# How much do orthotics cost? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 30, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859 "2010-10-30T07:17:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/21 "2010-11-05T14:27:53Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > If you are referring to these [Spenco Polysorbs](http://www.amazon.com/Spenco%C2%AE-PolySorb%C2%AE-Cross-Trainer-Insoles/dp/B000GCLT4I/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1), they are a completely different type than the Berry Superfeet. These Spencos are soft orthotics, which are not designed really for arch support but more for shock absorption and relieving pressure in sore areas (i.e., soreness from bone spurs and lack of adequate fat pads). They are made of foam only, which is completely flexible and does not support weight, so they will not stop the arch from overpronating or collapsing. > > The Superfeet are a rigid orthotic with a bit of dense foam on top and a rigid plastic form on the bottom that runs from heel to midfoot which supports the arch, preventing collapse or overpronation, and the heel, reducing the spreading out of the fat pad from under the heel bone to alleviate pain from lack of natural cushioning. > > You really can’t compare these two orthotics. They aren’t designed to perform the same tasks. > This is actually incorrect. Although Superfeet does sell custom orthotics, the one you are referring to, as well as the Green, Blue, Orange, and Black, are not heat moldable. They are, however, trim-to-fit (length-/width-wise). You trim them, stick them in your shoes and go. > > If you prefer a heat moldable orthotic that does provide arch support, but allows for natural pronation and movement in the foot, take a look at the [Sole semi-rigid orthotics](http://www.rei.com/search?query=sole+footbed&button.x=0&button.y=0). They also get good reviews. > > I’ve worn the Berry Superfeet and the Dean Karnazes Soles and I prefer the flexibility of the Soles, but with a medium arch, I found I needed “break-in” time to get used to the feel of them in the arch area. They are a bit more aggressive than the Superfeet and I find that it’s rare for a flat-footed person to find them comfortable, honestly. > Try the Black Superfeet. They are for low volume shoes, like casual or slip-ons, or for shoes in which you can’t remove the sockliners. They take up less space in the shoe leaving more room for your foot. The Black arch support is lower, however, than that of the Berry as it’s designed for flat to low arches, whereas Berry is more for medium to high and also has extra foam in the forefoot for shock absorption. I decided to try the Soles, based on your recommendation. My plantars has been really flaring up lately. While I love Keen shoes and recommend them to people with plantars, the inserts wear out quickly and the pain returns. The Soles seem to be working out so far, but it’s only been a couple of days so it’s too early yet. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/22 "2010-11-05T15:43:57Z")
When I got my orthotics (and that’s what both the doctor and the maker called them), he initially wanted to charge about $400. I explained that my insurance wouldn’t cover much of it, and he knocked the price down to $200. I know many people consider chiropodists and related practitioners to be pseudoscientific quacks. But after years of pain and trying different types of shoes and Dr. Scholl’s, my experience was that orthotics were a life saver. Best money I ever spent. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/23 "2010-11-05T15:54:35Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Keep it mind it’s not always about genetics but also about weight. If you’re putting extra weight on those feet for years and years it doesn’t matter what kind of sensible shoes you wear.. It’s definitely not the weight – I’m about 5’7 and weigh about 120 lbs. I can’t get that much skinnier. But I’ve always had weak ankles, and now with the neuroma, ganglion, and hammertoes, I think its a certainty that my feet are just crap. And I’m 25, so its not like I’m ancient and these problems built up over time. ---
**Author:** ![Loisseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Loisseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loisseau)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/24 "2010-11-05T16:14:55Z")
Over the counter orthotics are a hit or miss situation. My podiatrist got me into a set of custom orthotics for $170. Best thing ever for my plantar fasciitis. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/25 "2010-11-05T23:19:18Z")
400 is pretty routine (I think “rack rate” for mine is in that range, maybe a bit higher - DC metro area so Queens prices would be similar). Do look into shoes that provide support, and plenty of room for the tootsies. I haven’t tried Dansko but I do like Birkenstocks; the podiatrist recommended them as being good for plantar fasciitis and neuroma. What I’ve found they’re NOT good for, sometimes, is that I’ve developed bunionettes (like a regular big-toe bunion, only on the pinky-toe joint). Summer 2009 I had a lot of pain when wearing my Birks. Less so this past summer but I wore other types of sandals as well. Of course such shoes aren’t cheap either (100+ bucks) but certainly that’s less than 400. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/26 "2010-11-05T23:58:21Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > It’s definitely not the weight – I’m about 5’7 and weigh about 120 lbs. I can’t get that much skinnier. But I’ve always had weak ankles, and now with the neuroma, ganglion, and hammertoes, I think its a certainty that my feet are just crap. And I’m 25, so its not like I’m ancient and these problems built up over time. There are a variety of things that can contribute, including flat feet, high arches, sudden weight gain, sudden increase in exercise, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Signy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@Signy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Signy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/27 "2010-11-06T03:37:39Z")
My daughter’s AFOs cost 1500/pair. They have to be custom made. Don’t know if that’s what you need. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/28 "2010-11-06T16:32:06Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I decided to try the Soles, based on your recommendation. My plantars has been really flaring up lately. While I love Keen shoes and recommend them to people with plantars, the inserts wear out quickly and the pain returns. The Soles seem to be working out so far, but it’s only been a couple of days so it’s too early yet. Cool! I do hope they help. I will also reiterate the recommendations to engage in regular stretching and muscle conditioning exercises if you have foot-related pain or disfunction. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/29 "2010-11-06T17:10:40Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Cool! I do hope they help. > > I will also reiterate the recommendations to engage in regular stretching and muscle conditioning exercises if you have foot-related pain or disfunction. I’ve been dealing with this for about ten years off and on. Sometimes it just flares up, regardless of stretches. It’s worse if I have to stand around (as when shopping) for extended periods. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/30 "2010-11-06T18:29:52Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > It’s definitely not the weight – I’m about 5’7 and weigh about 120 lbs. I can’t get that much skinnier. But I’ve always had weak ankles, and now with the neuroma, ganglion, and hammertoes, I think its a certainty that my feet are just crap. And I’m 25, so its not like I’m ancient and these problems built up over time. Ooo, you have my sympathy for weak ankles. No fun at all :(. **Brown Eyed Girl** , just to reiterate, you found the Soles had higher arches than the berry superfeet, right? Have you tried any of the other Sole insoles, and what type of shoes do you use the Dean ones in (sneakers, work, etc). ((For anyone else interested, there are a ton of Amazon reviews for various Soles)). ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/31 "2010-11-06T18:44:36Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > It’s definitely not the weight – I’m about 5’7 and weigh about 120 lbs. I can’t get that much skinnier. But I’ve always had weak ankles, and now with the neuroma, ganglion, and hammertoes, I think its a certainty that my feet are just crap. And I’m 25, so its not like I’m ancient and these problems built up over time. I am the same height and weight as you but am more than twice your age, and like you I just kind of have crappy feet–I never got into high heels at all–I’m an old hippie–and have been wearing shoes with wide toe boxes all my life. But my foot problem is bunions. The custom-made orthotics that I got ten years ago ($300 with insurance) really, really helped me. Yes at first they sort of hurt, but that was the correction they were providing. I completely wore them out a couple years ago. My new insurance will not pay for orthotics, so I got some insole thingies at the podiatrist’s, it looks like they resemble Superfeet. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/32 "2010-11-08T01:12:09Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > **Brown Eyed Girl** , just to reiterate, you found the Soles had higher arches than the berry superfeet, right? Yes, that is correct. I haven’t measured the arch, and I don’t have any specs, but the Soles do \*feel \*higher. > [@](#): > > Have you tried any of the other Sole insoles, and what type of shoes do you use the Dean ones in (sneakers, work, etc). ((For anyone else interested, there are a ton of Amazon reviews for various Soles)). I have tried the Ed Viesturs Soles and the Dean Karnazes Soles. The Viesturs are very thick and are intended to be used in hiking boots. They can also be used in very high volume shoes, in order to achieve a more snug fit. Say, a casual boot that is too roomy. The Karnazes insoles are not quite as thick as the Viesturs, but they have some cushion in them and are designed for athletic activities in which foot flexibility and shock absorption is important. The grey Slim Series is even thinner and is appropriate for casual and very low volume shoes in which too much insole height will make the shoes too tight for comfort. You can use the Karnazes or Viesturs ones in casual shoes as well, if that’s what you prefer, as long as they don’t crowd your feet. There are no rules for which one has to go in what type of shoe, other than picking the one that feels most comfortable and still allows your foot to fit in the shoe. (I know that doesn’t help if you’re ordering them online.) If you have an REI nearby, you can try them out in the store. Bring your favorite shoes and walk around the store with the insoles in them to see how they feel. [QUOTE=Chefguy] I’ve been dealing with this for about ten years off and on. Sometimes it just flares up, regardless of stretches. It’s worse if I have to stand around (as when shopping) for extended periods. [/QUOTE] Ah well, IANAP, but it sounds like fatigue to me. Better muscle conditioning leads to reduced fatigue, so I’d say it certainly doesn’t hurt to keep up your exercises. But of course, if the orthotics help, no need fixing what ain’t broke. 🙂 Standing around on concrete for extended periods of time is brutal on anyone. It’s why I will only work in Chacos, Danskos, my hiking boots, or very good trail runner with medial posting. This is despite the fact that I comfortably run in FiveFingers and I have neutral arches with very mild pronation. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/33 "2010-11-08T02:07:09Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > You can use the Karnazes or Viesturs ones in casual shoes as well, if that’s what you prefer, as long as they don’t crowd your feet. There are no rules for which one has to go in what type of shoe, other than picking the one that feels most comfortable and still allows your foot to fit in the shoe. (I know that doesn’t help if you’re ordering them online.) > > If you have an REI nearby, you can try them out in the store. Bring your favorite shoes and walk around the store with the insoles in them to see how they feel. Ahh thank you. I’ll go to my REI and try out all the Soles they have, and bring along the three pairs of shoes I need insoles in (anne klein loafers, topsiders, and gym sneakers). Sounds like I’ll need two of the slim dress shoe ones and one of the Karnazes. ---
**Author:** ![maxstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9c0ed/32.png) [@maxstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maxstein)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/34 "2011-12-31T00:40:23Z")
$400 is a lot of money for orthotics. You can find custom [orthotics](http://www.customorthotics.com) online here starting at $89. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859/35 "2011-12-31T15:24:41Z")
Since this zombie got resurrected, I’ll add a bit of new information that may be useful for those contemplating arch support. > [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Standing around on concrete for extended periods of time is brutal on anyone. It’s why I will only work in Chacos, Danskos, my hiking boots, or very good trail runner with medial posting. This is despite the fact that I comfortably run in FiveFingers and I have neutral arches with very mild pronation. After over a year of regular use of the Vibram FiveFingers (I now have 3 pair and wear them at least 80% of my walking moments), I have found that I am willing and able to wear VFFs while standing on concrete for extended periods of time without experiencing fatigue or discomfort. I never thought I’d say it, but it is quite possible to condition the body to accept little to no support regardless of what material someone walks/stands on. Actually, these days, I find my Chacos make my feet sore after only a few hours and I rarely wear my Danskos at all. Shame, too, because I really like the Chacos and I have 3 pair of those, too. ☹ But I’m thrilled to have achieved a level of conditioning that makes me unreliant on any type of external arch support, despite the fact that I work on my feet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-orthotics-cost/558859.md?page=1)