Skiing is a hobby that requires passion, dedication and an investment on every level. With all the planning and care that goes into a ski trip, you don't want to sell yourself short by having poorly fitted, uncomfortable ski boots. After all, your ski boots connect you to the ski, and they need to be properly fitted in every way for the best possible skiing experience.

Custom foot orthotics, which are also referred to as insoles or footbeds, can give you an advantage for your skiing adventure. Each of your feet has more than two dozen bones and even more joints. There are ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, soft tissue and skin, and each of these parts makes up the foot.

It's easy to see why you need personalized support based on your unique feet. That's where custom orthotics come into play. Consider the following reasons why custom orthotics can help you get the most out of skiing the next time you hit the slopes.

Reason #1: Proper Alignment

Orthotics can help you maintain proper alignment while skiing. By helping your foot stay in a neutral position, you may benefit from a better stance as well as better balance and control. Also, when your foot is correctly supported, it can also help align the body from the ankles and legs up, too.

As The New York Times reported, using custom orthotics can help your foot be in the best position for athletics. If your toes and feet have an unusual shape or you struggle with issues like diabetes, custom orthotics for proper alignment is even more important.

Reason #2: Skiing Performance

The easiest, simplest way to improve your skiing performance is to ensure your feet are well-supported. There's no better way to do that than having a pair of customized orthotics. That's one of the reasons that ski boots are the most important piece of ski equipment.

No matter how much your ski boots cost, you will be missing out if you don't also get customized orthotics for them. In addition to offering you proper support, custom orthotics will transfer the shifts and moves of your knees, hips and legs to the skis. Orthotics offers you greater control of your skis and your performance is sure to be stronger.

Reason #3: Overall Comfort

At the end of the day, what's more important than comfort? Feeling good while you're skiing will help motivate you to do it more often. The proper cushioning that custom orthotics provides will help absorb shock that can otherwise make your feet ache. Also, the correct support will allow your blood supply to flow more freely and because of this your feet and toes stay warmer.

Also, custom orthotics can help you ski for extended periods of time without coming away with sore feet, and it can relieve stress on pressure points. Having custom orthotics for your ski boots may prevent future foot pain, too.

Reason #4: Foot Stabilization

When you have a pair of custom orthotics, it can serve to stabilize your feet. The average ski boot without custom orthotics does not allow for the flexibility your feet need, but custom orthotics stabilizes the feet so they can be strong and balanced while skiing.

Finally, when you are looking for custom orthotics that are created just for you, consider the expert services of Tops Shoes. Since 1982, we've been making customers happy. When your feet are pampered and protected, you are more likely to feel empowered to enjoy skiing. The same is true for walking, running and exercising in a vast variety of ways.