Best Custom Orthotic Insert Store

[+ MysticMenace]

Any of yall get custom orthotic shoe inserts? Looks like this upstep website looks pretty legit, but was wondering if yall have other good recommendations.

https://www.upstep.com/products/normal-everyday-activity-custom-orthotics

[jeezifonly]

I have a couple tiny fractures accommodated by custom inserts from my orthopedist, which I am not sure would be possible from this kind of store, but if not for that, these seem pretty brilliant!

[+ jrhoutex]

1 hour ago, JoeMendoza said:

Any of yall get custom orthotic shoe inserts? Looks like this upstep website looks pretty legit, but was wondering if yall have other good recommendations.

https://www.upstep.com/products/normal-everyday-activity-custom-orthotics

My Orthopedic surgeon suggested I get custom orthotic inserts.  He sent me to a local Orthotic and Prosthetic provider for a custom fitting.  They use the same type of impression kit as shown on the Upstep webpage.  The key is making sure you make the foot impression correctly.  You need to know that how to place your foot and how much pressure you use in making the impression. If you put too much pressure on the heal you won’t get a good impression. I paid $300 for my custom inserts and had them back in a week.  They were made locally.  Yeah, I know I paid a little extra over an online purchase, but I got services from a specialist that knows how to make a correct foot impression.  And, medicare nor my supplement provided any benefit for the inserts.

[+ MysticMenace]

4 hours ago, jrhoutex said:

And, medicare nor my supplement provided any benefit for the inserts.

This. I went to the same local orthotic provider that made my current custom orthotic inserts, which for the first time in 2019, I paid around $200, but yesterday I got a quote for $600 for a pair, hence I was looking for a potentially cheaper yet good alternative.

[+ Cash4Trash]

I got mine from the online source Doctors Orthotics and have been very happy with the product. https://doctorsorthotics.com/

[+ jrhoutex]

5 hours ago, JoeMendoza said:

This. I went to the same local orthotic provider that made my current custom orthotic inserts, which for the first time in 2019, I paid around $200, but yesterday I got a quote for $600 for a pair, hence I was looking for a potentially cheaper yet good alternative.

Ah, don't blame you, I'd probably be looking elsewhere too.  My suggestion is to get a friend to help you with the foot impression.  I started putting too much pressure on my heal and starting to rock my foot when the ortho guy stopped me and placed pressure on my knee while holding my ankle.  He wanted the impression as the whole foot entered the impression material.  No heal first.  FYI.

[Rudynate]

I think I have had three different pairs made by podiatrists, one of whom was Dr. Steve Subotnik, a semi-famous podiatrist in San Leandro, who had lots of experience working with athletes and weekend warriors.   I haven't used them in a long time because they screw up the fit of your shoe- its hard to find shoes that are deep enough after the orthotic is inserted.    I read an ad recently for orthotics that are thinner so they don't interfere with the fit of your shoes.  I want to look into those.

They used to x-ray your feet and make plaster casts of them. This newer system using impression material sounds a lot better.

Edited April 20, 2022 by Rudynate
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[+ MysticMenace]

3 hours ago, Rudynate said:

I think I have had three different pairs made by podiatrists, one of whom was Dr. Steve Subotnik, a semi-famous podiatrist in San Leandro, who had lots of experience working with athletes and weekend warriors.   I haven't used them in a long time because they screw up the fit of your shoe- its hard to find shoes that are deep enough after the orthotic is inserted.    I read an ad recently for orthotics that are thinner so they don't interfere with the fit of your shoes.  I want to look into those.

They used to x-ray your feet and make plaster casts of them. This newer system using impression material sounds a lot better.

this!

If I didn't start working at the office, I wouldn't be bothered so much with this, but I tend to wear dress shoes / dress (Chelsea) boots when going to work and finding shoes that would address both pronation and also make sure that the top of my foot isn't too snug against the shoe is a struggle. 

[Rudynate]

1 minute ago, JoeMendoza said:

this!

If I didn't start working at the office, I wouldn't be bothered so much with this, but I tend to wear dress shoes / dress (Chelsea) boots when going to work and finding shoes that would address both pronation and also make sure that the top of my foot isn't too snug against the shoe is a struggle. 

Yep - big problem.  Orthotics are great if you are wearing sneakers/athletic shoes that have some give, but they make a pair of dress shoes, for example, too tight.  I have two pairs of Frye lace-up boots that are just the best shoes I have ever owned.   I wouldn't be able to use orthotics with them.

[+ Charlie]

When I was having problems, my podiatrist told me to go to the store where I buy my tennis shoes and simply buy SUPERfeet inserts, which I did. I now wear them in all my shoes that have removable insoles.

[+ azdr0710]

lifelong flat feet finally became a problem about twelve years ago during a rough hike.....suddenly very painful to walk/hike and I limped back to the car, delaying my group for a bit......I presume some tendon/ligament/what-have-you finally got warped or wrenched for good.....hadn't worn any orthotics before then....

main doctor recommended a podiatrist and he offered three options: surgery, stop hiking, or wear orthotics......easy!

he wrapped my feet in a tape and glue-like form to create a cast that was sent off to orthotic HQ.....a few days later, I was summoned back to the podiatrist office for a fitting and instructions for the $400 pair.....I was admonished to wear them only one hour the first day, two hours the second day, and so on.....fuck that!.....I wore those mofos all day the first day!!......heaven on earth!......I now put sneakers on with the orthotics first thing in the morning because they feel so good.....

I did go to the Good Feet Store a couple years ago to see what they could do......walked out with a nice pair of orthotics that work well and about $300 less to my name for a couple pieces of hard plastic that probably cost $4 to manufacture......a hiking friend said a similar product is available at WalMart for about $30.....the Superfeet suggestion above is very good.......

I don't know if custom-fitted orthotics are necessary???......just a strong hard arch orthotic that fits your shoe may be all that's needed.......yes, shoes (sneakers) that come with removable inserts may need to have the included-insert removed when adding another insert, but you can buy a more cushion-y insert to pad the hard orthotic.......I haven't worn dress shoes in years, so can't comment on orthotic use in those......  

[Rudynate]

I got

4 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

lifelong flat feet finally became a problem about twelve years ago during a rough hike.....suddenly very painful to walk/hike and I limped back to the car, delaying my group for a bit......I presume some tendon/ligament/what-have-you finally got warped or wrenched for good.....hadn't worn any orthotics before then....

main doctor recommended a podiatrist and he offered three options: surgery, stop hiking, or wear orthotics......easy!

he wrapped my feet in a tape and glue-like form to create a cast that was sent off to orthotic HQ.....a few days later, I was summoned back to the podiatrist office for a fitting and instructions for the $400 pair.....I was admonished to wear them only one hour the first day, two hours the second day, and so on.....fuck that!.....I wore those mofos all day the first day!!......heaven on earth!......I now put sneakers on with the orthotics first thing in the morning because they feel so good.....

I did go to the Good Feet Store a couple years ago to see what they could do......walked out with a nice pair of orthotics that work well and about $300 less to my name for a couple pieces of hard plastic that probably cost $4 to manufacture......a hiking friend said a similar product is available at WalMart for about $30.....the Superfeet suggestion above is very good.......

I don't know if custom-fitted orthotics are necessary???......just a strong hard arch orthotic that fits your shoe may be all that's needed.......yes, shoes (sneakers) that come with removable inserts may need to have the included-insert removed when adding another insert, but you can buy a more cushion-y insert to pad the hard orthotic.......I haven't worn dress shoes in years, so can't comment on orthotic use in those......  

I got my first orthotics when I was about 25 - I was training for a marathon and got a stress fracture in my forefoot.  The podiatrist taped my foot and told me I could keep training as long as I wasn't experiencing any pain.  He told me I had a forefoot varus which is a fancy name for flat feet. He predicted I would need foot surgery by the time I was 40.  I saw 40 many moons ago and still haven't foot surgery, but I wouldn't wish my feet on my worst enemy.

[+ Charlie]

I was told I had flat feet by a shoe salesman when I was an adolescent, and he advised that I always wear shoes that have good supportive insoles. So I have always avoided sandals and flipflops, and always check to see how much arch support there is in a pair of shoes before I buy them. I won't buy any shoes that I can't try on first, so I never buy them online.

[+ LIguy]

I just got a pair from Upstep.  I love them.  They can get annoying with many texts and emails and then with their sales but the product works for me and I've had orthotics made by podiatrists that did not work as well.