Insoles and arch supports

Can you please share your knowledge about insoles and arch support options?

Where are good places to shop?
How hard is it to get custom insoles?
Who needs them?

Hi!

I don't use custom insoles, but I do use Superfeet in both my skates and sneakers. I have pretty low arches in my feet, and would be in pain without them. A local sneaker store / sporting goods store would probably have them.

VegMom said:

Can you please share your knowledge about insoles and arch support options?

Where are good places to shop?
How hard is it to get custom insoles?
Who needs them?

Click to expand...

It depends on the needs. Arch reasons, overpronation or supination issues, plantar fasciitis, etc.

Usually an orthopaedist or podiatrist will deal with it professionally.

I assume that we are talking about insoles or orthotics that do not come standard with the boot.

Some people will replace the insole for personal preference. Usually, something like Superfeet (widely available) is used to correct an issue with the foot (e.g. low arches).

In some cases, *orthotics* are necessary, especially in cases of more extreme foot issues (really bad over pronation, totally flat feet, toe issues, etc.). An orthotic is a medical device and is prescribed by a podiatrist, chiropodist, orthopaedist or other medical professional and is made personally to your individual feet. There are also non-medical insoles that are supposed to be customized to deal with less onerous foot issues. In addition, many of us with overpronation (me and my skater) will have inside wedge correction - supinators might have outside wedge correction.

If you think there is an issue that needs correction, talk to your fitter and a foot specialist. If you need orthotics, you have to be careful because if they just make them as they would for your street shoes, they likely won't fit. Some manufacturers (such as Harlick) will build an orthotic into your boot based on a casting of your feet. I wear orthotics in my street shoes and there is 0 percent chance they would have fit in my skates.

SmallAminal said:

If you think there is an issue that needs correction, talk to your fitter and a foot specialist. If you need orthotics, you have to be careful because if they just make them as they would for your street shoes, they likely won't fit. Some manufacturers (such as Harlick) will build an orthotic into your boot based on a casting of your feet. I wear orthotics in my street shoes and there is 0 percent chance they would have fit in my skates.

Click to expand...

Yes, all this is true. But it gets even more complex. Orthotics need to be customized for a specific purpose. For example, I have one set of orthotics for my walking shoes, and a second set for my running shoes. The materials and design of the two sets are different, because the foot mechanics are different between walking and running. The foot mechanics are even substantially more different for figure skating (e.g., your foot doesn't flex in a figure skating boot the way it does in a walking or running shoe). A further complication is that figure skating boots generally have a snug heel cup to lock the heel of your foot in place. Orthotics for walking or running shoes often also have a heel cup, which may not be compatible with the heel cup in the figure skating boot. So, if you get prescription orthotics for figure skating boots, it's important to find a podiatrist with specific experience in fitting orthotics for figure skating boots.

First of all, I would consult with a podiatrist (or other doctor) if you are having specific foot problems.

Since my doctor and I agreed that I didn't need a full orthotic and my issues were relegated to one foot, I built up my existing footbed. I use the Pedag metatarsal and arch support inserts, which are pretty rigid, hold up well, and have a slim profile: https://www.pedagusa.com/orthoses-by-foot-functionality

I know a lot of folks use Superfeet insoles but in my experience I've never had a skate where they've fit properly (even when I've sized accordingly).

tstop4me said:

Yes, all this is true. But it gets even more complex. Orthotics need to be customized for a specific purpose. For example, I have one set of orthotics for my walking shoes, and a second set for my running shoes. The materials and design of the two sets are different, because the foot mechanics are different between walking and running. The foot mechanics are even substantially more different for figure skating (e.g., your foot doesn't flex in a figure skating boot the way it does in a walking or running shoe). A further complication is that figure skating boots generally have a snug heel cup to lock the heel of your foot in place. Orthotics for walking or running shoes often also have a heel cup, which may not be compatible with the heel cup in the figure skating boot. So, if you get prescription orthotics for figure skating boots, it's important to find a podiatrist with specific experience in fitting orthotics for figure skating boots.

Click to expand...

I agree - that's why I had Harlick make the orthotics specifically for the skates. Street shoe orthotics often won't fit AND won't be appropriate. Best to get professional help and be upfront about what you need them for - usually if you need them for one purpose, you're gonna need them for multiple purposes (skating, running, everyday walking around, etc.). I personally have spent a small fortune on various orthotics for myself and my skater (who happens to also do other sports). BUT, if you have foot issues, its important to address them as problems typically only get worse over time AND not fixing them can create a host of other knee, hip, back, and other issues.

FWIW, I know there is a company that is from Japan called Supertech Feet (I think) that specializes in "custom insoles" I'm not sure if they would be classified as "orthotics" though, which are medical appliances. Still always best to get a professional opinion on whether specific feet need anything before shopping for something different.

Thank you all for your input

SmallAminal said:

FWIW, I know there is a company that is from Japan called Supertech Feet (I think) that specializes in "custom insoles" I'm not sure if they would be classified as "orthotics" though, which are medical appliances. Still always best to get a professional opinion on whether specific feet need anything before shopping for something different.

Click to expand...

They are called Feetech and custom made for each skater for their skates.. I don't think they qualify to be reimbursed through health insurance provides though as orthotics.

We looked at them and decided to go see someone who does orthotics for skaters so we could get some of the costs covered vs none.

Sk8DSmom said:

They are called Feetech and custom made for each skater for their skates.. I don't think they qualify to be reimbursed through health insurance provides though as orthotics.

We looked at them and decided to go see someone who does orthotics for skaters so we could get some of the costs covered vs none.

Click to expand...

I think I made a portmonteau of "Superfeet" and "Feetech"....[emoji53]

I pronate and have high, high arches, and in my Jackson boots found that the Riedell r-fit footbeds (they're customizable, with little pieces that attach to the insole to do specific things) worked really well. When I switched to an Edea boot, I decided to try custom Superfeet, because my trusted "skate guy" makes them. I love them, too. The Superfeet are designed to hold your feet in a neutral position so it makes holding my edges much easier. I honestly don't know how rare it is to find a pro who can make custom insoles in-house for you, though. :think:

I was fine in my old Jackson Freestyle skates from 12 years ago. I didn't have to heatmold them and the footbed was fine too. They were perfect out of the box.

I recently purchased Edea Ice Flys to replace those old Jackson skates and I had terrible, terrible arch pain. It was so painful, I could only skate for 10min before I HAD to sit down to let my poor arches recover. The boots also had to be heatmolded to widen the ankle bone area, navicular bone area, and just slightly in the toebox for my pinkie toes.
I had to buy these arch supports to put underneath the footpad inside Edea: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Stylish-Hidden-Support/dp/B01M7VGJNY
I don't know why the arches hurt so bad. I know the heel is supposed to be higher on the Edea skates, but to me it feels like the footbed is soooo much flatter in Edea than my old Jackson skates, and that's why I needed that extra arch support. Apparently, a lot of girls at my rink needed this same arch support for Edea.
Jackson recently redesigned their entire line of skates to be more like Edea so I can't say that sticking with Jackson would have been any better for my feet when it was time to purchase new skates.