Insoles - Cost of Orthotics

[Pieman]

I am looking into having some custom orthodic insoles made for me, and I get problems when I run for extended periods, especially on pavement.

I looked into one place located at my local gym that will test my feet and provide a custom sole for about $400.00

Being a cheap skate, and given the fact this gym tends to be a centralized location for rich yuppies, this price bothers me.

For those of you who have had custom orthotics made, does this price range seem reasonable? About how much did your insoles cost, and how long they last?

 

[winchable]

I think i paid about 275 BUT they're not great for running, good for extended marches but I wouldn't call them "athletic" inserts.
They're big padded things I would shove in my boots and I outlasted all the "normal feet"
For running I'd like something akin to Dr. Scholls but with more lasting power, meaning they won't flatten out after a few uses.

I was also entitled to a "one time only" grant for orthotics from my insurance.
Which is stupid, one time only...really now.

 

[putz]

A buddy of mines plays soccer and cricket religiously he said that $400.00 for orthodics is a little pricey.  He states that his are $250-300 he said that they need to be done every year but because he only uses his for sports he can get 2-3 years out of them.

 

[Garett]

I paid about $300 but over 80% was covered by my health insurence.

I wear mine on runs and they're great, just make sure you try on lots of different types of shoes with your insoles.  I tried on about 10 pairs at the Running Room before finding a pair that matched up well with my orthotics.

 

[Bert]

You may want to try out a cheaper alternative.  I used Spenco Everyday insoles.  These insoles are
about $25. The combination of cushioning and arch support did well in runs, drill, and short marches. 
New Balance/Saucony/Nike running shoe models as an example offers many choices in cushioning,
arch support, and stability

However, I found it difficult to get a comfortable combat boot size in BMQ.  I have really wide feet
and a high instep.  The insoles pushed the top of the foot hard against the boot reducing
circulation.  The boot I got was two sizes too big just to make sure my toes weren't crushed together. 
Unfortunately, it allowed for too much foot movement in the back causing severe blisters during longer
marches.  It was a balance of things.

After BMQ, I was issued nice comfy saftey boots with a better fit and design.

Anyway, if you have time before BMQ, try an over-the-counter insole with decent cushioning and
arch support and see how it goes before going for an expensive alternative that may not make
any more of a difference.

 

[Pieman]

Thanks for the replies guys, I looked into it further and I located a foot clinic that was very helpful and will provide me with insoles for about $275. Much better price.

Anyway, if you have time before BMQ, try an over-the-counter insole with decent cushioning and
arch support and see how it goes before going for an expensive alternative that may not make
any more of a difference.

I tried that already, by going to the Running Room and getting a pair of special shoes, but it did not help. Turns out I need a different kind of support for my feet than the people at the Running Room thought.

The woman at this foot clinic was very helpful. When  I told her that I was intending to join the army she reccommended these hi-tech shoes:

One called 'Spira' that has springs imbedded in the the shoe to absorb the impact
http://www.spirafootwear.com/spirahome.html

And another shoe technology called MBT, that she thinks might be good for me too:
http://www.mbt-uk.com/

I will be having a look at these options sometime next week. The Spira shoes look super cool, but I wonder what the cost of them will be.

 

[jeff_1986]

Hey
I'm joining the Calgary Highlanders...soon.  I was told by a Corporal that footbeds with hard arches.  All those stupid gel foot beds are useless.  They just make your foot squirm.  My only bit of advice is to go into doctor, like a family doctor or something and ask him/her what she thinks the best is.  There are plenty of companies that make footbeds.  I am most familiar with ski companies, but i'm sure i could get some ski footbeds to work in the boots.

 

[Island Ryhno]

Hey Pieman, I can feel your pain...literally, I have a condition know as Plantar Fasciitis (Fash e itus) and I have had to get custom biomechanical inserts, first mistake I made, went to a drug store and purchased Dr.Schools, made my feet worse. If you have problems with your feet, I suggest you see a professional. A word of caution, foot clinics like to charge ridiculous prices and sometimes the people selling you stuff are not even certified, they're just sales people. If you have foot problems it needs to be corrected like asap. My feet got to point where I thought that both my heels were broken  :crybaby: So all that said here is what I have, I went to a Chiropractor because they used the same equipment as the foot clinics and generally cost less ($275 for inserts, don't buy shoes with built in inserts, the shoes wear out but the inserts are good for years, hence you could move the insert from shoe to shoe) There are different kinds of inserts also, I wear an "Athletic" one, which is good for everyday use in combat boots, I also use a "RunFlex" one that is specific for..you guessed it, running. The RunFlex is thinner but just as sturdy, so it fits in running shoes better. Also, buy your inserts, then take them with you to The Running Room and have them fit the insert with a good shoe. Don't let them talk you into buying a "Motion Control" shoe at Running Room as your foot, with the insert will turn over too high and cause a whole new set of problems. Good luck shoe hunting.

 

[Pieman]

I have had my orthopedics for a number of weeks now, and man what a difference!

Last week, I went for 3 'long' runs each over 7km. That would normally have left me in pretty bad shape with my shins, and I would be icing them down and resting them over a couple of days. Now, I have no problems at all and experience no discomfort.

If anyone out there is having even slight problems with running, this is money well spent!

 

[BDG.CalgHighrs]

Hey
I'm joining the Calgary Highlanders...soon.   I was told by a Corporal that footbeds with hard arches.   All those stupid gel foot beds are useless.   They just make your foot squirm.   My only bit of advice is to go into doctor, like a family doctor or something and ask him/her what she thinks the best is.   There are plenty of companies that make footbeds.   I am most familiar with ski companies, but i'm sure i could get some ski footbeds to work in the boots.

You were told right. Nothing is better than gel at turning perfectly good feet into hamburger. (Alot of people find this out the hard way).

Personaly I am a fan of spenco's OAS Backpacker and greenline Insoles (they just seam to fit my feat). I don't remember the brand, but you can get a blue insole at lundon drugs with a pvc suopport that is also excellent. They can be expensive but they're well worth it.

Anyhow, I will see you in the fall hopefuly.

 

[medicineman]

Mine were paid for by the Crown - but were to the tune of about $350.00 if I recall.

MM

 

[hoote]

I paid 450 for mine and they rock.  Got them from a podiatrist.  the 2nd pair will only cost 150 if I buy them within 6 months of buying the first pair.  Expensive but worth it. 

Hoote

 

[kas]

Yeah, I just shelled out $450 today for my first set. *sighs* Never had any medical issues until my coverage ran out... curse that Murphy fellow. I just hope they're worth the money.

 

[Gill557]

I don't know if this thread has been done before, but I'm gonna ask again.

What's the best type of insoles for guys with flat feet?  I've got pretty high arches, and it sucks to run around in my boots.
Any thoughts?

 

[paracowboy]

how bad is it? Is it painful, or just a pain in the arse? If it's bad, you might want to talk to the medics about orthotics. Or rollerblades. I keep pestering the RQMS for combat roller blades.

Also a donkey, but that's for a different thread.

 

[Pikache]

Also a donkey, but that's for a different thread.

Another quote of the day.

 

[Gill557]

how bad is it? Is it painful, or just a pain in the arse?

Little bit of both.  More pain when I'm moving faster though, i.e. section attacks and so forth

 

[Trinity]

I use these


http://www.footsmart.com/Product.aspx?productId=2229


I started to get really bad pain in my combat boots after 12 years of wearing them...
but these stopped all my pain.. I even just bought a second set.

They are $32 Canadian at the Running Room

I've tried other gel ones and ...  I swear by these

 

[paracowboy]

'kay, G-Man, you may want to talk to the UMS about gettin' yourself checked for foot problems, ie excessive pronation/supination, or your arches may have "fallen". They'll send you to some kinda footie specialist, who'll run some checks and scans and other stuff to satisfy his fetish, then, depending on what the outcome is, you may need orthotics. I wear them, myself.

Before we get that far, however, how old are your current boots? If the heels are worn down too much, or the sides for that matter, you may just need new boots. Same with your sneakers or civvie footwear, depending on what you spend the most time in.

If you don't want to go to the UMS, you may just want to try some quality insoles, like the pAdre suggested. But, you're going want to make sure they can withstand the kind of pressure you're going to put on them. Especially if you're going to be going back to a unit at the pointy end. Rucksacks haven't gotten any lighter that I've noticed. All said an' done, though, it couldn't hurt to get your feetsies checked. If you aer pronating/supinating excessively, it will start to cause problems with the ankles, then the knees, then the hips and lower back, then you start walking like me. And I wish that on nobody.

Hence, the donkey request.

 

[someguyincanada]

also to add on to this thread, is there any insole that you guys reccommend for the average joe? cause the issued ones aint cutting it.