dbconlin Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I saw the topic of superfeet in another thread, but decided to start a new one specifically regarding superfeet. Anyway, "experts" in the field have told me that even if you do not have foot problems/pain, it may be wise to use superfeet for activities that involve carrying heavy loads because the extra support can help prevent your arches from collapsing over the years leading to feet problems later in life. An ounce of prevention... Quote
pbelitz Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I bought into the hype once. Superfeet made my feet hurt like crazy. I have custom insoles for my ski boots (~$200). They work magnificently at correcting my stance and providing comfort. Quote
BreezyD Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I love my Superfeet. It hurt breaking them in for the first 2 climbs and then, from then on (2+ years of climbs, hikes and scrambles) have been a dream. Although they won't work for everyone - they are worth a shot! B Quote
cj001f Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 Superfeet are better than the stock insoles. Unfortunately they aren't cheap. $30 for foam and plastic Quote
Kitergal Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 and where do you get these mighty superfeet?? Quote
Bill_Simpkins Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 (edited) I like them and use them is some footwear, but have a few complaints: 1. The material used generates more friction than most stock soles and my foot's pad and toes feel heat from the friction more than normal. 2. When used in mountaineering boots it reduces the amount of countrol and precision on steep terrain. It makes front pointing slightly harder. The thinner stock soles usually give more control, but less comfort. However, my feet are also colder with stock insoles. 3. The elevated height makes it easier to roll your ankle and I tend to do so more with the superfeet. 4. The elevated height tends to put the heel in a spot not designed for the boot and blisters can form more easily. Just my experiences. Edited July 19, 2005 by Bill_Simpkins Quote
cj001f Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 and where do you get these mighty superfeet?? You have to be a superman or woman! Quote
Gaper_Jeffy Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 "SOLE Custom Footbeds" are another popular, non-custom insole that compete with Superfeet. Some peopel really like them, some are indifferent. Website is: http://www.yoursole.com/index.htm REI even sales a special Ed Viesturs model: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD...vcat=REI_SEARCH Quote
tomtom Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I bought a pair, and honestly, I can't tell the difference. Quote
cj001f Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I bought a pair, and honestly, I can't tell the difference. Really? Superfeet have a plastic heel cup & arch. Sole (at least the pair I have) are just foam heated a molded to your feet (semi custom?). Superfeet are more comfortable and more supportive I found. Quote
Dru Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I saw the topic of superfeet in another thread, but decided to start a new one specifically regarding superfeet. Anyway, "experts" in the field have told me that even if you do not have foot problems/pain, it may be wise to use superfeet for activities that involve carrying heavy loads because the extra support can help prevent your arches from collapsing over the years leading to feet problems later in life. An ounce of prevention... if "experts" told you you should start taking Viagra now, even though you might not be impotent for 30 years, would you do what they said? Quote
Dechristo Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I suppose that would depend upon how fearful one was of undesirable arches in their anatomy. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted July 19, 2005 Posted July 19, 2005 I bought into the hype once. Superfeet made my feet hurt like crazy. they help a lot with heel cup fit, but they cause me much pain in my arches. Quote
PaulB Posted July 20, 2005 Posted July 20, 2005 I bought into the hype once. Superfeet made my feet hurt like crazy. I have custom insoles for my ski boots (~$200). They work magnificently at correcting my stance and providing comfort. I bought into the hype once. Custom orthotics and insoles made my feet hurt like crazy. I have Superfeet for my ski & climbing boots (~$30). They work magnificently at providing comfort. Go with whatever works for you. Quote
buddha_monkee Posted July 20, 2005 Posted July 20, 2005 I like my superfeet a lot. I used to always get blisters. The important thing for me was to find someone who really knew what they were doing to help me get a pair of hiking boots that actually fit. Turns out I have a narrow heel - which means heel lift - which means blisters. The superfeet help immensely. As far as finding a person who know what the heck they are doing, look for some combination of a couple of things: someone who measures both of your feet, someone who can explain _why_ a certain manufacturers boot will fit you better than anothers, someone who can tell you what kind of foot you have (low-volume, high-volume, funky toes, etc). Good luck. Quote
catbirdseat Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 I bought into the hype once. Superfeet made my feet hurt like crazy. they help a lot with heel cup fit, but they cause me much pain in my arches. Your arches will hurt at first because they are not used to that much support. When I first got my custom orthotics, I was told by the doctor to at first wear them for only a couple hours a day and gradually increase the time until I could wear them comfortably all day. The arches were painful at first. It felt really strange, but now I can't stand to wear shoes without my orthotics. My plantar fasciitis has gone away and so has my knee problems. Quote
noblesavage Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Superfeet are better than the stock insoles. Unfortunately they aren't cheap. $30 for foam and plastic Yeah, but they last for years... Quote
selkirk Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 $30 compared to how much for boots, umpteen layers of moleskin, and sore arches to boot? Love mine to death. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Your arches will hurt at first because they are not used to that much support. When I first got my custom orthotics, I was told by the doctor to at first wear them for only a couple hours a day and gradually increase the time until I could wear them comfortably all day. The arches were painful at first. It felt really strange, but now I can't stand to wear shoes without my orthotics. My plantar fasciitis has gone away and so has my knee problems. i had custom insoles made for my tele boots and they killed. i had them redone and they killed. it wasn't just a little painful; i wanted to quit skiing altogether! i'm just not convinced that trying to make my feet like them is the right thing to do -- for me anyway. i guess if they are correcting other problems (like knee issues) i can understand the bigger picture there, though. Quote
dbconlin Posted July 21, 2005 Author Posted July 21, 2005 (edited) Superfeet are better than the stock insoles. Unfortunately they aren't cheap. $30 for foam and plastic Yeah, but they last for years... I have superfeet that have outlasted some boots, at which time i swap them into a new/different pair. I think I have about 3 pairs of superfeet that I switch in and out of about 6 pairs of shoes/boots. ...oh, and I have retired one pair of superfeet Edited July 21, 2005 by dbconlin Quote
Divot Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 ok, Super Feet are awesome..... ....I use them too... Quote
catbirdseat Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 i had custom insoles made for my tele boots and they killed. i had them redone and they killed. it wasn't just a little painful; i wanted to quit skiing altogether! i'm just not convinced that trying to make my feet like them is the right thing to do -- for me anyway. i guess if they are correcting other problems (like knee issues) i can understand the bigger picture there, though. Were your custom insoles made from a plaster cast of your foot? It is quite possible that your tele boots simply didn't have enough room in them to put an insole with a lot of arch support. The top of the boot may have pressed downward on your foot too much. Who knows? I had some knee problems at first with my orthotics, after which the doc adjusted the angle of the foot strike by building up the insert on one side using some sort of putty-like material that sets up solid. After that, I've never had knee problems. Quote
Dr_Crash Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 What about the ones that can be baked in your oven and shaped? Sounds nicer, price is about the same (Montrail or Merell makes some I believe, along with other brands). I just got full-length orthotics that should fit all my shoes (yeah!) so we'll see if that helps and if my knees get unscrewed. drC Quote
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