Money BAck! Dr Sholl's Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts
Dr Scholl's has been advertising on TV a computer based store fixture that is said to show you a pattern of the pressure points under your feet, and prescribe a pre-made orthodic for you.
Money back guarantee if they don't work for you - keep receipt and the bar code on the package for refund.
I tried the thing which is probably in all Super WalMarts by now.
There are marked locations for your feet, and you align the heels specifically to the pattern on the machine. Punch the screen to begin the test and you get a pattern of pressure on the screen. Then there is a small display that comes up and they want you to lean forward and aft so that the cross is in the circle tarter. Then you repeat that for all weight on the left and right feet. You may answer a wuestion about your weight. Then the screen gives you the recommended otrthodic insert to use, and they are stacked around the testing machine.
The major negative factor is that the price is $49.95 at WalMart. But, you do have the easy return for refund.
The bosx says, about the refund, "If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, mail in the originalUPC code from the package along with your sales receipt to : Schering-Plough Healthcare Products Inc..... for a refund".
I haven't looked at it but they reference a website :
http://www.footmapping.com
There are three layers:
1) a cloth top (durable)
2) Extra support layers (the rubbery stuff)
3) the Arch Support (harder polymer)
The length isn't full length, but is more or less a half insole. For narrow shoes, there might be some trimming to fit.
I plan to just take this pair and use them everyday in whatever shoes I wear that day. Some days, I will probably use one of the Green Superfeet and one of the Dr Scholl's, just to see how noticeable the difference is. And by Summer, I will have a good idea of durability.
I have already made a file folder with the receipt and the UPC code, and it is in the file cabinet where I can find it.
Second Day Report- Notes on "Expert Fitters" Superfeet.
Today, my main activity was the bicycle, rode six miles out and back hauling a old printer to Staples for a $50 discount on a new one (Networked Laserjet HP 1505n B&W) with already a $100 off special. I shopped at an outfitter along the way and a shoe store looking for trail runners.
I noticed two (2) differences between the Superfeet and Scholl's inserts.
1) There was forefoot looseness noticed in the Scholl's side. Because of the lack of a full insole, the ball of my foot and toes were on the inside bottom of the boot floor, and they had all that extra room because there was no insole thickness at that part. There was just a lot of extra room because there was less "boot stuff" in that part of the shoe. I could take my own advice and put down a thin flat insole beneath the Dr Scholl's so as to reduce the shoe volume in the ball/toe area. This might become a problem when walking on rough rocky ground which wants to twist your foot in random directions. Or, some clever way of tying that tightens up the forefoot.
2) I felt some roughness near the tip of the Scholl's insert. On taking off the shoe and looking inside and feeling around and shaking it out, it was a small piece of stone. NOthing to do with the insert. The Scholl's insert was slightly "stuck" to the inside bottom of the boot. I don't think it is going to wiggle around and get out of place after only a few wearings.
- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yes, when first put on, I could again feel the greater arch thickness of the Green Superfeet, but the fit discomfort went away relatively quickly as my foot adopted to the insert.
Remember, the diagnostic School's machine said that my arches were low. It is possible that the insert selected by the machine could have taken that into account in the insert selection.... no way to know as the box just doesn't contain any of that description.
Does anyone have complaints that the green Superfeet have high arch discomfort? Would those of another color perhaps be more suited to low arches?
Well, I looked it up at the Superfeet website and the Blue Superfeet details include:
================================================== ====
Designed primarily for tighter fitting footwear, Superfeet BLUE is our most versatile product. BLUE provides excellent biomechanical support for the widest variety of foot shapes. Featuring Agion® antimicrobial top cover treatment to reduce bacteria and help prevent foot odor.
Ideal for feet with low to medium arches that cannot tolerate maximum support.
================================================== ===
So, this looks like a plus for the Dr. Scholl's diagnostic machine. It told me that I had a low arch, and the Green Superfeet description says:
=================================================
Designed primarily for footwear with a removable insole, Superfeet GREEN provides maximum support and shock absorption. Featuring Agion® antimicrobial top cover treatment to reduce bacteria and help prevent foot odor.
Ideal for feet with medium to high arches.
=================================================
Since the Dr Scholl's machine is free to use, maybe you could go there just to see what it diagnoses for you. At least, it will let you avoid getting high arch support for low arch feet.
I have bought (and had "fitted") 3 Superfeet sets, and they all selected Green models for me because I was backpacking.
Maybe the "Expert Fitters" I had were not so "Expert" after all.