Insoles…expensive mistake??

[gostovp]

So I’ve had a few posts on here recently about custom insoles I’ve recently purchased ( a pair made locally and some Sheepfeet)… and I’m wondering if I’ve made an expensive mistake as my feet seem less comfortable when I’m wearing them… especially my left arch. I’ve worn both pairs for several hours the past few days and wake up in the morning and my left arch just kinda aches. And even when wearing each pair it seems like the arch is uncomfortable.

Could it be the shoes I have them in while trying to break them in? ( I’m wearing them in a pair of New Balance trainers)?
I have flat feet that are kind are borderline wide, but I don’t seem to pronate much if at all.
Are they guys that have tried these custom inserts and found that a plain ol’ stock inset actually works better?

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Those insoles are only as good as the mold you got from them. I've done them with two different companies and both times I really need more arch but they instructions they have you do never result in the full thing like having a podiatrist mold them. Having said that my Sheepfeet are OK and they do help, but do what makes your feet feel best and if your stock insoles give you less foot pain that sounds like the way to go. I have some boots I still use Superfeet in, for some reason I can't remember right now they just overall fit better.

 

[gostovp]

good point regarding the mold. I think the ones I had made locally are a better match to my foot, and the orthotic part is a cork material and seems more ‘flexible’ if that makes sense. The Sheepfeet orthotic is this hard 3D printed plastic and I don’t think it works with my foot as well… and i should have known this as other inserts ive used that are a hard plastic ( like Superfeet) I was never really a fan of

 

[TaperPin]

A hard insole may take some getting used to - same thing with higher arched boots like Whites/Nicks. I’d be surprised if most hard insole don’t recommend wearing a short time each day and working up.

 

[Dave0317]

Yes. If you do any barefoot or minimalist footwear for a while, you will realize less is more. The few shoes I put an insole in, it’s more because the factory cushion wears out quick.
I like the sof sole athlete to add cushioning in a stiff sole boot. I would personally never put an insole in that has a plastic hard arch like some do.

Look into the barefoot stuff, even if you won’t do it for hunting/hiking, you will learn a lot about your feet and what they do or don’t need. And your feet will likely get stronger because of it too.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

good point regarding the mold. I think the ones I had made locally are a better match to my foot, and the orthotic part is a cork material and seems more ‘flexible’ if that makes sense. The Sheepfeet orthotic is this hard 3D printed plastic and I don’t think it works with my foot as well… and i should have known this as other inserts ive used that are a hard plastic ( like Superfeet) I was never really a fan of

It's also possible the insoles are too thick and lacing down your boots is "squashing" your arch for example, my son and I both have that issue with our ski boots. I wouldn't ding the hard plastic necessarily, unless it doesn't fit perfectly of course.

 

[RC_]

So I’ve had a few posts on here recently about custom insoles I’ve recently purchased ( a pair made locally and some Sheepfeet)… and I’m wondering if I’ve made an expensive mistake as my feet seem less comfortable when I’m wearing them… especially my left arch. I’ve worn both pairs for several hours the past few days and wake up in the morning and my left arch just kinda aches. And even when wearing each pair it seems like the arch is uncomfortable.

Could it be the shoes I have them in while trying to break them in? ( I’m wearing them in a pair of New Balance trainers)?
I have flat feet that are kind are borderline wide, but I don’t seem to pronate much if at all.
Are they guys that have tried these custom inserts and found that a plain ol’ stock inset actually works better?

I don’t have much to offer in the way of help but curious if your SheepFeet were made with the molds or their new camera/scanning app?

 

[JREG19]

My sheepfeet are comfortable now but they needed quite the break in. I'm not a details guy but I'd say about 15-20 miles.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Good lord, sheep feet $300
My safari boots have Dr scholls and we walk a average of 10-14 miles a day
Hunting Nile buffalo

 

[gostovp]

I don’t have much to offer in the way of help but curious if your SheepFeet were made with the molds or their new camera/scanning app?

The new scanning tech

 

[gostovp]

My sheepfeet are comfortable now but they needed quite the break in. I'm not a details guy but I'd say about 15-20 miles.

That’s good to know. I’ll keep putting miles on em and see if that’s the case for me,

 

[eddielasvegas]

SheepFeet at $300 is just about the most absurd thing I have heard of when a good boot can be had for the same price.

Okay, spending $1.2B+ to not get elected is more absurd (and makes me very happy) but that's a bit OT.



Eddie

 

[fishslap]

I’ve tried superfeet, sole, sofsoles, lathrop and sons, and superfeet and hands down superfeet are the best if you need arch support, followed by superfeet trailblazers. Sofsole if you don’t need as much support. Insoles are a very user specific investment. I have a fallen arch on my right foot due to an old ankle injury and I finally started to correct the problems with superfeet and a stiffer boot (scarpa kinesis pro). I can now live in that combo day after day. Superfeet require a period for your feet to adjust to them. For me, it’s about 10 miles if I haven’t been using them regularly.

 

[Dixie]

Had a foot problem last year and purchased some SOLE insoles that thermal mold to your foot... problem solved. Were recommend by a fellow trail worker who puts mega miles per year.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

SheepFeet at $300 is just about the most absurd thing I have heard off when a good boot can be had for the same price.

Okay, spending $1.2B+ to not get elected is more absurd (and makes me very happy) but that's a bit OT.



Eddie

You could go to a podiatrist to make custom legit orthotics for that and pay cash. But hey they're 25% off now!
I don't remember what I paid for mine, think it was 40% off sale. I do like them.

 

[Ron.C]

If you have foot issue and are serious about finding some relief, I highly recommend seeing a podiatrist and having custom orthodics made.

I'm also flat footed, but one foot is worse than the other. Although some worked better than others, no off the shelf product worked well enough that I felt I stopped could stop looking for a better option.

I prefer the 1/2 orthodics to correct and support my arch (what little there is).

 

[txtransplant]

I never liked any insoles until I tried SOLE (and heat molded them at home).

Shameless referral discount link:

SOLE | Shop Orthopedic Insoles & Supportive Footwear

yoursole.com

Thread about my experience:

Shoutout to SOLE Insoles / Footbeds

I've always had a hard time finding good insoles for my footwear. Finally tried SOLE this year. Not only are these the best insoles I've ever used, their customer service is TOP NOTCH to boot. (Boot... Get it? I'll see myself out.) Anyways, here's my experience - I bought a pair of the active...

rokslide.com

 

[gostovp]

I’ve heard really good things about the Sole insoles that aren’t the cork ones

 

[LCguy]

Powerstep Insoles. Suffered from chronic ankle pain for years. Podiatrist recommended them and they changed my life. Zero ankle pain since. Even my girlfriend who works on her feet all day uses them now and has nothing but great things to say,

 

[Laelkhunter]

I had plantar fasciitis (heel spurs?), and went to local WalMart that had some contraption that you stand on in the pharmacy section, and follow directions on the screen. They "mapped" my feet, and recommended a Dr. Scholl's orthotic insoles to help correct the problem. I bought a pair of the insoles $49, but they had a $10 coupon, and went home with them. I put them in my shoes, and felt immediate relief. That was 10 years ago, and I replace them every year. The older ones I put in my old shoes for doing yard work, etc. Not suggesting that you do the same, but I went from pain in my feet and hardly being able to walk, to no pain.