UKH

Hi, 
This may be a bit of an odd question.

I've always been a walker but due to mobility issues which has slowly taken me out of the workplace and being on Disability since the age of 25 ive never been able to afford a decent pair of walking boots and always made do with trainers.

However, my sister brought me an amazing pair about 8 months ago for my 30th birthday. They were about £90 (Hi Tec Altitude Vi) and they were the most comfortable shoes i'd ever worn and allowed me to walk an extra few miles without my mobility becoming an issue.
Sadly, about 4 weeks ago the inserts started breaking apart. the shoes are immaculate still and theres not a mark on the leather etc. So,I headed to my local walking shop and asked them about replacement inserts. The sales person basically told me they were "Cheap" and "They're not a good brand" and my sister should have "Shopped around" He then proceeded to try and sell me £150 boots. He said "New inserts are useless. They'll never fit the same. Buy a new pair"  

I ended up going to another well known high street shop (Are we allowed to say store names?) Who hinted the same and once again said "Because they're cheapish you just as well buy a new pair of boots". 

I then decided to contact Hi-Tex directly about replacement inserts which was about two weeks ago and still no reply.

I ended up buying some Gel inserts for £10 (the ones you cut out yourself) and even following the Size 10 cut guide they didn’t fit well at all. I’d even say they’ve made the boots almost unwearable. As they slip, slide and just have large gaps at the side.

I was just wondering are the more expensive inserts easier to fit? If not what do yuou guys do when its time to buy New inserts?
Thank you for any help you can give – Adam.
 

Just checking, are you referring to the removable insoles?

There's all sorts of types available with varying levels of cushioning and arch support, but they all need trimmed to fit. The best way is to use the original insole as a template. If you can't use the originals then it's probably a case of trimming them a little bit at a time and keep testing how they fit.

Sounds like you had some pretty poor service though, especially the part about:

He's talking out his backside here. A lot of more technical boots for mountaineering etc come with really rubbish insoles or non at all on the basis that you'll replace them with your preferred type anyway.

Superfeet inserts are good. They may get some more life out of your boots for about £30. They are quite stiff but don't let that put you off, they are very supportive. 

The usual way is to take the original insoles out, trace around them with a marker pen onto the new insert and then cut with a sharp knife or scissors. 

If your original insoles are knackered and misshapen then perhaps use some cardboard to make a template that you're happy with as an intermediate step in the process. Cereal box cardboard is easy to work with. You foot + som extra is a good start. Take the laces out and get the best view you can. Assuming you have a matching size pair of boots, once you've templated one boot, you can just turn it over to template the other insert. 

I'd also add that I wear Superfeet inserts in my site boots for daily wear. The inserts last longer than the boot linings and I just move the inserts to the next pair. 

Very sorry that lack of insoles is limiting your walking. 

FWIW I think whether boots cost £25 or £250, they tend to have remarkably poor insoles/inserts. I replace them with my own. 

The green superfeet rigid insoles have kept me walking/mountaineering despite serious tendon issues. I just transfer the same ones into every pair of shoes (like everyone else I see from this thread!) I’ve never needed to cut them to size, but Mr Badlands does, so it’s a matter of luck.

Unfortunately they cost about 40 quid which I appreciate may be completely impractical - tho they do last for ever, as as you don’t mind a bit of a smell.

Of course, everybody’s foot and mobility issues are entirely different. Gel inserts might be better for you. Has what’s left of our NHS managed to prescribe you orthotics?

Decathlon do good quality and good value inners, so might be a good place to start? 

Finally, are you a big or small size ten? We have bits and bobs but more size 9 or 9.5 I’m afraid.

I love the superfeet insoles, but don't just buy your shoe size. You will need to cut it down to fit the shoe, so try several sizes to find the best fit for your foot arch.

As it's have said using the original insole as a template is the best option.

I think others have already given good advice about possible inserts. Just throwing in a couple of things - one is, if you have mobility issues, do you have a regular medical practitioner who might be able to advise / refer you to get some specialist orthotics in the NHS to support your feet more effectively? Or if the boots were fantastically comfortable with the Hi-Tec inserts, have you tried contacting them to see if they can supply you with another pair of inserts?

Don't be put off by the attitude of the shop assistants who might be looking for a sale. There's no point in forking out £££s if what you've got works for you. 

Boots do reasonably priced footbeds that would be way better than the originals. What size are you looking for, I might have a spare pair you can have.

Enertor insoles are very good  less rigid than superfeet.

Ive had good luck taking the insoles from old shoes and putting them into newer ones. One particularly good set is over 20 years old (the golden age of Scarpa durability). If that isn't an option buy the insoles that are already sized and ask in the shop if you can pop them in and check they fit. If you need to trim them do it mm by mm.

Hope youre able to get back out walking soon!

I've had good results with the thicker "Sole" insoles. They go in the oven for a bit and then you stand in them in your boots. So this obviously improves the fit and therefore stability. Good shock absorbing too. And they will probably last as long or longer than the boots.  

I've never had any success with gel/shock absorbing insoles - all too mobile where you least need it.  I'm afraid some good quality insoles, like Superfeet, is the way to go.  With care, as described above.  Better to trim a bit at a time rather than going for it in one