Orthotics-over the counter ones

I have been struggling forever trying to find the right orthotics. I have been using lime green Superfeet in my cycling shoes, but I want to start running again. My PT isn't real helpful here, and when I went to a podiatrist before, they said the over the counter ones would be fine for me. But which ones? The ones that podiatrist suggested (Powerstep) didn't have a good arch support (aka it collapsed when the PT pressed on it). Superfeet are rigid and have good support but it would be like running on a concrete floor! I tried running in them and it doesn't help. If I can't figure it out I'll be coating the superfeet with some kind of happy cushion, because that's what I need, good arch support with happy cushion. Anyone have any luck? I see so many on the internet that I'm too afraid to try any. I haven't tried any of the other types of superfeet-just the light green ones.

Thanks in advance ! Karin

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Originally Posted by TahoeDirtGirl

Superfeet are rigid and have good support but it would be like running on a concrete floor! I tried running in them and it doesn't help.

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I wonder if they have a break-in period?

When you say it didn't help, do you mean it didn't help your problem or it didn't help the concrete feeling?

Can you go back to the podiatrist? Let them know that what was recommended didn't work. (and did they truly not work, or are you simply trusting the PT without trying them?). Ask for some other recommendations. Try going to a chiropractor, some times they see things the others don't.

The problem I found with foot issues is that every discipline has a different way to treat it: PT, ortho, podiatrist, and chiro. Plus many of them seem territorial and quick to put the others down.

Also, it might be worth trying the "concrete feeling" inserts. I have a pair of custom made orthotics that are hard plastic. At first it felt weird to walk on them, but as they corrected the problem I was having, I grew to love them! I run and bike with them. It did take about a week to get used to them.

Good luck.

When I ran, I had blue superfeet in my shoes. Definitely firm, but very supportive. I have the green ones in my steel toes, and I think that they're firmer than the blue.

Does Superfeet have some kind of money back guarantee?

What problem are you trying to correct?

I ran and did aerobics in green Superfeet for a couple of years, wound up getting custom orthotics made, which are about the same firmness. There's definitely an adjustment period (they told me to phase in new orthotics by alternating with my old ones for a week or two), but I've never had to physically break in a pair.

You can layer a thin cushion insole over an orthotic as long as your shoes are deep enough for both. I suppose if you wear your shoes loose it might slip, but mine never did.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

What problem are you trying to correct?
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I get plantar fascitis if I don't wear Superfeet or a good arch support. My feet have a low arch and need alot of supprt.
The lime green Superfeet (SF) work well for this. But when I run, aye yi yi. I have these SF for years, I use them cross country skiing to putting them in my biking shoes now (which are non cycling shoes, just Keens that I love to wear riding). The stiffen up the riding shoes enough so I am fine riding. But when I run in the SF green ones, it's just too much. I know it's time for a new pair of green ones, but I need a pair to run in as well. I just think there should be a little cushioning in them?

I have posterior tibialis tendonitis from an injury and I'm working on strengthening my imbalanced muscles, but this orthotic thing has been a problem for me for at least 10 years. I was able to run for a while with the green ones, maybe I should try the blue ones? Hmmmmm....

FWIW when I use ones that have nonaggressive arch support like the Powerstep, my ankles start to hurt. Now for big German cankles to hurt, that's not good!!!

My ortho doc recommended Sole and I have them in every pair of cycling shoes and painting clogs. These are heat moldable inserts that are customized to your feet. The arch is rigid but the foot bed takes on the shape of your feet.

Did the podiatrist even suggest custom-made orthotics or did you ask for only over the counter orthotics?

I have customized orthotics. Yes, they are a flex-but thin hard plastic. No, I don't jog but I have snowshoed in the mountains (which takes more effort compared to flats) and cross-countried skied in them at distances of 10-18 kms. for each trip in them.

I wear them also on the bike.

I've had them for last 15 years.
I could not consider over the counter orthotics. I do have fallen arches, amongst other problems...whatever they were. Before customized orthotics, I was in such pain after walking for 20 min. A sign to be proactive...

I use Spenco 3/4 orthotics. I have a pretty bad heel spur in my right foot, and a smaller one in my left. These keep me pain-free. I have used them while running, playing tennis, etc. You can mold them by immersing in hot water. They last forever.

Link

I have custom orthotics and they are a life saver :D They make a mold of your foot and provide a half or full orthotic that you put in your shoe. I love mine and won't leave home without them :)

I have Montrail Enduro Soles recommended by the staff at If the Shoe Fits.
These are also heat-moldable.
Plenty of arch support for an over-pronator.

My customized orthotics cover approx. 1/2 of each foot. Each customized orthotic is a slightly different shape per foot...obviously no one has exactly the same shaped feet.

That's probably a sign ..that I couldn't just take an over the counter orthotic.

There is a break-in period with orthotics. I have custom ones and when I first started out on them my physical therapist wanted me to wear them for the 1st day for an hour and not running, etc. in them, just wearing them. Then she wanted me to add an hour every day after that until I was wearing them all day. My foot had to get use to the new position. You may want to check out www.footsmart.com to see what other "custom" orthotic options you may have. Don't give up! You'll find what you are looking for.

I have a similar problem with flat feet and occasional episodes of plantar fascitis.

I used to use the Sorbothane Graphite Arch years ago, before I got custom orthotics:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/SOU28/

I didn't like my first pair of custom orthotics for my running shoes. They were the half-sole, hard thick plastic kind and my feet never quite fit in my shoes properly.

My current orthotics are similar to the Graphite Arch in that they have a thin layer of plastic shaped for my foot (from heel to ball of foot), but they are lined on top with squishy Spenco-like stuff that is full foot length.

My podiatrist also made me an extra pair of orthotics that is thinner profile and fits inside my dress shoes. I was miserable in dress shoes before I had these!

If you can't find an over-the-counter option that works for you, I highly recommend getting custom orthotics.

If you don't need custom orthotics, try the ORANGE superfeet. They have forefoot cushoning, unlike the green ones.

Superfeet have a new Berry insole, which is supposedly the same as the Green except they also have forefoot cushioning. They are about $10 more than the green. I saw them at REI. Right now, I am using the Green at my PT's advice (she is not familiar with the Berry as they are so new on the market), but may try the Berry once I wear the Green's out. I did a long run with the Green's last night and the underside of my toes really hurt when I took my shoes off, so I'm thinking that forefoot cushioning may help! :eek:

P.S. According to the Superfeet website, the Orange is for men's feet and the Berry is for women's feet.

www.superfeet.com

One of my GFs that's a tennis player with high arches says she uses Down Unders? I tried to google them for a link, but I just really wasn't getting the high arch correction. She said you can't buy them here in Mayberry. She bought them on vacation somewhere. I saw some of their stuff on Zappos, but dunno if those are the ones she means or not. Like you, she felt like the SuperFeets were not enough for her. I forgot to ask this of her, but the SuperFeet I ordered I went up a size to try and get them to fit the length of my arch. The correct size was too short. I read somewhere on here about others finding the same. I don't know if that would help or not.

I went to different docs over the years to get inserts for my shoes and over and over again they would say the over the counter ones would work. The PT person told me the same thing. SO I don't take no for an answer, so I searched out the guy that is the podiatrist that is the foot doctor for the Boston Celtics. If he doesn't know what to do with my feet...well that's not an option.

I don't know why this is so difficult. I've been dealing with this for years and I think all my riding and not wearing the right shoes finally caught up with me. The Sole ones look awesome though...

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Originally Posted by michelem

Superfeet have a new Berry insole, which is supposedly the same as the Green except they also have forefoot cushioning. They are about $10 more than the green. I saw them at REI. Right now, I am using the Green at my PT's advice (she is not familiar with the Berry as they are so new on the market), but may try the Berry once I wear the Green's out. I did a long run with the Green's last night and the underside of my toes really hurt when I took my shoes off, so I'm thinking that forefoot cushioning may help! :eek:

P.S. According to the Superfeet website, the Orange is for men's feet and the Berry is for women's feet.

www.superfeet.com

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Just thought I'd send an update on this as I went back to REI and tried on the Berry Superfeet. Well, the salesperson at REI insisted that these are the same as the Green, but with forefoot cushioning. HAH! The Berry does NOT have the arch support that the Green does. They just feel like cushy insoles all the way around. From my understanding, the Orange is the same as the Berry, but for men instead of women.

I do have to say that after doing my second long run in the Green the underside of my toes did not ache like they did the first time. So, I think I'm getting used to them.

I think I updated on another thread but I went to the foot doc and they made orthotics right on the spot. Best $200 bucks I spent on foam in my life. Pretty immediate results. I am still a little sore but not like before, it was starting to affect way up the chain. I even did some running/walking last night which I couldn't do before.

You must of had the same REI salesperson as I did. He was kind of pushy and insisted I didn't need custom ones. Yeah. Right. I'll be returning those superfeet and applying that cash to a water resistant cycling jacket :)