20 most worthless pieces of junk: #19 -- Shoe inserts

It definitely depends on the insert! I'm a sales specialist for a top company and as a result: I'm aware of good, high-quality, designed by Pediatrist, consistently doctor-recommended, over-the-counter shoe inserts...that work! So they're out there - you just have to know what to look for and you definitely need to avoid Gellin'!

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Myself I use gel inserts all the time. I am a factory worker and am on my feet all day so that extra cushion feels great. The trick with insoles is not to think namebrands are best, sometimes a cheap 100% gel insert does a better job than the expensive ones. Depends on what you are using them for.

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Probably put them in upside down. I was unsure of the ad claims so I shoplifted my first pair. They worked great but only lasted a couple of weeks. I walk a lot since my car was stolen. (no insurance)

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The best part of shoe inserts - no matter what they're made of - is when you take them out (not kidding, it's actually an "ah-h" moment)! Many years ago, when I was going through menopause, my feet would swell in late afternoon, making my shoes and the commute home very uncomfortable. I got the idea to put the inserts in first thing in the morning when my feet were not yet swollen. Late in the day, when the swelling would begin, I removed the inserts and my feet loved being in my shoes!

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Though i would agree that Dr. Scholls brand are completely worthless, I'd have to say that the better brands are totally worth it! I have high arches and after being on my feet all day or spending hours commuting to work my feet were a mess......One time on my commute home I stopped into a cobbler/shoeshine shop in Port Authority and they carried the Spenco brand. Way more expensive ($20+?) than Dr. Scholls but i was desperate. Will never go with another brand......Plus I don't have to look like a dork and only commute in sneakers!! In fact, i actually took out my sneaker insoles and replaced with Spencos......I found out they also have a great warranty policy...........I think they carry them in Foot Locker now.....Don't by dr scholls ....they are crap!!!

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Okay...Josh...shoe inserts take up space, so yes, your shoes will be tighter. Putting inserts into old shoes is a failed experiment from the getgo, for that reason alone. For thick gel inserts, you need to plan ahead and get shoes that are a 1/2 size larger than you would normally wear. If they slipped out of place, you probably cut them too small. I have NEVER experienced slippery inserts. In fact, they usually grip the bottom of the shoe so well that they're hard to get in there in the first place...

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Wow Jerry, you are too proud of your shoplifting, but funny that you are unset over someone stealing your car. Karma is a Bitch. What goes around, come around.

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I use insole but they came from a foot dr ..they are great.

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I have foam inserts with possibly a little gel in the heels. There is a bit of plastic at the arches. I went from being in agony by the end of only a four hour shift to being able to keep on standing even after a 7.5 hour shift

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I agree that the drugstore inserts don't live up to the hype. I have inserts prescribed by my foot doctor and custom-made to correct a problem with my feet, and they make all the difference in the world.

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I totally disagree. Although drug store inserts do not offer alot of help, I never purchase cheap shoes as I have several chronic foot problems which lead to continuous pain . I work on my feet all day and get relief from using shoe inserts but they usually cost $25 - $30 dollars a pair and I put them in $ 100 running shoes. Better shoes will not always be the answer. As we age we tend to lose some of the fat deposits in the sole of our feet which makes it painful for walking. The inserts provide the additional cushioning and suuport I need.

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I always laugh when I see that silly "gellin'" commercial for Dr. Scholls because, as we all know, all the young people are a-hankerin' to get their hands on insoles for their shoes. (Perhaps they should get some rappers to do their commercials.)

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i used too have trouble with insoles also till i went to a shoe
store and found out that you don't put your new insoles on
top of the existing ones that come wlth the shoes.
most of the ones that come with your shoes are basically
just fillers.
this way you have a good insole with enough room.
and i also have found spenco to be the best.
although sof comforts are not bad for the price ( 7-8 dollars).

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Those who are against inserts, should try them with shoes that are a half size larger, because the insert DOES take up space in the shoe.
Myself; I use 2 inserts, gels for comfort and charcoal as odor-eaters, and I've always feel more comfortable with them than without.

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you're definitely buying the wrong kind. I have 3 different kinds of inserts, all that were sold at a different price point and got them for a slightly different purpose or shoe

the best kind of ones to get are the orthotic, which are about 2/3 the length of your shoe. however, I do recognize that this can make some shoes too snug for some people, but they worked great on my dress shoes since they had absolutely no cushioning and already a bit of "float".

most of the Dr. Scholl's gels, while OK, are nothing but a cheap "comfort" insole, which provide almost no support and just a bit of relief. mine were the athletic style, I bought for extra comfort in my new baseball cleats when they were causing a lot of pain from heavy impact. I agree they slip just a bit, but you can probably solve it with strategically placed double-sided tape. but if they weren't trimmed too small they shouldn't be slipping that much.

on the other hand, I've heard pretty good thing about the Impact Gel full length inserts (which had Billy Mays as a pitchman, RIP)

and if you're like me and the original insole of your work (or dress) shoes starts to completely break down, you have no other choice than to take them out and replace them with something (usually full-length) that's a rough equivalent or better. it doesn't matter how comfortable those shoes were to begin with, once they start to go, you have to get that support back or you're asking for a world of hurt. an adequate replacement can be had for as little as $3 and in my experience these work just as good as the "gellin" kind.

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You need to buy Polysorb by Spenco. I use the green ones with the large yellow dot on the bottom of the heel; Call Little David at Feet Relief. He is the man.

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I absolutely disagree as well. While the gel inserts have only worked for me in one or two situations, I have recently got some new ones called "SuperFeet". They're not gel, they are quite firm, but they hold your feet in place throughout the day so that your arches don't collapse, etc.

Brilliant.

As a meter reader, I walk 10-20km a day, on average, and I don't think I would be able to without inserts.

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Ahh, but when your insouls is used for inspiration (www.in-souls.com), you'll never be disappointed. Coming soon, In-Souls(r) inspirational cushioned insouls.

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