|   Has anybody used Superfeet footbed? Toe/foot numbness | JYLO
Aug 15, 2003 12:22 PM | | Is so, how do you like them? Which type are you using. I am slowly developing an ache in the ball of my foot (riding and walking). Would like to try orthotics while riding. Am seeing a podiatrist next week but like to ask fellow riders how they deal with foot pain/numbness |
| re: Has anybody used Superfeet footbed? Toe/foot numbness | JimC.
Aug 15, 2003 1:57 PM | | use superfeet in skiboots, I need them, they make a huge comfort differnce. I use orthotics daily in all my shoes, but not in riding, becuase I forget, go figure. If you need them use 'em, Jim |
| I love em! | Tscheezy
Aug 15, 2003 2:01 PM | | I use both kinds (the low profile and normal) in whatever shoes I wear (running, hiking, biking). They are great. My arches are kinda low and I like the support, though I never had any numbness in any shoes except maybe on centrury rides. You problem is likely poor fitting shoes, but superfeet are a cheap way to try to experiment with a fix.
tscheezy |
| re: Has anybody used Superfeet footbed? Toe/foot numbness | Bikeless Rider
Aug 15, 2003 2:07 PM | | I have had this problem myself, especially on long hilly road rides(now just a supplement to epic mt. rides). I was and still am using Time Equipe shoes which I thought might have been the cause as they have quite a bend at the ball of the foot. I wear and have had for some time prescription orthotics. As far as I'm concerned there is no comparison to these with any of the after market cheapies. What I found helped immensely was to pull the velcro straps down extra tight(almost to the point of being uncomfortable at the start of the ride). Especially the one over the arch. Of course this may not work with Superfeet etc. as they flex. Orthotics that flex don't provide a consistent solid platform for your foot muscles(the reason all high tech bike shoes have very stiff soles). I use mine for trail running too, and used to try it without them. They can keep you better balanced and less fatigued from your feet to your knees(also helps avoid injury in these areas). When you start a ride with dry, clean socks, they matt down considerably from pressure and sweat. Even thin cycling socks can feel very different after miles of riding. So, the extra strap pressure is not really felt by this point. Your foot needs to be firmly anchored to a stiff, ergonomically contoured surface to perform at it peak. Also, I have any injured right big toe that is slightly arthritic now and angled towards my other toes on that foot. I can only bend this toe slightly anymore, and I was told the pain I'm feeling might be " Mortison Toe Syndrome". Something about toes that because of their alignment cause excessive pain. I can tell you though, that the strap tightening thing has kept me from switching shoes or giving up road rides alltogether. |
| I'm not sure I agree. For me | roo
Aug 15, 2003 3:22 PM | | excessive strap tightening was the reason I used to get numbness, I wanted my feet to stay put. I ended up getting better fitting shoes but I still don't overdo it. I use Superfeet too but they were a bit pricey. |
| I'm not sure I agree. For me | Bikeless Rider
Aug 16, 2003 5:37 PM | | Perhaps you missread my reply. I wasn't refferring to a tighten them 'till your foot goes numb, so much as "these feel a bit too snug". Shoes usually loosen up a bit after several miles of riding, as well as socks matting down. Stopping and retightening is another option, depending on wether tight shoes are too uncomfortable for the first part of the ride. |
| Good stuff! | Kpicha
Aug 15, 2003 4:15 PM | | I use them in my everyday shoes since I have heel spurs. They are a great addition to my walking shoes but I haven't used them in my riding shoes. I have the Specialized B.G. shoes and they don't bother my heels.
Cheers,
Kristina |
| re: Has anybody used Superfeet footbed? Toe/foot numbness | Ratt
Aug 15, 2003 9:56 PM | | About 10 years ago i used to work in a ski shop and it been about that long since i used superfeet products. I have used the cork, plastic heat molded footbeds and the ready out of the box models and at the time i thought they worked great. I have a high arch and really needed the extra support but i notice in modern shoes and boots that the inserts that come already installed are a lot better and i no longer need to use superfeet inserts to be comfortable. But i also did a lot of rock climbing since that time and my feet got quite a bit stronger. So i am neutral on them, try them out it couldn't hurt. I just got my first pair of cycling shoes that use velcro, had used laces in the past and i noticed right off to keep what felt like loose pressure on the straps because even a slight snugness will translate into hot spots and soreness a couple of miles down the trail. |
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