Emsold Ultra Thin Orthotic with Metatarsal Pad and Deep Heel Cup Semi-Rigid Arch Support Insole for Men and

Waited to write this review until I had really put these to the test. I've had numerous issues with my left my foot; injuries, surgeries, compartment syndrome, metatarsalgia; and was already using metarsal pad. This year while training for a marathon I began having problems with my right foot also. I'm also a chef and spend 10 hours a day on my feet. It was at the point where I was in pain any time I was on my feet. My doctor recommended orthotics, but I wear Altra shoes and normal orthotics didn't work with them. That's the first thing that attracted me to these; I didn't know they even made 3/4 length orthotics but they work great with the wider shape of my Altras. The added arch support was also a plus. I ordered 2 pairs so I had one for my running shoes and one to swap between my work and everyday wear shoes. They felt great in my daily shoes but the first time I ran it felt really off on the right side because I wasn't used to having anything in that shoe. My feet didn't hurt as much though, and after a few days they felt great both at work and running. I was fired up and ready to write a review but decided to wait. I started wearing them in the beginning of August and had about 3 months of training left before marathon time. From that time to now I have put 240 miles on the pair in my running shoes. The other pair I've worn daily in my other shoes. Side by side you can't tell the difference, they have held up fantastically. While they don't look new, they show no sign of any sort of failure. Nothing is worn or separating. The biggest test was the marathon; 4 hours and 30 minutes of the worst conditions I've run in: rain from start to almost finish, wet shoes and wet orthotics. I felt as good as I guess you can feel running that distance, and all it took was a couple of days to dry out fully after. I can't imagine what it takes to wear a pair of these out, but I'm trying and I'm not close yet. For the money these are a steal, you've really got nothing to lose to try them out. I'm buying a couple of extras now just to have them in case they ever go out of production. Read more

I have struggled with Morton’s neuroma for about six months. The worst pain was during the ski season when I could only get in a few runs before the pain became unbearable. I have tried various options to treat the pain with varying success. To date, this is my number one treatment. These inserts are thin, but provide an effective heel cup to help with alignment. The 3/4 length is good because a neuroma is caused by too much compression in the toe box and this pad does not add any extra bulk. The “behind the ball of the foot pad” fits exactly where it should. I ordered the length recommended for my shoe size, and after trying it for a few days ordered another pair. When wearing a stiff soled shoe, the pad is more noticeable. If you are not trying to relieve the pain from a neuroma, it would be considered uncomfortable. But, this pad provides the support needed for that purpose. If I am wearing a softer soles shoe, the pad is less annoying. I wonder, though, if it would also be less effective. My long term hope is to be able to cure the neuroma and not just alleviate the pain. This pad causes the metatarsals to separate instead of compress. I can already feel a significant decline in the pain and hardness of the neuroma after just a few days of wearing the inserts. Virtually no signs of the neuroma in my minimally affected foot and a big decline in my other foot which could get to the point of being unbearable to walk on. As I move forward towards preparing for this year’s ski season, I am also using PT approved stretches and exercises, using ice as necessary and I am also likely to try toe separators when not wearing shoes. These inserts will fit in my ski boots and I am hopeful that they will prevent pain as well. I was advised by a ski boot fitter to come back in the fall to get custom inserts made but I believe these will do the job. They have been terrific in the four pairs of shoes I have worn them in so far. The inserts will even fit in high heeled shoes but I am avoiding wearing those shoes for now. Remember, my goal is ultimate cure, not just pain relief. It may be unreasonable, but it is worth a valiant effort. The inserts do take care of the pain relief and hopefully will lead to the cure as well. Read more

Metatarsal support made a huge difference reducing pain in ball of foot joints. Fit nicely in my shoes without having to remove the original footbed liner - and without cramping the toe box. Give your feet a day or two to adjust, since the metatarsal pad feels prominent at first. By the end of Day 2, though, I was convinced. Read more