Let's talk Shoe Inserts

[jimyjam]

I am looking for good shoe inserts. I have tried Superfeet. I have tried the green ones and the arches are way to high for my feet. So I bought the blue ones. They were a better fit however, Superfeet seem to leave my feet feeling sore and somewhat bruised. I have allowed them plenty time for adjusting to them. I cannot imagine using them and feeling comfortable in them next year on my thru hike.
So what other inserts are everyone else using? Any suggestions are appreciated.


Life is full of ups and downs! Hike on!

[1azarus]

I used superfeet for years and believed that they were essential. For the last year or so I've just hiked with the standard factory cascadia Brookes insert and have been at least as comfortable. I'm done with inserts.

[Koozy]

I thru hiked last year using Keen Marshalls and Merrill Moab Ventilators. I had to use a size 13 since shoes only come in full sizes after size 12. They were a little too big and I used Spenco hiker/runner insoles to take up additional room in my shoes and prevent blisters. Worked like a charm.

From what I gather, Superfeet provide support. I did not need support, just cushion. Spenco insoles do not have a hard bottom like superfeet, and provided about a 1/4-inch of cushion. I did have to use multiple pair, but then again I also went through 5 pair of shoes on my hike. To each his own.

Hope you find the right combination.

[peakbagger]

Montrail heat moldable inserts have worked great for me. They have a somewhat more pronounced arch support than the almost non existent support on the stock new balance inserts so it did take awhile for them to get comfortable. They are also quite durable. They are a bit more volume than stock inserts so shoe size should be planned accordingly.

[Water Rat]

I count myself lucky to not have foot issues (knock on wood!). I have never needed more support/cushioning than the factory insert provides. I hike/wear Salamon Wings shoe when not hiking in sandals. Never have had blister issues, etc.

Last year, I noticed my knee (it has been through many injuries) was not so happy with the long hiking days and the general "jarring" it received with each step. I decided to try adding just a little bit more cushion to my shoe to see if that would help alleviate the issue. Long story short, I ended up finding the Sof Sole Athlete insert (https://www.sofsole.com/product/Athlete). I have hiked enough to be able to say that it has solved my issue for now.

While I doubt it would provide much support for those who are looking for that in an insert, the extra cushion has made a world of difference for my knee. It has also helped with the minimal foot tiredness I was beginning to feel at the end of the day. I have no idea if it will work for you, but if you are looking for extra cushion, this might help.

These inserts do take up space in the shoe, but I was not forced to go to a larger size (I have long, narrow feet). Something to take into account if trying for the first time.

Good luck!

[perrymk]

Sole Signature EV Ultra

heat moldable, basically a custom fit

[Wülfgang]

Jimyjam, I've had mostly the same experience. The green Superfeet everyone worships have way too high of an arch for my feet. The blues are "just right"; although I agree that they are a bit hard. I've gotten used to them but after about 10 miles my feet start to feel pounded. I think next I will try their orange (?) variety with added padding. I notice If I wear padded socks with the blues my feet feel pretty good.

The main reason I started using inserts was plantar fasciitis with regular weekly hiking.

[burger]

If you have a bit of spare cash or good insurance, go to a pedorthist or a podiatrist and get custom orthotics. I had custom orthotics for the PCT and CDT and had no foot problems other than a few blisters and the usual footsoreness from walking all those miles. I had all manner of foot problems and injuries before the orthotics and have been mostly injury-free since then.

Custom orthotics will run you over $300, but the last 2 sets I've gotten were mostly covered by insurance. If you get the hard plastic kind, they may last a lifetime with just occasional replacement of the cover (which is like the insoles that come with running shoes) for a few dollars.

Whatever you do, if your current inserts are still causing problems after a long adjustment period, I would suggest switchiing to something different asap before you do real damage.

[RangerZ]

At last! Other blue Superfeet users. Don't let the greenies walk all over you.

[slbirdnerd]

I didn't care for Superfeet for hiking or for running. SofSole works great for me, though:

https://www.sofsole.com/product/Neutral_Arch

[nsherry61]

I am looking for good shoe inserts. I have tried Superfeet.

Having spent a lot of time helping lots of people with various foot beds and foot issues, the first thing that comes to my mind is this:
Why are you looking for shoe inserts?
What is going on with your feet that causes you to be looking for different foot beds?
In what way has each foot bed you've used previously failed (including stock foot beds)?

[rocketsocks]

I've been using Superfeet for a few years, works for me, your dogs may bark.

[Vegan Packer]

If you have a bit of spare cash or good insurance, go to a pedorthist or a podiatrist and get custom orthotics.

+1. I have been using custom orthotics. I went from thinking that I would wind up in a wheelchair in a few years to only tired feet at the end of the day. Much improved.

[Bird Dawg]

I've been battling plantar fasciitis for almost 2 years now. I tried the green Superfeet but they didn't work for me. Found the Powerstep Pinnacle orthotic supports and they have helped a lot. I keep them in all of my shoes now.

[Five Tango]

footsmart.com They have something for everything and everybody.

[Wyoming]

This post really demonstrates something I am always posting about.

Your feet and shoe/sock/insert needs are unique to you. The only way to find out what works for you is to experiment with the possible combinations until you find what works for you. And then stick with it as long as you can. Run away from anyone who says their way is the right way.

Any individual could end up with any of the possible combinations of.

running shoe, trail runners, walking shoes, boots
thick socks, no socks, super thin socks, liner and other sock
how many kinds of inserts are there?
Hard soled shoes, soft soled shoes, flexible shoes, stiff shoes

I have tried every kind of shoe, every sock combination and superfeet, regular soft inserts, rubber inserts

In soft shoes after a few hundred miles my feet HURT. Add in superfeet or any other insert it makes no difference - they HURT.

Get in a very hard walking shoe or even a boot and the pain goes away - go figure that hard works better than soft. And I don't use inserts in them.

Socks? The thinnest sock I can find - I usually wear womens ultra lights. No double socks, no thick socks. I do this and I never get blisters. I have strongly considered going without socks all together - but have not tried it.

The better a shoe fits the fewer of any kind of problems one is going to have. Buy them the right size and, if, after a few hundred miles your feet are staying swollen buy another pair of shoes which fits right. You will wear out the others later.

I do really recommend that one do this experimenting while at home training. Doing it on the trail is asking for trouble. Which is, sometimes, unfixable.

[ekeverette]

jimmyjam, you wore your feet out in pennslyvania!!!!!! I was just behind you.... flipper.

[BirdBrain]

This post really demonstrates something I am always posting about.

Your feet and shoe/sock/insert needs are unique to you. The only way to find out what works for you is to experiment with the possible combinations until you find what works for you. And then stick with it as long as you can. Run away from anyone who says their way is the right way.

Any individual could end up with any of the possible combinations of.

running shoe, trail runners, walking shoes, boots
thick socks, no socks, super thin socks, liner and other sock
how many kinds of inserts are there?
Hard soled shoes, soft soled shoes, flexible shoes, stiff shoes

I have tried every kind of shoe, every sock combination and superfeet, regular soft inserts, rubber inserts

In soft shoes after a few hundred miles my feet HURT. Add in superfeet or any other insert it makes no difference - they HURT.

Get in a very hard walking shoe or even a boot and the pain goes away - go figure that hard works better than soft. And I don't use inserts in them.

Socks? The thinnest sock I can find - I usually wear womens ultra lights. No double socks, no thick socks. I do this and I never get blisters. I have strongly considered going without socks all together - but have not tried it.

The better a shoe fits the fewer of any kind of problems one is going to have. Buy them the right size and, if, after a few hundred miles your feet are staying swollen buy another pair of shoes which fits right. You will wear out the others later.

I do really recommend that one do this experimenting while at home training. Doing it on the trail is asking for trouble. Which is, sometimes, unfixable.

Absolutely spot on. If the shoe fits and all that. For me, the more flexible the better. My ankles are strong, but on a swivel. I can run across a boulder field and not "twist" an ankle because they are like universal joints. Even when I roll an ankle, there is no damage. Not sure if there is such a thing as double jointed ankles. The bottoms of my feet, however, require some protection. Therefore, broke in trail runners and stiff green superfeet work best for me. I cannot wear boots while hiking. I would last about 2 miles. My feet are at there most comfortable as my shoes are falling apart. Each person must find what works for them. There is no such thing as best for everyone. There is only what works for the individual.

[rocketsocks]

I've been using Superfeet for a few years, works for me, your dogs may bark.

Not sure where my head was when I wrote this..."Powerstep" insoles, not superfeet, Ugh.

In fact I couldn't stand superfeet. but...your dogs may bark differently.

[scrabbler]

Dr Scholls Sport Inserts. $20.