Track Tested | L&S Synergy Footbeds
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Track Tested | L&S Synergy Footbeds
Price: $63.95
A few months ago, Wil Hahn texted us and asked if we would give a new product a try. Of course, we agreed, and within the week we met up with him and he gave us a set of L&S Synergy Footbeds. “Everyone on the team has been running them,” said the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha team manager. “They really do work.”
High-quality or custom footbeds are nothing new, and many of us on staff have been using aftermarket footbeds in our casual shoes for years. Long days working at Supercross events and pounding the asphalt, walking from pit area to pit area, can wreak havoc on your feet, ankles, knees, and lower back, and especially so when carrying around multiple cameras. The footbeds that come in most casual shoes – and especially of the skate variety – are often thin and flat, and offer little to no support. Replacing them with an aftermarket footbed can improve the comfort level of most shoes dramatically.
But what about motocross boots? According to Hahn, the entire team has been running the L&S Synergy Footbeds inside their Alpinestars for a couple of seasons now and are very happy with the feel and support that they offer. The L&S Synergy Footbeds are made of a medical-grade polymer in dual densities. Firmer sections are located in the greatest impact areas like the heel and ball of the foot for absorption and support, while the rest of the footbed consists of a softer material for comfort. While the footbed might look like a simple slab of rubber cut to fit inside your footwear, flipping it over reveals several structural features that are built in. We perused the literature that came with the inserts and L&S lists heel cup relief, metatarsal support, bat-wing arch support, and a shock-transfer bridge in its design features…but heck, we just wanted to ride in them and see how they felt!
Initially, we trimmed the footbeds Wilbur gave us and slid them inside of our new Alpinestars Tech 10 boots. We figured that with a bootie-style boot like the Tech 10, the stock footbed would be pretty deluxe, and we were surprised when we pulled out what looked like something from a recycled cardboard box. Instantly, our boots were more comfortable to walk in, but we wanted to see how they would feel on the track. Truth be told, the increased comfort that we felt in the pits was not as apparent while riding, but we did notice that at the end of the day, the traditional ache we always have in our knees was not as severe. (We’re old, give us a break!)
One of the services that L&S offers is custom fitment to your boots. On the website you choose your boot size and indicate the brand (Alpinestars, Fox, Gaerne, etc.), and they can send you a set that will work with some minor trimming, or you can send your boots in for a truly custom fit for an extra $55. We were so pumped with our “off the shelf” footbeds, that we sent a second pair of new Alpinestars Tech 10 boots in for a custom-fit pair of footbeds. (That, and to get the L&S guys a good look at the new-style Tech 10 for reference.)
Turns out that getting them custom built is a lot better than the cut-to-fit method, especially if you’re as ham-fisted as we are. While we followed the patterns to the best of our ability, we did botch it in a few areas and the custom-fit footbeds are perfect in comparison.
Several different color options are available for those who are especially color coordinated.
Along with our custom-fit pair of Tech 10s, L&S sent us two more sets of footbeds, one of which we fitted inside a pair of Gaerne SG12 boots. The SG12 is one of our favorite boots thanks to its hinged-ankle design and excellent shank support, but the inside does lack some comfort, mainly in the footbed area as the boot has a virtually flat arch on its insert. Furthermore, the toe box has a taller feel than other boots and many riders cannot grow accustomed to the extra wiggle room. The L&S Synergy Footbeds work wonders on the Gaerne boot as they offer a considerably softer and more comfortable footbed and also take up some of the surplus room in the toebox. If you wear Gaernes, these L&S footbeds are a must! Previously, long days at the track in SG12s would take a toll on the soles of our feet, but the L&S Synergy Footbeds transform them into some of the most comfortable and luxurious boots we’ve ridden in.
Thus far, we’ve logged several months on all of our footbeds and they show no signs of breaking down and remain as comfortable and supportive as they were the day we got them. Aftermarket footbeds may not be the first thing on your wishlists, but they certainly deserve a place on them. Thanks for the referral, Wil!
