Insoles and cushioning

While hiking the PCT I carried several pairs of different kinds of insoles that I could swap and layer as needed. I found I had a preference for cushioning insoles over supportive ones, but that was just me. I don't have plantar fasciitis.

My last two trips I've worn Chaco sandals. They are quite hard but I noticed on my last trip that once I stopped for the day, there wasn't any of that ache in my feet that I would usually try to massage away.

Softer more cushioned insoles/footbeds will be good for some terrain. They will likely wear out, become compressed, quicker than firmer footbeds but as long as you pay attention to that you should be OK.

On steep pathless terrain you may find that thicker, squashier footbeds allow your feet to move a little too much in your shoes, or that the extra height tends to generate some rotational movement of the shoe around your foot.

> Anyone else had the same results– that more cushion was better?
Almost the opposite. The softer the cushioning, the faster it compressed and 'wore out'. Feels nicer at the start, but a worn-out insole is really bad news! It can really make for foot problems.

Using a thin firm insole helps you adapt your stride to a softer foot-fall, like when walking bare foot, and in the long run that is a better way of walking, and safer against wearing out.

Cheers

I don't have plantar fasciitis, but I sometimes carry cushy insoles if I know I'm going to have to do a lot of road walking.

+1 on the Chacos. You mention you work on a concrete floor all day. I work at an REI, on a concrete floor all day, and I and a substantial portion of my coworkers wear Chacos on the job. They just seem to take good care of our feet. I haven't worn mine backpacking (most of my trips are leading youth and I am required to wear closed-toed shoes) but I have had good day hikes in them, even in the rocky, thorny west Texas desert.

Hi
Plantar fasciitis has a strong connection with spending long time on your feet on concrete floor every day!
Can you change your job conditions – I did and it makes a big difference.
I am dealing with plantar fasciitis for more than a year now and I understood that treatment efficiency is very individual. If something works for one it may not work for the other. There are many treatment techniques that you can try. Did you try Taping? I have found it very useful.
As fo r taping and concrete floors read the article in the following link – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/96375/duct_tape_cured_my_plantar_fasciitis.html?cat=50
There are a few Taping techniques you can find in YouTube – just type "Plantar Fasciitis Taping" in YouTube search.
I found another very informative website with many treatments in:
http://www.plantar-fasciitis-elrofeet.com
Take care & Good luck