Walk Fit Othotics by Phase4 - Size D

I have really flat arches that would make it difficult to walk. When I woke up in the morning it was excruciatingly painful and throughout the day it would hurt if I was on my feet even for 15-20 minutes. I had previously tried inserts with a hard arch and they had worked for me for a few years until the heels worn out. I couldn't find the ones I had so I thought I'd give these a try.They certainly are harder than the previous ones, that's for sure. However, in the long run they have been totally worth it. I have had these for about 4 months. I will not lie to you: the breaking in period hurts and can be a bit awkward. Since I've broken mine in though, I have had no pain, even standing for long periods. I can't really even tell they're there anymore.My suggestions to get through it:Start with low, even if you think you need high. I thought I would need high but that would have been too painful to start with and low ended up working for me. As you get comfortable in them, if you need more, try the next size.Wear them as much as possible each day, even if you're not on you feet. They feel weird at first so wearing them while seated can help you adjust to the feeling.If you absolutely cannot wear them any longer for the day, take them off. There were several days at the start where I ended up taking them out before the day ended. It's fine, just make sure to put them back the next day so you can continue to adjust.Try to wear them at least a little bit every day, as much as you can handle.Eventually you will start to get used to them and they will no longer be uncomfortable and start helping your pain.Most important thing to know: it WILL take time to break them in. Any crap about a week or two, take with a grain of salt. It can take about a month to get used to but it is really really worth that month.

I purchased my original Phase 4 (what the Walk Fits were originally called) many, many years ago. I don't know how long ago exactly, maybe a decade. At the time, I was experiencing foot pain when I walked. Rather than pay mega-bucks to get tested and then probably get a custom shoe insert, I decided to give the Phase 4 a try. It worked. The pain went away completely.This year, I noticed that the Phase 4s were looking flat. Over the years, the plastic had worn down. I probably should have replaced them some time ago. Anyway, I found that the Phase 4 has been upgraded to these Walk Fits. I purchased a pair to give them a try and am ***very*** happy.My old Phase 4s had worn down so much that using the high option for the Walk Fits actually took some getting used to again. So, I did what I did the first time: I didn't have to go back to the very beginning of only wearing them an hour a day at first. But I did go to the second step that I set up for myself years ago. I only wore them at first while at work. It is all day, but I have desk job. While sitting at the computer, you put a light amount of weight on your feet. So, your feet are getting used to the insert without having to get the full force. Then, when I get up to get something from the printer or whatever, I put my full weight on, but only for a minute or so. Pretty soon, I was fully comfortable with the new inserts.After you get used to the insert, it feels like a massage on your feet when you first walk after first putting on your shoes--at least until you habituate to the inserts. This is one of those very few as-seen-on-tv items where every cent is worth it.

I bought these orthotics on the advice of a Chiropractor. I have tried many others over the years that I have suffered with painful feet. Hundreds of dollars were spent MANY times but the pain and burning in the ball of my foot worsened. The jamming of my 2nd toe also created a painful area on the top of my foot.The walk fits were uncomfortable the first couple days but once my foot bed adjusted, the pain in my feet was resolved. I am shocked, but I am smart enough to realize it worked. I ordered 3 more pairs within a week. I can even go an hour or so without shoes now. This hasn't happened in years.I wear an 8.5 shoe size so I ordered both 8 and 9. The 8 felt better for me. The 9 seemed to press in all the wrong places but they might be OK now that me feet are used to them.I like that they do not go all the way to my toes since that would make most of my shoes too tight. I just bought expensive foam insoles and thenplaced the orthotics over them. It seems great in all the shoes I have tried them in.I do better wearing them in a form fitting shoe like sneakers, but still make it work in my heels when dress shoes are needed.

One of my Chiropractic patients LOVED these inserts and since I am always on the search of an inexpensive alternative for my patients for shoe orthotics I was excited to buy these. OMG, the immediate pain even using the lowest adapter was crippling! I made an effort to adapt to them too. I even tried removing the arch supports and replacing them with cut-out cardboard hoping I would slowly adapt and be able to eventually use the lowest of the three arches supplied. No joy.But it is probably me because every orthotic I have ever tried have hurt my feet. I believe there are those of us who just cannot use any orthotic and I am one of those folks. I don't have flat feet but my shoe size has increased by 1 or 2 sizes and width over the past 30 of my 60 years so I know that my arches have fallen and I need support...just not these.On the bright side, these are very well made and since they are "arched" and not "flat" like some solid orthotics they "hover" over the shoe's built-in arch. This is exactly what you need to use arch supports in shoes that do not have removable arch inserts like dress shoes because otherwise you will end up with too high an arch prescription. Also the price is right; good general purpose orthotics can be much more expensive. Also the fact that they come with 3 heights is terrific: my patient I mentioned found the middle height to be better for him and said that he felt immediate comfort and better stamina due to the better support. I sure hope you are in the majority who can adapt to them.