Arch supports in cycling shoes?

[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.

[Jenn]

Bless you all for the AWESOME info, and my feet thank you to!
I'm also assuming which I forgot to mention that I'm getting a burning sensation along the bottom outside of my right foot (the bad foot) on long rides, and I'm guessing it is all linked together....ugh...I just want to feel better I'm sick of this.

[nic840]

Yeah Superfeet are great! My husband has them in every single pair of shoes he owns (green ones). He immediately takes out the insoles and puts the superfeet in. He even has them in his slippers!
I really haven't needed them until I started riding. I ended up getting the specialized inserts (previous post). Didn't even think about superfeet.
Was at REI yesterday and the superfeet are currently on sale through
May 13th. Give them a shot. There is a little reference book near the display that explains the different colors/uses for each one. -N

[KnottedYet]

Don't be afraid to buy Superfeet outside your activity color, too. Each has a slightly different profile and shape, and you just might find that a "running" insole feels fabulous in your bike shoes! Ya never know...

If you want to make a day of it (if you have the time and patience) take your bike shoes in and try every color. REI has demo models of every color in every size.

Glad to know about the Superfeet sale. Gotta go get Sknot a pair, since he's outgrown his old ones.

[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!)

[Jenn]

Knotted, you read my mind. I told my mother tonight that I was thinking about putting off my appointment until a week or 2. Of course, being a mother and he's a friend of hers she disagreed.
But, I'm going to do just that. I'm waiting, you are right! It's kinda sad when you fork out a couple of hundred bucks for visits and x-rays and tapings, but oh, wait he did GLUE a thin pad in the heel of my running shoes, which did NOTHING...he said if this doesn't work....Cortisone injections next.
Then I go to Walmart and find a 5 buck pair of inserts and I'm feeling ALOT better then anytime I left his office.
I'm gonna go tomorrow buy some more of my 5 dollar supports put them in ALL my shoes and I'll see the Dr in a few weeks. It's sad when you can help yourself MORE then a Dr can.

[snapdragen]

Another OTC brand is Sole

[KnottedYet]

Doctors tend to focus on the sexy medical interventions. That's just the way their minds work, and they are great for that.

PT's tend to focus on the cheap in $$/dear in hard work/do it yourself kind of interventions.

It's good to get a variety of approaches. At least with the x-rays and stuff, you now know you don't have a defect that needs big-time help (like a stress fracture or a profound bone spur) so you are now able to put your effort and interest into finding the perfect OTC insole. And if it turns out to be the Walmart insole, buy some spares for the future!

You might find that some brands or models work better for your feet on the bike, while a different one feels better running, etc. Or that as your feet get stronger you start feeling like you'd prefer a little more suport at another spot, or a little more or less cushion, or a deeper heel cup, whatever.

There are a ton of variations! Have fun with it!

(and if you want some foot exercises, let us know. We'd be happy to share!)