Insoles

 I have recently been trying various makes and models of insoles, Its been very interesting and slightly frustrating, I now know that you can take a comfortable pair of boots and make them hell on earth and then again you can take a very uncomfortable pair of boots and make them the best thing since sliced bread,
It started a while ago when i thought i was getting plantar fasciitis, I was getting pain in my arch, My foot doctor said it was probably a very tight muscle under the arch and by rolling it over a can for a few nights the pain went-he was right, But i had already purchased a cheap pair of 3/4 insoles designed to help with plantar fasciitis by supporting the arch,

 If you take out an insole from shop bought boots or shoes you will see very little support in the arch area, Infact most insoles are complete rubbish and only there to make your boot/shoe feel good in the store and a place for the manufacturer to have his logo, If you get a chance look at some merrell mix master sneakers, I have a pair and my wife has two pairs, Lovely sneakers, very comfortable and breathable, But the insole is nothing more than thick paper,I instantly had a problem with these as i felt pressure around the area on your heal where the insole meets the shoe side, I have had it many times with different makes, After a while it would cause a blister, I went to Walmart and purchased a pair of Doctor Scholls insoles, It was a gel insole and within 1 minute of fitting- voila instant comfort and all for $10, Totally transformed the shoe.
My wife has been told that she needs orthodontics in all of her shoes, Custom made ones are over $400 so we went to REI and purchased some 'Superfeet' insoles, She was in love straight away and has raved about them ever since, A word of warning, When getting insoles make sure that they fit YOUR feet, Dont just get a size 9 because thats your shoe size, My wife tried many superfeet and the ones that fitted her the best were about 3 sizes bigger than her regular size, Once trimmed and fitted they were great, A couple of weeks ago i walked over 60 miles, All on tarmac due to the weather, At the end of the week my feet were sore and felt bruised, Once again i went to REI and tried the Superfeet insoles, My wife had the Green range but i was advised to go Orange due to slight more spongy insole by the foot pad, I tried on loads and loads of sizes and widths and ended up buying a pair, I have to say that standing on a pair in store and having them in your boot is totally different, In the store they felt ok, Not great just ok, I cut them to size and fitted them, I tried the boot on and there was a pressure point just around my arch/heel, The next day i set out on a trail with a 20lb backpack on, Do not forget i had walked 60+ miles without a problem and distances to over 16 miles, This day after 3 miles i was getting sore so headed back and by the time i was back at the car i i knew i had a small blister, I took them back, I hate to do it as i had cut them but the rep at REI said if they didnt fit to return them.The Superfeet insoles are around $50 so not cheap, I was very dissapointed, I went a purchased a pair of Doctor Scholls Active range insoles at around $20 and had a similar experience, Not as bad as the insoles were more of a gel but still the slight pressure point in the same area, I took these out after 2 outings and now have gone back to the original Salomon insoles which are not bad compared to other original fittings and some times i add the 3/4 insoles for plantar fasciitis just to add some extra support, I have to say that's its been a bit of a journey but your feet need to feel the love, that way you can walk further for longer and not get the dreaded hotspots or blisters, You may wonder what the difference is when buying insoles, Here is a picture of the side of the Superfeet Greens, See the thickness around the heal and the support for the arch,

They are very nicely made and i wish i had more luck with these, Thousands of people love and swear by them but like when buying boots every bodies feet are different and what works for one will not work for the somebody else

Dave