12/28/2009

Review of Superfeet® Active Insoles

Superfeet® Active InsolesI work out a lot, but I'm built kinda like a linebacker, and find that after doing stairmaster or treadmill, my feet are usually pretty sore in the arch area. So, I'm a prime candidate for needing more arch support, something that Superfeet are supposed to give you.

They do cup your heel just about right and follow the shape/last of the shoe well. Properly-sized, they will give you MODERATELY more support/less soreness, though they certainly don't eliminate soreness- they're no magic bullet. Still, better than other inserts I've tried.

The one thing I don't like (aside from them being a bit pricey for what they are) is that Superfeet's idea of what is a high or low-arched foot is a bit off. No matter what it says on the box, the various Superfeet models actually work out like this (as of their early '09 lineup):

Green- SUPER high-arched insoles, only good for ppl with REALLY high arches, will be torture for anyone else who has 'em on their feet for more than a few minutes. Gitmo-approved. o_0

Blue- It says "ideal for low to medium-arched feet" on the back of the box, but its more like 'ideal for medium to high' arches, actually. I have fairly low-arched (but not flat) feet, and while the blues felt okay in the store, after using them for a few days it was quite obvious that these were *not* it. I felt like I was walking around in high heels or something... definitely TOO MUCH arch support, to the point of being mildly painful. Not good.

Black- These are allegedly for 'flat or sensitive' feet. I'd say instead they're the TRUE Superfeet product for low-arched feet. These are the ones that ultimately ended up working for me, but I am annoyed that I wasted money on the blues. In fact, the salesperson had tried to talk me into the GREENS at first, even after seeing my feet, but a few laps around the store showed me the horror of that. WTH?

Basically, what I think is going on is that what Superfeet is trying to sell you is SUPPORT, so they want to get you into the highest/'most supportive' insoles they can, so that you go, "Gee, wow, what a difference, so much support."

The problem with that, of course, is that you end up basically KILLING your feet, because going too high in the arch on these things will just mess you up, ESPECIALLY if you're heavier-than-average, like me. What feels about right in the store will seem TOO HIGH after a few days, trust me.

In short, these are moderately helpful, and deserve kudos for being better than most other insoles out there, but go one support/height level LOWER than what the box tells you, particularly if you're heavier than average (muscle or fat).

Again, IGNORE THE BOX, the REAL sizing is:

- greens for very high arches
- blue for medium or high arches
- blacks for low arches (anything even slightly below medium, really)

Flat feet, I dunno, likely just a *shoe* with good arch support, no special insoles.

Hope this is helpful.

Product Description
Superfeet Active Insoles keep you on your feet! The Superfeet Active Capsule is a highly versatile Trim-to-Fit insole. Because it's a little thinner, it works well in most lower-volume casual and sport shoes (running, mountain biking and tennis), or when you can't remove the inner sole from shoes. It is also ideal for flatter feet that may not tolerate higher arch support. More details: Rear-foot control point prevents over-pronation and helps keep your foot correctly aligned for less stress on muscles and joints; Mid-foot control point stabilizes your mid-foot for a very stable foot, creating less muscle fatigue and more endurance; Patented support bridge activates all the control points for better balance and alignment during the stride; Long-wearing Trocellen foam is a high-quality, durable closed-cell foam for long-lasting comfort; Natural shock absorption system naturally softens heel shock; Patented shape contours to your natural foot shape, which helps provide maximum contact with the ground for balance and control; Approx. 3 ozs. per pair. D-Fits Men's shoe sizes 7.5-9; E-Fits Men's shoe sizes 9.5-11; F-Fits Men's shoe sizes 11.5-13. Get yours now! Superfeet Active Insoles

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