Calling hillwalkers - Superfeet?

[Spinney]

I like hill/mountain walking. Trouble is, by the end of the day my feet hurt. Not blisters, just a fierce aching.

I was wondering if any on here had tried the Superfeet insoles. From their blurb, they should help with this kind of thing. But the price tag (for what appears to be just a shaped piece of plastic) rather puts me off trying them. And the price for the ones that are supposedly moulded to your feet for a really good fit....

 

[Crackle]

I like hill/mountain walking. Trouble is, by the end of the day my feet hurt. Not blisters, just a fierce aching.

I was wondering if any on here had tried the Superfeet insoles. From their blurb, they should help with this kind of thing. But the price tag (for what appears to be just a shaped piece of plastic) rather puts me off trying them. And the price for the ones that are supposedly moulded to your feet for a really good fit....

I don't know them Spinney but I know when I was a regular mountaineer, Sorbothane insoles made a huge difference to my knees, not the same thing I know but often, you can only try these things and see if they make a difference for you (I see what you mean about the price!).

 

[calibanzwei]

I've heard good things, almost bought a pair for myself but thankfully the standard inserts for my Brashers work fine for me

 

[Profpointy]

I

I don't know them Spinney but I know when I was a regular mountaineer, Sorbothane insoles made a huge difference to my knees, not the same thing I know but often, you can only try these things and see if they make a difference for you (I see what you mean about the price!).

I echo above post, sorbothane really helped remove some of the jarrring. I personally didn't get on with superfeet, but may suit others. Basically superfeet squeeze the fleshy bits of the soles and heels of your feet giving you more "natural" padding as it were - this works to a degree, but also made my feet hurt - but may work for you. But as I said, I liked the sorbothane ones which I now have in all my boots. I didn't get on with sorbothene in my ski (touring) boots though.

 

[Spinney]

Thanks for replies so far.

I've used sorbothane in other boots, but for some reason they did not work in the current pair (made things worse). But I still used to get sore feet (but not quite as badly).

 

[Silver Fox]

When I first started using my three season Scarpa walking boots I only used walking socks, thin thousand mile inners with thicker outer socks.

When I fitted a pair of Superfeet inserts the diffence was very noticable. They take a wee while to mould to your feet but in terms of comfort I can't fault them. No aches, no blisters, highly recommended.

 

[User482]

I use Meindl leather boots with a memory foam sole. They are supremely comfortable, and having used them for several years, including multi-day walks in some pretty challenging conditions (including the Himalayas, Patagonia and High Andes), I've barely had a twinge, let alone a blister. When they eventually wear out, I shall buy another pair exactly the same.

 

[ASC1951]

Don't bother with other anti-blister measures unless you are already using two pairs of socks, one thickish, one thin - that makes more difference than anything else.

 

[2PedalsTez]

I use Superfeet insoles in my cycle shoes. This came about from suffering knee pain, which after visiting a physio was told that I over-pronate. I did follow a specific exercise along with fitting the insole and have never suffered any problems since. I know you can buy ones for specific 'functions' so can't really comment on their effectiveness for anything other than my experience. In my case, they are pretty solid (certainly not for walking on), but hold your foot in the right position.
Are they pricey? Yes, but they work for me.

 

[Profpointy]

Don't bother with other anti-blister measures unless you are already using two pairs of socks, one thickish, one thin - that makes more difference than anything else.

Don't think either superfeet nor sorbothane insoles will help prevent blisters.
For what it's worth I don't really go with the two socks theory to prevent blisters - boots that fit properly (ie suit me) don't cause blisters, whilst otherwise perfectly high quality boots do. Oe key hint, is once you find a good pair that suits you, buy a 2nd pair to stick in the cupboard. 1983 vintage Scarpa mantas - like carpet slippers, no breaking in, no blisters. 2001 vintage - as used by Spanish inquisition to extract confesions, despite being much improved and otherwise a genuinely higher quality qnd tougher item - crippling blisters every time; but no doubt they're ideal for someone else

 

[ayceejay]

I guess i depends on the terrain but I ditched boots for shoes a long time ago and never looked back.

 

[Brains]

I fitted superfeet to my new boots.
Brilliant. Two weeks in the mountains with a 35lb pack and not a single day of blisters or my usual knee problems.

 

[Spinney]

It's beginning to sound like I ought to give them a go. After all, the price would be worth paying for comfy feet - as long as they work!

 

[PapaZita]

I've got green Superfeet in all my boots and shoes (except my cycling shoes, where I use blue Specialized). I didn't realise that feet could be so comfortable. I used to get sore ankles from a lack of proper support, and could see things collapsing inwards as I put weight on my feet. As soon as I tried the Superfeet I could feel that everything was straighter and better supported, although the soreness did get worse before it got better, as I adapted to the new position.

PZ.