Arch supports in cycling shoes?

[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!

[KnottedYet]

if you can, go see a sports med PT. Meanwhile, try a pair of Berry Superfeet if you get the chance. Or the Green if Berry doesn't feel right. Gray is supposed to be more for biking, but from the sounds of your arch it might not work.

[anakiwa]

if you can, go see a sports med PT. Meanwhile, try a pair of Berry Superfeet if you get the chance. Or the Green if Berry doesn't feel right. Gray is supposed to be more for biking, but from the sounds of your arch it might not work.

I second the Superfeet idea. I have custom orthotics which are great, but I'm not all that convinced they're any better than the Superfeet I was using until they came in (mine took several weeks to get). The Superfeet are a lot less expensive (and there's no need for appointments, wait time, etc.)

[Batbike]

I second the Superfeet idea. I have custom orthotics which are great, but I'm not all that convinced they're any better than the Superfeet I was using until they came in (mine took several weeks to get). The Superfeet are a lot less expensive (and there's no need for appointments, wait time, etc.)

I never heard of Superfeet -- is that a brand?

Jenn -- I too have a VERY HIGH arch and have had trouble running all my life because of my high arch. In fact, when I got my inserts, the PT Sports guy said "I bet you could never run with those feet". The inserts he molded for me are for all athletics, even daily walking, not specific to cycling. Although he did specify thickness and a few other "tweaks" for my cycling shoes. With a high arch, your feet do all kinds of weird things (maybe everybody's does), especially as you age and things wear down or out or whatever.

As for cost, one pair is $300 but lasts about 3 years. So, I figure it is like buying one expensive $100 pair of shoes each year -- one COMFY pair of shoes each year!

[KnottedYet]

SUPERFEET!

http://www.superfeet.com/

They have a big ol' building just up the road from me. I like their products, especially the new Berry/Orange with the met arch pad. (very nice for bikers who get numb or have pain in the toes or balls of the feet.)

I also like the brand "10 Seconds" which is about half the price. Can be much harder to find, though. I wouldn't buy an insole unless you could try it in person.

[ehirsch83]

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!

Jenn- go to sportz outdoors and ask for james or for tricia!
I have specialized women's shoes ( i over pronate) and they have support and keep my foot where it is supposed to be. I also have the specialized inserts and I love them.

[nic840]

I was having numbness issues in my feet after about 20 miles and the LBS checked out my shoes...Shimano SPDs.... and he said the fit/width was fine but they lack arch support. He recommended I try the Specialized inserts, there are three kinds, Minimal/Normal/Supportive. I believe they are red/blue/green??? not sure.
Anyways I got them on a Friday, wore them for 65 miles on Saturday and the numbness was almost gone. They were great and only about $45. Way better than buying new shoes or paying a podiatrist to make orthotics. My feet are average arched, got the blue ones.
His explaination is that unlike running the pressure on your feet is limited to the front half of your foot therefore the arch support is different than in a running shoe. It feels like the support in the cycling insole is more pushed up under the front of my arch.
Give a shot the sizing is in cycling shoe sizing. I wear a 49 and got a size 49/50. Good Luck - Nic

[ehirsch83]

I was having numbness issues in my feet after about 20 miles and the LBS checked out my shoes...Shimano SPDs.... and he said the fit/width was fine but they lack arch support. He recommended I try the Specialized inserts, there are three kinds, Minimal/Normal/Supportive. I believe they are red/blue/green??? not sure.
Anyways I got them on a Friday, wore them for 65 miles on Saturday and the numbness was almost gone. They were great and only about $45. Way better than buying new shoes or paying a podiatrist to make orthotics. My feet are average arched, got the blue ones.
His explaination is that unlike running the pressure on your feet is limited to the front half of your foot therefore the arch support is different than in a running shoe. It feels like the support in the cycling insole is more pushed up under the front of my arch.
Give a shot the sizing is in cycling shoe sizing. I wear a 49 and got a size 49/50. Good Luck - Nic

Interesting Nic- I was having numbness also, and I contributed it to my shoes being to big(they were) but when I got smaller shoes, I also got the specialized inserts- now I am curious as to which, the inserts or the shoes- or both combined, helped stop the numbing sensation