HikeArizona.COM

A few hours after my last couple of hikes, I have experienced sore feet :( ...I've never experienced that before. My shoes are about a year old, and I was considering getting some Superfeet or other insert. Does anyone use them? what do you think of em? :?: :?: :?: :?:

I bought a pair last year figuring they might help because of my narrow feet; didn't get the custom fitted, but the over the counter ones most recommended for hiking boots. Wore them twice and haven't touched them since. Good heel cup and arch support, but hardly any forefoot cushioning at all. When my feet hurt it's usually right at the ball of the foot. Think Superfeet offers very good support for someone who over pronates, but that ain't me.

Colin,
I don't think this relates to your problem, but there is some interesting information regarding blisters; fallen arches causing Plantar Fasciitis, and the like, in this thread:
Damnable blister on heel!
http://jungletraining.com/forums/showth ... readid=464

Two caveats: I think you have to sign up to even read the posts (free & relatively painless) and we are somewhat fractious (unruly) there.

If either of these is a problem, but you want the info, I can try to synthesize some of the thread and post the info. here.

One of the things I had posted there was this reference:

Patient Guide to Plantar Fasciitis
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/orth...ts/plantar.html

I don't think I mentioned it there, but this foot problem has sidelined some well know atheletes.

I use them in my heavier 'off trail' and love them. REI will give you a full refund if you are not pleased with them.

Hey Fritzski - thanks for the comment, I haven't been able to decide if I am going to get them. My wife is looking for more cushioning, which apparently is not the best aspect of superfeet, so we will keep looking for her.

The best cushion inserts I have found are made by Crary Shoes.
Go to: http://www.craryshoes.com
You'll want to look around their site for the inserts that come in two different thicknesses and are leather covered. These things have some real dense foam and are covered with a nice piece of leather that last for years. They are flat like tortillas but after awhile they'll conform to the shape of your foot.....in other words they don't have a heel cup nor the lump in the middle for your foots arch. Your weight and feet will get these babies shaped themselves.
These inserts are not expensive in fact I believe they're less expensive than Super Feet and some others. The other good insert is made by the esteemed Dr. Scholl (whoever he is) and are the 'work' model or somesuch. I think Dr. Scholl has a green covering for these inserts... anyway Wally Martinez (aka WalMart) and Walgreens has them.
You can go to the Birkenstock website also and look around there. They have some good inserts also.
Hopefully this information will make for happy feet.

Crary Shoes phone # 503-253-8984

Phil

Wow, that's great info! Thanks so much Phil!

I'll endorse the Birkenstock inserts. The particular ones that I wear are these models here: http://www.birkenstock.com/pages/OpeningPage.htm The exact page I wanted did not link right. The item is the Aircushion Birko Tex 3/4 insole.

I have worn these for years and my feet never get tired. My legs do but not my feet. They support that good and are only about 10 bucks. I get several pair for several shoes.

[quote='BoyNhisDog']
I'll endorse the Birkenstock inserts. The particular ones that I wear are these models here: http://www.birkenstock.com/pages/OpeningPage.htm The exact page I wanted did not link right. The item is the Aircushion Birko Tex 3/4 insole.

I have worn these for years and my feet never get tired. My legs do but not my feet. They support that good and are only about 10 bucks. I get several pair for several shoes.
[/quote]

I've been wearing Birkenstocks for about 16 years now...after my last foot surgery (had a piece of an airplane slice through my foot after it got shot down quite awhile ago). They are the greatest things in the world. For work I wear the Crary insoles in my New Balance Trail Walking shoes and in both my light and heavy hiking boots I use the Dr. Scholl's 'work' insoles and change 'em every 6 months (about 250-300 miles). My foot usually is just in hellacious pain with both of these and without them it's even worse.
The funny thing though is that on a trail or bushwhacking my feet do just fine. Probably because of the uneven terrain flexing my foot rather than just hoofing it around on flat surfaces.

There just isn't anything worse than uncomfortable or painful feet.
Glad I only have two feet. And I thank God I still have both of them.

Phil

[quote='azphil']
I've been wearing Birkenstocks for about 16 years now...after my last foot surgery (had a piece of an airplane slice through my foot after it got shot down quite awhile ago). [/quote]

Phil, how did you do that. 'Nam? I have over 15000 hrs and have as many landings as I have takeoffs.

[quote='BoyNhisDog']
[quote='azphil']
I've been wearing Birkenstocks for about 16 years now...after my last foot surgery (had a piece of an airplane slice through my foot after it got shot down quite awhile ago). [/quote]

Phil, how did you do that. 'Nam? I have over 15000 hrs and have as many landings as I have takeoffs. :D
[/quote]

Yeah. And keep that 1 : 1 ratio up!!!