insoles? orthotics?

JennyK (NC)

My feet have gotten very fussy since my last pregnancy 2 years ago. I used to wear high heels every day and now I can barely wear them out to dinner!

Plus, my new role as SAHM means heels are impractical. I've been looking in the flats section of Angie's shop. I notice that there, and in the forums and on the blog, there is often mention of insoles or orthotics. Can someone elaborate on that? By insoles, do you mean just the cushiony things sold in the shoe section of my big box store? Are orthotics always super fancy expensive doctor-prescribed things or would they be something like a better insole you'd find at a specialty shoe store?

I'm dying to find some comfortable, fun, stylish, practical, and -dare I say it? - sexy shoes for Spring/Summer. I guess I've really never had any before!

13 years ago

Shopping

6 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

So I have flat feet, and have custom-designed doctor-prescribed orthotics. I would say that they are generally for diagnosed conditions/issues and I feel, for me, much superior to drugstore orthotics/cushions.

However, I also have loads of these cushion things for sometimes shoes. I think the ones at specialty shoe stores are really similar to those at big-box stores; I have tried both (not extensively in terms of brands) and they feel the same to me. I like these ones for high heels that I wear for nights out, shoes that rub in specific spots (I have moleskin sheets that I use for this) and I have tried arch supports for super flat shoes, but I find these don't work that well.

I think if you really have serious issues with footwear, go see your family doctor to determine if orthotics will help. Otherwise, big-box store stuff is generally helpful for providing some padding and preventing rubbing, but I find that it doesn't help to change the general shape of a shoe or give you that much support. I'd warn against wearing super flat flats for this reason or things without good arch support. Try to find shoes that are structurally sound if they're going to be more everyday shoes. For those impractical shoes, I think the cushions help. xD

13 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I suggest you start out by seeing a podiatrist to find out exactly what your issues are. The first time I went to see mine I had plantar fasciitis, but if I had seen someone years earlier I could have avoided this painful condition. I also had a lot of problems I didn't even know about! For example, I need a shoe where the arch is closer to the heel than the usual heels.

I did try the prescribed orthotics for a few months, but found them unsatisfactory. I now use Superfeet berries insoles in many of my shoes. In dressier shoes that don't take the insoles I use a variety of pads and cushions to make them wearable. I have a younger friend who swears by the Superfeet green insoles.

The drugstore insoles haven't worked out too well for me, although I can make use of some of the cushions. I have fallen metatarsals and the Foot Petals work well for me in dressy shoes to give a little support under the ball of the foot. They also help straighten out the bunions.

One more thing, flat shoes are the most difficult for me to wear comfortably, except for oxfords or sneakers. I do better with a bit of a low heel.

I hope this is helpful. I know foot problems and solutions have been discussed quite a lot here.

13 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I agree that you should see a podiatrist to find out what's going on. I developed plantar fasciitis from wearing shoes without support. Once, at a shower, somehow the conversation got to foot problems and I was surprised how many of the women had had plantar fasciitis, and how different their orthotics looked like. My feet are better, but I still wear the orthotics when hiking or really whenever I wear lace up shoes.

13 years ago

JennyK (NC)

Active Member

Interesting... I really hadn't thought of myself as having any foot problems but one of the reasons I haven't bought new shoes in 2 years is that they all seem to hurt my feet! It's so annoying to think I have a good pair of shoes, get home, wear them around the house for 15 minutes and realize I have to tote them right back to the store. :-/

And I still like some sort of wedge or something. Those little curled up ballet-type shoes are definitely a no-go for me. Even with the more substantial types I just generally never feel comfortable in flats. But I want to!

13 years ago

Anonymous

There was an article in one of the weekend papers about using maxipads in shoes for comfort...an idea from an airline steward. I was looking for comfortable shoes for a trip at Nordstroms last week and happened to get an SA who had worked for several years at The GoodFeet Store, where they sell orthotics for hundreds of dollars. He said that a pair sold by Nordstroms for $19.99 are just as good as those expensive ones and had me try them in my shoes. I didn't take them out but bought them and have even slipped them into my slippers. They are a black plastic and lift your heel just a bit and also give some arch support, but don't seem to make the shoe any tighter. They are perfect for very flat shoes because they stay on and aren't so flat.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/su.....038;pprd=0

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Like the others have said, go to the podiatrist to see what is wrong with your feet first. (or even your GP might be sufficient). They can also recommend orthotics that will work with your particular feet/issue.

As for the difference between insoles and orthotics, insoles are generally cheap and for cushioning only. They are usually between 1-10 dollars and sold at the drugstore. I use the cheap foam kind. YOu need one pair for each pair of hard shoes since you really can't swap them around. Orthotics are more expensive, and structured to provide arch support, etc. I have been told by various Drs. that you need to get orthotics that have a hard, structured base in order to get good support (some have foam on top of the hard core for more cushioning, but you don't want the all foam ones, for example.) I buy superfeet and powersteps, which are OTC and not custom; they cost around 20-40 dollars a pair. However, you only need one or two pairs since you can move them between shoes. I have a narrower, lower kind (superfeet black) and a higher, wider kind (powersteps) for different types of shoes. Personally I like 3/4 length ones as they allow me more toe box room since my toes are fussy. I also have a full length pair for my workout sneakers. There are custom orthotics that you can get made at the podiatrist's as well, but my podiatrist at least said I should try the OTC ones before I shell out a lot of money for customs.

Be aware that orthotics (and insoles too to a lesser extent) take up room in your shoes and may make them a bit tighter. You might need to size your shoes up. For me personally this is not an issue because my feet are so flat and my insteps so low that there is always extra room in my shoes anyway. In fact the orthotics make them fit better since they take up some of that extra space!

13 years ago

Category