Every IAMBIC pair begins with a 3D scan that captures unique shape and movement inputs. Our Fit Engine turns this data into a millimeter-accurate digital last, then European artisans craft each pair from full grain Italian leather for balance, comfort, and all day performance.
Recognized as a TIME Best Invention of the Year and backed by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Designed in New York City, crafted in Portugal.
Want to explore fit first? Take the Fit Guide Quiz.
The workday test, from first step to last
Elise Young leads a strategy and go-to-market operations team focused on SMBs at Google. Her days blend a New York City commute, constant movement across meetings, and the kind of schedule that asks a lot from what you wear on your feet.
In this interview, Elise shares what changed once she started wearing precision-fit shoes, why she trusts the process, and how personalization reshaped her expectations for premium footwear.
How IAMBIC’s precision fit works
- Smartphone scan: Capture key foot geometry through a guided photo scan.
- Fit profile: Share preferences and movement needs so the build reflects real life.
- Crafted to your data: The Fit Engine creates a millimeter-accurate digital last, then artisans craft your pair in Portugal.
Start with the Fit Guide Quiz, or explore the MODEL T.
A conversation with Elise Young
Can you start by introducing yourself and what you do day to day?
My name’s Elise. I work at Google, and I lead a strategy and go-to-market operations team focused on SMBs. Day to day, I’m moving constantly, finding rooms for meetings, running between floors, and commuting by subway. I try to hit around nine to ten thousand steps a day.
What does a typical day look like for you in terms of movement and time on your feet?
I walk my son to daycare, I live in a third story walk-up, and I’m carrying a 30-pound toddler up and down stairs. Then I take the subway from Park Slope, walk to the office, and once I’m there I’m moving around a large building throughout the day.
What earns your trust in a product you rely on every day?
Quality first, and style too. I like to feel put together, and I have an aesthetic I’ve built over time. I also reached a point where heels do not fit my life, so I look for footwear I can move around in comfortably.
Before IAMBIC, how much thought did you give to footwear?
I gave it a fair bit of thought from a styling perspective, pairing shoes to a look, the amount of walking in a day, and the weather. I was less focused on quality and fit, and more focused on whether a shoe felt sufficient for what the day required.
What stood out about the process, from scan to receiving the shoes?
I was one of the participants in a very high detail scanning process early on, and I also trialed other approaches. It was fascinating to see how many facets go into foot data, then see that translate into a mobile process that condenses the information capture into something more streamlined and scalable.
How does it feel to wear a pair made specifically for you?
They’re really comfortable, and they work stylistically. What’s interesting is I do not really notice them during the day. Then, when I switch to a different pair, I feel the difference immediately. The reason I’m not noticing is because these fit my feet so well.
“When I’m wearing my IAMBICs, I don’t really notice anything. The reason I’m not noticing is because these fit my feet so well.”
Elise Young
What does owning an Edition of One product say to you about quality and intention?
It feels meaningful to have something made for me. They are premium shoes, and they still feel accessible in the sense that they fit into real life. I wear them in environments where they can get messy, because the fit actually changes how my body feels. When I wear shoes that do not fit well, I notice it in my ankles, shins, and knees.
How would you describe the look and versatility?
They have a high-end sneaker look, and they fit into an urban wardrobe. I wear them for travel, long walks, and nights out. The only time I switch is for a very formal meeting where I want a slimmer profile, like a loafer. Overall, they are highly versatile.
How does personalization change how you think about luxury footwear?
It changes the bar for what you expect from a product. Precision fit delivers a degree of personalization that reshapes your perception of what you deserve from what you buy.
What made you trust the foundation of the technology?
I know the history of how the work developed and the level of expertise involved. The quality of partnerships, grant support, and medical collaborations signaled a robust foundation behind what the team was building.
What was your reaction to using your smartphone for scanning?
It was much easier, and it felt clever that you can get to a similar kind of output with your phone and paper. The approach feels practical, and it still produces personalized fit.
What excites you about shoes becoming more personalized over time?
Gait and wear create patterns, and those patterns are data. The idea of using that data to improve your next pair feels rare in footwear, and it is exciting.
How did the fit compare to what you expected?
I did not have a strong preconceived notion. What surprised me was how much better they feel relative to other shoes I own, especially on long days. Elise shared a clear example from a multi-day event in Miami, where switching away from her IAMBICs led to ankle pain within hours, and returning to IAMBIC brought her back to feeling steady.
How does precision fit show up over the course of a full day?
The difference is most noticeable when I wear another shoe. Even on a short commute, I can feel the toe box is too tight, the shoe has no shape relative to my foot, and the cushioning is not there. With IAMBICs, long days of walking feel simpler, and travel planning becomes a question of which pair to bring.
Has wearing precision-fit shoes changed what you expect from other footwear?
Yes. It made me aware of how much stress I was putting on my feet and legs with other shoes. Over time, especially with parenting and carrying kids while walking, knowing this option exists feels meaningful for long-term movement.
See the MODEL T, or take the Fit Guide Quiz.
The most interesting thing about them being crafted just for me is how well they fit. And I had never even noticed that my shoes didn't fit right. My other shoes don't hurt me - they just slosh around. With these, the heels actually stay on the whole time and it fits snugly yet still comfortably. And I'd never experienced that before. They just stay comfortable all day.
As a runner, as an athlete, just knowing that I'm doing a good service to my body is incredible. It’s the reason that I love my IAMBIC shoes. It's that precision that makes me feel safe to walk down the street, get on the subway, do my commute, bring my kids to school, and not feel concerned that I'm doing it in a shoe that doesn't fit right or that doesn't feel good.
The thing that I was surprised by the most with the precision fit is that any pressure points that I had been feeling with the shoes that I previously came in wearing were completely gone. I was wearing a shoe that wasn’t too tight. It wasn’t too loose. The sole fit just right. Total comfort. That’s the best way to put it.
I deal with chronic foot pain, and a lot of it comes from shoes that do not really fit. When I wear my IAMBICs, I notice less pain and they are incredibly comfortable. I do not worry about support, and I even get compliments on them when I am out, which feels great.
A lot of shoes feel fine for a short walk but not for hours. What I like about IAMBIC is that it feels snug and comfortable, yet substantial enough for long walks without discomfort. That matters to me, and the shoe has really delivered on that.
The first time I tried my IAMBICs, I noticed the difference right away. I have small feet, so most shoes either do not fit or are uncomfortable somewhere. Knowing these were tailored to my foot was meaningful. They are truly comfortable and still versatile in style, which is rare to find.
I think we’re all placed on this earth as unique individuals. None of us are really off the rack in terms of sizing. So for me to have that experience of having something made specifically for me that fit perfectly was something that was a little bit mind blowing. And once I got the shoes, I tried them on, they looked great, they felt great. And honestly, they fit like a glove.
In motorsport, a millimeter matters. My IAMBICs are built with that same precision, and you can feel it when you move. They remind me of the exactness you find in high-performance machines, translated into footwear.
With IAMBIC, I can be on my feet through long shoots without that usual end-of-day fatigue. I do not worry about burning out or feeling drained like I used to. They help me get through overtime and long days without thinking about pain.
They move with me and quickly became part of my day. I do not wear them only for style, I wear them because they make me feel good. The comfort and support are what keep me reaching for them.
With most shoes I am always wishing I had chosen something else. With IAMBIC, I don’t think about switching. I want everything else to feel the way these do, because they are the pair I reach for every day.
When I wear my IAMBICs, I barely notice them, and I think that says everything. The difference shows up when I switch to other high-end sneakers and immediately feel the discomfort. They fit my feet so well that comfort just feels natural.