Arch supports in cycling shoes?

[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)

[Jenn]

Well, I know they work, and it's soooo NICE not to be in pain!! It will be interesing to see what he says about them on Tuesday. I'm tempted not to go back because this will be visit 3 with no relief but my pocket is feeling it.

[KnottedYet]

You said your appt is Tuesday. What if you call tomorrow and reschedule that appt for next week instead? Give the OTC arch supports a chance to do their magic? Maybe you'll go to 99% relief! (but 80% is fabulous as it is!)

If the OTC insoles solve your problem, that would save you the $$ of going to the podiatrist. And if they don't after a good week, then you'll have more info for the podiatrist to work with. ("at two days they felt like this, at 5 days they felt like this, and this is still sore, and that hurts at the end of the day" all valuable info!)