ISO new insoles

[ny biker]

I need new insoles for my Sidis. Something with decent arch support.

My current insoles are from Louis Garneau. I've only had them a couple of years and already they're wearing out -- my feet are hurting during and after riding.

So what do we like? Are Smartfeet insoles good for cycling? I noticed some Specialized insoles at a bike shop recently -- has anyone used them?

Thanks for any suggestions and advice!!

[Artista]

I like my Specialized insoles for bike shoes. Theoretically the Specialized insoles are designed to support our feet properly while pushing on the pedals with only the balls of our feet. Super Feet are designed to support our feet while our weight is more evenly distributed between the ball and the heel. Who knows...bike specific insoles could be just hype.

[Blueberry]

When I had a fit done recently, we added the specialized wedges to my shoes. They've made a big difference in terms of foot comfort (I have high arches, and wasn't pushing with enough of my foot) - I'm thinking of just purchasing the insoles (since my sidi stock ones are getting aged).

[Becky]

Specialized, definitely!

[zoom-zoom]

I like my Smartfeet. I have them in both pair of cycling shoes and used them in all my running shoes, too, until recently.

[ny biker]

So, update. I tried the Specialized insoles but they didn't fit right. I wound up buying some Shimano insoles that are heat-molded to your feet. You do the heating and molding at the LBS, using an oven supplied by Shimano (apparently their shoes also require heat molding).

They seemed fine at first, but part-way through my first long ride with them my calves started to cramp. And then my calves cramped during my next long ride in them. And again last night during a shorter ride.

I think the arch support is too pronounced. Which is kinda weird, since they were totally flat before being heated, and it's not like I used someone else's feet to mold them when they came out of the oven.

Anyway, the LBS manager said they could be heated and molded a total of three times, so I'm going to take them back and try molding them again.