Starting out?

Hi everyone,

  As i said in another thread somewhere,i am doing the coast2coast early next year and reckon i'm just about ready,physically and kit-wise.

 I will be taking my near new Brasher Hillmaster boots and my near new Merrell Chameleon Wrap(as there is alot of flat/road walking).

 I am now wondering if i should purchase a pair of Sorbothane Double Strike insoles to cushion my feet(as the feet will be the first part of the body to suffer),or a pair of Superfeet Green(which are about £30).

 So i would like to know if this is a much needed extra expense or whether the insoles of my footwear are adequate.Any advice appreciated.

Many of the advertised claims for Superfeet cannot be substantiated and the Advertising Standards Authority have banned them.  See here.

It's a long time since I had Brashers - I actually did the Pennine Way in them believe it or not! - but iiirc the lattice footbed that's already in them is very clever, in that it allows a lot of ventilation underfoot - a handy thing in a goretex boot. You would lose a lot of this ventilation with an alternative footbed. I reckon the midsole of the boot gives your foot all the support and cushioning it needs. If you want to tune the fit, Brasher themselves do footbeds in diffferent thicknesses quite reasonably priced. If your heels take a real pounding (not really that likely on all that peat!) then possibly a Sorbothane heel insert or footbed would help, but I wouldn't put one in unless and until you find out you need it. Why make the boots heavier and sweatier? ]

P.S. Enjoy the C2C - it is an absolutely wonderful walk. The revered OM contributor Hugh Westacott has what I suspect are many useful alterations and improvements - see here.

Dave Quarnby wrote (see)

 I am now wondering if i should purchase a pair of Sorbothane Double Strike insoles to cushion my feet(as the feet will be the first part of the body to suffer),or a pair of Superfeet Green(which are about £30).

Hi Dave

I have used both types of insoles (for walking and work boots) for over 15 years.

Had 6 sets of the sorbothane double strikes, then 4 years ago tried superfeet green on the recomendation of a friend.  I haven't bothered to buy sorbothanes since. I used to get chronic pain in the foot (big toe joint/ball of foot)  which stopped straightaway with the superfeet. 

Superfeet are much more durable than the sorbothanes - the latter's surface fabric wears/peels quite quickly in my experience. I do use sorbothane insoles still - in my wellies. 

I would also look at the Grey shockstopper ( 100%sorbothane) insoles,  as they are half the price of the double strikes and just as effective - in my experience. 

I am still using the original superfeet insoles - I swap my 2 pairs between footwear as I use them.

Seem to remember, that there is a school of thought that says that 'shock absorbing' insoles aren't that good for you in the long run.  (Superfeet aren't particularlyshock absorbing)

 **** This is just my experience -

It would be great if this thread didn't turn into a debate about Superfeet's claims/adverts again - it's been done before on OM for anyone to search , and some folk can get unecessaririly heated IMO.

The important fact is, that  many people do claim a benefit from using them.

They have a 60 day money back offer if you decide they have given no benefit to you. Sorbothanes don't!

I have used superfeet green for over 10 years. I'm onto my second pair which is against the manufacturer's recommendations to replace every two years. They only get replaced when the surface abrades away and they rub.

However I am looking to replace with the Sole footbeds. They come as standard in Haglofs boots and come in 3mm and 6mm thick versions to adjust the boot volume. They have shock absorption and the similar support as superfeet green, however they can be heated in a low temperature home oven then stood on inside the boot until cool to cutomise. Customisation also happens over time the blurb says by wearing them. This implies to me they kind of collapse allowing your feet to shape them. I've heard they are good though from ppl who've used them.

Superfeet also do a version of the green with shock absorbing pads at the heel and instep I think, for me I think it is the superfeet orange. Might be a compromise for you.

As far as the brasher ventilation in the soles, do they really work? Meindl had them for years in their air revolution shoes such as the island type of boot. I don't think they were supposed to work well.

Guys thankyou.............what an amazing responce.Your knowledge is appreciated.

Sadly i am uncertain of whether to,throw the perfectly good insoles from my Brashers and Merrells and replace them with something like the superfeet green,or...............purchase them and put them on top of the original insoles(to double them up)or maybe thats just daft......................or to stick with what i have and do the C2C with plenty of compeed and duct tape

Ha - you'll probably need the latter whatever - unless you get plenty of training in near to the time.

 My advice?

 Buy both sets of insoles.  Keep the originals too.

Give them  all a go straightaway and compare Superfeet with the others (say, walk 10 miles plus, and also wear them all day on a non-walking day), and if you don't feel a benefit, take up the 60 day moneyback guarantee.

For the C2C, use compeed  and cover with zinc oxide tape on any hot spots immediately.

also cover with zinc oxide tape any places on your footwhich you know to be vulnerable - e.g. I wrap each little toe as the inside edge always rubs badly one the next toe - after about 30 miles a raw patch develops.

Thanks again for the advice guys.I have since searched 'insoles' in the OM forums and found that there have been many threads on the subject,so i apologise.There was also plenty of opinion/advice given on the grey soborthane insoles.

 I have therefore made a compromise and ordered the above mentioned insoles.My intention is to take my Brashers and Merrells on the 192mile C2C and only insert the new insoles if i feel the need.That should conclude this thread.

 However,if anyone has ever in the past purchased insoles and put them into thier boots on top of the existing insoles(with the theory that double insoles means double comfort),and then done a LDW,then i really would like to hear if it worked.Failing that.............thanks again.

Dave:

Feet are funny things! It's very difficult to give advice about boots and insoles because, as has already been shown on  thiws thread, what is connfortable for one person is crippling to another. Timetogo has found Superfeet beneficial but both ALoveSupreme and myself have discovered that, for us, they are worse than useless.

So let's start at the beginning. How old are you? Have you suffered from any foot problems apart from blisters? How much experience have you had walking in boots?
I suspect that most walkers in the prime of life and who have no problems with their feet don't need cushioned insoles and so you may be worrying unnecessarily. I suggest that you take Mole's advice. Start your training now by walking 10 miles per day carrying a 20 lb pack and gradually increase the mileage until you can comfortably manage 15 miles and more. If your feet don't suffer then you don't need padded insoles; if they do, then you will still have time to experiment to discover what insoles suit you best.

If you do suffer from foot problems it can take some time to sort them out. I'm in my late 70s and have been a keen walker and backpacker all my life. I could wear new boots straight out of the box and never suffered anything worse than the occasional blister. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my right foot and ankle and my doctor told me that my walking days were over.  So I started to experiment with various combinations of padded insoles and arch supports until I discovered what suits me. I now wear a thin, flat (i.e. no heel cup) sortbothane insole plus a Dr Scholl three-quarter-length insole which has some arch support plus the insole that comes with the boot on top (this will horrify ALoveSupreme!). My feet are comfortable again! I also discovered that a contributory factor were my socks which were too tight although they appeared to fit snugly. All the experimentation has cost a lot of money but it has been well worth it.

Why do you need to take shoes for walking on the road?

I've walked the C2C many times and you may find my this helpful.

Hi Hugh...............................words of wisdom for sure.

 The walking boots i had have been discarded thats why quite recently i purchased the Brasher Hillmaster boots and the Merrell Chameleon Wrap trainers.I just thought i coud take both to accomodate the terrain/bogs/roads because i cannot make my mind up which to wear.And i guessed i might get drenched feet along the way and therefore i would be able to change footwear.And i was of course concerned that one pair might give me grief along the way.Obviously i have now purchased the sorbothane insoles thinking that i can experiment wearing them in the boots.

 Perhpaps as you say i have been worrying too much.

Dave Quarnby wrote (see)

Perhpaps as you say i have been worrying too much.

Both ALS and Hugh are right, you need a few miles/kms to find out if you need to start 'experiment' with footbeds,etc. This also gives time for boots to 'mould' to your feet.

 Depending on what you are used to carrying, I personnally, might start at less than 20lb/10kg, as this could hurt if not used to it, especially day after day.

 Start at a wight you can carry "comfortabally" and increase the distance, till you reach the maximum milage you will do. Increase the weight and do the same, till you get to the point you can carry weight for the distance for around a week. I would then increase the weight by a few kgs, this will help as you know you have something in 'reserve' should you need it.

 Tip: Use plastic water bottles, or simaler to make up weight. If necessary you can 'dump' water to reduce weight. Much better than dumping kit!

 PS 1lt of water = 1kg/2.2lbs in weight. H

Very sound advice, Huskyman!

Also, be aware that there is a big difference between walking 190 miles in a series of day walks spread ove rseveral weeks, and one continuous journey. In the former case, your body has time to rest and recover between walks.

Here's another useful tip. At the end of every day, soak your feet for five minutes in cold water; it's wonderfully refreshing! Easy to do if you are using b&bs, less so if backpacking.