/I am interested in what kind of inserts(insoles) you flat footed hikers have been wearing. I am wearing Dr. Schools all purpose inserts but they are getting hard to find. If you mention a brand that has many models please mention the model. Thanks
bROWN bEAR
SUPERfeet, performance model. They feel a bit stiff and awkward for the first half-mile but then they shape right into place. Very popular among thru-hikers. They’re expensive ($35.00), but durable and well worth it!
– BookBurner
www.enlightenedthruhiker.com
BookBurner
I started wearing the Performance Green Superfeet. They come w/ a 60 day money back gurantee. As far as the awkward feeling, I just eased my feet into them. One hour on day one and then two hours the next day and so on. I love them and do not know how I got by w/o out them. Oh, by the way, I have them in stiff trail runners.
jerm
Again, just my take on the subject. Neither of us have flat feet, but if you do, Superfeet may not be for you. I will tell you this …Superfeet or not, our feet ached (hurt) after the first week or so and never stopped hurting until a month or so after we completed our hike! Most likely yours will too unless your are going out for a short section or doing short mileage days. Everyone’s feet hurt! You just learn to deal with it. With that said, the concept behind Superfeet is logical. They are not supposed to cushion your feet but instead allow your feet to help cushion themselves by providing the support your heel/arch needs. Unfortunately, late in our thru hike, even with new shoes, we needed real cushion. We continued to carry Superfeet for a while and tried switching back for a few days but they just weren’t as comfortable as a good cusioned insole. The arch in the Green ones didn’t fit my wife’s foot but the Blue did (even though they are not officially “for hiking”). We wil be heading out on the PCT June 9th. Whether we use Superfeet or not is still up in the air. Good luck!
LB&F
As Little Bump and Flounder noted, I do not have flat feet either. But where I did find the superfeet helped me was aligning my feet, leg, and knee. I am no orthopedic, but I can tell the difference from using them or not. I use a similar insole in my road cycling shoes that do the same thing.
jerm
Well this is a subject you don’t encounter too often. I am a flat-footed woman. I wear a size 11, weigh 150 lbs. That sucks - because I don’t fit comfortably in any women’s hiking shoes/boots. Right now I’m wearing Merrill’s, but I know it’s the inserts that have saved my feet from aches and blisters. Dr. Scholl’s high impact insoles, they are $25.00. I wear mens hiking shoes - extra toe room too - and MEN’S inserts. I’ve never had a problem on the Trail. :girl
Marsha
Get superfeet. Whatever has the right arch support for you, as there are quite a few available.
I didn’t have flat feet, until I hiked a few hundred miles…
bearbait
I am 59 years old and weigh 195 lbs. I have done some AT hiking, but my main hobby is playing lots of golf, where I always walk and carry my clubs. In other words, I am old, I am heavy, and my feet are under quite a bit of stress.
Did I mention that I also have very flat feet?
I have been wearing orthotics for over ten years, and they are wonderful. I almost never have any foot pain. In fact, my feet feel better than they did 30 years ago.
My orthotics are kind of like a firmer version of Superfeet insoles. If you don’t want to get custom made orthotics, my guess is that a good-fitting pair of Superfeet insoles would help you a lot.
Bob J