I have had an on going problem with ITBS and have decided to give the green Superfeet inserts a shot, if these don’t work I might try custom orthotics. Has anyone had any success combating injuries such as ITBS with Superfeet inserts and how do you like them? Also do you use them in a neutral shoe or one with stability.
Thanks…
Take a look at these also:
http://www.yoursole.com/index.htm
I use the red ones in my cycling shoes. I like them. They are not being used for any therapeutic purpose though. I bought these because I have heard tons of good things about these. They were very highly rated in Runner’s World about a year ago.
Superfeet really helped with plantar problems I had. I have used them in various shoes - cushioned, lightweight trainers, etc.
No comment on running but this summer I started using Superfeet in my cycling shoes along with wedges under one cleat. It was amazing how much a difference this made.
They helped my ITB problems significantly although I eventually had to have them built onto a bit by a podiatrist to get the problems to go away completely. good luck.
What are the wedges for? Do you have one leg longer than the other?
MtTamRnr,
What type of shoes do you use them in?
What are the wedges for? Do you have one leg longer than the other?
They let your feet rest on the pedal at their natural angle. My right foot wants to have the inside edge higher than the outside edge. A cycling shoe clipped to a pedal forces the foot to be flat. The wedges raise one side of my shoe while in the pedal so my foot is at its natural angle. Also, it can cause leg misalignment and knee problems too. My pain was limited to the foot when riding but I have had ITBS issues when running in the past. I haven’t run much this year since I decided to just race bikes this summer but now that I know my right foot is a little wierd, if the ITBS crops up again I will definitely be looking into that as a possible cause and then looking at orthodics for my running shoes as a possible cure
http://www.lemondfitness.com/products/lewedge/cycling_biomechanics.html
The Superfeet for cycling are incredible. I’ve used them since they first came on the market. I tried the Superfeet for running, but didn’t like them. It probably depends on what your running issues are, and why you need inserts. They may work great for you, but not for other people. Since they’re relatively inexpensive, you could try them out. If they don’t work, you haven’t wasted too much money.
mmmm, watch out with the itbs and superfeet or any custom orthotic for that matter. Sometimes they can actually aggrevate the problem by causing you to supinate more and put more stress on the itband.
That being said I have really tight IT bands and LOVE my superfeet. Green in all my running shoes, blue in my mtn bike shoes, grey in my road and tri cycling shoes. Custom for when my damn plantar fascia gets sore. You just need to consider whether you need to move to a less stable, ie more nuetral, running shoe when adding in superfeet or any other insole for that matter. For me it’s a mild stability shoe w/o insoles and a nuetral shoe with insoles. What shoe are you using?
If you’re serious about insoles…
Get CUSTOM Superfeet (REI) and take them to your podatrist to customize further.
I have used super feet in 2080/2090 Asic’s as well as in a few pairs of Brooks Adrenalines. I’ve generally switched between these two shoes for years. I am a relatively neutral runner.
Since getting a case of PF a few years back I now use them in everything- green in running shoes, blue in cycling shoes, black in street shoes. Running shoes are ASICS Gel Kayanos. Never had a problem since. Much more convenient for me than custom orthotics because I can buy many pairs of these and not have to move one pair of orthotics around from shoe to shoe.
Tai,
I have tried Neutral, motion control, and stability shoes and had IT issues with all of them. I notice that my IT bands bother me from just walking on occasion. Also I have arch pain on occasion, and I tried putting Superfeet in my tennis shoes for walking and they helped with the arch pain. I was thinking about either trying the Superfeet in all my shoes, or getting custom orthotics in my running shoes and Superfeet in the rest. Would you start with a neutral running shoe with the Superfeet then if that was not the answer go to a stability show with the Superfeet?
Thanks, TriFly
I would try the YourSoles mentioned by an earlier poster. They are heat molded to your feet. I use them in all my running shoes and love them. I have tried Superfeet in the past and the arch of the insert never quite lined up correctly with the arch of my foot. Your Soles eliminate that problem.
Superfeet arches aren’t supposed to “line up” with where you believe the arch support should be. Basically most shoes and inserts support at the wrong place in the arch of the foot (according to SF) and they take a different approach.
The problem with any heat molded insoles is that your foot is allowed to collapse, and the insole is formed in that collapsed shape. It makes more sense to me to support the foot in a more proper position instead of allowing to arch to collapse. Basically I look at it as heat molding in a weight bearing position is like taking air out of the spare tire so that it fits under the car without having to jack it up…
Also, I’m not so sure that supination of the foot is causing ITBS in most people. I’m sure it’s multi-factoral but supination isn’t high on my list of offenders.
Lehmkuhler
You may be right, although I tend to disagree. How can a product that is mass produced “know” where your arch should be? Even if they prove that they can, my larger point was that the SFs were uncomfortable since my foot didn’t fit comfortably on it and it always felt awkward.
I am agnositc about what insoles people use, or if they even use them at all. If SFs work for you and YOurSoles work for me (whether actually or perceived), then we are both happy. I was just trying to offer my experience.
"How can a product that is mass produced “know” where your arch should be?
The thing with Super Feet is that you don’t necessarily buy the ones with the same size as your shoes. A few years a ago my pt (Scott Jurek) fitted me with super feet in lieu of othotics. The key is fitting the arch then trimming the SF to the right size. My SF are two sizes bigger than my shoe size.
It doesn’t know. It doesn’t need to know since it’s not trying to accomodate 100% of feet. They’re playing the averages based on a huge number of anatomic measurements.
It’s important not to confuse “feels right” with the functionality of the product. If you have symptoms, one could assume that the mechanism is not functioning properly and a change is necessary. If something feels right, it conforms with old neural and mechanical patterns, which were in place when the dysfunction became symptomatic. I believe that change should feel significantly different.
And chrisc70, I have no problems with you doing what feels good and has offered good results. I basically have a problem with the theory behind the heat moldable orthotics which are fit with a weight bearing technique. Absolutely nothing personal. Sorry if it came across that way.
Lehmkuhler
Did Scott increase you by two letter sizes of superfeet? What I mean is that the size range for each footbed covers 1.5-2 shoe sizes. I’d be amazed if he increased you by two letter sizes. The people in between the sizes of SF are always a bit of a question. I happen to fall into that category.
For instance, I’m a 11.5 and use size E though I think the recommended size for 11.5 is F. If he took you from C to an E, that’s a big jump. But then Scott knows a thing or 1093874013 about running so I’m curious as to his reasoning/experience.
I recommend SF to lots of patients so I’d love some feedback from others.
Thanks
Lehmkuhler