Insoles

Been having knee pains as of late.

Does anybody have any experience with insoles that work well - good for shock absorption and don't slide around in shoes when playing?

[anhuynh16]

Originally Posted by ptb5021

Been having knee pains as of late.

Does anybody have any experience with insoles that work well - good for shock absorption and don't slide around in shoes when playing?

Airr Orthotic is amazing. I also had some knee pain before I got this orthotic. I''m problem free now!

[WhiteStripes]

If you're just looking for maximum cushioning, then the Sof Sole Airr Orthotic mentioned (or the other Sof Sole Airr insoles) would be a good choice. They feel extremely comfortable. I almost think they add too much cushioning in the heel (although I love the increased cushioning in the forefoot). Also, be aware that they are very thick, which could really tighten up the feel in your shoe and add a little more weight overall to the shoe. You'll also feel higher off the ground as well. But overall, those Sof Sole insoles are great for adding more cushioning if you need it.

[Ramon]

I've tried several insoles, which I researched because of my knee problems. My knee problems have mostly gone away. I don't know how much of it was because of the insoles, exercises, or supplements. They probably all had something to do with it.

I think you have to assess whether your knee problems are due to your motion (ie. over-pronation) or the impact of hard courts. If it's due to over-pronation, you need support. If it's due to impact, you need cushioning. In my case, I think both had something to do with it, but my primary focus was on over-pronation because I knew I did it and I have weak feet (narrow, low arches). Asking for an insole with both support and cushioning is like asking for a racquet that has both power and control. At some point you have to give up one for the other.

The insoles I tried, in order of personal preference are:

Sof Sol FIT - great support, light weight, comfortable, little cushioning, favorite overall, comes in 3 arch sizes so it's almost like a custom insole. I currently wear the Neutral version for tennis.

Powerstep Pinnacle Max - great support, medium weight, a bit bulky, hard, a bit uncomfortable, no cushioning. It made my feet ache when I played tennis, so now I use them in my casual shoes.

Sof Sol Airr Orthotic - adequate support, great cushioning, heavy, best at shock absorption. I wear them in my gym shoes. If you play on hard courts and cushioning is more important than support, this is the one to get.

Sof Sol Stability - similar to Airr Orthotic but less cushioning.

New Balance 420 (aka. Lynco L420) - good support, some cushioning, has a heel post that causes your ankle to turn with the inner heel higher than the outer (supposed to minimize pronation). I felt kind of unbalanced on the court so I stopped using it.

Sorbothane Rx Sorbo Ultra - little support, little cushioning, hard, uncomfortable, and it was too straight to properly fit in any of my tennis shoes. Don't waste your time with this one.

Thanks for the info guys.

I've managed to stay off hard court for about a week and a half, and have noticed great improvements. I played on grass turf last week while traveling, and have been on clay since I've returned. I'm also working on building up leg muscles, and stretching to relieve tension in the tendons. I cannot avoid hard courts forever though, which is why I was beginning to look into insoles.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I've tried several insoles, which I researched because of my knee problems. My knee problems have mostly gone away. I don't know how much of it was because of the insoles, exercises, or supplements. They probably all had something to do with it.

I think you have to assess whether your knee problems are due to your motion (ie. over-pronation) or the impact of hard courts. If it's due to over-pronation, you need support. If it's due to impact, you need cushioning. In my case, I think both had something to do with it, but my primary focus was on over-pronation because I knew I did it and I have weak feet (narrow, low arches). Asking for an insole with both support and cushioning is like asking for a racquet that has both power and control. At some point you have to give up one for the other.

The insoles I tried, in order of personal preference are:

Sof Sol FIT - great support, light weight, comfortable, little cushioning, favorite overall, comes in 3 arch sizes so it's almost like a custom insole. I currently wear the Neutral version for tennis.

Powerstep Pinnacle Max - great support, medium weight, a bit bulky, hard, a bit uncomfortable, no cushioning. It made my feet ache when I played tennis, so now I use them in my casual shoes.

Sof Sol Airr Orthotic - adequate support, great cushioning, heavy, best at shock absorption. I wear them in my gym shoes. If you play on hard courts and cushioning is more important than support, this is the one to get.

Sof Sol Stability - similar to Airr Orthotic but less cushioning.

New Balance 420 (aka. Lynco L420) - good support, some cushioning, has a heel post that causes your ankle to turn with the inner heel higher than the outer (supposed to minimize pronation). I felt kind of unbalanced on the court so I stopped using it.

Sorbothane Rx Sorbo Ultra - little support, little cushioning, hard, uncomfortable, and it was too straight to properly fit in any of my tennis shoes. Don't waste your time with this one.

Just saw the fit at SA. http://www.sofsole.com/fit/ Use the Pinnacle Maxx now.

[filphil]

I bought some Dr. Scholl's athletic insoles because I'm relatively cheap when I buy things for myself. However when my girlfriend and I went out to find a pair of insoles for her, I decided for her to buy from sof soles. For a little higher cost I can definitely say the build quality and cushioning were worth it.

[2ndServe]

dr scholls massaging work soles, they have great cushioning for the balls of your fee. I've tried about 20 different and this has saved my knees. If it's too high for you like it is for me I removed the heel gel, it peels off. IMO gel does cushion as much as foam.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

dr scholls massaging work soles, they have great cushioning for the balls of your fee. I've tried about 20 different and this has saved my knees. If it's too high for you like it is for me I removed the heel gel, it peels off. IMO gel does cushion as much as foam.

Used these in my clay shoes, http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/p...ntInsoles.jspa

[filphil]

That's the exact pair I bought. Inexpensive and appears much better than the pair my new balance 1187's came with. However, if when I had the opportunity to feel the sof sole line, I can say that I wish I bought those instead. I sent my upc to the refund/replacement address noted on all of the Dr. Scholl products.

[barry]

After trying many products, the ones which works best for me are the http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Spen...e-SPTSRIN.html
They are cushioned and provide excellent support. Most of the products sold are either to thin, or are soft and mushy. To thin and my foot takes a pounding; to thick and my foot moves around in the shoe and I lose stability. The Spenco Total Supports Originals are perfect.

I would try 2 pairs of thin socks and the insoles, it worked for me.

[Freddie]

I use Cadence Insoles. Better cushioning and support than I have found in any other brand (cadenceinsoles.com) and very durable. And I have tried them all!

I ordered a pair of the Sof Sole Air Orthotics - hopefully they work out.

[PhotoBlue]

I'm good with my Nike OrthoLite insole

[FlameYo]

Originally Posted by PhotoBlue

I'm good with my Nike OrthoLite insole

The best insoles out on the market. I hear they come for free with purchase of the Nike CB/Vapors. I stack 2 used OrthoLite in 1 shoe.

[dr. godmode]

get old insoles and double up