Orthotics Cost $860 at The Good Feet Store

Yes, all orthodics are snake oil. They make your feet weak.

Buy socks without a toe seam.

Thanks, man. I appreciate the input. It does seem, however, like it's more of a positional thing.

It's witchcraft. Especially since they can't even name their product. The correct word is orthoses

After 15 years of no orthotics I got them recently. I didn't want to but my PF is the worst running injury I have ever had and been hurting almost the whole year. I am trying lots of different things to improve the pain.

My insurance will cover some of the $350 I paid. The $860 seems absurd. You can transfer them from shoe to shoe if needed. I wouldn't buy them there.

Try out the barefoot science footbeds. I was injured for a while with severe heel pain and they strengthened it to the point where there is no pain now and my feet are so much stronger. Heres a link if you want to check them out

https://barefoot-science.com/

Tell Me This Is a Joke wrote:

the lateral toes of my feet

???

LOL

Can you attend a running-based PT clinic? You may have a biomechanical problem that could be resolved with PT. Start there. I don't think the medical literature supports the use of orthotics.

Minimalist Hoka wrote:

Tell Me This Is a Joke wrote:

the lateral toes of my feet

???

LOL

Left and right pinky toes being pinched? Get shoes with a wider toe box.

zzzz wrote:

Left and right pinky toes being pinched? Get shoes with a wider toe box.

Oh, is that what he means?

I have some Puma shoes I love BUT for the lining above the fifth toes. I have had blisters like never before.

There are a lot of "custom" orthotic companies who make a killing on suckers who believe in their system. As far as I'm concerned you have two options when it comes to orthotics:

1) Get a $40 pair of OTC orthotics like Superfeet or Powerstep

2) See a GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY podiatrist who KNOWS RUNNING INJURIES and have him make you a custom pair of orthotics. Should be $200-500 depending on a few factors, and your insurance may cover some or all of it depending on your policy.

Anything else is a colossal waste of money. For many people, OTC orthotics work great. If that's not you, custom orthotics (from a good podiatrist!!!) are worth a try. You need to understand that orthotic design is almost completely unscientific, and is more akin to a craft like pottery throwing than a scientific process based on concrete measurements and stuff. Don't waste your money on commercial orthotic labs. Get them cheap OTC or from a podiatrist.

^this.

very good advice.

Wow, "The Good Feet" store sounds more like the "rip off feet" store. I've gotten custom orthotics for about 120.00 that lasted for two years. They worked wonders for my pf. The guy who made them was an expert/specialist. However, I agree with others that state you should at least try the over the counter inserts first and check your biomechanics. You might want to strengthen/do exercises to the affected or both side of your body. Amazing how us runners become off balance in our gait or become weak in our hip area.

Odd. I had very elaborate custom ones made for maybe $100-200, including the appointment. I have terrible insurance that may not have covered anything, too.

Fellas, I really appreciate your responses on this so far. Very helpful. I was starting to wonder if I'd gone out of my mind. $860 seemed much too high a price.

Tell Me This Is a Joke wrote:

Fellas, I really appreciate your responses on this so far. Very helpful. I was starting to wonder if I'd gone out of my mind. $860 seemed much too high a price.

Didn't the fact that a pimplefaced HS kid was the 'personal locomotion alignment evaluation specialist' give you pause?

I hear that, though the sales person in my particular case was a a drop dead gorgeous woman. Maybe it clouded my judgment a bit. Your point stands.

Gentlemen, any other thoughts on this issue? Seems to me one should have a pretty good sense that orthotics will be helpful before one commits to a custom orthotic, let alone a "system" of three.

Two follow-up questions:

(1) Starting out with a store-bought pair to see if they are helpful seems like a good idea. If this is true, what is the best store-bought pair out there to try?

(2) I live in the Denver/Boulder area. Any ideas who I should see for orthotics - either store bought or custom?

Thanks.

orthotics are a waste. They may temporarily aid in healing what ails you. BUT they will also make your foot weaker overall, causing new issues all together. Also, they will change the way your foot hits the ground in your running gate which could lead to knee and leg issues.

I had mine for severe PF. After a year of no running I came back, only to get the PF back in two weeks and sore knees to boot. Threw the orthotics out and incorporated barefoot walks then strides. PF completely gone