A lot of people aren’t aware that the footbed of a shoe can go a long way to impart stability or cushioning. If your shoe has a removable sock liner, the footbed is the structure below the sock liner.
Typically there are 3 main types of footbeds.
1. Slip lasted – No additional stiffener added to shoe. Identified by a stitched seam either around the sides or down the middle of the insole. This method allows for the most cushioning and flexibility.
2. Strobel lasted – Same as above with a thin, soft full length insole. This allows for a more stable (anti-pronation) shoe.
3. Combination lasted – A 1/2 and 1/2 mixture of the above. Forefoot – slip lasted, heel area – Strobel or (card) board lasted. This provides rearfoot stability with a cushioned forefoot.
When considering the overall structure, the footbed is only one component of stability, you also need to take into account the outsole composition. You can have a firm footbed and a soft midsole and the shoe will overall be soft. Conversely, you can have a soft footbed and a firm midsole and the shoe will overall be firm.
The goal is to start getting you familiar with shoe construction, so that you will eventually be able to match the construction to your particular foot.
Dr. Jenny Sanders Shoe Blog 