Has anyone here tried using some sort of insert to stiffen the soles of sneakers or running shoes to make them more cycling friendly? I did a cursory internet search but didn't really see anything that fit the bill. Just something that occurred to me this morning as I was riding along wearing trail runners on platforms.

Luan, only a 1/2 sole insert if you intend to walk about

You can get a custom carbon fiber insole. But at a couple hundred, a new pair of shoes would be cheaper.

I'm not familiar with Luan.

Yeah, I've seen those. But it would sort of defeat the purpose.

Luan is the "generic" term for thin Phillipean Mahogany plywood, think hollow core door skin material.

Lake just introduced a new heat moldable innersole that includes a heel cup, they will come in glass or carbon.
Interesting. No idea on price.

I do agree that there is a gap in a toe clips and straps compatible touring shoe in the market right now.

I found an indoor soccer shoe to wear, which for whatever reason, is much stiffer during the motion you make when you with the downward pedal stroke. Sneakers and running shoes flex when you do this, because when you run or walk, you want the shoe to give in this way. I can walk in the indoor soccer shoe but I wouldn't want to run in them (or play soccer in them for that matter). If you need to stick with the shoes you have, I would think a Dr. Shols type leather insole, the type made to compensate for falling arches, would stiffen up your regular shoes. Haven't ever tried it though.

Fortunately I don't need to stick with the bone stock shoes I have, but I am a cheap bastid!

Grant doesn't think you need them:

"Racing shoes are rigid, slippery plastic. Riders shopping for them pick them up and test their stiffness (as though it matters) by trying to bend them with their hands. If the shoe is rigid and unyielding, they heave out an "ahhh..." and consider it worthy.
It's a bunch of hooey, though. Your foot doesn't bend when you pedal a bike. It tenses and pretty much stays straight, just as it does when you walk up stairs.
You want TWO things from a shoe:
protection from the pedal. You don't want to jam the pedal into your foot.
gription. You don't want to slide around on the pedal.
That is all."

Grant is correct. But what he seems not to realize that it takes muscle to tense. Muscles can fatigue. If one has a stiff sole, the muscles will not tense as much and will fatigue later.

If Grant does not this this matters after 4-8 hours of riding, he is incorrect.

To be honest, I am generally in agreement with most of Grant's bicycle philosophy. However I do differ with respect to shoes – I find that a stiffer sole tends to work better for me personally when I am using platforms or toe clips. YMMV, of course.

I have a pair of these in some shoes. Not as stiff as a cycling shoe sole, but with that rigid plastic up to nearly where it has to go, they might help and you can walk in them of course.
Amazon.com: Superfeet Men's Orange Premium Insoles,Orange,C: 5.5 - 7 US Mens: Shoes

Rootboy, do you find that plastic piece to be pretty rigid, or is there some flexing? I'm thinking about riding down to the Square this afternoon and chatting with the cobbler to see if he has any ideas. I thought he might actually be able to make something that would slip between the insole and the body of the shoe.

A piece of 3/32 6061 woul be stiff. Won't hammer to shape very well. And you will need a metal-cutting bandsaw.

That molded plastic piece on those is very rigid. Doesn't really flex at all. Of course, the flex takes place just in front of it so you can walk. But it might not extend far enough toward the ball of the foot to provide rigidity where the foot rests on the pedal. Not sure.

Maybe a slab of 1/8 inch brass? Could be hand hammered, a'la Arts & Crafts copper work. A bit heavy, though.

Ok. How about a 1/8 piece of acrylic sheet? Could be heated and stepped on?

Horse hair ?

Carbon fiber honeycomb sheet?

A pair of Exustar shoes **********

No no no. That's hot.

But if you can insulate, put it in an oven at 325, wait until it starts droopping.

Find some track spikes on sale in the clearance section, generally the 12-13 sizes are available.
Very often, they have a very hard, thin insole. Take it out, cut to fit.

Dang, I was just about to ask if anyone knew of such a beast - my Shimano SH-M020 are getting pretty ratty. They accepted SPD but were OK to walk in if you didn't affix the cleats.

And I think Grant is wrong on this topic too.

I've come to the conclusion that I like stiffer soled shoes for biking.

I have an old pair of 1980s Cannondale touring shoes- the soles themselves are very stiff, like rigid stiff. Not comfortable to walk in- but they look like regular 1980s tennis shoes.

EXACTLY like these, box and everything:






That being said, if I ever get the time/ability/opportunity to do my cross-America bicycle tour- this is what I'll be wearing:

It's very light & inexpensive plywood. Home Depot sells it in 2'x2' squares, I'd use 3/32". Take out your insoles, trace it on the plywood and cut. Put the wood insoles in first then replace the shoe's original insole. Should stiffen things up a bit.

Here's a link for cedar veneer insoles. the Luan would be a bit thicker and stiffer but the same principle. https://www.furnier.de/Pressemeldung....708c95c6fa4858

Ha. The old Viet Nam jungle boot. Had a pair of those once. Very stiff soles. Supposed to be Punji stick proof.
Thank gawd I never had to find out if that claim was true or not.

Inserts are getting fancy. But a little out of hand. Here's some carbon graphite acrylic polymer bond, yada, yada…
Amazon.com: Hallux Rigidus Men's / Women's Full Length Insoles: Shoes

I bought a pair of these, when they were this price. But I didn't really need them and probably will never use them. Just bought them because of the price, mostly. Cheaper than high tech insoles.
Exustar SRT707 Road Touring Shoes - Normal Shipping Ground

Apparently they only have one size available, looks like a good deal though. If they had my size I might buy them. After riding with toe clips for years I finally decided to give clip-less a try, I just ordered a set of SPD pedals for my road bike, now I need some shoes.
Thinking about getting these, I like how they look like typical shoes that I would wear:

Shimano MT33 Men's Multi-Use Touring Cycling Shoes - Dick's Sporting Goods