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Tell me about shoe inserts

Star

Veteran

Hi All
I have noticed many of you use shoe inserts. My feet are becoming more boney as time goes by and I am finding closed shoes really uncomfortable as my feet are always sliding around in them and my toes get really painful and even bruised. I only have one pair of combat boots that this does not happen with as they grab the middle of my foot but are roomy in the toe box, but they are wearing out. It is not a size issue either. Could you please tell me if you use inserts what type they are (not brand specific necessarily as I probably won't be able to duplicate exactly here), rather what material they are made from and for what reasons you use them and are they really helpful. Thanks so much.

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

When I delved into this a couple years ago, I learned that the folks in N America generally use the kind of inserts that are in drug stores in Germany (like Dr Scholls). Custom inserts molded to your foot, as are covered 2x a year in German health insurance, are the exception there. I know you are not in Germany, but think you are in the EU, so might have similar options as here.

Here is that thread https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....n-orthotic

Indigoprint

Veteran

I am interested in this as well and wondered if those who have success using them could share their experiences and products they like.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I put a foamy cushioning insole into all my shoes! Sometimes two. A few dollars at the drug store. It’s a pharmacy house brand that you cut to size.

I have VERY boney feet. Zero padding.

Joy

Veteran

I use inserts regularly in my right shoe as my right foot is a half size smaller than the left foot and I buy to fit the left foot. I get the cheap Dr Scholls type although the shoe salesman at Nordstroms recommended a hard plastic heel lift that also works especially if you have a narrow heel. They were not at all soft so I no longer use them, but they are effective. Be sure the arch support in your shoe is in the right place.

cat2

Veteran

I have a wonky ankle and put my SuperFeet in anything that lacks stability, like a loafer. They have versions for flats and low heels. I put the Dr. Scholl squishy gels just in the front of shoes that don’t have enough cushion under the front of my foot. I put squishy gels in the back of shoes that end up being just a bit too big.

Pat_P

I use superfeet too, in almost all my shoes. Love them!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I get this. My feet seem to be becoming more bony (while the rest of me…is not, sigh).

I do the same as Angie. My feet are slightly different sizes so sometimes I double up and go with an extra insert in one shoe, a single in the other. But I also use heel lifts in one shoe to help mitigate my leg length discrepancy. I like the simple inserts from the drugstore because they are inexpensive and thin but provide just enough cushioning without too much bulk. They wear out and flatten after a while, but they’re cheap enough that it’s not a big deal to replace them. I buy them in multi-packs when I can.

JAileen

Veteran

Generally, I don’t use them. But I have some boots that were too loose, and I put them in to take up space. My feet are low volume. I use Dr Scholl’s gel inserts, the kind you cut the edges to fit. It made a huge difference when we were in Alaska, tromping around in the wilds. My Muck boots were much more secure on my feet. I wore them all day, everyday, so it was really important to be comfortable.

Greyscale

Veteran

I use Pedag inserts that have arch support and a small metatarsal bump to take weight off the ball of my foot. They don’t have padding but they keep my foot in place perfectly.

Runcarla

Veteran

My feet are boney with little to no padding, a narrow heel, wide forefoot (bunions) and one collapsed arch. I get under arch support and stability from ‘Superfeet’ innersoles - which is what I use most of the time. I also have some half sole inserts with gel heels that I like when I know I will be doing a long mall crawl or city walk (hard surfaces or pavements), and alpaca full inserts for cushy warmth in my sturdy lace up boots. I do have some thin leather inserts with a layer of rubbery foam underneath that are great for thin pointy toe flats and dress shoes.

The Superfeet came from a sports store, the gel heeled inserts from a pharmacy (drugstore), and the leather insoles from a cobbler’s shop, the alpaca inserts at a craft fair from an alpaca farmer.

I second what Joy said about getting the arch in the right place. I ended up passing on a pair of shoes because the arch was in the wrong place for my foot, and it couldn’t be modified enough with inserts.

slim cat

Veteran

I use PowerStep Pinnacle memory foam neutral arch insole for my hiking shoes, rain boots and some sneakers. I have high arch/instep with need for extra padding.
ECCO sneakers need to have fresh insoles every year or so.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You've probably gathered by now, the insert to use will depend on your feet (what issues you're facing) and your particular needs.

I have narrow heels, so my feet sometimes slide around in shoes as you describe -- even though my forefoot is not narrow.

Also, flat shoes tend to be uncomfortable for me and can lead to plantar fasciitis or exacerbate a case if I have it.

I don't feel a need for a cushy undersole, though.

So I use Superfeet insoles or a special insert for plantar fasciitis. I use two kinds of Superfeet -- the green type for sneakers (highest arch support) and the carbon kind for shoes that can't accommodate that. These don't actually support my arch (the arch on them is quite low and my foot has a higher arch than even the green ones) but they help to keep my feet in place. I suppose I could get custom orthotics but I seem to do quite well with these for now.

I agree with those who say if the arch in the shoe is in the wrong place, it will never be comfortable.

Superfeet GREEN Insoles, Professional-Grade High Arch Orthotic Insert for Maximum Support, Unisex, Green

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Top Pick

4

Superfeet Carbon Pain Relief Strong and Thin Insoles for Performance Athletic and Tight Casual Shoes, Gray

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4

DonnaF

Veteran

Btw, years ago I had custom orthotics made but I never used them because they were uncomfortable around the outer edges. What a waste of hundreds of dollars!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have a whole box of various shoe adapting devices. Insoles/half insoles, under the ball of foot pad, and more. Takes some experimentation to see which works with which shoe.

Runcarla

Veteran

Back to say that I find it a bonus if a shoe has a removable inner sole, so that I can replace it with my own, without building on top of the existing one! Also, I build accommodation (Superfeet run just under $40 CAD) into the cost of footwear.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good point, Carla! Superfeet are pricey! I have a couple of pairs of each style and just take them out of one shoe and put in another (which saves some $$). They do seem to last for a really long time. Also nodding about taking out the insole that the shoe comes with. I do this also.

Star

Veteran

Thank you so much Everyone! I knew you guys would be a wealth of information. I am going to have to visit a pharmacy/drugstore in my nearest town and have a look at what is available, armed with all your info. Much appreciated!

I have used small gel pads in the past that fit under the ball of your foot for added comfort but I believe I now need full size inserts. We do have Dr Scholl here too so I will have a look at those. We do have DM Stores which is a German or Austrian chain so if any Europeans read this and know about their stock that will helpful. For me the sliding around is worse than the underfoot discomfort. I constantly have bruised big toes!

Suz it never occurred to me that it may be narrow heels that are causing the sliding around. Sounds like we have similar issues.
Although I would not mind some extra padding for the undersole, particularly in two pairs of boots I own. My feet have definitely changed with age. Also I did not do as much walking prior to relocating.

Anonymous

I've tried many types, without much success. Sometimes I put cushioning inserts into unpadded shoes, but generally if shoes are too hard they stay at the store.
I have Very narrow (6a) heels, so also use the heel inserts with transitional shoes. They're Not Great. Often they don't stick well and don't fill as much space as I need. Hence, I almost never wear transitional shoes!
I tried the gel heel cups cause I thought they'd be better in that regard. They just slide around.
Luckily we have sandal weather 6 + months of the year!

Indigoprint

Veteran

I appreciate as well. Thanks all!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, heel slippage is a real problem for me, too. Loafers and pumps are almost all unwearable for me. The problem seems worse than a few years ago, like my heels are shrinking! They shift around even in boots, to the point where my boots eat my socks. I’m currently trying to source some new socks that won’t slide down.

Glory

Veteran

I just purchased the blue super feet insoles a couple of weeks ago. I’m recovering from a broken ankle and they were recommended. They are great so far and have really helped.