superfeet?

[kt_lyn]

are these just inserts or are you talking about actual shoes?

[kt_lyn]

i meant for this to be a reply, not a new thread- sorry!

[deeddawg]

See here: http://www.superfeet.com/

[chris]

It can be. If you have an oddly shaped foot (for example, a very large heel), the Superfeet will do more harm than good. If you think they might help (and they probably will), buy a pair, put 30-40 miles hiking on them, and see how your feet feel. The arch support will feel odd at first, but as your feet mold a shape in the inserts, they should feel better. If your feet hurt, then you should try something else. Custom orthotics are almost certainly better, but require more cash and a trip to a specialist.

[poison_ivy]

I actually just got a pair of Superfeet after a 12-mile day hiking nearly killed me -- due to the pain in my feet, The soreness actually wasn't bad until the next day, during which I could not walk a step more than eight miles.

I've used the superfeet insoles for two hikes so far, so they probably aren't totally broken in. The superfeet do feel a little strange on my arches, but overall I give them a big thumbs up. At the end of my last hike, (which was only seven miles, admittedly,) I didn't have any pain in my feet at all. I will be testing them out on higher mileage either this weekend or the next one.

- Ivy

[MadAussieInLondon]

i dont tihnk you have to 'break' superfeet in. i stuck a green pair in my every day work shoes (approach trail shoes actually). no probs from the moment i put em in.. also didnt notice much difference at all really...

but they are not something i would have thought you had to put 50 miles on before they did anything...

[chris]

I suspect, my Australian friend, that you have relatively high arches to begin with. So, the extra support doesn't push up against your arch. I have more medium height arches and so feel the support more. The break in that I refered to, though, is just your feet molding the inserts. Take a look at your superfeet and you'll see distinct pockets where your toes sit, the ball of your feet, your heel, etc. It seemed to take me about a day to form these grooves, or about 30-40 miles. Before that, my feet would slip around a bit.

[MadAussieInLondon]

aah right. not much of an indentations in mine. been wearing them every day for 3 months... i took it out of the shoe and stood on it, i can feel it (barefoot) against my arch.. yet dont feel it in the shoe.

saying that, i really like them. the difference for me isnt greatly noticeable but there is a difference.. mmm.. anyway.

i think they were a good investment :)

[fwassner]

I have been using Sorbothane "work/sport" insoles in all my shoes (running and hiking).
I have used them in running shoes for a year. I was satisfied until my last pair. Sorbothane has changed the design of the work/sport insole, making them much thinner and less cushioning.
I have gone back to using Spenco in my runners but haven't done any hiking since so I don't know what I'll use in the boots.

Maybe I will try a pair of superfeet. I have low arches, and they might do me some good.

[Dharma]

I'm using the blue Superfeet rather than the green ones. The higher arches on the green ones bothered me as I walked around the store.

I've had zero problems using the blue ones and have put about 30+ miles on them.

[fwassner]

I think that rather than try to order a pair of superfeet on the web, I'll go to a dealer and try them out.
The listing pointed me to one very close to me.

[Peaks]

Green Superfeet are a foot bed that replaces the removable insole in hiking boots. They provide support for your feet.

Superfeet need to be fitted to the shape of your feet. Mail ordering doesn't cut it. You should have a knowledgeable salesperson fit them to your feet. Just don't let a clerk hand you the pair that corresponds with your shoe size.

Yes, they do feel strange at first because they support your feet in different places than you are accustomed to. So, your feet need to be conditioned for the footbed.

Superfeet are not for everyone. But, I'm sold on them. In 2001 I did half the AT without them. At the end, my feet were sore tender I didn't know if they would ever feel right. It took months to recover, In 2002, I did the other half of the trail with them. Feet felt fine, and I was running road races within days of returning from the trail.

[fwassner]

Peaks;

Thanks for the advice. I'll go to the local dealer. I have bought many a pair of skis from them, and so far they've never steered me wrong. I guess it's just a matter of time that you get to the store. I need to find out when the superfeet specialist will be there. I'll phone them first.

As for hiking the trail in 2 halves. That sounds like a real good plan. Running road races after the long hike must have made you very fast. I am a runner, and know that I usually run faster after even a 2 day hike (once I let my legs rest up for a few days of course). A marathon should be no problem after 1,000+ miles of hiking.

Which half did you do first, and did you go NOBO or SOBO?

[Peaks]

I hiked Harper's Ferry to Katahdin first, going Northbound. Then because of the fellowship that developed with my fellow hikers, I went north bound again the next year from Springer to Harpers Ferry.

Doing the trail in two sections limited my time away from family and other obligations. And, frankly, I was tired at that point. In both sections, I had pushed fairly hard, so I needed some time off to prevent burn out. That was enough for me. 5 1/2 ot 6 months away from family and other obligations probably would have been too much for me.

And yes, I had some good running times that year. I can't beat them now.