Insoles

[BubblyMasquerade]

I have flat feet which blows big fat ugly nuts.

I am in need of a new insole, recommendations?

 

[acidboy]

I use Spencos- the ones with a high arch and the bottom is hard plastic. Takes a little getting used to, but they're great!

 

[Milhouse]

Are you having pain or problems? If not, just find a decent, cheap, well cushioned insole at the drugstore and you'll be set. If you have problems with pain, then another product, like an OTC footbed might be a good idea.

I have flat feet, and my gait is actually neutral (which is rare, most people with flat feet over pronate because they don't have an arch to collapse during footstrike). I'm using Superfeet blue in my running shoes and Superfeet green in my boots (because I carry a lot of weight when I am wearing boots) to help with the knee pain I sometimes get.

Brands to check out if you are having pain or problems:

Superfeet
Sole Custom Footbeds
Spenco
Shockblockers from Oregon Aero

A book to read if you have foot issues:
Fixing Your Feet by John Vonhof

 

[MCsommerreid]

I'm using superfeet currently. They're pretty good, but seem more designed for folks with a flat to normal arch. They solved like 3/4 of my knee, ankle, and hip issues.

Anyone have a suggested insole/"arch-sole" for the opposite problem? I have a pretty high, but very weak, arch. The kind of arch where when the foot is positioned properly the heel points slightly inwards. Whenever I stand, which I seem to do a lot of, or walk long distances my feet pronate inwards like crazy, causing all my joints to go off kilter.

 

[HORNS]

I think the best store-bought inserts are Superfeet, but there's a quantum difference between these and custom-molded orthotics. Go see a podiatrist, see if your insurance pays for the orthotics. I might be able to give you insight on what quality of the particular lab they use. There can be a difference even between the labs, and you might as well get the best you can.

 

[booby_shoes]

I'm gellin'

 

[tuba74]

I would go to a podiatrist and have him do the recommendations.

 

[kabert]

I use Allen Edmonds insoles -- they're fantastic. About $25/pair on the website but worth it. Very cushy, and I install an arch support underneath each one in a shoe.

 

[Jared]

I have pronated flat feet. I've been using Superfeet for years. I don't have pain or other obvious issues. I recently got extended health insurance so I went to a podiatrist. He convinced me that I don't need custom orthotics and that Superfeet do nothing. I haven't been wearing any insoles for the past few weeks and it appears he was right.

 

[HORNS]

Originally Posted by Jared

I have pronated flat feet. I've been using Superfeet for years. I don't have pain or other obvious issues. I recently got extended health insurance so I went to a podiatrist. He convinced me that I don't need custom orthotics and that Superfeet do nothing. I haven't been wearing any insoles for the past few weeks and it appears he was right.

Why were you wearing the Superfeet in the first place?

 

[lmaligaya]

i got some pedage viva insoles that are pretty great. They are leather soled, thin, and have a plastic but flexible arch/metatarsal support. they cost like 25 dollars, but they fit great in dress shoes. I have had probalems with the heelpad pushing my heels up to high and i get lift, but these dont do that.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by HORNS

Why were you wearing the Superfeet in the first place?

Um, good question.

I think my Mom got me to start wearing them when I was a teenager and I just kept wearing them. I do have significant pronation, but apparently I can reasonably compensate.

Back when I wore sandals I'd experience some pain at the start of every summer when I switched from supportive shoes, so that made me believe that I needed the insoles, but now I wonder if it was just one of the other things that are different about sandals.

 

[HORNS]

A lot of people have flat feet and do not have problems with them. If you look at word-class sprinters like Michael Johnson or Marion Jones, they have very flat feet. However, they are not long-distance material.

If your feet feel good with no pain, then you know you're doing something right.

 

[Working Stiff]

Actually, many world class distance runners have flat feet. It is not, in and of itself, a problem.

The best thing you can do for your feet is to wear shoes with lower heels.

 

[rapdancin]

go to a podiatrist and get custom-molded ones. they last ~2 years and if your insurance covers some of it the cost shouldn't be too steep