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Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews
Posted on: 4/16/19 11:10 AM ET
After five years of being nagged by my doctor to do this, I am finally having custom orthotics made for my wide, flat, arthritic feet!
But. I am confused about the shoes they will go in. They'll fit in the styles of shoes I typically wear (which are pretty casual and supportive already), but I will also need to wear them when I exercise. My current, expensive, still-in-great-shape running shoes are a full size larger than my normal shoe size (this is typical for runners). These will, however, be the last pair of running shoes I ever buy, because I have been retired from running due to my arthritic knees. I was really hoping to hang onto them for another year or so, as they don't have very many miles on them. But I'm worried that the extremely pricey orthotics won't work in them because of the size issue... and I only wear those shoes to exercise (my feet get claustrophobic in them), so it wouldn't make sense to order the orthotics just for those shoes.
Basically I think I'm saying that I don't want to/can't afford to buy new shoes to go with my new $$$$ orthotics, and I think I'm gonna have to, probably, right?
Or can you move them from shoe to shoe if the shoes aren't exactly the same size?
Thoughts?
Thanks!!
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But. I am confused about the shoes they will go in. They'll fit in the styles of shoes I typically wear (which are pretty casual and supportive already), but I will also need to wear them when I exercise. My current, expensive, still-in-great-shape running shoes are a full size larger than my normal shoe size (this is typical for runners). These will, however, be the last pair of running shoes I ever buy, because I have been retired from running due to my arthritic knees. I was really hoping to hang onto them for another year or so, as they don't have very many miles on them. But I'm worried that the extremely pricey orthotics won't work in them because of the size issue... and I only wear those shoes to exercise (my feet get claustrophobic in them), so it wouldn't make sense to order the orthotics just for those shoes.
Basically I think I'm saying that I don't want to/can't afford to buy new shoes to go with my new $$$$ orthotics, and I think I'm gonna have to, probably, right?
Or can you move them from shoe to shoe if the shoes aren't exactly the same size?Thoughts?
Thanks!!
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 4/16/19 11:32 AM ET
They should be OK with shoes a size larger. They are molded to your feet much more so than to any particular shoe design. Since the running shoes are larger, they should fit inside. The one thing I wonder about is whether you have to remove the existing insole first, but that would apply to any shoe, not just a different size of athletic shoe.
Posted on: 4/16/19 12:21 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
I have flat, wide feet but I also have a very high instep making athletic shoes highly uncomfortable, no matter what size. I found Waldlaufer shoes which are on line and locally available. They have removable insoles to make room for an orthotic. Leather and leather lined, comfortable and they don't all look like old lady shoes. I've found some fairly stylish shoes. They are not cheap, but they last and are worth it for the comfort. Best of all, the most common width is a C-D moderately wide and they have a narrow heel.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Posted on: 4/16/19 2:48 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
I mostly wore my hard orthotics in 8" work boots or running shoes, which were different sizes. I always had to rip out the insoles in whatever I put them in, so I would add an "odor eater" cheapie flat insole over the orthotics as a wear layer.
So nice when you don-'t hurt.
PS: My feet are kind of the opposite from yours... smallish, skinny, and with a very high arch. The narrowest workboots are too wide for me, but the orthotics worked in them anyhow.
-- Edited on 4/16/19 at 3:27 PM --
So nice when you don-'t hurt.

PS: My feet are kind of the opposite from yours... smallish, skinny, and with a very high arch. The narrowest workboots are too wide for me, but the orthotics worked in them anyhow.
-- Edited on 4/16/19 at 3:27 PM --
Posted on: 4/16/19 3:43 PM ET
Don't forget to take out the insole before you insert the orthotic!
Posted on: 4/16/19 3:43 PM ET
Sorry, duplicate post.
-- Edited on 4/16/19 at 3:43 PM --
-- Edited on 4/16/19 at 3:43 PM --
Posted on: 4/16/19 3:43 PM ET
Ohmigosh, this is great news! I'm so relieved to think I might not have to rush out and replace a $120 pair of lovely running shoes with a lot of wear left in them.
I've been wearing OTC orthotic insoles for years now, and always pull the original one out first. (Hint: The original insoles from very nice running shoes make great replacement insoles for regular shoes!) But I've been reading tons of shoe reviews today, and some people have mentioned putting their orthotics *over* the existing insole for shoes without removable ones (like sandals).
The orthotics the doctor is making will be soft/flexible, and they look crazy thin to me. But in my head, having never really seen custom orthotics, I expect them to be like the hard plastic that they put inside new shoes to keep them from collapsing. :O
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I've been wearing OTC orthotic insoles for years now, and always pull the original one out first. (Hint: The original insoles from very nice running shoes make great replacement insoles for regular shoes!) But I've been reading tons of shoe reviews today, and some people have mentioned putting their orthotics *over* the existing insole for shoes without removable ones (like sandals).
The orthotics the doctor is making will be soft/flexible, and they look crazy thin to me. But in my head, having never really seen custom orthotics, I expect them to be like the hard plastic that they put inside new shoes to keep them from collapsing. :O
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 4/16/19 4:06 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
Some orthotics can go right over insoles in newish shoes, particularly if the existing insole is flat or flattish. The Dr. Scholls's Custom Orthotics dispensed from kiosks look funny-skinny to me, but they sure work for a lot of people.
My first orthotics, which were probably the thickest I've ever seen except for those made for folks who wear AFOs and KAFOs, were about 3/4" thick at the back heel to produce the quarter inch post that I needed, and to cup the heel, and tapered to about 1/16" at midfoot. I have a really abnormal gait, so it's not surprising that I needed the Heavy Duty Jobbies.
One of the newer choices for someone who needs this amount of correction, is to take a pair of birkenstocks or other cork-soled shoes and reshape the soles by grinding, then add an exterior flat sole as a wear layer. So there are all sorts of possibilities, and you may also need to take the ones you get this time back for a bit of fine tuning. They'll talk to you about it all when you get your new orthotics. ** drag your runners along with, and ask the fitter if the new orthotics fit the old shoes acceptably. **
Also, depending on how much correction you need, you may want to break in your orthotics gradually... an hour today, two hours tomorrow, etc. Again, the orthotist can give you some guidance. I was told to do this with my first pair, but they felt so good immediately, I just left 'em on and forgot about 'em!
Hope your experience is as easy!
-- Edited on 4/16/19 at 4:08 PM --
My first orthotics, which were probably the thickest I've ever seen except for those made for folks who wear AFOs and KAFOs, were about 3/4" thick at the back heel to produce the quarter inch post that I needed, and to cup the heel, and tapered to about 1/16" at midfoot. I have a really abnormal gait, so it's not surprising that I needed the Heavy Duty Jobbies.

One of the newer choices for someone who needs this amount of correction, is to take a pair of birkenstocks or other cork-soled shoes and reshape the soles by grinding, then add an exterior flat sole as a wear layer. So there are all sorts of possibilities, and you may also need to take the ones you get this time back for a bit of fine tuning. They'll talk to you about it all when you get your new orthotics. ** drag your runners along with, and ask the fitter if the new orthotics fit the old shoes acceptably. **
Also, depending on how much correction you need, you may want to break in your orthotics gradually... an hour today, two hours tomorrow, etc. Again, the orthotist can give you some guidance. I was told to do this with my first pair, but they felt so good immediately, I just left 'em on and forgot about 'em!
Hope your experience is as easy!
-- Edited on 4/16/19 at 4:08 PM --
Posted on: 4/16/19 5:18 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
It is a bit of a dilemma. None of my shoes are "exactly" the same size, or more accurately contain the exact same interior space, in the same configuration, unless I buy two pair of something. So good fit with your orthotics will be a recurring issue as you attempt switching from shoe to shoe. Odds are good that one $$$$ pair won't be a good fit in all of your shoes. It also may not allow enough room for you feet and unfortunately, some of your current shoes might not fit any longer with it in. It's something you won't know until you get the inserts and start trying them. Also different activities require different types of support; you may need something different in your athletic shoes to prevent premature wear on the new $$$$ inserts. I'm surprised that wasn't suggested to you, or at least mentioned.
Depending on how much you're going to be wearing the runners, you might be OK just continuing with one of your OTC inserts in that one pair.
I also have wide, flat, arthritic feet!
With either a bunion or gout on the right big toe as a bonus. Shoes are a real challenge these days so I've been doing a lot or research. Haven't gone the route of custom orthotics yet. My PT wants me to try other options first, various over the counter orthotics and ortho including shoes. He said the level of correction I need is going to be painful if I go straight to a properly fitted custom orthotic.
Have you tried on some of the shoes/sandals with orthotics built in? I bought Vionic slippers earlier this year. Quite marvelous. Not perfect with my very long arch/ short toe combo but better then regular slippers. There are many brands out there. Lots of good looking shoes, sandals, boots and, yes, slippers. Even flipflops!
There might be a store local to you where you can try them on and get assistance. Pricing wasn't that bad, the majority of things between $80 and $120. I think the slippers were $60. We have a store here, The Bone Store, that carries a big selection of orthotics- over 30, several lines of shoes with the built in orthotics as well as other stuff, furniture, beds all for bone comfort. They have trained employees that can help get the best product for my body quirks. Finally going there next week. Maybe you have some place local to you like this that has options for you to try on.
I hope the new $$$$ inserts work well for you. With luck they'll work in many of your current shoes.
Depending on how much you're going to be wearing the runners, you might be OK just continuing with one of your OTC inserts in that one pair.
I also have wide, flat, arthritic feet!
With either a bunion or gout on the right big toe as a bonus. Shoes are a real challenge these days so I've been doing a lot or research. Haven't gone the route of custom orthotics yet. My PT wants me to try other options first, various over the counter orthotics and ortho including shoes. He said the level of correction I need is going to be painful if I go straight to a properly fitted custom orthotic.Have you tried on some of the shoes/sandals with orthotics built in? I bought Vionic slippers earlier this year. Quite marvelous. Not perfect with my very long arch/ short toe combo but better then regular slippers. There are many brands out there. Lots of good looking shoes, sandals, boots and, yes, slippers. Even flipflops!
There might be a store local to you where you can try them on and get assistance. Pricing wasn't that bad, the majority of things between $80 and $120. I think the slippers were $60. We have a store here, The Bone Store, that carries a big selection of orthotics- over 30, several lines of shoes with the built in orthotics as well as other stuff, furniture, beds all for bone comfort. They have trained employees that can help get the best product for my body quirks. Finally going there next week. Maybe you have some place local to you like this that has options for you to try on.
I hope the new $$$$ inserts work well for you. With luck they'll work in many of your current shoes.
Posted on: 4/16/19 6:00 PM ET
If you pull out the inserts that came with your sneakers, do they fit in your shoes? Maybe you'll get lucky and they're actually the same size even though the labels say different ?
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Ana, the ripper
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