Gel insoles?

[Stephen]

There's currently an advertisement on UK TV claiming if you use these you'll feel as though you're walking on air. They'll hardly be that good, but are they any good?

 

[Rob the Slob]

I bought a pair last year, tried them for a few weeks and noticed that I was getting splitting headaches. Stopped using them and the headaches cleared up right away. Take from that what you will, but I won't be trying them again.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I use Motion Control insoles by New Balance every year and I love them!

 

[GreatDane]

I've posted this elsewhere but before my 2014 camino I decided to try SuperFeet after years of Dr Scholl gel inserts. I was working in 110°F+ heat all summer on hot concrete and in my camino boots. So one week I'd wear the SuperFeet insert in my left boot, Dr Scholl in the right, the next week switch, switch back the next week. Found that for my feet anyway the SuperFeet were more comfortable in the long run. Did the rest of my training and my camino with SuperFeet inserts and have since replaced all my Dr Scholl gels.

 

[koilife]

@GreatDane has the right approach. Nothing will replace experimentation for an extended period of time. What works well for a week may be horrible after a month.

 

[gypsywind]

There's currently an advertisement on UK TV claiming if you use these you'll feel as though you're walking on air. They'll hardly be that good, but are they any good?

I have worn them in my work shoes (chef, on my feet 18 hrs a pop) they compress down real fast with those hours. I am taking 3 inserts, they are light and I will swap them out possibly everyday. I believe the address is insoles.com, they have them for all sorts of feet, leg & back issues, and they were real affordable. My fave is the one made of memory foam.
Buen Camino

 

[Magwood]

Last Camino I used Pro11 Wellbeing orthotic insoles
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/6040791608/?tag=casaivar-21)

I found the choice of super feet insoles too confusing and was attracted to these by the reviews on Amazon. I don't have any particular issues with my feet and I did in fact have to shave off some of the arch support for my left foot as I found it was too intrusive after a week or so of walking and I was getting cramp in my arch in the evenings. But once I had adjusted the support they were great. I did occasionally replace them with the original soles by was of experiment, but not for long - they seem very thin for the amount of comfort they give.

 

[Waka]

I recently bought new boots and the store recommended using the Superfeet, I've tried them for a couple of months and just can't get on with them, so I've gone back to the insoles that came with the Keen Boots.
Luckily I can take the Superfeet insoles back for a refund.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

Just shows it varies by the person. I have Keen Voyageurs and they were fine for about five miles and if I walked farther than that my feet were okay but the rest of me ached like anything by the end of the day. Got Berry Superfeet and no more problems.

So there really isn't one answer to this.

 

[Texas Walker]

Insoles...they're different for everybody I think. My first Camino, I used what came in my boots. Not so great--but my real problems came from, first, walking in boots full of water uphill and down the day we left Roncesvalles and went to Zubiri. Which gave me blisters that were a problem for quite some time, and a purple toe because the shoes weren't quite right. (Lost that toenail eventually.) Second, when the blisters went away I got athlete's foot--which I'd never had before. (Very painful.) So I don't blame insoles for my miserable feet that year. This past year, I had the same boots, but used the Dr. Scholls Work Gel insoles and also wore Injinji liner sox. And carried the athlete's foot cream and every time there was the least bit of itching I used it liberally that evening. Wow. That was a lot better! But at the end, after probably 1200 miles or so, the shoes were dead so I tossed them. And mourned them almost daily!

This Christmas season we went to the nearest camping store (3 hour drive) and I went into the store with double sox on and came out with a lot bigger shoe--still the regular width--and while at the moment we don't know when the next Camino might be--nor the route--I'm still wearing the new boots to acclimate to them.
HTH

 

[Robo]

I use them. Need them. The ones I bought from shoe stores were rubbish.

Get advice from a Podiatrist or Physio. The ones from my Physio are great. Heated up and fitted to my fir and added extra shims to get the levels just right.

That's why I go to work in my Camino boots! The insoles don't feet my normal shoes. That's my excuse anyway

I guess there are insoles and orthotics........... I'm really talking orthotics. Never really found simple insoles to be of any benefit....

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Used gel insoles in the early part of my rehab from a navicular fracture but found that they compressed too much and changed my foot dynamics. I'm with @Robo in that there are insoles and then there are orthotics. Try your boots/shoes with their own insoles first as they are becoming better not the previous throw away quality. Then progress to hiking specific insoles if necessary. You'll need to do a bit of research, perhaps your friendly outdoor store. Ours let you try different types around the store. However, if you have a problem/s with your feet do go and see a podiatrist and get assessed as custom made and fitted to your particular foot mechanics, orthotics are literally like walking on air

 

[Kitsambler]

There are two different kinds of insoles, for two entirely different purposes. The gel insoles provide cushioning; good for standing in place for a long time. The stiff insoles (orthotic-like) provide arch support as the foot flexes throughout the day while walking. These can be prescription/custom (orthotics), or non-prescription (Superfeet, Birkenstock, et al.).

 

[t2andreo]

Using gel insoles is a highly personal decision, everyone's feet are different. You need to experiment, and train with them, before you set out on Camino.

But, that said, here are two things you SHOULD know:

1. Gel insoles are ALWAYS heavier than foam or hard-molded insoles, like the prescription orthotics my podiatrist made for me. Every gram on your feet translates to increased strain on your legs and ankles.

2. You CANNOT pass through airport security screening with gel insoles. They have been used in the past by terrorists, to make explosive devices. he explosive material goes in place of the gel. You CAN place them in checked luggage however. If you forget and wear them through security, do not be surprised if they are confiscated.

I hope this helps.

 

[Stivandrer]

My feet do not believe in ready made soles and after having tried Canadian Orthodic insoles with rigid arch support and a system where you heat the soles to the right support, I have now settled on Bauernfeunde insoles.
Must be German, my orthopodist swears by them and they work. Made out of diffent density closed cell foam patches, sewn together by seams that look like jig saw puzzle, it all makes up different areas where hard to medium to soft support is needed. He then sands the soles down to suit the support of my feet.
Boots are new Hanwags and with these insoles we have now clocked 18oo km.
The best insoles yet, I think you need an expert to solve this specific issue rather than off the shelf products !!!

 

[Dutch]

I tried gels, did not like them one bit.

Insoles are like shoes, very personal. Also depending on the purpose, the insole should really match the shoetype i.e. if you pronate and you get an insole for your pronation, but put them in a very soft/neutral shoe, it kind of takes away the purpose of the insole.