Insoles And Orthotics (Keep your feet, knees and back, happy and healthy!)
OP,
I read your remark about your boots giving you back pain. This can only be attributed to the high heel counters in conventional hiking boots (all conventional boots and shoes in general).
These high heel counters in these boots and shoes places the foot in an awkward position. This does a couple of things:
1. High heel counters place unnecessary stress on the metatarsals.
2. They are also a major cause for the formation of bunions. As the elevated heel forces the big toe to carry excessive loads during toe-off. Thus causing it to deform inward.
3. It also causes the shortening of the calf muscle and achilles tendon. This strengthens the achilles tendon in the contracted position in such a way, that when you miss step on a rock, the stretching of the tendon can cause it to tear or rupture. This is what causes achilles tendonitis.
4. This awkward position of the feet in conventional footwear transfers loads up the spine via the ankles, knees and hips. This is th reason for your back pain.
The answer to all of this is to walk in natural alignment. But conventional footwear won't allow you to do any of this.
I am not asking you to give up your footwear! Although a lot of people have gone barefoot with phenomenal success to their health. (Check out the iconic book born to run!)
I could go on about the ill effects of conventional footwear and how a using low drop shoes and boots can help counter these effects by placing the foot in a more naturally inclined position.
You can read up a lot about this on my foot care blog:
https://www.thesewisefeet.com
As for the insoles for flat feet, check out:
https://www.thesewisefeet.com/best-insoles-flat-feet/
If you have metatarsalgia, capsulitis of the second toe or sesamoiditis, I highly recommend:
https://www.thesewisefeet.com/best-metatarsal-pads/
And for a great pair of hiking boots, check out the Hoka TOR hiking boots. They are lo-drop hiking shoes that will help you out with your back pain. The are also super cushioned and will keep your feet happy and healthy.
Here's the link to the man who gave barefoot running it's publicity and the author of the book Born To run, Christopher McDougall:
http://www.chrismcdougall.com/born-to-run/
I hope all of this helps you with your back pain, and for anyone else with foot problems.
Best,
Jason Hughes
My main concerns are these in no particular order. Ankle support, after years of hiking and a bunch doing running descents, I'm deathly afraid of rolling my ankle and not having the support to keep from injurying it. Durabilty, it seems like even with a quality shoe, they just don't last, ( I more then 10 yrs from my boots easy). Wet feet, don't like them don't want them. Now all that aside, maybe the lightness is worth it all. I'll probably give it a shot next year, since I can't lighten my pack, it's the next step.
