary.
Tailored Support for Athletic Performance
Such deviations have an even greater impact during sports, when legs and feet are under maximum strain. In running, for example, joints may be exposed to forces two to three times one’s body weight.
In golf, optimum foot performance is essential – not only because a stable stance is key to a good swing, but also because a full 18-hole round typically involves walking distances of around 5 miles.
Even in professional car racing – where foot strain might not be immediately apparent – the feet are in constant use: braking, clutching, and accelerating expose them to high pedal forces and repeated pressure – often under extreme ambient temperatures.
More Efficiency Through Better Movement
But individualized solutions aren’t just about correcting structural issues. They also enhance the precise transfer of force from the foot to the shoe and on to the ground. A custom-fitted footbed helps prevent slipping inside the shoe, reduces localized strain, and maximizes efficiency of movement.
The Challenge
With decades of experience in high-end bespoke shoemaking, we knew just how much a perfectly fitting shoe – combined with a precisely adapted interior – can influence comfort and function. Our goal was to adapt the Climatocork footbed to individual requirements while fully preserving its excellent properties such as breathability and moisture absorption.
Unlike conventional constructions, Climatocork does not use adhesives between the top layer and the footbed base. Instead, both components are joined through a special manufacturing process that avoids any adhesive layer. This allows moisture released by the foot to pass directly from the top layer into the cork base – keeping the feet comfortably dry.
To learn more about the construction and functionality of the Climatocork footbed, click here.
The intended solution therefore had to enable individual customization – while fully respecting the material properties and functional principles of Climatocork.
The Result: Climatocork Perfect Fit Technology
Our development work has led to two specifically designed approaches for adapting the Climatocork footbed to the wearer's individual needs.
Premium Fitting is based on a detailed foot impression captured with the help of our Measuring Kit. This creates an accurate three-dimensional image of the individual foot shape. Deviations and misalignments become clearly visible, so that targeted corrections can be applied to the footbed in the next step – without compromising the characteristic properties of Climatocork.
The major advantage: An individually adapted Climatocork footbed does not require an in-person appointment. The Measuring Kit is conveniently shipped by mail, and the detailed foot impression can be taken at home. Learn more about Premium Fitting here.
Master Fitting takes it one step further. From the outset, we knew that the most accurate basis for a custom footbed is the unloaded foot – because only in its relaxed state is it soft and formable. During an in-person appointment at our manufacture in Hilpoltstein, Germany, the footbed is custom-molded directly to the foot using a specialized vacuum technique. A fitting expert adjusts the foot into its optimal shape before the molding begins – and this ideal foot shape is then transferred to the Climatocork footbed.
Easier said than done – translating theory into practice required real ingenuity. We succeeded in optimizing Climatocork so that it became thermoplastically moldable. This means that when warmed, the material can be shaped to fit – and once cooled, it permanently retains its new form. We also developed a custom machine that produces exactly the right vacuum to hold the Climatocork blank in place while cooling – ensuring that the footbed maintains its individual shape over the long term. If you’d like to learn more about Master Fitting, please click here.
Conclusion: Customization as It Should Be
Climatocork Perfect Fit Technology combines our deep understanding of fit and function with the ambition to offer every foot the best possible solution. Whether Premium or Master Fitting – both options allow for a truly personalized footbed without compromising comfort, breathability, or moisture absorption.