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Old 05-05-19 | 10:07 AM
  #21  
fishboat
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,860
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From: SE Wisconsin

Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv

I have a long history of using insoles, faux-custom insoles, real custom insoles(podiatrist made..), plantar fasciitis...

BTDT with the inexpensive (non-podiatrist) "custom moldable" insoles.. Frankly, not impressed..and went back to more conventional inserts like Superfeet, Sole(not molded, worn stock), Sof Sole, Spenco Total Max (hard plastic arch, not bendable foam Max version)...

With respect to the faux-custom insoles..If you think about it for a minute, the "put them in the oven and then wear them to make for a custom fit".. logic has a fatal flaw.

Thought (and actual) experiment:
1) buy into the marketeer's "put them in the oven and then wear them to make for a custom fit"
2) heat them up
3) take them out of the oven
4) apply a good amount of force to the arch..say, take the heel of your hand and press down on the arch
5) maintain force until the thermoplastic arch cools off and re-sets it's shape.
6) you now have what was formerly a good arch and you've got a flatten-out insole with minimal arch
7) hmm..that sucks as you no longer have the stiff arch support you need.

Same thing happens when to heat them up and insert them into a shoe and walk around. Your foot-arch flattens out (foot over-pronation) the warm-flexible insole arch, the insole becomes flatter from the force, the insole cools off and re-sets its shape, and you've ruined, or at least reduced, any support the insole might have offered. The arch is surely not going to rise up, or maintain its shape, to support your arch..why would it??

It might work for some folks, and it might not, but it certainly doesn't make any logical-mechanical sense. No doubt the marketeering claims of custom..and cheap..plays well in the marketplace though...as people love that sort of thing. And once they are sold, you've molded them, and they don't work you can't return them..so..it's all good for the seller.

Some good insoles have been mentioned. The key is a stiff, non-flexible arch (not just thick flexi-foam) that is high enough to fit your arch, support your weight and keep your arch-foot from over-pronation.

...it's your money..wasted or not, it supports the economy..
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