cycling orthotics

[Stingray34]

I've read some stuff lately by Steve Hogg about orthotics in cycling shoes. Remembering when I had my arches strapped a few years ago, I felt a better foot angle and more power through the pedals, so I put my regular orthotics in both road and MTB shoes.

They felt OK for a couple of weeks until I started feeling pain in the ball of my foot and the tendons above and below the first tarsal (big toe). Now, it hurts to even wear orthotics in my walking shoes. Nothing major, just a dull ache.

I tried some orthotic insloes from the chemist as well as they aren't as invasive as my high-arch orthotics are. Same deal. I feel much more comfortable without orthics in my cycling shoes.

Anyone had any experience with e-Soles? Or with cycling-specific orthotics?

 

[GreasyMonkey]

Hard Vs Soft Orthotics.

There has been considerable debate about whether the hard or soft orthotics are better, so far I have not seen any consensus on this yet.

For me personally, I use hard orthotics, made to measure by a podiatrist who specialised in sports podiatrary.

I view "over-the-counter" orthotics as being hit or miss, depending on your foot condition.
Best to pay to see a specialist who can determine what you need, and get the appropriate inserts made to measure.

 

[marathon marke]

I use custom hard orthotics too. Anything less than hard is worthless to me. I can easily ride 140+ miles and not have a foot problem. Without them, I probobly wouldn't even be cycling today, much less doing these long rides at 53 years old.

 

[richwagmn]

I've read some stuff lately by Steve Hogg about orthotics in cycling shoes. Remembering when I had my arches strapped a few years ago, I felt a better foot angle and more power through the pedals, so I put my regular orthotics in both road and MTB shoes.

They felt OK for a couple of weeks until I started feeling pain in the ball of my foot and the tendons above and below the first tarsal (big toe). Now, it hurts to even wear orthotics in my walking shoes. Nothing major, just a dull ache.

I tried some orthotic insloes from the chemist as well as they aren't as invasive as my high-arch orthotics are. Same deal. I feel much more comfortable without orthics in my cycling shoes.

Anyone had any experience with e-Soles? Or with cycling-specific orthotics?

E-Soles worked wonders for me. I followed Steve Hogg's advice and it completely stopped my hot foot problems. I had tried new shoes, pedals, cleat positions and e-soles finally did the trick. I like e-soles metatarsal pad too. Good luck.

 

[Stingray34]

Thanks everyone for your input.

I saw my chiro the other day and he cautioned against using walking orthotics for cycling as the foot action is completely different, and recommended finding a podiatrist that has experience outfitting cyclists.

I'm going to let the tendons settle down for a couple of weeks by riding without orthotics. I'll look into e-Soles (although I don't get hotspots anymore since I ditched carbon soles 7 years ago) and start looking around for a suitable podiatrist.

Anyone know a good podiatrist with cycling experience in northern NSW/Tweed/Gold Coast areas?

 

[craig1985]

I need them as I have very flat feet. I bought a pair of Shimano cycling shoes in 2008 in Sydeny (before I had even heard of Steve Hogg) and I told the guy who I bought the shoes off (Clarence Street Cyclery) and he gave me some inserts and I haven't had too many problems, except for the first week where I needed my cleats to be re-adjusted.