bikehoco

For people who ride with sneakers, has anyone used steel or carbon fiber insoles?

My sneakers are fine for shorter rides but the balls of my feet hurt on 20-40 mile rides.

It would appear these insoles would stiffen my sneakers.

Sapperc

Years ago, When I used strapless toe clips on cage-type pedals I used spring steel and bonded foam insole inserts inside soft-soled walking shoes (sneakers). Worked really well!

Good luck and happy cycling!

sean.hwy

That would be great if something like that existed. As far as I know there isn't something to turn your regular shoes into a bike shoe.

I was hit by a car on my motorcycle. My knees do not like to be clipped in. I have tried mnt, road, & speed play pedals. Speed play with the extra float hurt the least but was still
not as good as flat pedals. I like 510 pro ( flat bottom mnt bike shoes ). They are stiffer and have more grip on the bottom to cling to pedals better than regular tennis shoes.

Check out these flat pedal shoes:

Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes of 2022
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topic...ike-flat-shoes

BobbyG

A few years ago I started adding store-bought arch supports in my shoes to fight plantar fasciitis. The ones with plastic support that run the length of the shoe seem to help me with the problem you describe.

Koyote

I don't know why you're cycling in sneakers -- but when I do that, it's because I'm riding to work, the store, the taproom, or somewhere else where I want to be able to walk around in 'normal' shoes. If that's your case, you might consider some more casual SPD-compatible shoes. Here is one article that lists some, but there are plenty of others.

IcySwan1 

Good advice by Koyote. If you are going to the trouble of putting inserts into your shoes, it makes sense to get shoes that will walk and bike well.

Mike

Rolla

I have a pair of Super Feet (green) inserts in all of my shoes -- cycling included. I've not found a pair of sneakers (Vans, Chrome, Converse) that are adequately stiff enough for riding, even with an insert. For flat pedals I use Five Ten Freeriders, and for clipless I have some Specialized Somethingorother Comps.

HelpSingularity 

I have found the big platform pedals work very well with tennie runners or skate shoes, my feet are always very comfy. I also use the Superfeet inserts on all my shoes. I also use spd's for when I'm on a "cycling mission". But if I know I'm going to be doing a fair amount of walking or just bebopping around town I prefer regular shoes. SPD shoes work a lot better for cycling than walking, but it is nice that you can do both. I have ridden 50 miles with my platform pedals and did not feel deprived at all. And this is coming from a guy who used to be a hard-core bike nat-c/bike snob, you know, the worst kind.
The point being just get some big platform pedals and most of your feet problems will probably melt away. Although the Superfeet inserts are a little spendy they changed my life.

bikehoco

I got bigger pedals and Superfeet inserts. Problem solved!

70sSanO

Changing the pedals might help.

But I find it interesting ithat the jump is from absolutely no support to “steel” (or carbon fiber) insole support.

There are flat soled shoes made for platform pedals that have different degrees of rigidity. There are mtbers that abuse their feet on downhills with platform pedals.

I’d look into a walkable cycling shoe with enough rigidity to give you adequate support than the rabbit hole of an insole for a tennis shoe.

John

RH Clark

I just wear basketball shoes every day and cycling. They are comfortable, light and very stiff.

zandoval 

A thin stiff sole insert is certainly needed when using regular sneakers on regular pedals. I have been looking for a pair for years. I think I am going to have to make them myself.

Project: Shoe Insert - Removeable - Bicycle - Full Sulcus - Aluminum

I'll get some 18ga aluminum sheet and cut out the outline of my feet then bang out the shape of the bottom of my foot. I knew a Machinist who banged out 14ga stainless steel inserts for his boots to relieve plantar fasciitis. Man they were pretty...

Update: Just found some Stainless insoles. Gonna give um a try. I think I will have to pound them into shape a little. I'll post my results.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

bikehoco

I saw steel inserts on-line (their purpose was to stop nails from coming through your shoes). The problem with them for cycling is they’d get wet with sweat then rust.