more about us
Total Feet isn’t the brainchild of a former competitor or ski instructor, but rather of someone who stayed on the “dark side of the sport” to pursue an unconventional career path that allowed him to acquire recognized and valued expertise. Above all, it is the story of someone passionate about ski boots and the foot—specifically, the problems associated with skiing and the mechanical solutions that can be applied to them.
The "Shoedog"
Mark Festor « Shoedog »
My Journey: A Legacy of Technical Excellence
As a dual French-Canadian citizen originally from Calgary, Alberta, I have always lived at the crossroads of two worlds. Innovation and the mountain industry are part of my DNA. My father, Eric, was the pioneer who imported POMAGALSKI into Canada, overseeing the installation of over 70 ski lifts across the country between 1950 and 1964.
This heritage of technical precision and passion naturally forged my own unconventional career path.
What is a “Shoedog”?
In the footwear industry, a “Shoedog” is a rare breed. It describes a highly skilled technician who dedicates their entire life to the craft—from initial design and factory-floor manufacturing to sales and market launch. True Shoedogs are raised in the prototyping workshops and development labs. Product creation is their life’s work.
This has nothing to do with being a corporate sales rep who simply fills out order sheets. It is about an absolute mastery of product architecture, biomechanics, and performance.
This definition perfectly captures my atypical career. Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting a few true Shoedogs, but they can be counted on one hand—especially in the highly technical world of athletic and technical sports footwear.
Uncompromising Expertise, Beyond the Marketing Hype
To put it plainly: I am not a “Bootfitter 2.0” fed on the standardized marketing scripts you find in most retail shops today.
My expertise belongs to a different tier—where genuine industrial engineering meets craftsmanship. Arrogant? No, just realistic. I bring a rare, deep-rooted technical knowledge that simply cannot be improvised.
our legacy
It's all about feet
Walking, running, climbing, cycling, and skiing are undoubtedly simple movements for all of us—easy for our entire bodies to perform. Our lower limbs—that is, our legs and feet—allow us to move regardless of the surface or the intensity required to perform these various movements. But just like our faces, all feet are different, and we generally need to adapt our shoes and their fit to each foot’s specific characteristics and to the various issues that arise based on how we move and the intensity of our activity.
Every case is unique: we are still a long way from a perfect, one-size-fits-all foot shape….
Our two feet are the only points of contact between our body and the ground; they bear the stresses caused by footwear, the ground, and the intensity of the effort involved in each movement. Every day, regardless of the shoes we wear, our lower limbs are subjected to stress caused by our posture or gait, athletic activity, or—in the case of ski boots—the compression of the outer shell on the soft tissues of the foot.
Each foot has a unique role and function; it must ensure balance and act as a shock absorber and propulsion mechanism for each of our steps. It is also an extremely complex structure that adapts to the terrain and the demands of locomotion.
In 2007, when I founded TOTAL FEET—after a career spanning more than 30 years that was incredibly rewarding, particularly in the world of athletic and ski footwear—my goal can be summed up in one simple sentence: “To rediscover my true passion: making people happy by doing what I love.”
So I wanted to share with you my expertise, passion, and joy in helping you fully enjoy comfort and well-being—and to continue fully participating in your favorite sport or simply getting through your daily commute.
TOTAL FEET remains a small, artisanal business that prioritizes work quality that borders on perfection. Everything is dedicated to provide the best fit in your skiboots or orthotics
- A one-of-a-kind personalized experience. All services are performed right before your eyes: you’ll leave with your insoles or shoes ready to wear.
- This level of service takes time = a limited number of appointments per day
