Arch Molds - shoe inserts
I slipped on my relatively new running shoes for the first time since inserting the Arch Molds. They felt comfortable, but a bit sharp along the side of each foot. As I started walking, I noticed that my right foot was slipping, just slightly, while the left foot was solid. I should note that the insoles were exactly the same size as the factory insert from my Mizunos, so I didn't have to do any cutting or trimming of the insole. After a thirty minute walk on city streets, both shoes felt even more comfortable. I no longer noticed the sides that previously felt a bit sharp. I still noticed the slight slipped at various times in the right shoe. I can't say I noticed a miraculous change in my knee, foot, or back problems, but this was just 30 minutes of walking.
The next day I wore them while working in the garage and in the yard. I standing, squating, and walking around for hours. By the end of the day, my feet were not as sore as I expected them to be. I am usually excited to kick off my shoes, shower and put on warm socks and slippers - I could have easily kept them on and taken a walk. In addition to my feet feeling better, the shoes felt better. When I first insert my foot into the shoe I am reminded that there is an insert; it doesn't take much time before I forget about the insert.
A few days later I took the Arch Molds for their maiden running voyage. I had previously put 25-30 miles on the Mizunos, so they still very new and Seinfeldian-clean-white. I expected the slight slipping that I felt while walking to be exacerbated by the faster movement of running. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to realized that the slipping feeling was gone. Maybe it was the socks, although I was wearing a thin running socks that would seem to be more slippery than the thicker white socks I was wearing during my walk. Whatever the reason, the Arch Molds were not a problem. As with walking, the shoes felt good with the inserts. Although it's not a long term scientific study, I didn't have my usually post-run pain in my feet and knees.
Considering how bulky and hard the Arch Molds felt when I first removed them from the package, I was surprised that they were actually comfortable and light. It was easy to forget they were in the shoe and I certainly didn't feel like I was carrying any extra weight in the shoes when walking or running. It will take a few hundred miles of walking and running to be sure if these Arch Molds continue to provide the relief and maintain the level of comfort.
I have been using the Arch Mold inserts for 3-4 months and have done about 50-100 miles of running and probably 50-100 miles of walking. I can definitely say that the Arch Molds are a big help. I don't have nearly as many back and knee problems since using the Arch Molds. Not scientific, but everything else has pretty much stayed the same.
I give Arch Molds a high rating.
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