I have been dealing with feet issues for quite some time mostly due to my flat feet and have finally decided to get custom insoles. Went to the Dr today he did a mold of my foot and ordered the orthotics. Without asking slip of the brain i didn’t ask what they where made of until after all was said and done. I guess they are made of leather and some other synthetic material which is pretty standard and he said they are not to heavy. My question are is there better materials to have them made out of lighter weight more comfortable etc. Also being leather how does your foot react to running with out socks and dealing with sweat and a non absorabable material. Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated. thanks
I did the same thing my first time getting custom orthotics. I ended up getting a 2/3 length orthotic that was a big chunk of plastic. I didn’t like the feel with no insole, but getting an insole over this and not to slip around required some macgyver-ing with double sided tape. It did make my feet feel better (though it takes a couple weeks to get used to).
After a few years and being fed up with the hunk of plastic, I got some orthotics made of carbon fiber and had them ordered with a thin insole cushion that is glued to the orthotic that is full length. The new orthotic is much thinner, and with the full insole doesn’t slide or move around, even when shoving my foot in a shoe with tight elastic laces for racing.
Best of Luck,
~Greg
They can be made out of lots of materials, depending on what you need them for, how much you weigh, what your sport, etc. Downhill ski boots, hockey skates have a very different requirement than an endurance runner. I’ve got 3 players in the NFL I watch most Sundays and have seen them since kids in high school through college - they used to wear out orthotics in 1-2 years, no matter the material. They used to be made of stainless steel 65 years ago!
You should discuss with whoever is making your devices your goals, running/tris, etc. Many like the newer carbon/graphite composite devices, but there are reasons not to use that material as well. The topcover material is even more varied.
In your opinion what are the recommended materials\options for running and Tri’s which are better than graphite?
In your opinion what are the recommended materials\options for running and Tri’s which are better than graphite?
There is no “better” - every case unique. I’ve got 260 lbs people with horrific “foot” mechanics who are trying to become triathletes/runners. TL2100 (graphite) isn’t going to work too well for them …
In your opinion what are the recommended materials\options for running and Tri’s which are better than graphite?
There is no “better” - every case unique. I’ve got 260 lbs people with horrific “foot” mechanics who are trying to become triathletes/runners. TL2100 (graphite) isn’t going to work too well for them …
Just out of curiosity for the same “horrific foot mechanics” wil the weight be the major (only) factor for choosing an orthotic material?
Weight, no.
Basically: mechanics, intended purpose/sport, weight. Some people have pretty “normal” foot mechanics, but soft tissue strain for a variety of reasons and don’t anything very rigid. Often, a simple OTC device works just fine, but if going the custom route for whatever reason, can be flexible 2-3mm polypropylene shell with poron arch fill, neoprene topcover, etc. An 80 lb. 16 year old with a tarsal coalition or clubfoot deformity will require something much stiffer.
I’m 100kg with orthotics for significant over pronation on the right foot, although pretty normal gait now on the left. I used to have carbon fibre orthotics when i overpronated both sides, but my new podiatrist advised against carbon fibre this time due to strength. They are now pretty thick plastic. I did discuss the weight of
them, and overall then it’s not that significant an issue.
As for the lack of ‘cover’ then it took a little while to get used to, but I was wearing the hard carbon fibre ones with a very thin layer of almost paper on them and no other padding for years without issue. Your feet adapt to the lack of padding between orthotic and sole.
I have been dealing with feet issues for quite some time mostly due to my flat feet and have finally decided to get custom insoles. Went to the Dr today he did a mold of my foot and ordered the orthotics. Without asking slip of the brain i didn’t ask what they where made of until after all was said and done. I guess they are made of leather and some other synthetic material which is pretty standard and he said they are not to heavy. My question are is there better materials to have them made out of lighter weight more comfortable etc. Also being leather how does your foot react to running with out socks and dealing with sweat and a non absorabable material. Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated. thanks
What kind of issues are you dealing with in your feet?
I’ve been dealing with PF in my left heel since July 2011. I’ve tried so many therapies and products since then that I’ve lost count.
Retrieved my custom orthotics today from a podiatrist who my ART therapist referred me to when he couldn’t do anything more for me with ART. The orthotics are carbon fiber with a vinyl type thin pad on top. I opted for the 3/4 length model so I can put this in a variety of different shoes (I sometimes wear an 11 in one shoe, but a 10 or 10.5 in others).
What is unique about these carbon fiber ones is they were made based on the scan the podiatrist did of my feet while reclining on my back. He said this is an impartial mold compared to one taken where a person is standing on both feet. If a person has an abnormality in one or both feet (like me, for the left foot), and a scan is made while the person is standing, the computer will make an imperfect scan. It has been his experience that the seated foot scan is more impartial.
I’ll let you know how it goes. I started with an hour today, then will do two tomorrow, three the next and so on for a couple of weeks. The podiatrist said to report any discomfort I may feel after two weeks. He would then need to make adjustments to eliminate those issues.
I hope the ones you get will help alleviate your pain, if not correct the source of it.
I have been dealing with feet issues for quite some time mostly due to my flat feet and have finally decided to get custom insoles. Went to the Dr today he did a mold of my foot and ordered the orthotics. Without asking slip of the brain i didn’t ask what they where made of until after all was said and done. I guess they are made of leather and some other synthetic material which is pretty standard and he said they are not to heavy. My question are is there better materials to have them made out of lighter weight more comfortable etc. Also being leather how does your foot react to running with out socks and dealing with sweat and a non absorabable material. Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated. thanks
What kind of issues are you dealing with in your feet?
I’ve been dealing with PF in my left heel since July 2011. I’ve tried so many therapies and products since then that I’ve lost count.
Retrieved my custom orthotics today from a podiatrist who my ART therapist referred me to when he couldn’t do anything more for me with ART. The orthotics are carbon fiber with a vinyl type thin pad on top. I opted for the 3/4 length model so I can put this in a variety of different shoes (I sometimes wear an 11 in one shoe, but a 10 or 10.5 in others).
What is unique about these carbon fiber ones is they were made based on the scan the podiatrist did of my feet while reclining on my back. He said this is an impartial mold compared to one taken where a person is standing on both feet. If a person has an abnormality in one or both feet (like me, for the left foot), and a scan is made while the person is standing, the computer will make an imperfect scan. It has been his experience that the seated foot scan is more impartial.
I’ll let you know how it goes. I started with an hour today, then will do two tomorrow, three the next and so on for a couple of weeks. The podiatrist said to report any discomfort I may feel after two weeks. He would then need to make adjustments to eliminate those issues.
I hope the ones you get will help alleviate your pain, if not correct the source of it.
Does computer scanned orthotics make better work or are more accurate than “simple” casting?
*Does computer scanned orthotics make better work or are more accurate than “simple” casting? *
**Hmm…I’m not sure right now. I’m into my second day of wearing these carbon fiber models. I only used them for two hours (tomorrow will be three).
They felt awkward the first day. However, after using them today, I like the rigid feel of these over the super soft cushy inserts (like Dr. Scholls) that I’ve bought over the counter in the past.
Mine had a leather upper and hard plastic base. I ripped the leather off after it got wet and the glue got loose and now I just use the plastic part. I always run with socks but if you want to run without I would suggest gluing a thin layer on the orthodics so you are not running on the hard material.
I jacked around with custom orthotics for over 20 years and never had any success with nirvana comfort. Especially with running shoe comfort. I was constantly taking them back for all kinds of tweaks. On a whim I went to Good Feet arch support store about 3 years ago after I finally had my fill or ‘foot specialists’ charging me a fortune for marginal improvements. All I can say is that was 3 years ago and all my foot/knee and even low back pain is gone. It couldn’t be that simple could it? My podiatrist rolled his eyes when I came in with my Good Feet in my shoes and said they would end up hurting me in the long run and there wasn’t enough science behind it. Oh well, I guess that was his last ditch sales pitch to try and keep me. Have not been to a podiatrist since. YMMV.
I have a ton of respect for** rroof **who has been a wealth of knowledge and help to me with solving my 5 degree varus issue in my cycling shoes. HE Is what a podiatrist should be. In a hand full of emails he was able to solve what no one else could with hands on treatment for years! With that said I never ran across an rroof in my 20 years of orthotic nightmares:( I suspect a good podiatrist could have solved my problems and that rroof would have had I had the fortune of running into him. Just don’t cross out something as trivial as an over the counter fix b/c it could be that easy:)
I jacked around with custom orthotics for over 20 years and never had any success with nirvana comfort. Especially with running shoe comfort. I was constantly taking them back for all kinds of tweaks. On a whim I went to Good Feet arch support store about 3 years ago after I finally had my fill or ‘foot specialists’ charging me a fortune for marginal improvements. All I can say is that was 3 years ago and all my foot/knee and even low back pain is gone. It couldn’t be that simple could it? My podiatrist rolled his eyes when I came in with my Good Feet in my shoes and said they would end up hurting me in the long run and there wasn’t enough science behind it. Oh well, I guess that was his last ditch sales pitch to try and keep me. Have not been to a podiatrist since. YMMV.
I have a ton of respect for** rroof **who has been a wealth of knowledge and help to me with solving my 5 degree varus issue in my cycling shoes. HE Is what a podiatrist should be. In a hand full of emails he was able to solve what no one else could with hands on treatment for years! With that said I never ran across an rroof in my 20 years of orthotic nightmares:( I suspect a good podiatrist could have solved my problems and that rroof would have had I had the fortune of running into him. Just don’t cross out something as trivial as an over the counter fix b/c it could be that easy:)
I don’t have bad experience as long as you but my feet condition is kinda frustrates me.
I’ve had problems in both feet cause of lousy foot structure and mechanics i guess. From PF& PTT on my left one and now I’me fighting a PF on my right one. Because I already had experience with PF i’m not so worried about it. What worries me the most is the general inconvenience on my right foot, like something doesn’t work there well enough.
Unfortunately It’s been my 3rd pair of orthotics and no one’s found yet the solution.
I wish I could find someone who doesn’t think only about the money and actually thinks about his patient health and convenience.
I’ve run in custom orthotics for almost 10 years now, including 7 years of pro triathloning and training for 3 marathons (with max weeks of about 95 miles). I’ve had two pairs in those 10 years. I had basically incurable plantar fascitiis, but all it took was the right orthotic. My original pair were leather and I got them from a podiatrist, and I only got a couple years out of them. The replacement pair I got from a PT in Seattle. They are really hard foam with a strip of leather on the bottom for durability and a nice liner on top where my feet touch them. I have had them resurfed onced (after about 3 years, and I’m due for another resurfacing now). This is great as the orthotic stays the same you just get a new liner (I tend to rub holes in the liner in a few specific spots. I worked in a very well respected running store during this period so had access to a lot of different shoes and PT’s, and was quite happy with what I ended up with. They are a little heavy, but I would gladly add a few ozs. if it means I’m running injury free. Think of it as resistance training!
I would HIGHLY recommend going to a good PT that knows endurance athletes. They’ll be much better about getting your something that works when you’re actually moving, rather than just standing there or not putting pressure on your feet.
I have never used my orthotics in my racing flats, because that’s just silly, but I wear them for all training runs otherwise (and two of my marathons).
I have to imagine leather with no socks would not work very well. And anyway I would recommend against leather for sure.