topic Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet in Wellness

Shoe inserts for flat feet

bargainsgirl — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:35:40 GMT

About a year ago I got (hastily) a set of prescription inserts. NOT CHEAP!! I hate them. THey only fit into sneakers and they are hard as concrete. I know they tell you break in time but sorry that is not working.

Can anyone recommend an insert that is pliable and useful to help support my flat feet?

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

Fressa — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:42:43 GMT

I have had good luck with the brand Petals/Foot Petals. I found it on QVC/HSN. These are silicone with some self stick on the bottom. They stay in place. They are thin enough to layer if needed and wear well. I think they may available elsewhere.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

D Kay — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:18:29 GMT

I think Vionic inserts are good, although a little high in price. You can get a set that includes 3/4 size that works for shoes that are more narrow in the toes and a regular length one.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:25:39 GMT

I too have flat feet and my custom made arch supports killed my feet but soft ones squish down and are ineffective. The Vionic footed has too high an arch and they hurt. I've found a happy medium with Spenco arch supports. They have some "give" in them and the arch is gentle. I usually buy them when Zulily features Spenco.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

cw88 — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:21:01 GMT

I just got some and had to send them back for adjustment. You should ask where you purchased them.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

millieshops — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:55:57 GMT

@Kachina624 I will echo your suggestion. I do have custom orthotics I can use in some shoes sometimes, but at my podiatrists suggestion I use Spenco inserts when the others are not okay.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

depglass — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:32:58 GMT

My ortho guy also recommended Spenco. I buy smaller than my size would indicate. The heel is narrower and I don't have to cut anything off the toe area. The first one I bought in my size has a heel that is too wide.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

hckynut — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:49:28 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:
About a year ago I got (hastily) a set of prescription inserts. NOT CHEAP!! I hate them. THey only fit into sneakers and they are hard as concrete. I know they tell you break in time but sorry that is not working.
Can anyone recommend an insert that is pliable and useful to help support my flat feet?

@bargainsgirl

Back in the late '50's when I took the physical to join the United States Army, I was told I had flat feet, thus could not be drafted. I told them I was volunteering to join, not being drafted. So! I have very flat feet.

If I step out of the shower onto the mat, there are no gaps in the imprint of my feet. No arch nothing, just a full outline of each of my feet.

When you say "prescription inserts", were they made specifically for your feet, and if so, how?

I have been wearing custom made hard Orthotics since the 1980's, same pair, just modified a couple times over the years. Wore them in my work shoes and in my at least 100 pair of running shoes.

My job involved being on my feet and lots of walking, any my training and running Road Races over 4 decades? Well over 300,000 miles on these Orthotics and still wearing them.

Mine were made primarily for my surgically damaged back, not my feet. I had 2 different Sports Podiatrists that worked together on them. They altered them several times because of my back issues.

I wore/wear them in every shoe I own. The only time I am on my feet without them is when I have my ice skates on my feet. They just never worked in any of my pairs of skates. I wore them in work shoes/dress shoes, and all my running shoes. Some dress shoes I had to remove the built-in insert so mine would fit well in them.

When I started wearing them I did it at work. Started at 1 hour/then 2 hours, and do on. That is how my feet and I both adjusted to the hard Orthotics. My Podiatrists both told me do this to let me feet, and all joints, get slowly acclimated to them. Wouldn't be without them, and I never go barefoot except in the shower.

There are many over the counter shoe inserts on the market, I tried several before going to the Custom Orthotics. They just didn't do it for me. Now? There are many new innovations in them so maybe there is 1 out there that would work for you. That I do not know, and believe the only way you can know is try them. Your flat feet are not my flat feet and vice versa. Your feet are unique, and what works for others?

hckynut

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

grandma r — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:54:42 GMT

@bargainsgirl I also got rx inserts. Horrible!!!! For inserts, I've found Vionic 3/4 length work well for me. And, they hold up. Although, I've found that some of the Bzees brand have a really good arch and they're washable. Since quarantine that's pretty much all I wear at home.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

Porcelain — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 20:24:40 GMT

I used to have really high arches and they started to flatten. So Vionics are perfect for me. So if you used to have higher arches or any of the issues the Vionic rep talks about all the time, Vionics might work for you too.

It sounds like Spencos are working for lots of people as well.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

patbz — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 00:09:29 GMT

Before going the custom orthotics route why not try a Good Feet store. Tell them what your problem is and see if they can offer a solution. DH and I have both had good luck with them for Plantar Fasciitis.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

Hilery — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 04:54:52 GMT

@patbz @I totally agree. For years I wore hard custom orthotics prescribed and sold by podiatrist until I developed plantar fasciitis. It felt like I had a rock under my heel. I went to Good Feeet store and was fitted with their more flexible plastic inserts and have been much more comfortable. Would not go back to hard orthotics.

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

bobby5 — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 12:00:47 GMT

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Insoles. Perfect amount of arch support without being hard & uncomfortable. Try them. You'll love them!

Re: Shoe inserts for flat feet

cantdrive55 — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 03:58:06 GMT

I am very satisfied with PowerStep insoles. There are many options to address different issues and are designed by a podiatrist. The cost is reasonable, too. You can find them on Amazon, or I purchase mine at an athletic shoe store.