SOLE Active Thin Shoe Insoles with Metatarsal Pads - Cushioning Arch Support for Men (Size 10) & Women (Size 12) - Perfect for Running, Walking & All-Day Comfort

Ive been a superfeet customer for years, but decided to try sole brand insoles. Having thru-hiked the continental divide trail, the appalachian trail… and many others. Not to mention walking approximately ten to fifteen miles per day on the streets etc… to try and stay in shape.. ive tried every size, shape, thickness level of insoles known to humanity. The Sole brand had something the superfeet did not have.. and that was “thickness” level. Such as thin, medium, and thick insoles. Each with more foam to supposedly provide comfort for your feet. And this was brilliant… or so i thought. Given that superfeet brand seem to be carbon fiber.. hard as a rock. However, things didn’t work out this way.The good… the Sole brand inserts, having different thicknesses, provided support in shoes which i normally would not have used supportive insoles within, such as tighter Arcteryx shoes. And.. they work better than superfeet in shoes requiring more flex such as sneakers etc.. And… if your a nurse, doctor, law enforcement officer etc.. another words a person who stands still more often than walking. Than the Sole brand with the cushioning is better.The Bad… However, is that you dont need cushioning. If you own a supposedly stiff brand such as the superfeet? They hold your foot ready, and steady. Your FOOT does not go up and down banging agains the insole. It is held firmly, like Birkenstock shoes (against the foot), not only providing support, but assuring you walk exactly the same way with each step. The sole brand insert does not provide this. Yes… it has arch support… but your foot moves and flexes around more. Which means, if you’ve got foot issues… your still going to have them with this brand. Problem two.. your feet sweet like crazy wearing these. They get wet with sweat, which absorbs into the insole making them smell, and your feet to remain ridiculously warm the entire time. Unlike the superfeet brand, which doesn’t absorb odor, or wetness… and keep your feet cooler. And you can wipe them off afterwards. You cant do this with Sole inserts.The two worse bad things about Sole brand? They push you on the “cork” versions which are supposedly better for the environment right? But heres how they are actually worse… the Cork versions? They fall apart when they get wet. Which they DO… wether you wear them in streams or rain, because your sweat absorbs into the insole. And this means, instead of the insole lasting for years like the superfeet insole , your always having to replace them. So which is really better for the environment? Also, They squeak like crazy.. I mean don’t expect to wear them to work… forget about it.. and the final bad thing? I don’t know about the rest of you… but i wear Darn tough socks and similar because i put serious miles on my feet and want the best for them. However, the Sole brand inserts wear through my socks in a single week! They rub your foot because, unlike the superfeet insoles which hold your foot consistent with each step, there is more movement of the foot. Proof of this is they blow right through wools socks like crazy. I normally get a years use out of a darn tough sock before sending them in for free lifetime replacement right? I tried an experiment the other day, and put a brand new pair of socks on my feet, put the SOLE brand insert in my shoes and walked seven miles. They wore through my socks on that seven miles. One walk!!!! I Pulled the three pairs of Sole inserts ( i have a thin, medium, and thick set of inserts; having tried each type), out of my shoes. I will never use them again.And by the way… my knees are killing me for the first time in years, because, as i said, unlike the superfeet inserts which allow me to walk perfectly the same with each step (like orthotics should), the SOLE brand inserts are like going back to using whatever junk comes in your shoe when you bought them. Just the knee problems alone, as if they are not orthotically useful at all, except for the fact that they have painful arch support (even after heating them). They are not good for me. If you bought them… good luck.SOLE was recommended for me to try in my cross country ski boot and not necessarily due to an issue that I have just behind my big toe on my right foot. I train in the off season on roller skis in both the skate and stride technique and after many years of training I developed a problem either due to poor technique or slanted training surfaces. When I went through the different options that SOLE offers to try I decided to get the thin ones with the Met Pad . When I opened the package I was amazed how the arch was able to maintain the form and put them into a pair of skate boots and wore them around the house for half hour before heading out for a work out. I could immediately tell how much more support it game me on my right by how well I could balance on my right foot and then maintain that balance when I rolled up onto the ball of my foot and transfer the weight over the entire width of the ball. Needless to say my skate work out went very well; usually I would experience some discomfort that I would eventually work through but they made a huge difference and the balance was just as great out there. The real test will be when I try striding in them; I will report back.I bought this after online posts recommending these insoles for cycling. The numbness of my toes got worst with these soles, to the point that I had to stop in the middle of the ride because of the pain.I’ve been using Sole inserts for the last 8+ years. This started while I was working valet at a hotel/casino. If you’ve never used insoles they might start off a little uncomfortable but if you can get over the initial adjustment, they will work wonders. I’d often get shin splints and had to take 600mg of ibuprophen. After using Sole inserts I was able to run longer and faster. My arches were supported and the pain was less frequent.As far as these specific Sole inserts, they are slightly thinner for tighter fitting shoes.So far so good !I use this sole in my cycling shoes and the comfort is really better compare the original ones. It sustains well your feet with the met pad !Definitely helps in my cycling shoes!I wasn't sure I'd be able to feel a difference between the thin and the regular with the minimal difference, but I totally can! I've been able to wear a pair of sneakers a lot more often now because these fit when the regular thickness ones pushed my foot too high out of the shoe to keep it from rubbing on my heel. I love this brand and would recommend to anyone looking to add more structured support to their footwear!probably better than all the other usual brands. but still i live in constant pain. i feel this product is more for preventative pain rather than the pain your currently have.The is my second set of insoles for this company and there fantastic. They give the right amount of support and comfort.These heat-fitted insoles have provided the first real relief from neuroma pain in a long time. Did a 12km hike the other day & only realized later that it was the furthest pain free hike in years!