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Whose worth looking at? Had superfeet and will probably go back to them if nothing else comes up, had some footactive which didn't even get out of the house, also had fitted Foot balance ones which one foot is brilliant but the other still hurts.. I know I should see some-one really but the recommended local guy has a stupidly long waiting list (talking over 6 months).
Depends what's actually wrong, I suppose
I like specialized's green ones for my flat feet (plus possibly a Morton's neuroma) - they have a decent longitudinal arch but also quite good up the front, which is where my feet mostly struggle
I've used Superfeet and Sole, plus Comformable - or whatever they're called. Got on best with Sole, which have a DIY heat-mouldable upper surface and seem more comfortable than Superfeet Green anyway for me. But I don't really have any bio-mechanical or foot issues. If Superfeet have worked for you in the past, then I'd maybe stick with them.
Basically they're all just very simple orthotics with more arch support and a deeper heel cup than OE footbeds. Different volumes too, which can be handy. I've used them before to simply create a snugger fit and reduce heel lift in technical ice-climbing boots.
I’ve had sidas / comformable ones done in my boots
bloody awesome support and comfort
used to sell superfeet when I worked in the outdoor shop and despite a massive discount still didn’t use them as they don’t work very well
Cool thanks guys, I know there never one product suits all but I fancy looking around, especially using personal recommendations.
We found superfeet to be extremely effective.. as in crippled walking one day in new boots, to spending the rest of the week walking (snowdon and more) in comfort using SF's insoles, that not to suggest there not better products to try.
I went all in and bought some G8 Pro insoles, totally adjustable, come with 5 different arch heights and multiple positions.
£80 new right enough but have been worth it for me.
Shimano do some heat mouldable ones with customisable arches too, think they were £40
I use the Sole heat mouldable ones. I have very high arches which leaves me susceptible to plantar fasciitis. I did have NHS custom made ones but that seems to have stopped. The Sole ones have been doing the job for me for about five years.
I've used superfeet, sole, foam custom orthotics and hard nylon custom orthotics. The nylon ones worked the best but ultimately, they're all addressing a symptom rather than the cause.
I'm now using correct toes which are a silicon toe spacer and I've switched to "natural" footwear for walking, running and the office. I'm slowly working to rebuild the muscle strength in my feet that 40 years of shoes has robbed me of.
It's a big commitment, but I think it's worth it. Five Tens are just about wide enough in the toe, but finding spds or road shoes is going to be tricky now.
Core strength also helps a lot. Better pelvic alignment makes a lot of difference to feet.
Just as an alternative suggestion. You could get some of this stuff
Semi Compressed Mixture Felt sheet 22.5 x 45cm Chiropody, Padding, podiatry Body And Base Ltd (7mm One Sheet) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01H09VVT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_0eHWBb3NGG8KK
And try out different levels of support without spending much money at all.
Oh, and what Onzadog said. Find the cause if you can. Foot strength and a full natural range of movement have got me back fell running.
I have high arches, I’ve used comform’able for 20 years (sidas?). I now have 3 prs of custom moulded comform’able insoles all the same, just different ages, and swap them between shoes/boots. For work/walking/mountaineering/biking I always now use them. Made a big difference to stop sore knees on long walks many years ago and tired legs at work (spend all day on my feet), just use them all the time in shoes/trainers/boots. just had a some new ones moulded at a shop in Otley Yorks was £80 I think
Pro 11 Wellbeing, have a look at their own website for range and they supply the NHS. Can be bought for 4 to 6 quid a pair from Ebay/Amazon.
Again, what onzadog said - work on foot strength. Strengthening exercises and using 'barefoot' shoes for everyday got rid of my PF.
What size are your feet? I bought some arch supporting insoles in error the other day, to fit inside my new wellies. Can’t return them as I chopped the fronts down to fit a size 10 hoof. Yours for nowt if you’d like them? They’ll only gather dust and get recycled eventually otherwise...
Barefoot. Minimal.
Changed my life and I can run again.
Chuck the orthotics and work back to base principles.
Anecdotal evidence incoming...
Had some pretty shit (as in work-limiting) lower back pain back in May-ish. Went to get some "sports" massage which was lovely but he took some long looks at my posture and recommended I try some insoles. "All a bit woo" I thought to myself. But I bought a bunch of them from Amazon and replaced all regularly-worn shoes' insoles apart from my running trainers with the new ones. I hadn't really thought much about them till reading this thread and realised I haven't felt that (quite regular) toe-curling arch pain I'd been suffering with for quite a few years since using them.
Wooow that escalated a bit, lots of info I'll have to sit down and work my way thru. Thanks.
Siwhite ygm cheers