You definitely won't find anyone that is more passionate or knowledgeable about running shoes than the team of footwear specialists at Profeet. Their running shoe expert, Danny Orr, manager of Profeet’s Fulham store and their recently opened Clapham South store, is well aware of the statistics, “Seventy-five per cent of people are wearing the wrong shoes, of which sixty per cent of them will become injured and their shoes will almost certainly be a contributing factor,” he says. Tri247 accompanied mother of two and former Great Britian triathlon team member, Bea Downey, to be tested and find out more about this new and innovative process.

On first impressions you can tell that the guys at Profeet mean business. There are few products for sale, you can’t buy shoes here unless you are tested first, and there most certainly aren’t the usual advertising banners around trying to convince you to buy the latest expensive high-tech running trainer from some of the leading brands. Unlike other typical running shoe shops, these guys won't let you leave the shop unless they are totally convinced they’ve found the right shoe for you. The state of the art, minimalistic shop, almost gives you the feeling of being in a science laboratory and you get the impression that something interesting is about to be discovered. In Bea’s case, problems that were causing months of painful and uncomfortable running, because of tight calves and very tight hip-flexors, were about to be diagnosed.

As shoe technology evolves, we know that finding the right shoe can be a complicated process. There are so many models to choose from and, worryingly, some brands, acknowledging the fashion potential, are paying more attention to aesthetics than actual perfomance. The experts at Profeet use state-of-the-art foot pressure mapping and video-imaging software, which enables their technicians to build a 3D picture of how our feet perform dynamically during running. With the results from the tests, Profeet are able to help correct poor bio-mechanics and footwear, leaving a lot less to chance and giving the athlete an opportunity to experience more comfortable and injury free running.

The Profeet process

To start the analysis, Bea was filmed running on a specialist treadmill, both with and without shoes. The images were then sychronised on a computer screen and then played back frame by frame to see firstly how her feet performed and then how her current shoes affected her performance.

Bea’s feet were then scanned to show the pressure on landing and the direction in which her foot takes off. These results were immediately analysed to show how her foot functioned and from these results the Profeet team decided on the best running shoes for Bea’s style of running. In this case it was a pair of Brooks GTS 7s which would help her pronation problem, which in turn would help her tight calves and hip flexors.

This initial information was also used to create a bespoke insole using silicon pads that were moulded to her feet. The insoles were then heated up and Bea had to stand on them in the mould. They were then cut and ground to fit her new shoes.

One of the great benefits of working with Profeet is that the insoles are made there and then while you wait. The whole process is done in one session and there’s no need to wait (which would be the case in most other places) and, for most of us impatient runners, this means we can get on with what's most important to us; running!

Bea’s intitial reaction was that her new insoles and trainers made her legs feel a lot lighter and she felt more balanced, but the test would really be to see how she adapted to running in her new insoles over a period of time. The experts at Profeet suggest a gradual breaking-in period whereby you rotate between your new insoles and trainers and the original ones.

Three weeks later

Bea has steadily worked through the adaption phase and says that her new insoles and shoes are a joy to run in. The tight calves and hip-flexor problems have completely cleared up and she is now running pain free. We'll check back with her again after the six-month check-up to monitor progress.

Conclusion

This is a great service for the serious runner or triathlete looking to improve on performance whilst running pain and injury free. The while-you-wait service makes the whole process quick, easy and good value for money. Whilst the whole process (including new trainers) will cost you around £200, it is well within the standard rate (if not more reasonable) for similar services offered by a podiatrist. You will also be entitled to a free six-month check up and 10% off all subsequent new shoes purchased from profeet. The insoles will typically last up to three pairs of shoes and can be re-moulded which is often not the case with a conventional orthotic.

Profeet's service can be extended, using different kinds of inserts, to cycling shoes, walking boots and even golf shoes or ski boots. They actually have a dedicated store in London that does nothing but ski boots - another reassuringly niche and expensive sport!

For more information go to: www.profeet.co.uk