Wednesday, 11 February 2015 10:59

Superfeet Carbon insoles - tested and reviewed

Written by James MacKeddie

Superfeet Carbon insoles

The latest, most advanced, insole from Superfeet. Designed to provide comfort and support in a slimmer, lighter, replacement for standard insoles and targetted at the performance athlete and serious runner.

 

What the manufacturers say:

The result of years of research and field testing, CARBON is for the dedicated athlete who demands high performance results. Our revolutionary insole achieves a new level of lightweight performance by combining a carbon fiber-reinforced stabilizer cap with a durable, ultralight foam layer. CARBON’s distinct biomechanical shape and low-volume design can help improve the fit and feel of tight-fitting athletic footwear like cleats and lightweight shoes.

Superfeet CARBON insoles are vegan and free of latex, nickel sulfate, formaldehyde and preservatives.

Price:£40

  • Heel Cup - The structured heel cup helps stabilize and support the foot and positions the heel to naturally absorb impact.
  • Biomechanical Shape - The low-profile shape helps stabilize and support the foot, which can help reduce stress on feet, ankles and knees.
  • Foam Perforations - Perforations under the midfoot and forefoot reduce weight and improve breathability.
  • Wider Forefoot - Accommodates a wider range of footwear.
  • Organic Odor-control Coating - All natural coating that eliminates odor-causing bacteria.

Superfeet Carbon insoles - James MacKeddie

Insoles aren’t the sort of gear that gets the heart racing. If anything when hunting for your next pair of shoes, they are something you may actively avoid the salesman approaching you with. But after meeting James from Superfeet at a Salomon City Trail event last year and subsequently Outdoor, I was intrigued. I was lucky enough to get given a pair of their new Carbon insole to try.

Since July I have used the insoles in the following shoes on the road, fell and obstacle course. The total mileage run in these insoles is well over 300 miles.

Saucony Kinvara 5 (2 pairs)

Brooks Glycerin 12

Salomon Fellraiser

Salomon Speedcross 3

Heelcup

 

From the outset there is no point stringing you along, my verdict is they are great. Now, part of using an insole is that you are supposed to cut them to fit your shoes, which may limit them to one brand of shoe or even model. However (probably luck) the E size model fits all of my 9.5 UK size shoes perfectly, making switching them over painless. Moreover, to show how much I like them, I have just received another two pairs to carry me through my racing and testing season.

So, I hear you ask, when do you know when its time to purchase a new pair? The following is taken from the Superfeet website;

“It really depends on weight, gait and use. On the average, our insoles last 300-500 miles for running shoes and every day wear, approximately 12 months of use. Consider the type and size of footwear and the job the Superfeet are doing. For instance, if you wear Superfeet and work on your feet all day, the Superfeet are going to see a lot more use than a pair of Superfeet you only wear in your shoes for an hour at the gym.

A good rule of thumb is to listen to your feet. When the Superfeet no longer feel like they are giving the same amount of support as when they were brand new, it might be a good time to consider a new pair and switch them out.”

In my experience, for trail and fell runners, this may be trickier, given the lack of support and cushion provide by the majority of shoes. On the road, this will be a lot easier. Having put over 300 miles in mine, so far I feel they have a lot of life left in them. The test will be when I try a new pair in my regular runners and feel for the difference.

 

The Nitty Gritty.

Durability– I have been running 6 miles, twice a day for a number of weeks. Having used only one pair for all of my running, they carry the same support with every run. Given the deadness shoes can deliver after multiple running days, with the EVA foam compressing and not reforming, this has not been the case with the insoles. On the aesthetics side, they look almost new, other than the branding rubbing off they are almost indistinguishable from the new pair.

Support– Designed to give a close fit in the heel cup, aimed for high performance running shoes, on each outing it was a snug supportive fit. The arch and remainder of the mid-foot is well balanced, meaning it does not interfere with the neutrality of the shoes I use or my running gait. Spot on.

Comfort – Given the less spongy feel of the forefoot when compared to other stock insoles, comfort is not an issue. Soft and cushioned, the ride is comfortable.

The stink factor– My feet smell, they really do. Certain shoes have been thrown away in weeks as they seem to promote, capture and emit odor like a blocked sewer. The organic odor control coating prevents bacterial build up, leaving a fresh smelling insole regardless of what you put it through. You can ask my partner, this really works!

Weight - In an industry obsessed with weight, don’t let this small increase put you off. Having weighed them against my Saucony Kinvara stock insoles, they weight 25 grams more per foot. But in my experience I have never felt this. In my first run, which was supposed to be reduced to let my feet adapt, I ended up running 15 miles! Weight is certainly not an issue, and proves that sometimes you need to push the marketing and scales to one side and simply go with what feels right.

Well?

As I stated earlier, I am sold. I have run in all weathers and conditions, on all terrains other than sand. My times have reduced, my gait improved and my enjoyment increased. Early on I tried a run without them, only to be left in pain for a couple of weeks. Be warned, once you adapt, you will need to keep using them, otherwise you may experience pain. With an affordable price and good lifespan, this is the only draw back as you will need to remember to keep them in your preferred shoes.

So for those looking for those marginal gains in performance and injury prevention, it’s time you literally step in.