Non Standing V.S. Bolted Standing V.S. Hard Standing Feet text
Making the decision to purchase a doll often includes consideration of whether to choose non standing, bolted standing or hard standing feet. Having experience with all three options, here are explanations of all three options and the pros and cons that I have found.
Non standing feet - As the name implies, non standing feet do not facilitate standing of the doll on it’s feet. Non standing feet are not designed to bear the weight of the doll and will be easily damaged if standing is attempted.
Pros:
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Non standing feet tend to be more aesthetically pleasing than bolted standing feet, due to the lack of protruding bolts. In the past, non standing feet have been preffered by some foot fetishists.
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Non standing feet will generally be softer to the touch than hard standing feet.
Cons:
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As the name implies, dolls with non standing feet will not be able to stand on their feet without damage; this will limit storage options to sitting, lying, or hanging.
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Although generally softer to the touch than hard standing feet, non standing feet are often jelly like and could be considered too soft or floppy by some.
Bolted standing feet - Bolted standing feet have bolts that thread into an internal foot plate and protrude beyond the foot material (TPE/silicone) to bear the weight of the doll and facilitate standing.
Pros:
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Bolted standing feet are designed to bear the full weight of the doll by distributing the weight into a metal foot plate embedded within each foot. The foot material (TPE/silicone) is effectively isolated and bears no weight. Bolted standing feet equipped dolls can be posed and stored standing (in addition to sitting, lying and hanging) for extended periods without damaging the dolls feet.
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External plates can be fabricated and attached via bolted standing feet’s bolts to allow standing in high heels without damage to the foot material (TPE/silicone).
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In my opinion, bolted standing feet are the most versatile option.
Cons:
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Bolted standing feet tend to be considered less aesthetically pleasing than non standing or hard standing feet due to the unnatural appearence of the protruding bolts. This may be an issue for foot fetishists but can possibly be mitigated by removing the bolts when not standing.
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Bolted standing feet are known for scratching flooring, tearing holes in hosiery and shoes and can be less stable than hard standing feet due to a relatively small contact surface area (the head of the bolt x3). This can possibly be mitigated by using plastic bolt caps to increase the contact surface area.
Hard standing feet - Hard standing feet use harder (more firm) foot material (most commonly availible on silicone dolls but there have been limited attempts at hard standing TPE feet) and bear the weight of the doll to facilitate standing.
Pros:
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Hard standing feet are designed to bear the full weight of the doll by distributing the weight into the hardened foot material (TPE/silicone). Hard standing feet equipped dolls can be posed standing for short periods of time with less risk of damaging the doll’s feet in comparison to non standing feet.
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Hard standing feet tend to be more aesthetically pleasing than bolted standing feet, due to the lack of protruding bolts. Currently hard standing feet are preffered by some foot fetishists.
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Hard standing feet are unlikely to damage other surfaces/items like flooring, hosiery, shoes etc. and tend to be more stable on hard surfaces (tile, hardwood flooring etc.) due to an increased contact surface area in comparison to bolted standing feet.
Cons:
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Although hard standing feet are designed to bear the full weight of the doll; most manufacturers advise against standing, hard standing feet dolls for extended periods of time; due to the possibility of damage caused by the distribution of weight from the hardened standing foot material (TPE/silicone) into the embedded metal foot plates. Manufacturers will very likely reject claims of damage that are suspected to be caused by standing the doll for extended periods. For these reasons, hard standing feet effectively limit extended storage options to sitting, lying or hanging.
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Hard standing feet can be considered by some foot fetishists to be too hard.
To sum it up, it is my opinion that:
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Non standing feet are the most limiting foot option in regards to the ability to stand and store a doll. I would advise against non standing feet in all situations other than foot fetishes with very specific aesthetic and softness requirements.
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Bolted standing feet are the most versatile option in regards to the ability to stand and store a doll and are also the least likely to sustain damage to the foot. Bolted standing feet are the most likely to damage other surfaces/items like flooring, hosiery, shoes etc. and can be less stable (than hard standing feet) on hard surfaces such as tile, hardwood flooring etc.
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Hard standing feet are a middle ground compromise, allowing safe standing for short periods of time while offering similar aesthetics to non standing feet. Hard standing feet are very unlikely to damage other surfaces/items like flooring, hosiery, shoes etc. and can be more stable than bolted standing feet on hard surfaces such as tile, hardwood flooring etc. The firmness of hard standing feet may off putting to some foot fetishists with specific softness requirements.