Should I use insoles?

billbennettoz

Veteran Poster

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances 2013
Camino Portuguese 2014
Via di Francesco 2015

• Jan 24, 2013

• #1

I will soon be doing my first Camino. I have two metal plates in my spine from a car accident many years ago, and because of this I need good cushioning in my boots, otherwise my back aches.

I understand a lot of the Camino will be on hard surfaces - tarmac, paving etc - and so cushioning becomes even more important.

Is there a particular brand of boot that has particularly good cushioning? And should I be using additional insoles?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Pieces

Veteran Member

• Jan 24, 2013

• #2

I walk in solomon speedcross, most cushening I´ve come across...

 

Ampolla

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

May/June (2011) May/June (2013); future Camino(s) May/June 2015 Caminho Portugues da costa; Camino de Invierno/Sanabres and Camino Fisterre

• Jan 24, 2013

• #3

I think that everyone's different. I like to have insoles for any of my shoes. I'll be on the Camino May/June and plan on taking 2 sets of insoles to change out every other day. I was on the Camino in 2011 and found that it was really important to have my feet in as good of condition as possible!

 

billbennettoz

Veteran Poster

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances 2013
Camino Portuguese 2014
Via di Francesco 2015

• Jan 24, 2013

• #4

Ampolla said:

I'll be on the Camino May/June and plan on taking 2 sets of insoles to change out every other day.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Hmmm - why do you need two sets? And what sort / brand of insoles do you use?

 

scruffy1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Holy Year from Pamplona 2010, SJPP 2011, Lisbon 2012, Le Puy 2013, Vezelay (partial watch this space!) 2014; 2015 Toulouse-Puenta la Reina (Arles)

• Jan 25, 2013

• #5

You may be at the wrong address, I was suffering from a heel spur three years ago and the insoles resolved the pain immediately, last two years I walked without and experienced no pain. HOWEVER, I didn't decide, my Podiatrist doctor did and I walked comfortably with custom made insoles. Over the counter insoles might and I emphasize might help you but if you need them get the real thing! They also assist in Achilles tendon problems, all to common on the Camino-do your stretching exercises before and after walking.

 

billbennettoz

Veteran Poster

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances 2013
Camino Portuguese 2014
Via di Francesco 2015

• Jan 25, 2013

• #6

scruffy1 said:

-do your stretching exercises before and after walking.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice - and yes, I've found that doing yoga stretches before and after helps the walk incredibly - makes the rhythm of walking much easier.

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• Jan 25, 2013

• #7

I replace the insoles that come with any footwear with these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SPENCO-POLY ... 4d08d0618b

I have flat feet, and these "stock" insoles improve the angle of my ankle, and they have sufficient cushion to make any shoe or boot much more comfortable. Spenco makes a gel version that also may be good, but I have not tried it. I have had custom orthotics, but they were not as comfortable!

 

A

AJ

Guest

• Jan 25, 2013

• #8

Talk to your physio. I walked without and got tendonitis. I walked with and dind't

 

C

Cicely

New Member

• Sep 18, 2013

• #9

Hey im in the same predicament, and i just was wondering whether custom ones or not are the best option? Im so confused because some people say get £100 insoles and other say that custom ones are just a big waste of money as gel ones mold to foot shape anyway so its pointless getting custom ones.... any ideas?

My thoughts at the moment are to buy gel ones like these

 

Last edited: Sep 19, 2013