Arch supports in cycling shoes?

[Batbike]

I have customized orthodics because of a HIGH arch and other weird feet problems -- without them I cannot ride more than 8 miles without total foot pain! I got them through orthopedist who sent me to sports therapist to do mold. I am on second pair. If you have feet problems, it is worth looking into!

[Jenn]

Thank you, I thought there HAD to be something out there!! My problem is our Insurance won't cover orthotics, only if your a diabetic (Which I'm still trying to figure that one out.) But anyway, if we had to pay out of pocket, any ideas on what I'm looking at?

[Offthegrid]

I have custom orthotics -- two pairs in fact, one for running and one for cycling. First pair was covered by insurance but would have cost $350.

However, you can try something call a BFO. It's an over-the-counter type that I got for my podiatrist for the meantime and were $20 through the office.

PowerSteps also makes cycling insoles.

[teigyr]

Mine are $150 but it's for one pair only and they are only for cycling. I can move them between my cycling and spinning shoes but I guess the foot placement would be different for running so I'll have to get different ones for that.

Sometimes insurance will pay but I know it can be a struggle!

[Jenn]

teigyr thanks for the link, unfortuantely they are all in Taos or Santa Fe which is a ways from us. I'm going to look around though and talk to my Podiatrist on Tuesday when I see him. Do you think I may be better off going to a Sprots Medicine Dr.?

[teigyr]

You know, I think so. Here's why...ages ago when I first got running orthotics (was in elementary school!), I went through a podiatrist. It turns out though it goes beyond my really ugly and deformed feet which is usually the case. When I went to a PT the next time, they found out I had a dominant side and on the other side, muscles had atrophied a bit in my calf. It was freaky, there was almost an inch difference! They did the orthotics but also took the rest of my body into consideration.

Maybe it's overkill but I think a sports person or physical therapist will look beyond the feet, if that makes sense. Maybe for a normal person a podiatrist is ok but if you do a lot of activity, a sports person would be better.

[Jenn]

Yea, I agree, I think I'm going to look for a sports med dr. I called the LBS and they said they have inserts but it's mostly for people that have NO arch not like me, mine is like the freaking Gate to St Louis!! He did say Speciaized made and arch support but I have to go look at them.
The whole thing with looking at your whole body, I think I need to have it done because I ran for YEARS but had to stop because of constant pain in my left hip and mid back pain.
Maybe it's just that.....well, this aging thing SUCKS!

[Batbike]

But anyway, if we had to pay out of pocket, any ideas on what I'm looking at?

I had NO insurance either: each pair cost me $300, but I figure it is worth it because there is never a day that I don't use my feet!

[SouthernBelle]

I'll 3rd the vote for superfeet. I wore a pair of shoes today that i haven't gotten inserts for yet and paid dearly. Gotta go get some more.

[Kano]

Got an REI ad on the kitchen counter -- they've got these Superfeet things on sale til next weekend!

Karen in Boise

[ace]

I have custom orthotics, but they don't work/fit my bike shoes. I tried superfeet, but they're not very sturdy and just weren't supportive enough. At my chiro's urging, I got specialized inserts. I really like them, they are more supportive to both my arch and metatarsal area. You should be able to get them at any bike shop that sells a lot of Specialized stuff.

[Jenn]

I'm going to try the super feet once we get some $$. Until then you are not going to belive this. I saw these arch supports at Walmart of all places and I bought a pair and put them in my regulard nike's. OMG what a difference my heel pain is down by at LEAST 80%. So, I put them in my cycling shoes yesterday, and what a difference!! I'm starting to wonder why my podiatrist didn't mention sometime of arch support awhile back. Anyway, I'm taking my $5.00 pair of arch supports for him to look at on Tuesday...should be interesting.

[KnottedYet]

the podiatrist I worked with always (well, unless there was an obvious defect) had patients try cheap over-the-counter arch supports/insoles and physical therapy before he would send them to get custom orthotics.

And there are ways to customize plain ol' $5 Walmart insoles that can make them just as corrective as a custom $375 pair. (though they won't last as long, maybe a year or two instead of 10 years)