Save your soles
November 6th, 2006To walk in style is not enough – we have to walk in comfort. The easiest way to make a winter boot, shoe, non-athletic sneaker or dressy heel comfortable is with some form of insole, heel cup or orthotic.
These marvelous inventions can cost you anything from $3 at your local drug store, to around $50 if you have them custom made. I’ve found both ultra cheap air foam insoles and pricier gel versions just as effective – your fussy feet will quickly let you know which they prefer.
Check out specialty stores (e.g. Dr. Scholls and SuperFeet), drugstores and footwear stores. You might be surprised at the range of solutions available to you. Ball of foot cushions, massaging gel heel cups, diabetic insoles, tri-comfort orthotics and dress-fit high heel insoles are to name but a few.
Personalized fit insoles (SuperFeet) and dress-fit insoles for high heel shoes (Nordstrom).
Insoles that target the ball of the foot and the heel (Dr. Scholls).
November 6th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
I’ve been wary of adding inserts because it seems like it would add more bulk making a tighter fit or requiring an increase in size.
November 6th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
This a good point Joey.
Sometimes, shoes are in need of an insole precisely because they don’t fit properly. Other times we need to fit the insole into the shoe as we purcahse them to make sure that the size is correct. Most of the insoles that I use are slim and fit into any of my shoes without needing to alter the size. It will all depend on the shoe, the insole and of course - your foot!
November 8th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Thanks for the blog to help out feet! My doc says Superfeet’s are a must. I wear them in my exercise shoes and hiking boots (insoles come out). They even have Superfeet for dress shoes which does raise the heel a bit, but doesn’t change the size.
November 10th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for your comment Eva - it’s good to hear positive feedback from another insole convert!
June 16th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I was a big Superfeet user until I stumbled across a little known insole maker called Sore Dawgs. they take some time to break in but the support is fantastic! They actually mold to your foot in conjuction with the shoe it is in, to give you the most support with out driving you crazy.