Superfeet footbeds vs. cheaper alternatives (e.g. Dr. Scholls)

[d***@yahoo.com]

Last I recall, superfeet footbeds cost USD ~$30. I've seen something
similar in department stores by Dr. Scholl's for half the price. Are
the Superfeet footbeds twice as good as the Dr. Scholl's ones?

[Bob]

I use the Dr. Scholls and have no problem at all. I would suggest
dedicating a pair just for your hiking boots.

[Gio]

Post by d***@yahoo.com
Last I recall, superfeet footbeds cost USD ~$30. I've seen something
similar in department stores by Dr. Scholl's for half the price. Are
the Superfeet footbeds twice as good as the Dr. Scholl's ones?

I don't know about 'Super'feet, but the Goodfeet insoles are sold at
stores where they supposedly fit them to your own individual feet.
Nope, I never tried them (too far away), but I did try the Dr. Scholls
uni-version, and found them uncomfortable.

Gio

[Peter Clinch]

Post by d***@yahoo.com
Last I recall, superfeet footbeds cost USD ~$30. I've seen something
similar in department stores by Dr. Scholl's for half the price. Are
the Superfeet footbeds twice as good as the Dr. Scholl's ones?

Superfeet are generally trying to do different things to most other
footbeds, realigning gait rather than absorbing shock. For people who,
for example, pronate excessively, Superfeet can work very well, OTOH,
if you just want to ease the shock they're not that great. Horses for
courses.

Pete.

[a]

Post by Peter Clinch

Post by d***@yahoo.com
Last I recall, superfeet footbeds cost USD ~$30. I've seen something
similar in department stores by Dr. Scholl's for half the price. Are
the Superfeet footbeds twice as good as the Dr. Scholl's ones?

Superfeet are generally trying to do different things to most other
footbeds, realigning gait rather than absorbing shock. For people who,
for example, pronate excessively, Superfeet can work very well, OTOH, if
you just want to ease the shock they're not that great. Horses for
courses.
Pete.

Well said. In fact I put Superfeet in a new pair of boots a couple of years
back and I hated them. They felt very 'hard' which I attributed to the
plastic sole piece. The boots were relatively heavy duty and did not need
further support. I replaced the Superfeet with a foam Vasque insole (nice
line, comes in three thicknesses to allow adjusting boot volume to foot),
and I love the combination. I'd consider putting the Superfeet in a
'floppier' shoe or boot in order to provide more support. Right now they're
lost somewhere in a closet...
a

[Gio]

Post by a

Post by Peter Clinch
Superfeet are generally trying to do different things to most other
footbeds, realigning gait rather than absorbing shock. For people who,
for example, pronate excessively, Superfeet can work very well, OTOH, if
you just want to ease the shock they're not that great. Horses for
courses.
Pete.

Well said. In fact I put Superfeet in a new pair of boots a couple of years
back and I hated them. They felt very 'hard' which I attributed to the
plastic sole piece. The boots were relatively heavy duty and did not need
further support. I replaced the Superfeet with a foam Vasque insole (nice
line, comes in three thicknesses to allow adjusting boot volume to foot),
and I love the combination. I'd consider putting the Superfeet in a
'floppier' shoe or boot in order to provide more support. Right now they're
lost somewhere in a closet...
a

I haven't found any boot more comfortable than the Vasque. Odd that I
ran into them because the store sold Redwing boots, which I wore and
hated.

Gio

[Jon Danniken]

Post by Gio

Post by a

Post by Peter Clinch
Superfeet are generally trying to do different things to most other
footbeds, realigning gait rather than absorbing shock. For people who,
for example, pronate excessively, Superfeet can work very well, OTOH, if
you just want to ease the shock they're not that great. Horses for
courses.
Pete.

Well said. In fact I put Superfeet in a new pair of boots a couple of years
back and I hated them. They felt very 'hard' which I attributed to the
plastic sole piece. The boots were relatively heavy duty and did not need
further support. I replaced the Superfeet with a foam Vasque insole (nice
line, comes in three thicknesses to allow adjusting boot volume to foot),
and I love the combination. I'd consider putting the Superfeet in a
'floppier' shoe or boot in order to provide more support. Right now they're
lost somewhere in a closet...
a

I haven't found any boot more comfortable than the Vasque. Odd that I
ran into them because the store sold Redwing boots, which I wore and
hated.

All feet are different, and even a really well made boot might not fit well
to a particular foot size. As for Vasque at RedWing, it is one of the
brands they carry (don't know what the ownership/relationship is there, but
they do sell them).

Jon

[the Moderator]

Post by d***@yahoo.com
Last I recall, superfeet footbeds cost USD ~$30. I've seen something
similar in department stores by Dr. Scholl's for half the price. Are
the Superfeet footbeds twice as good as the Dr. Scholl's ones?

My boots have a contour foot bed. The hard plastic on Superfeet didn't fit
the boot.

[Caveat]

Post by d***@yahoo.com
Last I recall, superfeet footbeds cost USD ~$30. I've seen something
similar in department stores by Dr. Scholl's for half the price. Are
the Superfeet footbeds twice as good as the Dr. Scholl's ones?

I use Superfeet inserts as hard orthodics in old running shoes. They
work perfectly for me because they just happen to be nearly identical
to my old custom-made orthodics. But, as noted, they are not
cushioning devices and shoes must be slightly oversize to allow for
the extra space they take up. They should not be used with other
inserts, BTW, and do not fit all shoe or boot footbeds. Check first.

Superfeet are pricey, but at some stores the are more pricey than at
other stores. I ordered a set from Campmor last summer for $27 and
compared them to the set I had just bought at REI for $35. Despite the
attempt to make them sound like different models (REI uses the
Synergizer moniker) they were identical in every way. This is an
interesting point because when I worked for REI they always matched
the price of the same gear sold by Campmor. Things change...

Caveat

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&stat=7889&langId=-1&storeId=8000&query=Superfeet&x=0&y=0
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/campmor/iphrase.jsp?command=text&text=Superfeet&image.x=0&image.y=0

[Jrobb]

I have just gone through and extensive testing of just about every
footbed out there to customize my REI Spirit III's. They came with and
awful hard insert that worked the ball of my foot into a bruise. Tried
some other footbeds made by shock doctor purchased from REI and they
were good on cushioning but were too thick ( used for 10 miles took
them back for refund I love REI ) Bought some memory foam deals from
Longs Drug store and they were too soft ( my 200 lbs was more than a
match for them) Although they were very comfortable, they were too
soft. Finally found these "2 oz Miracle" insoles sold also at Longs,
and they have been good so far. I have had to shave them down ( under
the arch area along the outside of foot) but they are the best
compromise between too thick and not firm enough. I have tried ( at
the store) most of what REI sells as far as foot beds go but for my
foot these 2oz Miracles ( $7.90 us) have been the best solution.
Funny, the more expensive footbeds all seem to have fallen in the gizmo
category. They all promise things that they don't give ( for me that
is) . My boots are sensitive to heel placement and I have a limited
amount of heel lift ( given by particular footbeds) I can work
with...too much and I get awful blisters.

So the answer to the op's question...the cheaper guys. Although the
Sole's made or advertised by Ed Viestur (REI) are the cat's meow but
for me they were too thick...nice and cushy though.

J

[the Moderator]

Post by Jrobb
I have just gone through and extensive testing of just about every
footbed out there to customize my REI Spirit III's. They came with and
awful hard insert that worked the ball of my foot into a bruise. Tried
some other footbeds made by shock doctor purchased from REI and they
were good on cushioning but were too thick ( used for 10 miles took
them back for refund I love REI ) Bought some memory foam deals from
Longs Drug store and they were too soft ( my 200 lbs was more than a
match for them) Although they were very comfortable, they were too
soft. Finally found these "2 oz Miracle" insoles sold also at Longs,
and they have been good so far. I have had to shave them down ( under
the arch area along the outside of foot) but they are the best
compromise between too thick and not firm enough. I have tried ( at
the store) most of what REI sells as far as foot beds go but for my
foot these 2oz Miracles ( $7.90 us) have been the best solution.
Funny, the more expensive footbeds all seem to have fallen in the gizmo
category. They all promise things that they don't give ( for me that
is) . My boots are sensitive to heel placement and I have a limited
amount of heel lift ( given by particular footbeds) I can work
with...too much and I get awful blisters.
So the answer to the op's question...the cheaper guys. Although the
Sole's made or advertised by Ed Viestur (REI) are the cat's meow but
for me they were too thick...nice and cushy though.
J

I think I use the same thing. The Miracles are a grey foam that form to the
bottom of my foot. They don't last very long. I have to replace them every
3 - 6 months, but they do feel good. Not as cheap as they used to be.

[b***@nospam.net]

I'm using Superfeet Performance Green right now in my low and mid
height hikers and they seem to work well.

I'm really curious how the Spenco OAS (Outdoor Adventure Series)
Backpacker and Hiking models compare. I did read one favorable review
online.


Blues

Live Free Or Die

[Jrobb]

Post by b***@nospam.net
I'm using Superfeet Performance Green right now in my low and mid
height hikers and they seem to work well.
I'm really curious how the Spenco OAS (Outdoor Adventure Series)
Backpacker and Hiking models compare. I did read one favorable review
online.
Blues
Live Free Or Die

I think I have tried them and for some reason the arch is too far back
like near the heel for me. Super uncomfortable ( they are sold at REI
, they are the ones that come with a cheapo carabiner on the box.

J