Insoles

[Juan_ID]

For those of you guys that have "trial and errored" insoles, is that all a guy can really do? Go out and buy a few sets and see what feels/fits best or? I would like to have my feet looked at to see what arch and width I am and then go and try a few in my boots in the store and get a quick feel for them to try and cut out some extra expense... Or is that not quite the case??

 

[Matt W.]

I'd like to know more about how to fit the Lathrop & Sons insole. My boot size is 9.5. I went into REI with my boots (Cabela's Alaskan Meindls) to procure some green superfeet. The salesman happened to be fresh from a Superfeet training class and was VERY helpful. He said NOT to buy Superfeet by my shoe size, but rather by how they fit my arch. As a sufferer of plantar fasciitis I was listening... I ended with a size 13 pair of insoles that he cut to fit my boots. Its been a few years so I do need to replace them. They worked well so I don't NEED to do a change up, BUT if the Lathrop Sons are that much better I'd be willing to give them a whirl. Just curious as to how their fitting process goes and if they are good for guys with high arches. ???

 

[bowhnter7]

Orange and black Superfeet, been very happy with them.

 

[Gman]

I'd like to know more about how to fit the Lathrop & Sons insole. My boot size is 9.5. I went into REI with my boots (Cabela's Alaskan Meindls) to procure some green superfeet. The salesman happened to be fresh from a Superfeet training class and was VERY helpful. He said NOT to buy Superfeet by my shoe size, but rather by how they fit my arch. As a sufferer of plantar fasciitis I was listening... I ended with a size 13 pair of insoles that he cut to fit my boots. Its been a few years so I do need to replace them. They worked well so I don't NEED to do a change up, BUT if the Lathrop Sons are that much better I'd be willing to give them a whirl. Just curious as to how their fitting process goes and if they are good for guys with high arches. ???

The current Synergy has no arch support. So if you feel you really need arch support they probably aren't going to do well for you. If you're used to superfeet you'll look at the Synergy a bit perplexed. They come as a completely flat piece of neoprene-ish (I say that because I know they're some fancy material, not neoprene but you get the idea) material. And you trim to size. Lathrop does this because they found that arch support was less important for long days afield - at least I believe I read that at one point. And focused more on cutting down friction in the boot. I love mine, but again, if you're dependent on arch support and don't get that naturally from the last in your boot, they may not be right for you.

 

[bearguide]

i used super feet green last season, nad i do not really like them, i am going to try lathrop this year.

 

[MOHunter]

Reading all these posts about insoles makes me want to try something different in my boots. However, I'm not sure if I can use a regular insole in my boots. I have Danners that came with their 3/4 length hard plastic heel insert. I'm afraid that inserting a full insole will make the toe box too tight. Does anyone know if Danner boots are designed to only use their insole? I'd like to try some insoles in my boots but I don't know where to find any that I can actually try on.

 

[cmeier117]

I just got in the mail the Green, Orange, Blue and a new merino wool (same as Orange but with wool on top.) from super feet. I am anxious to see which one work and don't work! I may get some Lathrop and sons ones too to compare.

 

[BrentC]

I just my lathrops in the mail a couple days ago they feel a lot nicer then the stock kenetreks insoles. That's just walking around in them.

 

[Heather Stomper]

I've used the Green Super Feet since I went with Kenetrek 3+ years ago. Never a blister or hot spot from the first day. My question: how often should the aftermarket insoles be replaced? I'm on the same set I got with the boots and needless to say many training, fishing and hunting miles on them. Thanks for your input.

 

[Bryan Martin]

This is a great topic, Aron. I've been using custom and replacement insoles for over 15 years. The first ones I used were made by Spenco, then Superfeet, then Custom insoles. I've also used the Lathrop insoles and the SOLE brand. Plus, I've had 3 different types of Custom insoles made for me. My first set was too hard, the second set too soft and the 3rd set, about perfect. I had to get some because of chronic Planters Fasciitis. If a person has not tried a set of "custom" insoles from a proper foot specialist, you are missing out. When you buy a new boot, I recommend taking out the factor insoles and using a proper set. The Super Feet are a good insole. They make 3-4 models, with different arch support and cushion. The Sole I prefer a bit better as it can be custom molded by heating in an oven. They made several model. The Lathrop had great cushion, but not enough arch support for my feet. Now, I use Custom Insoles. I have 3 sets, so I don't have to switch shoes. The company that made them is based in Redmond, Oregon and specialize in sport products....skiing, running, cycling, backpacking.... They make a custom mold of your foot and then give you the cast after, so you can have additional ones made. They are stiffer than super feet, but very movable still. Make sure to not use a solid/inflexible plastic insole for hiking, as your foot still needs to flex as you hike. For me, the arch support a custom product provides, prevents Planters F. Also, since I have skinny (low volume) feet, I will often use a thin, flat Spenco or Dr. Scholls footbed under my custom insole, to take up room in the boot. You can also wear this insole on top of the custom one, to change up the feel. On a big backpack trip, I might even take 2 sets of insoles (1 Custom and 1 SOLE) to change up the pressure on my feet. It is somewhat similar to changing boots, but much lighter. You have to keep your feet in good shape or backpack hunting becomes a real painful experience.

 

[5MilesBack]

Interesting reading about everyone's "different" experiences with insoles. Pretty much like boots......everyone is different and prefers something else.

I bought a pair of the Synergy's back in 2010 or 2011 and didn't care for them. They slid around inside my boots and didn't do much for arch support. Then L&S's called me to tell me I had gotten a bad batch and sent a new pair. Well, the new pair wasn't any different than the other pair as far as I could tell and they still slid around and bunched up inside the boot.

In 2012 I started using the Superfeet Orange and have been very happy with them. I have them in 3 different pairs of boots now and they work great for my feet. Good arch support as well. I never even have to think about my feet these days while hunting.

 

[amp713]

Good lord bringing something back from the dead just to put it down again seems a bit drastic...

 

[Brendan]

Any mods present seeing akshay's responses? Pretty sure he's a troll - 13 posts on the forum all trying to sell orthofeet.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Well I just sold my Synergy foot beds along with a pair of boots. Although the Synergy foot beds did work for me I didn't really notice anything better than superfeet. What I found after weeks of using them with a heavy pack the gel flattened out and I honestly didn't really feel the cushion any longer. I have a high arch so I'm gonna go back to superfeet and try the new ones "Trailblazer Guides" as they are Gore-Tex friendly and offer same support as original greens.