Q: Does the Green have a lower arch than the Blue?
A: The Green does not have a lower arch than the Blue. The arch on the Superfeet Green is higher because it's made from a thicker foam sheet.
Q: What is the difference between the Blue and the Green?
A:
All of the Superfeet products are based on proven biomechanical principles to help the foot function in its ideal position. The differences between the Superfeet models are not in the biomechanical shape. They are in the thickness of the materials used in each of the products. The foam top sheet of the Blue product before it is molded into shape is 1/4" thick. The Green foam thickness is 3/8" thick. This makes the Green product 1/8 inch thicker than the Blue.
Because the Blue product is produced from a thinner sheet of foam, there is less foam volume in the arch area on the product. As a result, some flat feet may feel the Blue product is more comfortable than the Green.
The Green product is thicker in volume, therefore it will fit into shoes that offer more room. The Blue product is thinner in volume, therefore it will fit into shoes with less room.
Q: Why can't I use Blue with Gore-Tex / How can I wear Blue in my Gore-Tex boots?
A:
The support ridges in the bottom of the Blue cap can grind into the Gore-Tex boot lining. It is recommended that Superfeet be trimmed so they move 2mm inside the shoe, and this friction eventually makes the ridges slice through the lining. It doesn't happen every time, but it happens often enough for us to make a note in our literature. There is a shoe accessory called a 5-iron that corrects this problem. A 5-iron is a 1/8 inch thick insole-shaped flat sheet of foam/rubber. It comes in two sizes: small and large. Superfeet size B-D are small and E-G are large. We do not make the material that 5-irons are made of, but we do cut them from a flat sheet of material. The material comes from a company in Salem, MA and is an EVA Foam and SBR Rubber blend. You should place it between the bottom of the insole and the shoe, and it will keep the ridges from making direct contact with the Gore-Tex.
Another option to consider is going with a product from our custom line. They are a bit more expensive, but the underside is made of Gore-Tex friendly Kork, and they are a superior product. To have a pair of custom insoles fabricated for you, you need to go to a store that has a custom fit center. The insoles are heated in an oven to make them malleable and placed against your feet in a neutral, non-weight bearing position. The result is a true custom orthotic with a shape that intimately conforms to your foot.
It is not as common, but any orthotic or Superfeet Premium Insole can have contact with the Gore-Tex lining and create a pressure point on the side or the bottom of the boot which could possibly wear a hole. If you choose to use Superfeet with the Gore-Tex lined boot, inspect your boots often, making sure that there is no sand or grit between the orthotic and the bottom of the boot.
Q: What can I do if the Superfeet Insoles increase my foot and shoe odor?
A:
Clean the Superfeet Insoles on a regular basis (twice a week).
Remove the Superfeet Insoles from your shoes every night to let the shoes and Superfeet Insoles air out.
Do not wear the same pair of shoes three days in a row.
Try different brands of socks or nylons.
Apply a teaspoon of baby powder under and on top of the footbed in the shoe.
Apply some scented hand or body lotion to your feet.
Try soaking your feet in warm water and Epsom salts for about 20 minutes, once or twice a week.