Has anyone trained/raced in Zoot running shoes and their orthodics? Is there an actual insole like in regular running shoes to remove or do you just put the orthodic in the shoe? Does putting an orthodic in the Zoot shoe completely defeat the water draininage feature?
I have trained and raced in the Zoot shoes (over 500 miles total) and wear a full length orthotic. The insole is removable and “custom” orthotics do not negate the effectiveness of the drainage holes. The water enters the shoes and the force/pressure of your foot allows the water to exit the holes on the bottom of the sole.
I’ve yet to play around with some Zoot shoes (I’d like to though). But yes, an orthotic in any shoe will defeat the drainage holes (i.e. Zoot, or Saucony type-A) unless they are forward of the MPJs (ball of the foot).
Now, whether one running/training in an orthotic should be in a Zoot shoe is altogether another issue!
Has anyone trained/raced in Zoot running shoes and their orthodics? Is there an actual insole like in regular running shoes to remove or do you just put the orthodic in the shoe? Does putting an orthodic in the Zoot shoe completely defeat the water draininage feature?
I use orthodics in the shoes, but mine start at the back of the forefoot, so it doesn’t require me to remove the insole.
Yes, you can remove the insole, as it easily comes out. Honestly though, I don’t think it will be required to remove it, as the shoes have a lot of flexibility, and the lace system allows you to adjust the tension easily.
As for the drainage, the shoes have such a breathable upper, that the orthodic doesn’t prevent water from exiting via the sides. It may slow the drainage process as far as thru the bottom holes, but the shoes will still drain better than any other shoe on the market, especially compared when an orthodic is placed inside.
Check out my tri tech review blog for more on the shoes.
Hope this helps.
I’ve been told that since I run with orthodics I don’t need to use a super stability shoe. Is that wrong? I have never ran in a racing flat but have been running the past couple years in saucony’s performance stability shoe the tangent. I race in those and train in a tad bit beefier shoe.
No, you are correct. And an orthotic in the Tangent is an excellent combination. But there is a BIG difference between a “neutral” or “performance trainer” than a racing flat.
Based on the others replies above, I think I need to see/educate myself some more on some of the Zoot shoes!
I’m also interested in them. From what I have read they are calling their Ultra Tempo + a performance stability shoe for what its worth. I might have to check them out.
Has anyone trained/raced in Zoot running shoes and their orthodics? Is there an actual insole like in regular running shoes to remove or do you just put the orthodic in the shoe? Does putting an orthodic in the Zoot shoe completely defeat the water draininage feature?
I have extremely high arches and use orthotics with my ZOOT Ultra TTs. The orthotics make the shoe a touch heavier, but the shoes are so light already that I don’t notice much difference. Last season I raced in the Ultra Race shoe with the standard insole for Olympic distance and shorter but this year will probably run a lightweight orthotic in those too. Like Jim said, the orthotics had no impact on the shoes ability to ‘dry’ nor on the flexibility, fit, etc other than in my arch. The insoles that come with the shoe are removable but have a few sticky spots to help keep them in place.
Jim:
Did you try the Zoots with your orthotics Sockless?
When I race Olys or run less that 8 miles during the summer, I like to run sockless. Currently I have the hard plastic orthotics, with a Dr Scholls (SP?) flat cushioned insole on top of the orthotics for cushion.
I would like a new option since Mizuno has changed the WaveRider 9 and I only have 2 pair left.
Thanks,
Jim:
Did you try the Zoots with your orthotics Sockless?
When I race Olys or run less that 8 miles during the summer, I like to run sockless. Currently I have the hard plastic orthotics, with a Dr Scholls (SP?) flat cushioned insole on top of the orthotics for cushion.
I would like a new option since Mizuno has changed the WaveRider 9 and I only have 2 pair left.
Thanks,
I’m not Jim but I can imitate his voice pretty good. That said, I run sockless with a setup similar to what you describe. No problem. I’ve been running that way in the ZOOTs since Sept.
Jim:
Did you try the Zoots with your orthotics Sockless?
When I race Olys or run less that 8 miles during the summer, I like to run sockless. Currently I have the hard plastic orthotics, with a Dr Scholls (SP?) flat cushioned insole on top of the orthotics for cushion.
I would like a new option since Mizuno has changed the WaveRider 9 and I only have 2 pair left.
Thanks,
Yes, I do run in them sockless at times, but they always end up smelling bad!
Just got my new Zoots (Tempo) AND also have 3/4 length hard orthotics. So, how do you work the orthotic into the Zoot shoe?? My PT (who made the orthotic) said to put the orthotic on top of the insole in a running shoe. I can’t fit my foot in to the Zoot when I do that. I then removed the insole, inserted the orthotic, but couldn’t get my foot in without shoving the orthotic forward a little. Someone here mentioned removing the insole, inserting the orthotic, and putting another type of Dr. Scholl’s insole on top?? What exact type of insole was that? It would have to be super-thin, right? I guess a general question is how do you use a 3/4 length insole in a shoe and keep it stable, especially when you’re rushing through T2?
thanks!
Do a search on this forum for the review I wrote as I did use them (once only) with orthotics.
Bottom line: They are very good. I’m racing in them. Five stars *****.
that’s more of an issue with your orthotics not the shoe (sorry), 3/4 length have their benefits and downsides and one of the downsides is sometimes getting them to fit correctly. If you can’t fit your foot in there with the orthotic on top of the insole putting it under the insole won’t help much and the factory insoles are already pretty thin I don’t think placing a different (thinner) insole in there will help much. You just might need a higher volume shoe, sorry… I have Superfeet green in my Zoot shoes and generally I can fit in a prett low volume shoe with an orthotic but with the Zoot I do fill it up quite a bit more than expected with the orthotic in there. Still works great but an observation. I have the the race version and have a pair of the Tempo+ coming tomorrow to give a try. Love the race version so far, guessing I’ll use it for half Ironmans, not sure yet though as I still love my old Saucony Fastwitch Endurance racers that I stocked up on before they were discontinued:)