Superfeet

IF IF IF you decide to go with Superfeet, wait until your Big_Mile weekend is over. Now is not the time to be making changes in footware.

Nate:

When I was a total newbie, I bought into the hype and got myself a pair. I ended up with pains I never felt before (or since).

I'm sure Superfeet works fabulously for many — but I really believe the sensible thing to do is to get them — IF you need them. More padding is not always better and if your feet are fine without them, more padding of the wrong kind can actually be bad for you.

For me, I would focus more on getting the right shoes/boots first. That itself should negate most "needs" for after-market add-on's.

Okay, good.

These were the types of answers I was hoping to hear. My last pair of shoes weren't nearly as minimalist and I just didn't want to go and do anything stupid without checking first.

What Ben said, +1.

I use some in my ski boots to keep my feet better locked in, and had some in some Fireblades last year because they kept my heals from slipping. My MT100s don't need them, and I don't miss them.

I just had prescription orthotics made a few weeks ago. I fractured a bone in the arch of my foot a while ago and there have been some painful after effects recently. Anyway, after talking to my pedorthist and physical therapist I've got an anecdote I can recycle:

"Over the counter inserts are a terrible, terrible idea. Think about it like this: you go to a cafe and get a table, but the table wobbles so you fold some napkins up and stick them under the table leg that's causing the wobble. Problem solved you think. Then you put your coffee down on the table again and notice that, despite not wobbling any more, the table isn't level. You do the same thing to your subtalar joint when you stick an over the counter insert into your shoe. Now imagine backpacking 15 or 20 miles on a destabilized subtalar joint that can't articulate the way it needs to. How frequently do you think you can do that before ruining your feet?"

I thought that got the message across well.

My new orthotics were made to a mold of my feet and they have my feet feeling better than they have in years. I can't wait to go hiking again and be pain free.

The pedorthist did sort of sarcastically say "these shoes are great for my business" while bending and twisting the soles of my Inov8s. (I'm wearing the orthotics in Vasque Velocities right now.) But he also said that flexible trail runners are fine as long as your feet are conditioned for them. If they aren't then you need to introduce them slowly and train up to using them. (And, if you sit in an office for 5 days a week like me, then your feet probably aren't conditioned for them.)

Anyway, that's my two cents given some of my recent experience. If you're having pain, get it looked at, don't just accessorize with cheap inserts.

My feet, particularly my heels, gave me grief last year. Tried several different boots and settled on the Merrell Moab mids, with some Lowa Renegades for colder/wetter conditions. Adding the green superfeet made a significant difference in both boots for me. On a 30 mile overnight last year, the stock Merrell insoles left me sore. I'd packed along the superfeet and swapped them in. Instant improvement. I love them.

For my wife, the green superfeet equated to rapid knee pain which took quite a while to clear up after she removed the insoles. She hates them.

Put more concisely: your mileage may vary. Try them around town, then take the old insoles along on your first trip just in case. REI would let you return them, and IIRC Superfeet themselves offer a 60 day money-back.

Insoles are so finicky. Last year I went on an overnighter and had some blisters from my hardrocks. Because of my extensive knowledge of foot mechanics and orthotics ;), I self assessed the issue as being worn out insoles. I grabbed the superfeet green insoles (based on positive reviews) before doing a 6 day trip. They came out of my shoes as soon as I got home. They didn't work for me but obviously work very well for others.

You can actually return them to superfeet as mentioned above, which is a great way to try them without worry..

David H, your avatar scares me. Is that a Bark? :D

No question on the Inov-8's being something you need to work up to. I made sure to take several hikes/runs in the 2-5 mile range before pushing them any further. I'm loving them, though. I've never felt more stable when running downhill.

Don't have time for a longer post now, but will just say briefly I half agree with Ben and Thom, half disagree. Getting the right shoes matters a heck of a lot. But insoles matter a lot too, even BEFORE you have any issues. I've done very high mileage with serious weight and impact in an elite airborne unit, and if my friends and I knew then what I know now about insoles, we would have saved ourselves a lot of wear and tear.

Also, most orthotics users have just as good results with over the counter orthotics, which tend to be more durable – I had custom orthotics made which fell apart in no time with regular use, and I'm only 185lbs, 6 ft tall with a size 11-11.5D foot.

FYI I've been trying the Aetrex Lynco L400 insoles and found the arch fit similar to the Superfeet Green which I used to use, but the L400 has incredible forefoot shock absorption and a less rigid arch that moves with you – the Superfeet Green has almost no forefoot shock absorption and a rigid arch, which is why Superfeet is putting out new models with padding (like the black with padding) and custom-moldable ones with padding. Keep in mind that Superfeet has been very heavily marketed. Combined with a Montrail shoe built with wide forefoot last and flat bottom (where the insoles rest), the L400 feels great.

Keep in mind that you may need time to adjust to insoles, so you may want to wear them a few hours a day at first and work up, sticking with them as long as they feel good.

I've learned a heck of a lot about insoles and shoe fit recently due to a wear and tear foot injury and am considering writing up my notes as an article to help others as soon as I have the time.

I've got the Roclite 315's also. So far I've put about 200mi on them – about half backpacking and half running. I have also tried a mix of the green superfeet, custom "soft" orthotic, custom hard heel orthotic, the standard footbed, and most recently nothing at all. Trying to fine tune footwear is a complicated and personal issue that changes every time you go hiking or running depending on conditions, fitness level, and luck (or bad luck). I have not been able to find the perfect combination yet, but so far running and snowshoeing in them with nothing has worked pretty well – plus it's lighter!

Sticking with what you are used to so far for your upcoming hike is probably the safest bet and then you could try different insoles to help with comfort/pain/injuries until you find what works best for you.

+1 – wouldn't make a big change right before a trip unless you are really having a problem causing pain. Continuing to carry loads when you have foot pain is not a good idea. Better to find out what's causing it and reduce any inflammation first.

If you have a little time to try something out before your trip and find something that works better than what you used before, well, you know what feels good.

Nah… get lighter shoes :)

Stephen Evans wrote

If you read the info on the SuperFeet site, you find out that the green insoles are for HIGH ARCHES, with high arch support.

The blue insoles have lower arch support.

If you don't have a need for high arch support, the greens will be like very large peas stuck in your boots.

I tried the computerized Doctor Scholl's machine in Walmart to fit half soles (they don't do full insoles). Near the end of the test, just before giving the halfsole selection, the machine said "YOU HAVE LOW ARCHES"….

That probably explains not so great performance of my "expertly fitted" green superfeet …. all the "expert fitters" said that I needed the green ones because I was backpacking.

I have worn one green SuperFeet and one Dr. Scholl's "low arch" half sole. I could really tell the high arch support of the green Superfeet. Like a very large pea stuck in my boot.

I suggest that you look carefully at "Expert Fitters" for Superfeet and other insoles, particularly if the "expert fitter" is yourself.

Note that because you don't tolerate med-high arches at first doesn't mean that you can't and won't benefit from them – you may need to get used to them a few hours at a time and build up. That said, there are some people who can't tolerate the higher arches after many years of flattened feet. If you can get used to higher arches, they are generally better for your foot mechanics.

My feet flattened out after the military and I do much better with medium-high arched insoles. My sports podiatrist saw my feet and recommended med-high arches of Superfeet (green) or Aetrex Lynco (L400). I find the Aetrex Lynco L400 much better – same height of arch as Superfeet Green, but rather than rigid like the Superfeet, it moves with you and conforms better to your foot. Much better shock absorption as well. You can also return them for a full refund after trying them.

I'd try different products and shoes until you get the right fit for you. But keep in mind that just because a medium-high arch doesn't feel perfect at first doesn't mean it won't work for you.

Also because Superfeet have a rigid arch, the arch may be hitting you in the wrong spot.

Note also that many of the off-the-shelf brands like Superfeet and Aetrex now have customizable models that can be heat molded to your foot and cost much less than custom orthotics, if you feel you need them.

I didn't mention that when I wore the green superfeet high arch on one foot, and the low arch support on the other foot, at the end of the day, they felt roughly the same.

That could mean that my foot got used to a poor fit, or that fit isn't that important. I don't know the answer.

I have NOT done the lower/higher arch support comparison with a 20 lb pack and 12 miles of a hard rough trail. So, I don't know what the backpacking result would be.

If my feet felt the same at the end of the day, maybe I should still stick with the obviously better initial fit.

With SuperFeet and other insoles, if you are new to the game, pay attention to how well the insole arch matches your arch.

I have a "forward" arch so although I'm in a 10.5 shoe, I'm on an 11.5 insole, with the toe section trimmed back.

Finding a knowledgeable and experienced fitter will go a long way towards getting a benefit from any insole.

very good point

First of all, superfeet and minimalist shoes are moving in two different directions at the same time.

This being said, I am fond of superfeet and probably own 3 pairs of them — which no doubt sounds bizarre to people, but hey, I am lazy, they break down after a while (mine have anyhow). I have a low volume foot and these take up some of the volume and give me a better fit, but this is specific to MY foot in specific shoes and boots.

On the other hand, I have over the last 6 months been getting my feet in shape by hiking and running with vibram five fingers and that heads in the opposite direction, and one that I am quite enthused about, no telling where this approach will end up, but it is looking really good so far. I may have wasted money on custom orthotics.

So, as for you – if it ain't broke don't fix it. A case in point is a pair of Lowa Arete Lo trailrunning shoes I picked up for a great price just recently. I have had these about 4 weeks. I put my orthotics in them immediately after getting them, and my heel was lifted up so they gave me a blister after 2 miles of hiking. Put the stock insoles back in and voila, I have done 8+ mile day hikes without a problem, these shoes just fit my feet perfectly without screwing around.

Here's the skinny on insoles that nobody ever states! Most individuals who hike a trail like the Appalachian Trail will eventually replace their stock insoles. Most individuals do not need to start a hike with Superfeet, but if they hike enough miles, the majority will need Superfeet or some other orthotic.
We tend to view the use of Superfeet in all-or-nothing thinking, when it's really in the 'grey area'.
Personally, I need to swich to Superfeet between 100-200 miles.

Hmmm, I think this is a discussion with no right or wrong answer. It is very similar to the discussion if you need heavy boots or light trailrunners on a hike and the answer to that question is simply: whatever works for you! I know people that thrive on trailrunners and I know people that hike in Meindl Perfects (C/D-category mountain boots) on well laid out trails. In fact, some of these people I can't keep up with in my trailrunners.

Now having sold Superfeet, I quite like them and they are a loyal companion to me on any hike, but I have two anecdotes that might help:

After receiving the product training from the local Superfeet agent some of my colleagues got a pair to try. This one colleague tried them and experienced intense pains in his knees from them. Consequently, he doesn;t like them much.

A while later I was helping a customer into a pair of shoes, while she was trying several pairs she mentioned experiencing knee pains. Since I believe in Superfeet I told her that SF might help her with her knee pains. She liked them, but the price scared her. Eventually with the help of a colleague she bought them. A few weeks later she came to look for me in the store, to thank me dearly since she had hiked for the first time in years without pain.

So is Superfeet for you? Whatever works for you!

Eins

I attribute Superfeet with saving my hiking career. About 5 years ago, after numerous summers of biological field work, my knees, back, and feet hurt. It was getting painful to hike. I invested in Superfeet (the customs, where they vacuum/heat fit the insoles to your feet while you sit in the chair). They hurt like hell for the first week as my feet and body adjusted to them. They say to only wear them an hour/day when you first get them, which is what I did, but you do have to persist through this break-in period. After that initial break-in, however, ALL of my foot/knee/back pain disappeared almost all at once and has never returned. I’m on my 5th or 6th pair, I wear them in my hiking, running and work shoes. I’ve chunked out sections of the CDT over the past 2 summers, and haven’t had any issues. I periodically try to go back to stock insoles but the pain usually returns.
Should I get actual orthotics? Probably. I definitely overpronate, but the superfeet seem to be doing the trick.

Dan