YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Tell us about your shoe inserts

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Tell us about your shoe inserts https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:50:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795972 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 21:23:55 +0000 Anonymous 1795972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No shoe inserts, but during the summer I wear Vionic.  They are wonderfully comfortable and seem really good for my feet.   misszoe123 on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795969 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 21:14:45 +0000 misszoe123 1795969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wear a lot of brands, so i'll just go over to style 70% of the time you'll only catch me in heels, and when i say heels you can count on at least a 3inches. I'm a big fashionista and i love the structure a good heel contributes to my outfit, this can go from the right wedges with the right skirt to the perfect black stilletos under a basic jeans. I must say that they aren't allways that "comfortable" so i wouldn't say i wear them 7 days a week, 5 of them maybe 'The things we do for fashion' jacquez on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795959 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 20:58:46 +0000 jacquez 1795959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wear Tuli's Heavy Duty heel cups; I initially bought them for PF and mostly they live in my gardening shoes these days. They are QUITE bulky and only fit in a few of my shoes, so I leave them in the ones I wear to do the hardest work. They will probably come with me on a hiking trip this summer, just in case.  I've tried other inserts, and keep coming back to 3/4 drugstore inserts. They aren't great but they're fine.  shedev on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795945 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 20:14:31 +0000 shedev 1795945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I use a short drugstore brand orthotic to add cushioning and fill in the space around my narrow heels. Bijou on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795834 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 14:30:17 +0000 Bijou 1795834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another person with custom orthotics and a preference for 1 to 2 inch heels. I have worn my orthotics since I was 19 years old and they saved me from a lot of footwear, as I have never worn stilettos. Happy feet are important to me. Firecracker (Sharan) on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795695 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 06:19:35 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1795695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another Superfeet user here. I like the 3/4 sole, and use it in shoes that don't have arch support, like my Blondo boots, which are flat as a pancake inside. Since recovering from plantar fasciitis, I don't find I need to wear the inserts with many of my shoes. I have the high-heel version, too, and used to wear them in one pair of boots, but I haven't needed them for a long time now. This is a really interesting thread; I think I may check out some of the inserts mentioned, for wearing shoes without socks, for taking up space in shoes that feel too big for the socks I want to wear, etc. I will also mention Doc Martens have inserts that you can get to help fill in the extra space in their shoes. I tried on a pair recently, and the inserts made a huge difference. Even though I didn't end up getting the shoes, I could imagine wearing them, with the inserts. Greyscale on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795674 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 04:31:49 +0000 Greyscale 1795674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh! Thanks for the reminder - I finally found a shoe repair place that carries the full range of Pedag inserts and I meant to come back in with the shoes I wanted them for to test them. I had totally forgotten. Jenn on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795644 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 03:17:05 +0000 Jenn 1795644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like Mel, I have a hard time fitting insoles comfortably into my shoes. Luckily, my feet aren't fussy (I had a bout of PF from a poor running store recommendation, but I've recovered) and I am ruthless about only choosing shoes that work for my feet. The most I ever do is put a terrycloth liner in shoes I plan to wear without socks. Ginger on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795642 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 03:11:33 +0000 Ginger 1795642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ minimalist, I just discovered Pedag and I am thrilled. They come in SIZES.  And they have that behind-the-ball support that I didn't even know I needed. I don't need arch support - my arches are plenty strong and high - but that metatarsal cushion is making all the difference. Not expensive, either. I've tried 5 different kinds so far, and having fun experimenting what works best in my different shoes. Angie on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795604 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 01:15:30 +0000 Angie 1795604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hear you. SIL is the same, and I would be too.  Suz on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795597 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:54:19 +0000 Suz 1795597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, I have not. Thank you! I will check them out.  I did have a night split for four months or so but my physiotherapist told me to lay off it -- if it hadn't worked, it wouldn't work. It did ease things. Everything I've done (split, massage, exercise, laser, heel pads, careful shoe choice)  has eased things somewhat. It just hasn't gone totally away.  But I'm encouraged by the news from cjh that it still might. I have not helped things, I suppose, with my constant walking and running and skating. It's a rare day when I don't get my 10,000 steps and I would rather live with a bit of PF pain than not walk!  Angie on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795584 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:42:16 +0000 Angie 1795584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's it, Diana. I don't have flat feet, and clearly you have more padding on your feet!  High five, Style Fan. Super Feet hurt my feet. Badly.  Suz, have you tried the PF socks?  <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Fasciitis-Compression-Increases-Circulation-Swelling/dp/B01A8HKKFY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491525670&sr=8-1&keywords=planter+fasciitis+socks">https://www.amazon.com/Fasciit.....ref=sr_1_1</a> Diana on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795562 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:20:09 +0000 Diana 1795562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Greyscale, ive used the high heel superfeet and do not fjnd them terribly comfortable. But I think it's because they're actually too arched for my feet (plus high heels already force my feet to arch more) so if you have higher arches they might be fine. They also make the high heels feel higher (because they add maybe a cm or so of height at the heel). That said, they did prevent my feet from sliding forward as much which lessened the ball of foot pain. Nowadays in my 2-2.5" heeled boots I just wear my regular superfeet black 3/4 inserts. Minnie on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795559 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:10:25 +0000 Minnie 1795559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I use Foot Petals in dress shoes and sandals, sheepskin full insoles in winter boots and washable terry cloth full size in summer sneakers/Converse. Style Fan on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795558 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:06:36 +0000 Style Fan 1795558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have custom orthotics for my walking shoes.  The custom orthotics require me to go up 2 sizes!  I also find I can only wear the orthotics for limited time.  I have Birkenstock orthotics in my winter hiking boots.  They are reasonably okay.  They are only half the foot and I like that.  I have the shoe repair guy put memory foam in some of my footwear to make them more cushiony.  It does help.  I have zero padding in my feet. I have felt insoles for my winter boots for extra warmth.  I get them from Walmart for a dollar.  Very warm. I tried Superfeet.  They hurt my feet.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795552 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:47:15 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1795552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would also be interested in learning whether anyone has successfully tried weight shifting insoles. I have an arthritic big toe that tends to get upset when asked to flex, and it is liking heels less and less. I do have a set of the white hard foam insoles from the podiatrist, but of course they don't fit into any dressy shoes. Greyscale on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795546 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:21:10 +0000 Greyscale 1795546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have custom orthotics for my high arches, to take pressure off the ball of my foot. They only fit in shoes with thick removable insoles, but I don't need to wear them all the time (they just let my muscles work less hard). I keep meaning to try Superfeet in my shoes that are too low-volume to accommodate my huge orthotics. I'm not sure they'll do much for me because the arch isn't high enough, but having some contouring might be nice. I used to swear by the thin Dr Scholls foam ones that you cut to fit. Nothing fancy, just a comfortable squishy layer. I hardly ever see them at the drugstore anymore, with all the fancier molded plastic and foam varieties, but I should stock up on them for shoes like my men's oxfords. Do any of you use the Superfeet that are designed for high heels? That's where I could really use an adjustment, to shift where my weight falls. Carla on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795541 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:01:07 +0000 Carla 1795541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Superfeet in green in all athletic shoes, sneakers, boots, and oxfords. Drug store low profile 3/4 gel heel for lower profile pointy toe flats. My left foot is currently problematic with something akin to pf and I will wear the gel insert in just the left shoe. I'm loving my cork sole Faux Birks for around the house. Love the arch support. Real Birks don't fit my foot. columbine(erin) on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795524 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:10:51 +0000 columbine(erin) 1795524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for this post, which I'm reading with interest. After breaking toes and having surgery last year, my right foot still isn't recovered and out of the 14 pairs of shoes, running shoes, sandals and boots I own, only 5 are wearable and only for a few hours at a time. It still feels like my whole foot and shin and opposite knee are somehow compensating. I think I'd like to try some inserts before I pass them all on. I particularly want to try to get some running shoes to work again, since I bought them just before my accident and haven't worn them much yet. I got these to try: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRV5U4H/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr.....#038;psc=1</a> When the weather clears, I hope to try running. However, they are thick, so they may not fit well. They don't fit in most of my shoes, probably. They'd push my heel too far back.  minimalist on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795519 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:04:48 +0000 minimalist 1795519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Pedag. That is all. <a href="http://www.pedag.de/en/products/insoles.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.pedag.de/en/products/insoles.html</a> Mel on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795517 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:57:03 +0000 Mel 1795517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I too put cheap drugstore cushioning insoles in my closed shoes and they work great. However I have high-volume feet and can't fit an insole plus my foot into most flats. So I get my flats from Naturalizer because they have shoes with amazing cushioned insoles.  cjh on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795504 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:00:31 +0000 cjh 1795504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Same as Angie here with sometimes needing a bit of padding. I use the cheapy foam inserts from Dollar General (2 pair for about $2.00) in my Cons and other athletic-fashion shoes, for more cushion because they are either too hard or I feel the knobby contours of built-in "arch support" too much. I use the 3/4 size with a bit of arch support in just one pair of slip-on tennies. Who knows why that pair is that way? No inserts needed for any of my oxfords, including one pair which is hard-soled, "manly", sturdy leather. The shape of the shoe and slight heel raise must make them just right. No inserts in my running shoes, either. Suz and other PF sufferers: hang in there. Ten years ago, the first foot took almost 2 years to get better. The second time I got it in the other foot, two years ago, it healed more quickly, in "only" 6 months, after I self-administered a brutally painful massage routine. I agree that inserts can make things worse. Rambling Ann on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795474 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 18:28:36 +0000 Rambling Ann 1795474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My podiatrist recommended these after bunion surgery <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/huc/view.html?ie=UTF8&newItems=C2ZUZ1OBPYWSNQ%2C1">Powerstep Full Length Orthotic Shoe Insoles</a>, which reminds me, they probably don't last forever and I should replace them. Suz on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795420 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 15:28:44 +0000 Suz 1795420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have plantar fasciitis that is not completely healed (after almost a year and a half, lots of physio, exercises, and special lasers). It is what it is. It is almost better...just not quite.  Anyway...in my winter boots I used some drugstore heel pads for that -- it helped, somewhat.  In my Ecco sneakers I wear a low profile <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.superfeet.com/en-ca/insoles-and-sandals/carbon-1">Superfeet insert </a>-- it takes up some of the extra space in the shoe (which is a bit wide for me) and also relieves some of the pressure off the heel. I don't have flat feet, but flat shoes are rarely comfortable for me, and I find this is worse since I got PF. This insert helps balance things a bit, keeps my heel more stable (which is a big plus) and generally turns these into all day shoes for me. Win!  Apart from that, the only time I use inserts (the padded drugstore kind) are when I need extra warmth in a thin soled boot, and/or when I need to fill up space in the shoe.  Barring PF, if the pitch of the last is right for my foot, I find most inserts make things worse rather than better.  Diana on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795398 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 14:51:18 +0000 Diana 1795398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, I use both superfeet and the foam things in the same shoe. I put the superfeet over the foam. The 3/4 superfeet end right before the ball of foot, which is where I get the most pressure, so the foam cushions it there. But I have to say that the pressure is less with hard orthotics like superfeet anyway because my feet slip around less when I'm wearing them. (But iirc you don't have flat feet at all so no reason you'd need superfeet anyway.) Angie on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795390 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 14:36:36 +0000 Angie 1795390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to put a cushioning insole into ALL my closed shoes. (My feet have no padding and I need a VERY soft footbed). I get them at the drug store for a few dollars. (It's hard for me to understand how you find Super Feet comfy. It feels like daggers on my feet. Horses for courses, always - glad they work for others). My SIL has had excellent luck wearing special socks for her plantar  fasciitis. She lives in London so walks A LOT. The socks have been a blessing.  JAileen on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795375 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 14:18:20 +0000 JAileen 1795375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mine are hard plastic. I've had them since 1999 when I was diagnosed with PF. I got them from the podiatrist, but now they're available from a shoe specialty store in town. They were around $20. My PF is completely healed, but I still use them whenever I wear lace up shoes. They have sizes, just like shoes. They make a shoe with no support like Cons fabulously comfortable. Diana on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795369 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:59:42 +0000 Diana 1795369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My go-to inserts are the superfeet black 3/4 length ones because they are relatively low and narrow (a good fit for my feet) and fit in almost all of my closed shoes. They not only add arch support (which I need) but also improve the fit of my shoes by raising my heel and lessening the extra volume in the instep. I also have a 3/4 length pair from a brand called powerstep that was recommended by the dr. Those are higher volume so harder to fit in shoes. For roomier shoes I also have the full length superfeet black and powerstep. I also have a pair of replacement Naot cork insoles which are predictably super comfy but take up more room. I am currently using them in my teal retro sneakers - I removed the (not very supportive) insole and replaced it with the Naot. I also do use the drugstore foam ones for padding but I usually put the superfeet on top of those. I have v low volume feet so I can stuff more things in my shoes than most people without tightness. One thing not everyone knows is that a higher arch support is not always better. You have to find something that matches your foot. So for example my arches are naturally low so I need a pretty low arch on my orthotic too. A high one forces my foot into an unnatural shape, which gets painful and tiring after a while. Superfeet are nice because they come in different arch heights - the black (which I use) is the lowest. Anonymous on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795367 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:55:41 +0000 Anonymous 1795367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AirPufs (recommended from Putting Me Together blog) for a skinny insert like heels or flats. I think actually helps quite a lot for my ball of foot pain, but wish they were longer. I choose the cushion always for my forefoot rather than heel. Used to use Spenco cross trainer insert in my athletic shoes, but switched several years ago to the green Superfeet replacement insole for better arch support. At this point, I am considering putting these in more than just my workout shoes too. Chris987 on "Tell us about your shoe inserts" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tell-us-about-your-shoe-inserts#post-1795359 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:38:13 +0000 Chris987 1795359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A lot of us add inserts/insoles to our footwear and I'd love to hear what brands/styles everyone uses. Name them, and describe what purpose they serve. Finds would be great too if you have them. I'll start. All the ones I have are drugstore brands (CVS) Heel orthotic inserts designed to help with plantar fasciitis  that I wear in the boots that needed them. These totally solved the problem. I use simple "odor eater" types in a few shoes, very thin, help a little in keeping feet dry but don't totally solve the problem. I've been trying ones that add a bit more padding to shoes that have thin soles but so far am not loving any of them because the ones I've found end at the ball of the foot and do not extend to under the toes. These could also work to make loose shoes fit better but I'd want them to go all the way to the toes. I bought some felt to cut and make inserts for one pair of tall boots where my feet get a little cold but I haven't done it yet. I was hoping this would make them a little warmer but the foot is fairly snug so I can't add much. Over to you!