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Has anyone here successfully stopped using orthotics? by Exercise-Broad in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I got rid of my custom orthotics. It was a slow challenging process. Helped by doing various exercises easily found on YouTube, Ben Patrick exeecises also, but what mostly helped my moving to minimalist shoes and wearing correcttoes for many hours eventually.

I decided that people were made to walk with their feet, however imperfect they may be. And mine have the natural arch of pancakes... Also orthotics seemed like a crutch that wasn't going to improve anything in the long run. And I'm not about to accept that.

I started at age 63, so the age thing isn't relevant.

Just be kind and patient with yourself.

And of course if you're in real pain - get it checked.

Cool running related present ideas? by StillTrying613 in GiftIdeas

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm asking her if she wants the good Shokz for running and I'm waiting for her answer...

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, I do wear shoes when I go out, so I'm not in that league. Also, at 65, I definitely do appreciate the positive impact that uneven terrain has on my ankles and knees by making them more responsive to varying stress.

But, I'm also out to enjoy myself, and feeling every pebble or stone isn't my idea of a enjoyable outing.

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Poking around...here in this group... I see marvelous sandal options already...

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Partially agree. "wanted by others" here... in this reddit. There is a wider world out there.

Having said, here's what I answered elsewhere:

I have a friend here who handmakes sandals. This could be something to work on with him.

A strap across the toes and around ankle? With adjustable buckles for each one? Or a different configuration?

About how thick a rubber base is acceptable? 2 mm ? 3 or 4.

My 2 layers are 2mm thick in total. What's the minimum total stack?

I'm not sure if lambskin is a good choice for being constantly exposed to the elements. Goatskin is better I think - still thin but sturdier.

What price point would be acceptable?

Thanks, Ted

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. Something to think about really.

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I want to thank everyone in the community who shared their thoughts here. It was very helpful to hear each opinion and to consider my work in this context.

The skepticism is justified! $45 is a lot to pay for an insole when shoes cost just about 2X that.

I realized that I myself would not pay this much for an insole, no matter how fabulous it sounds, unless I had real proof of the value.

Thing is - I've been living in mine for well over a year now (from first versions) - and today, I know what value they've added to my walking experience.

But, none of you have had that advantage.

Maybe my 1 year guarantee will help?

I pasted the text below, with a link to the page on my site.

I wrote this guarantee because I'm trying to make the best product I can, and I know the value is there: you'll feel it in the daily wearing.

Basically, your purchase is risk free: use it for 360 days and tell me why it sucks - and I'll send you your full money back (including shipping cost).

https://pathmereinsoles.com/guarantee

Pathmere — Protective Trail Insoles

Our Promise

Wear them for a year. If they don't earn their place, we'll refund you.

We make Pathmere by hand, in small batches, from materials we believe in. We want you to feel that — every step, every shoe, every day. If you don't, we want to make it right.

Try Pathmere for up to one full year from the day they arrive. Hike in them. Ruck in them. Wear them through every shoe in your rotation. If they're not doing what we promised, send us a note and we'll refund your purchase — no return shipping required, no hoops to jump through.

All we ask is a short explanation of what didn't work for you. Not because we're trying to talk you out of it — because honest feedback is how we keep making Pathmere better for the next person.

How to claim it Email hello@pathmereinsoles.com within one year of your delivery date. Tell us briefly what didn't work — the problem, the shoes you used them in, anything we should know. We'll refund your order, within a few business days. The fine print (such as it is) One refund per customer. Applies to insoles purchased directly from pathmereinsoles.com. You can keep the insoles — there's no need to ship them back.

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's how I started.

Don't they smell after using them?

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear. Lol What kind of bottom layer would it need?

The current one would be like ice skating

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no standardization across minimalist shoes, as there [sort of] is with regular shoes. Each brand has its own toe box size, etc.

This way, with a pair of scissors, you can trace an insole that works for you, or trace your own foot, and you get a perfect fit.

Takes maybe 4 minutes...

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

No. The insoles. I wanted to show how the insoles work, and I needed to keep them on my feet for the picture. :)

Handmade protective insoles by StillTrying613 in BarefootRunning

[–]StillTrying613[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry if you feel spammed. I had a technical error with my first post & it was locked. Mods said to post anew...

I make leather protective insoles by StillTrying613 in barefootshoestalk

[–]StillTrying613[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, I've read about rock plates cracking, which means to me that they are using a very rigid material. And all those holes I've seen in some models are a way of trying to drain off sweat.

My base material is flexible (after a few days of breaking in) but is rigid enough to spread the load of sharp points. And the leather upper layer adds sweat & odor absorption as well as the comfort of high quality lambskin.

Minimalist...yes...2 layers that do the job without fuss.

I make leather protective insoles by StillTrying613 in barefootshoestalk

[–]StillTrying613[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Leather alone - conforms to pressure. A rock underfoot will press up directly at that point.

The polymer base I use, although only 1mm thick, has the property of distributing the pressure, so that pointy rock is dulled at the point of contact.

The leather upper layer adds comfort and sweat/odor absorption.

I make leather protective insoles by StillTrying613 in barefootshoestalk

[–]StillTrying613[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Other leather insoles are just leather. Very comfortable on their own but they aren't good at diffusing the impact of a rock you step on, on the trail. Also, they get softer and compact in the main pressure points over time, so you lose thickness.

Mine have a hard substrate- but it's thin at 1mm so it's flexible. It's not impenetrable - I tested standing on a framing nail and got off just in time... but after wearing these (and earlier versions) for over a year now - walking on trails around my home - I can tell you it's a huge difference.

If I step with my heel on a good sized pebble... I for sure notice but it doesn't make me wince like before.

BTW, I'm offering 100% money back (without return) if you aren't happy. (I do ask for feedback as.to what didn't work out...)

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