Do you wear your custom orthodics inside your cycling shoes?

[Ana]

My cycling shoes need some sort of adjustment. I just changed pedal systems (from LOOKs to SPD-SL Ultegra) so now I'm trying to adjust my cleat position again and on my ride Sunday had very painful hot spots.

I have very wide, flat feet (collapsed arch) and wear orthodics almost all of the time. Do you wear orthodics inside your cycling shoes (and do you normally wear orthodics)?

I'm also considering getting some Superfeet if it will help with the hot spots.

Thanks!

[melissam]

I normally wear orthotics to correct for a leg length discrepancy, and I use orthotics in my cycling shoes.

[shootingstar]

I have fallen arches. Have worn customized orthotics inside my cycling shoes and running shoes (I don't jog, but walk lots), for past 15 yrs. I also wear orthotics inside my winter boots including when I go snowshoeing in the mountain areas.

As for other shoes, depends on shoe style. It would be nice that all my shoes fit my customized orthotics but that's not realistic especially for dress shoes.

[Tokie]

I love my custom orthotics! I wear them on every bike ride, and they keep my foot in a much better position. They are the best! My DH uses Superfeet insoles instead of custom orthotics (recommended by the PT who thought he could get away with the superfeet instead of investing in custom orthotics) He has been very pleased. Hot feet or foot hot spots have not been problems for either of us though. Tokie

[Trek420]

Pretty good info here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=15268

[OakLeaf]

I use the OTC ones that Specialized sells for their shoes.

But my massage therapist recently recommended I use the custom ones. I've got other things going on with my calves stemming from tight hip flexors. But even though I'm not getting foot pain on the bike, apparently I'm still pronating enough to cause calf trouble. I think my custom ones are good, but she said to make sure that a physical therapist makes them.

[Ana]

Yeah, most of the pain I experience is on the outer edge of the ball of my foot. I think I will stop by REI on Friday during their big sale, bring in my cycling shoes and try a couple of Superfeet

When you "try" them, do you just walk around in them in your cycling shoes? Usually my foot pain does not begin until about mile 8-10 (plus, I'm on my bike, not walking around in my cycling shoes).

I am grateful for any tips you have about assessing the effectiveness of the Superfeet in the store

[shootingstar]

As an addendum to my earlier response, my feet actually feel strange in my cycling shoes without the customized orthotics while I'm on my bike.

I walk around in my cycling shoes and have gone for walks up to 2 hrs. in them, off-bike. So I need my orthotics.
I have toe-clips, live a car-free life and cycling is a major transportation (and fitness) mode for me, so I MUST be able to walk around for long periods of time in my cycling shoes to do stuff in 1 seamless, interconnected way...without carrying another extra pr. of walking shoes.