SUPERFEET shoe inserts?

[vash]

are they just having a placebo affect on me?

i always use up my remaining FLEX spending on the inserts. lately my Danner boots have been causing me heel pain with all that standing and climbing. i dug out a pair of inserts and stuffed them in..since it was damn near a back to back fitting, i feel the arch support on the superfeet-inserts accentuated.

why dont the regular OEM inserts have better arch support? i cannot imagine the arch detail costing a penny more. do regular people simply have killer strong arches?

do they work with you?

[unclebilly]

I got the Dr. Scholls Custom Fit orthodics from Costco 2 weeks ago. You get 2 pairs for $60 canadian.

I used to wear Dr proscribed orthodics 10 years ago and got out of wearing them. My new Helly Hansen work boots needed some more arch support. These were the ticket and I put the other pair in my daily sneakers with good results.

These work as well as my $400 prescription ones did.

[look 171]

I swear by Stuperfeet for about a 10 year period. With both flat feet (born f'ed up that way) I am starting to pay the price now that I am older. I can't walk for more then two hours. In my young day days, I had no problems. Now, I have orthotics from my doc in my primary shoe, New Balance running shoe. The difference is dad night. Still, Superfeet is in all my other shoes including my cycling shoes.

[stevej37]

I have the hard plastic inserts that the Dr. made from a plaster impression of my feet. They really helped for the first few years that I used them. Then I started wearing only shoes that have a good arch and haven't gone back to the inserts for a few years. The only thing that really bothers my feet now...if squatting down to work on something for over a couple minutes, I will have foot pain that evening and the next day. Now I pull up a rug or small stool instead of putting all my weight on the front of my feet.

[URY914]

I have Birkenstock inserts. Pricey but best ever. Made of cork and not all the stores carry them.

[JD159]

I have them in my hockey skates and absolutely LOVE THEM.

[Tobra]

I recommend them to my patients all the time. Chris Smith was head of the biomechanics dept when I went to school who pretty much designed them.

[Dantilla]

I now only buy shoes that will fit my off-the-shelf, but very firm arch supports.
The other thing that transformed my lower leg issues:
-Quit walking around the house barefoot!
I have some orthotic flip-flops that I wear constantly when home.

Life is good.

[Tobra]

The insoles that come in the shoe are a ten cent piece of foam. A bit of engineering involved in the Superfeet ones.

You old bastards should wear support stockings too

If you are getting heel pain, you need to stretch your calf muscles. Do it with the knee bent and straight, with toes pointing straight ahead, a few times a day, every day, en la manana, la medio, la noche, todos los dias

[Schrup]

I love Superfeet, they make a huge difference in calf pain & sore feet. I wish they were a little more durable. If you really want the Cadillac of footbeds, try Sole .

[lendaddy]

This thread made me go out and pick up a pair or Superfeet insoles. I have normal arches but can't shake a bout with heel pain/plantar fasciitis I've had for about a year. We'll see, thanks folks.

[cantdrv55]

I wear the black Superfeet insoles all the time. I'd wear them in the shower if I could. Flat feet and pronate slightly.

[Deschodt]

It's what works for you.... Had a bad case of plantar fasciatis on both feet... Tried them all... Superfeet did nothing for me, custom orthotics did....First thin plastic, then foam cushioned plastic... Now that I'm better, I retried them all for grins (so I can stop swapping inserts in several shoes) and the Dr Scholls are comfier for me than the superfeet, still... But a) there are different superfeet models, b) if they work for you, they work for you, it's not really a popularity contest - go with what feels good to your feet !

[lendaddy]

One workday in and I must say I'm pretty optimistic, very little if any pain all day and it's been a long time since I could say that. Hopefully not placebo or coincidence...

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

It's what works for you.... Had a bad case of plantar fasciatis on both feet... Tried them all... Superfeet did nothing for me, custom orthotics did....First thin plastic, then foam cushioned plastic... Now that I'm better, I retried them all for grins (so I can stop swapping inserts in several shoes) and the Dr Scholls are comfier for me than the superfeet, still... But a) there are different superfeet models, b) if they work for you, they work for you, it's not really a popularity contest - go with what feels good to your feet !

They work very well for the average person. If you have really flat feet or particularly high arches, you are probably not going to be happy with them.

[mikester]

I use the new balance nb400as I think.

[Palum6o]

Like Deschodt, I had plantar fasciatis several years back. I had a few cortisone injections that really helped, and my first podiatrist recommended the green Superfeet insoles. I used them for 6 months, but didn't really help. I then got additional injections, and did the custom orthotics for both my running shoes and casual. They ran about $600 but really saved my feet. Keeping that calf muscle stretched is super key, and I also have several rolling devices that I use: lacrosse ball, rubz, and a couple others that were game changers for me. Not sure if you have a Road Runner sports, but they make the cheap custom insoles where they heat up them up and make you stand on a special squooshy platform... since all that, my plantar fasciatis has not returned. Your running shoes make a difference, depending on how much pronate - best to have an analysis done for the right shoe. I've always used the Kayanos for maxium support for my style, but have gone to using a minimus shoe - which is crazy considering what I went through, but as long as I keep my calfs and plantar conditioned, I'm good.

[lendaddy]

Day II report is that I definitely had some pain in the left foot/heel. I would call it moderate by historical standards but disappointing none the less. I have a 4 day golf trip this weekend and that should tell the tale. Hmmm

[petrolhead611]

i find that the Walgrens Tri-Balance inserts work well long-term for me, and they cost a dozen dollars or less a pair.

[Tobra]

Stretch your calves EVERY DAY with knee straight and bent, toes pointed straight ahead. In AM, prior to getting out of bed or after period of rest, roll a tennis ball or soda bottle in your arch to loosen it up, ice every day even if it does not hurt, stretch before and after sporty activities. Frozen water bottle is not good enough for icing. Ice 10 minutes at a time, do it a few times a day if you can