[Closed] Anyone use moldable insoles in their shoes?

No, but interested to hear what others think...

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I've used the Sole ones in trail walking/running shoes and some Conformables (sic) in walking boots. The latter were massively unimpressive, the Soles though were quite good in a very supportive way. I've used Superfeet too fwiw. They're all pretty much an upgrade on cheapo OE soft foam footbeds, but not as corrective as full-on orthotics.

On the Sole front, you need to bear in mind that they're higher volume than most OE footbeds, so may make your shoes feel cramped, on the other hand it's useful if your shoes are oversized. I found them too high volume for most of my riding shoes fwiw. They are, even the thinner ones, I think, higher volume than the Spesh BG ones - can you buy those aftermarket? If so, and you're happy with them, why not just buy a new pair of those?

The heat moulding, as I understand it, just accelerates the process whereby the foam in the insole moulds to your foot - Osprey used to do similar with some of their pack frames.

I do really like them for general use, not sure about riding with them. Of course you can swap them from shoe to shoe anyway. IN summary, I'd say, very supportive, highish arch support, take up a fair bit of room inside the shoe - varies from model to model - Superfeet do some lower volume models. Don't know if that's the case with Sole.

Don't know how much help that is, but that's my take anyway.

Edit: most trail-type shoes come with quite a basic footbed / insole - the bit your foot sits on top of - the idea of aftermarket ones like Sole and Superfeet is that they give you more support under the arch of your foot and a deeper heel-cup helps hold your heel in place, which in turn makes them more stable. With cycling, the idea, I think, is to give a more stable pedalling platform and help to align your knees correctly.

I can't comment on the do-it-yourself mouldable ones, as I have a pair of insoles I had moulded and built up at ProFeet in London yonks ago.

If I don't use them, then my knees grind themselves to bits, which gets a touch painful. Given that the DIY ones are pennies in comparison to having it done somewhere like ProFeet, I'd say go for it. You can also get half mouldable ones, as well as full length mouldable ones, so I guess it depends on what you require. Maybe just buy another pair of the Spesh BG insoles of the correct colour?

some Conformables (sic) in walking boots. The latter were massively unimpressive,

Tends to be a workmanship issue rather than the product. Given that it’s hard moulder to the shape of your foot they should be excellent

Well ive had a few….

Coming from skiing it was basically a given that you always had mounded insoles with every pair of boots. These were really hard inflexible things. In the end after many years I tried an off the shelf comfortable one and it was almost the same for half the price.

Recently (in the last few years) ive had significant issues with cramp. Never thought about getting insoles and then I won some superfeet off facebook. WOW basically a massive improvement ive now got hem in every pair ive got (which is an issue with some skate shoes) on the basis of this I went to http://www.fit2ride.cc/ in riponden. I got some sidi mouldable ones. These were great initially but ive since found they take a bit of getting used to. Basically they are uncomfortable unless you foot is in exactly the right place. Because of this ive replaced them with some superfeet carbon.

I wont have any shoes without a proper insole now. Worth every penny imo.

I've been using custom moulded footbeds for 20+ years, Comform-ables and now Sidas, I wouldn't be without them and wear them all the time, work and play.

I have a high arch, neutral stance, so my footprint is along the outer edge, ball and heel

I used to be a keen outdoors person and found that my knees ached at lunch stops or afterwards. Also at work I went from a desk/car job to standing all day and my legs got really tired and ached at the end of the day. The day I got some custom footbeds made a massive positive difference.

I've had 3 sets of Comform-ables, most recent (top) are 10yo and just about had it, still better than a standard footbed tho. Recently had new Sidas moulded (bottom) and cost £80. I'd agree with Legend, the Sidas took a few remouldings to get it spot on, so def operator error rather than product . Apparently high arches are more difficult to get right and they'd just taken delivery of a new silicone moulding pad, so were getting used to it.

Other observations, the shoes have to be the right fit and good quality in the first place. footbeds take up volume so dress shoes might be problematic with a walking boot footbed (other size moulds are available). Go somewhere that you trust will do a good job or promise to get it right no matter how many times you might have to go back to get them tweaked.

Also, they will prob feel a little uncomfortable in the arch for a day or two until your arch gets used to the novelty of sharing some of the load.

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Educate me please:

I have flat feet (and I self-identify as having a Morton's Neuroma too)

What I need (i.e. what works for me) is significant arch "imposititon" - I have minimal arches (lateral and longitudinal) and I need an insole with big arches.  (Spesh green ones work fairly well for me)

If I got a posh moulded insole, wouldn't it just be an imprint of my foot (ie too bloody flat) ?

Yes

🙁

Try off the shelf Superfeet

Cheers, BA but as far as I can see those superfeet only have logitudinal arch supports - same as many others

Spesh do have both arches and I quite like them so will prob just stick with them and just look at others whenever I'm in a relevant shop

Tends to be a workmanship issue rather than the product. Given that it’s hard moulder to the shape of your foot they should be excellent

They were meticulously fitted by a top outdoor shop. All I can say is that I just didn't get on with them. My feet are happier with Sole or Superfeet. My impression was that the Conformable insoles were developed primarily for skiing and maybe work better in a non-walking application. But who knows.

If I got a posh moulded insole, wouldn’t it just be an imprint of my foot (ie too bloody flat) ?

It's mostly the top surface layer which is mouldable generally - certainly with the Sole ones - so the arch support and heel cup are pretty much intrinsic to the footbed. The bottom line is that the standard footbeds that come with most outdoor shoes are super basic to keep costs down and made from soft foam that offers minimal support, so most high-end  aftermarket footbeds with more structure are more supportive.