New boots or new insoles? (flat footed hiker here)

Macchina

Macchina

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Apr 7, 2006
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5,204
Hello,
I have worn the same pair of Vasque Sundowners (10.5 wide) for the past 8 years or so and for the most part have been very happy with them. They worked great on several week long backpacking trips with 50 lbs. loads across the rocks of the Canadian Shield. I wear them hiking and around town, so they see a lot of miles. Lately my arches (or lack thereof) have been getting sore after a day of working in them and I'm wondering if my feet are changing or if I simply need a nice new pair of insoles. The boots may be wearing out, but I've heard of Sundowner going for many more years. I'm looking for reccomendations on good hiking insoles for flat feet, and also backpacking boots for flat footed guy like me. I'd like to keep it under $150 for the boots, something tough (good for week trips) and waterproof is good.

I was going to get the Blu Superfeet insoles, but their site says you shouldn't put them in Goretex boots...
 
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Set your boots on the table and look at them ground level, usually this will tell you if it's new boot time, the deformation will be really obvious.
 
remmmm said:
Set your boots on the table and look at them ground level, usually this will tell you if it's new boot time, the deformation will be really obvious.
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What should I be looking for exactly?
 
michaelmcgo said:
What should I be looking for exactly?
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If you think your rolling inward, the boot will angle inward while sitting there since you've worn out the inward support structure unevenly. New it would have just sat straight. I roll to the outside despite all the custom insoles I've tried and I kill boots. The uppers will still look great, but the support structure and sole will be destroyed on the outward side.
 
Gramps said:
...suffering from "flat feet" too, I wouldn't be without these; they were recommended by my podiatrist and really make a difference. I wear them in all my hiking boots and athletic shoes :
http://www.feetrelief.com/feetrelief/superfeet_green.htm

- regards
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I second this. I had some foot issues during my last year in the Army. This product solved it and I now use them in every pair of shoes and boots I have.
 
Actually both answers are correct and both issues are important. They get more important as we get older. I used the Superfeet for a while, but for maximum comfort- and to slow the advance of foot problems, custom orthotics are the way to go. A lot of places want $3-400 for them, but I've found that if you can find the guy who actually makes them and go to him you can get them for about half that.

I know it still sounds like a lot, but if you let your feet go too far (like I did) you will get to the point where it's worth every penny not to have your feet hurt. Some of the cost also gets offset because you can get away with cheaper shoes/boots and they will last longer.

Just my $.02- you may want to go to a podiatrist.
 
I'm 25 and used to have foot/knee pain a lot until I tarted being very picky on my shoe choice. New Balance EEEE width have excellent flat foot shap to them, so do a Pair of Doc Martin's I own. Once I find a pair that fits, I buy them again if they're still offered when the first is worn out.

My Sundowners were about the only pair of hiking shoes I found that fit my feet, everything else tends to have mountain high arch support which causes an instant pressure point.

I heard the Superfeet insoles are great, but you're not supposed to put them in Gore-Tex (like the Sundowners). Their website says they will wear through. Maybe I will just go for it and screw waterproofing...
 
there are insoles called ' hot soles' bout 40 dollars, warm them up in the oven then mold them to your feet, mine have lasted me four pairs of steels toes, might get one more pair out of them before i replace them.
 
MVF said:
Actually both answers are correct and both issues are important. They get more important as we get older. I used the Superfeet for a while, but for maximum comfort- and to slow the advance of foot problems, custom orthotics are the way to go. A lot of places want $3-400 for them, but I've found that if you can find the guy who actually makes them and go to him you can get them for about half that.
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A chiropractor or physical therapist should have molds to custom form insoles for your feet. Your insurance may cover it, or at least partially, if it's something you need.
I'm expecting a call soon from the place that did mine for a plantar fascia injury last year, since I wanted a spare set to keep from constantly switching them between athletic and hiking shoes. He said since he's not actually doing any treatment, and they should already have the mold from before, he will get them for me at his cost, which is supposed to be $85-100. The original set cost me $130, but I don't know if my insurance covered part of it, or not.
Thinking of getting two extra sets, the third being for my work boots.
As far as outdoor gear goes, this will probably be the best money you ever spend.
I had a gait analysis, and a specific selection of shoes chosen for me before buying those athletic shoes, but the custom orthotics make anything I put them in far better.
Just got back from a trip with 4-5 days of hiking with lots of steep slopes and climbing, and except for getting into some deep snow without snowshoes and getting twisted around, my feet(normally a constant source of pain) didn't bother me at all.
 
Sole Ed Viesters insoles. Pricey for off-the shelf insoles, but work great. Check out the reviews online.

If you find an extra wide boot that you really like, please let us know. I haven't found the right pair yet.
 
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I'm flat footed and for the last two years have used softsoles or double wide boots with the insoles/liners ripped out. I got a pair of TNF Rucky Chuckies recently, the first pair of soled shoes I have worn in a good long time, and it took a week to break them in-now they wear comfortably.
 
Buy the boot that fits and do some foot strengthening exercises to get rid of the pain. Insoles and orthotics work for a few years but allow your feet to get weaker and the pain comes back. I'm over 50 and went through that cycle a number of times before I figured it out. I had a pretty deep hole to dig out of at that point, but now all the pain is gone, along with the orthotics, the insoles, the arch supports, and the heavy boots.

Gordon
 
You might want to try an after market insole. A custom insole does wonders for most people. The best I have tried thus far are http://www.yoursole.com/. I have the Ed Viestrus and they are so comfortable. They are meant for packing and mountaineering. They are heat moldable. I have them in my Lowa Tibet Pros and they are so much better than the superfeet I had before. If you want a serious backpacking boot then save extra money and get some good boots. I would take a serious look at the Lowa Tibet Pros or Hanwag Alaska GTX or even the Meindl Alaska Hunters from Cabelas. Take a peek through the Lowa catalog here. --> http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/choose.cfm?CFID=27047225&CFTOKEN=70424305
 
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norcalblacktail said:
You might want to try an after market insole. A custom insole does wonders for most people. The best I have tried thus far are http://www.yoursole.com/. I have the Ed Viestrus and they are so comfortable. They are meant for packing and mountaineering. They are heat moldable. I have them in my Lowa Tibet Pros and they are so much better than the superfeet I had before. If you want a serious backpacking boot then save extra money and get some good boots. I would take a serious look at the Lowa Tibet Pros or Hanwag Alaska GTX or even the Meindl Alaska Hunters from Cabelas. Take a peek through the Lowa catalog here. --> http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/choose.cfm?CFID=27047225&CFTOKEN=70424305
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I'd love to pick up a nice pair of Lowa's, but my budget would not afford a pair of $300 shoes right now. The Sundowners have done me well until now. The pain is not severe at all, I am only concerned about it because I have a long hiking trip planned for later this year and want to start breaking in boots if I do plan on buying some.

Any suggestions for a little cheaper hiking/backpacking boots?
 
michaelmcgo said:
I heard the Superfeet insoles are great, but you're not supposed to put them in Gore-Tex (like the Sundowners). Their website says they will wear through. Maybe I will just go for it and screw waterproofing...
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I've been using Superfeet in GTX boots for a little over a year and have not had any issues with the liner. I don't keep boots that long, though. 2-3 years and I toss them. So, maybe about the time the liner is worn through, I'll be replacing them.
 
gaj999 said:
Buy the boot that fits and do some foot strengthening exercises to get rid of the pain. Insoles and orthotics work for a few years but allow your feet to get weaker and the pain comes back. I'm over 50 and went through that cycle a number of times before I figured it out. I had a pretty deep hole to dig out of at that point, but now all the pain is gone, along with the orthotics, the insoles, the arch supports, and the heavy boots.

Gordon
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Can you share the excersizes or give a link? I like the sound of this.
 
I"ve been there....

get fitted for supports; my back doc fitted me for Foot Levelers, you step in a foam box, they custom make them from that mold. about $$300 but worth it.

I like Hi-Tec boots, look for ones that have a foreward rocking motion when you step.

flat feet can really mess up your back (been there too) so don't mess with half measures, see a pro.
 
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