Reidell R-Fit Inserts - how thin are they?

[Christy]

I currently use Superfeet yellow in my skates but was considering trying the Reidell R-Fit inserts to give my foot a bit more support. I can't find them in any of the local stores so have to buy online and before doing so I was wondering if they were thinner, thicker or about the same as the Superfeet please?

[dlbritton]

I have a pair of SuperFeet Blue and the Riedell R-Fit is slightly thinner.

Using a flat caliper the SuperFeet blue is 5/32" thick under the ball and the Riedell is 1/8" (4/32) thick.

I have really been pleased the Riedell especially the pronation wedge and the various arch supports for low, neutral and high.

[Christy]

Thanks for the information. It's the various arch supports that I'm interested in as one foot has a much higher arch than the other. I don't suppose you know if Superfeet blue are much thicker than Superfeet yellow do you please?

[dlbritton]

Thanks for the information. It's the various arch supports that I'm interested in as one foot has a much higher arch than the other. I don't suppose you know if Superfeet blue are much thicker than Superfeet yellow do you please?

The Superfeet site describes the Yellow as Thin thickness and the Blue as Medium thickness. From that I would think the thickness of the yellow under the ball/toe area is about the same as the Riedell footbed (just guessing on my part, but it couldn't get much thinner). I was thinking it had to do with the height of the arch.

The High arch with the Riedell looks about the same as the arch on the Superfeet blue. The Riedell low arch is definitely lower than the arch on the blue.

I got my Superfeet at Dick's Sporting Goods and they had Blue, Green, Yellow (I think) plus Berry and Orange. I thought the Berry and Orange were a different line than the blue or green.

[FigureSpins]

SF Yellow is on par, thickness-wise as the Riedell footbed with no adjustments.  SF Blue is thicker than SF Yellow.  SF Black is about the same.  (Not that anyone was asking, but I happen to have a pair of each as part of my desparate search for insoles that work.)

The SF Yellow arch is higher than the basic Riedell arch, but you can add the Riedell high arch to change and it's about the same. 

The main difference is the heel area.  SF Yellow has a plastic lift underneath whereas the Riedell is just the base foam.  You can add the Riedell heel adjusters to raise it a little, but the SF Yellow will still be higher.

My biggest complaint about Superfeet is that heel area plastic seems to soften and sag just when you really warm up during skating.  It sort of "sinks" in the middle of the heel and that feels like the circulation is being cut off behind the arch.  It happened on SF Yellow, Black and Blue.

My biggest complaints about Riedell's R-Fit is that the front foam portion wore thin on the big-toe side after just a few months and the micro-velcro failed on the instep, where the arch support has to attach.  For that much money, it should last a year or two.

I bought all of my Superfeet insoles at a small-chain sports store (Omega Sports) with a coupon!  The Riedell R-Fit was purchased at a trade show during a coaching conference and they gave us a discount.  Watch for a sale around Christmas.

[FigureSpins]

You didn't ask, but I prefer Sole (brand) Thin Athletic insoles for my skates.  They are heat-moldable, long-lasting and thin! The arch is higher than the SF and the heel area has a "cup" style that I like.  You have to carefully cut them to fit inside your skates - I recommend using some craft foam as a template before tackling the actual insole.

https://yoursole.com/us/womens/footbeds/active-thin/

REI used to carry them, so I would wait for a coupon or sale and then buy them.

[Christy]

Thanks loads for the detailed information. It really helps. If the high arch on the Reidell insole is the same as the yellow superfeet ten it's not going to be high enough for me.
The Sole ones sound like they are worth investigating.

[dlbritton]

I don't know how much they cost and exactly what the customization is, but the Superfeet site talks about 3dPrint footbeds. It sounds like they have 2 versions of customized footbeds. The site has a list of stores with the 3d custom equipment. Omega Sports is one of the stores listed but only the Greensboro and Winston Salem stores. I am going to try to get by and check it out soon.

[Christy]

I don't know how much they cost and exactly what the customization is, but the Superfeet site talks about 3dPrint footbeds. It sounds like they have 2 versions of customized footbeds. The site has a list of stores with the 3d custom equipment. Omega Sports is one of the stores listed but only the Greensboro and Winston Salem stores. I am going to try to get by and check it out soon.

Nothing anywhere near me, but that's not unusual. Price seems steep at $149 for a pair, although having them customised to the individual foot could be nice.

I'm always a bit wary of custom insoles though as I got some for my ski boots from Strolz and they really hurt my Achilles. Had to return them after 1 run and could barely walk never mind ski for a couple of days 

[lutefisk]

Christy:  You may want to consult with a podiatrist.  The custom orthotics I get for Morton's neuroma (they take some sort of digital scan of my feet) are partially covered by my insurance and cost me $65.00 out of pocket.  However, full disclosure:  I've tried my street shoe orthotics in my skate boots (my podiatrist lobbied against that; I tried it anyway) and although it worked, I didn't like them in that environment.  The stiffness of the boot seemed to accentuate the feel of the arch cookie in the orthotic.  It was like stepping on a golf ball.   So, if you go that route you should look for a podiatrist who can slightly tweak the orthotic so that it works in a stiff skate boot. 

[tstop4me]

Christy:  You may want to consult with a podiatrist.  The custom orthotics I get for Morton's neuroma (they take some sort of digital scan of my feet) are partially covered by my insurance and cost me $65.00 out of pocket.  However, full disclosure:  I've tried my street shoe orthotics in my skate boots (my podiatrist lobbied against that; I tried it anyway) and although it worked, I didn't like them in that environment.  The stiffness of the boot seemed to accentuate the feel of the arch cookie in the orthotic.  It was like stepping on a golf ball.   So, if you go that route you should look for a podiatrist who can slightly tweak the orthotic so that it works in a stiff skate boot.

A word of caution here.  It's not merely a matter of 'tweaking' an orthotic (designed for a regular street shoe) for a stiff boot.  If you go the prescription orthotic route, you need orthotics specifically designed for figure skates; and you need to find a podiatrist with specific experience in fitting orthotics for figure skates (not easy to find in my area).  Orthotics are designed to correct the foot motion of specific activities and are limited by the constraints of specific shoes or boots.  For example, the foot motion during walking and running are substantially different, and the shoes are substantially different.  I have one pair of prescription orthotics for walking shoes, and a different pair for running shoes.   The materials, design, and size are substantially different.

In figure skating, of course, the foot motion is entirely different from that  of walking or running.  And figure skating boots are typically tighter fitting, allowing less room for an orthotic, requiring a 'low-volume' orthotic.  There are additional design constraints.  For example, orthotics for walking or running often have a pronounced heel cup to help maintain alignment of the orthotic to your foot (and to perform other functions as well).  Figure skating boots often have pronounced heel cups to lock your heel firmly.  You don't want two heel cups fighting against each other.  And the trend to higher heel pitch in many figure skating boots is an added complication.

[Christy]

I do see a local podiatrist, however I don't think they have the knowledge to make an orthotic that would work in a skate. I know someone who had an orthotic for their skates made locally but it didn't look much different to an insole that you would buy in a pharmacy and whilst my healthplan would pay something it would probably cost me at least $200 so not worth doing, especially as my experience with Strolz has kind of put me off trying custom orthotics.