Replacement insoles for running shoes

[rjbraun]

I have been considering various replacement insoles for my running shoes. I am getting close to selecting a brand / pair to go with, but now I am bit concerned that the targeted running shoes for the new insoles may not have so much life left.

As it is possible that the replacement shoes will be a different brand or style, would it make sense to hold off on using the new replacement insoles? I guess the broader question is, for those who buy separate insoles do you consider the shoes and insoles as "one unit", so that once the life of the shoe is gone, you also toss the insole, at least if the new replacement shoe is not at least the same brand and model?

The insoles in question cost about $50, so I will want to get some use out of them before discarding them.

Thanks!

[Church Lady]

In my opinion, protecting feet is important. Don't delay replacing insoles if the current ones aren't doing the job.

I don't understand why you can't move insoles to another pair of shoes UNLESS the insole is made specifically for your current running shoe. If that is the case, get a cheap pair of replacement insoles from Walmart or an athletic shoe store as a stop gap until you replace your shoes.

Good luck!

[quantAndHold]

In your case, where the shoes are nearly worn out, I suppose you could move the insoles to a new pair, but both shoes and insoles should be replaced after about 500 miles, so I usually just treat them as a unit. I use the same insoles for everything, and buy a stack of them when they go on sale.

[runner3081]

Bad idea. When the shoe is done, it is done. Throwing a new insole in there doesn't do anything for the structural integrity of the shoe.

[Captain America]

I use Superfeet green inserts in Asics Nimbus shoes. I buy my shoes and inserts in bulk when on sale. I run less than 300 miles (usually 225-250) on a pair of shoes and use the inserts in 2-3 pairs of shoes. I have been running around 5 days a week for 40 years with no issues. At 58 I still run around a 22 minute 5k.

[rjbraun]

I don't understand why you can't move insoles to another pair of shoes UNLESS the insole is made specifically for your current running shoe. If that is the case, get a cheap pair of replacement insoles from Walmart or an athletic shoe store as a stop gap until you replace your shoes.

Good luck!

Thanks, Church Lady. Some of the insoles are more rigid, like these with a cork bed. So, I'm thinking it might be better to minimize moving them between shoes a lot. Also, because I may need to trim them down a bit to fit in the shoe, that may make them less interchangeable with other shoes.

https://www.rei.com/product/206282/sole ... arsal-pads

[rjbraun]

Bad idea. When the shoe is done, it is done. Throwing a new insole in there doesn't do anything for the structural integrity of the shoe.

Just to clarify, as I realize I may not have been clear in my OP, the new insole is not intended to prolong a shoe beyond its intended life. Due to a pronounced bunion on one foot I have tried to move to a wider shoe (either by going to a W width or by wearing a shoe with a wider forefoot / "zero drop" (e.g., Altra). While the added width has helped to relieve bunion pressure, an unintended result seems to be that my foot volume doesn't really fill up the rest of the shoe. That was when I thought buying a new insole might help. This would also seem to have the added benefit of a higher-quality insole than the one that comes with the shoe. Thankfully, I've been spared any injuries in this process (ordeal), but it's been kind of a lot of work to sort through

[rjbraun]

I use Superfeet green inserts in Asics Nimbus shoes. I buy my shoes and inserts in bulk when on sale. I run less than 300 miles (usually 225-250) on a pair of shoes and use the inserts in 2-3 pairs of shoes. I have been running around 5 days a week for 40 years with no issues. At 58 I still run around a 22 minute 5k.

You mean you use one pair of inserts in 2-3 different pairs of shoes, as in you get about 500 miles, or more, out of one pair of inserts? That sounds like a lot. If anything, I would think the shoes would outlast the insoles, but I'm clearly not experienced here.

REI has Superfeet Green insoles on sale now.

https://www.rei.com/product/724375/supe ... 7243750085

[livesoft]

As with all these feet and shoes threads: Shoes and feet are PERSONAL. I am told that the material of the midsoles wears and compresses. One can also see that the outsoles (treads) wear. My shoes only last about 500 miles at most or a few months. I have solid insoles that do not compress nor wear that I move to new shoes when I get them. I leave the stock insoles in my shoes and just put the inserts on top of them. What I do may not work for anyone else.

I wear Altras. None of them have a "negative heel." Zero drop is not "negative heel."

I think shoe fit is about the heel, the heel width, the midfoot width, and of course the width at the front and keeping one's toe ends from touching. Your feet are personal, so you cannot expect any particular random shoe to match your feet. You have to try many different brands and models which are switching on you every year. However, it would be rare for your feet to change that much unless you gained or lost a lot of weight or over time your feet got wider from lots of backpacking and running.

The way one laces their shoes is supposed to change the volume of the shoe (not the width), so that the shoe is snug and the foot does not move much within the shoe causing friction and blisters.

I know my spouse doesn't like shoes that "make me look like I have duck feet." Well, she has duck feet, so she is always miserable trying to make her feet not look like duck feet.

[FrugalInvestor]

I use Aetrex posted orthotics in all my shoes in place of the insoles included because I pronate and need additional arch support. The insoles included with new shoes don't give me the support I need so I discard and replace them with the Aetrex orthotics. I find that the Aetrex orthotics usually outlast my casual shoes so I often move them from a retired pair of casual shoes to a pair of walking/running/hiking or outdoor working shoes before discarding them. I treat the shoe and orthotics separately when deciding when to replace them and have been doing this for many years.

[rjbraun]

As with all these feet and shoes threads: Shoes and feet are PERSONAL. I am told that the material of the midsoles wears and compresses. One can also see that the outsoles (treads) wear. My shoes only last about 500 miles at most or a few months. I have solid insoles that do not compress nor wear that I move to new shoes when I get them. I leave the stock insoles in my shoes and just put the inserts on top of them. What I do may not work for anyone else.

I wear Altras. None of them have a "negative heel." Zero drop is not "negative heel."

I think shoe fit is about the heel, the heel width, the midfoot width, and of course the width at the front and keeping one's toe ends from touching. Your feet are personal, so you cannot expect any particular random shoe to match your feet. You have to try many different brands and models which are switching on you every year. However, it would be rare for your feet to change that much unless you gained or lost a lot of weight or over time your feet got wider from lots of backpacking and running.

The way one laces their shoes is supposed to change the volume of the shoe (not the width), so that the shoe is snug and the foot does not move much within the shoe causing friction and blisters.

I know my spouse doesn't like shoes that "make me look like I have duck feet." Well, she has duck feet, so she is always miserable trying to make her feet not look like duck feet.

Thanks, livesoft. I was hoping you might post

Yes, I kinda knew when I referenced Altras that I should write zero-drop and not negative heel. I have edited my post.

Interesting that you place the inserts on top of the stock insoles. I have been tempted to do that but thought I read not to. I will give that a try and see what happens.

Yes, I have also tried to compensate for (excess) volume through lacing technique. I have played around with the lacing, maybe I need to do some more work here. By the way, the book you suggested earlier, Fixing Your Feet has been helpful to me.

Not sure exactly what you meant by lacing adjusts "the volume of the shoe (not the width)". For my non-bunion foot, the shoe is probably a bit wide, especially in the mid-foot and heel area. Even for the foot with the bunion, the shoe is also probably too wide in the rest of the shoe, too. I am hoping that between lacing and inserts I can improve the fit.

[rjbraun]

I use Aetrex posted orthotics in all my shoes in place of the insoles included because I pronate and need additional arch support. The insoles included with new shoes don't give me the support I need so I discard and replace them with the Aetrex orthotics. I find that the Aetrex orthotics usually outlast my casual shoes so I often move them from a retired pair of casual shoes to a pair of walking/running/hiking or outdoor working shoes before discarding them. I treat the shoe and insoles as separate units when deciding when to replace them and have been doing this for many years.

Thanks - not familiar with that brand, but the website seems helpful so I will have a closer look.

I guess the consensus, so far, is that the insoles can outlast the shoe itself. Interesting, live and learn!

[livesoft]

...
Interesting that you place the inserts on top of the stock insoles. I have been tempted to do that but thought I read not to. I will give that a try and see what happens.
...

My inserts are really solid, but are 3/4 in length. There would be no cushioning if I removed the insoles. I am not a heel-striker and land mostly on my mid-foot. I hope that explains why I put my inserts (I did not call them insoles on purpose) on top of the stock insoles.

[trueson1]

I have planar fasciitis, so I always replace the insoles in all my shoes immediately when I buy them with a good quality insole to support the arch and entire foot. I do this even for my casual shoes and slippers that I wear around the house.

I have used several different ones over the years but particularly like Powersteps, WalkHeros and Easy Feet. As others have said, it is a bit of an individual thing, so comfort and support should be the driver. Bottom line - take care of your feet!