Discussion: Cushioned O shoes

Does anyone have experience or recommendations for orienteering shoes that are a little stiffer and more cushioned? I have osteoarthritis in my big toe and need high cushion shoes with good arch support. I currently wear Innov8 280's and could not make it through a long course with out a lot of pain. My current running shoes are Altra Olympus. Large natural toe box and lots of cushion.

I use the inov8 340 which has the same sole as the 280 but is heavier and has more cushion. Maybe it's worth a try?

Hi Amy, I have similar issues. I use the same shoes (Inov8 280), buy cushioned insoles at Walmart or Target (sometimes have to create my own because the ones they sell aren't full length for whatever reason!), and add some Moleskin under the affected area (my soreness is behind the ball of the foot), held in place with J&J 1" wide waterproof tape. It helps for the time I'm typically out orienteering.

Another solution might be to find some comfortable running shoes and add your own "studs" using short sheet metal screws.

Not sure if they will help your condition but I have found that Salomon O Shoes are the most comfortable I have worn. I currently use the Salomon Speedcross 3 and find them light, with great traction and super cushy in the places I need it.

Salomon has a Speedcross with spikes called the Spikecross, which are my designated "cushy" orienteering shoes.

However, if you're used to the zero-drop Altras, you may not like the 11mm drop and narrower fit of the Salomons. (The Oroc 280's are in between at 6mm).

I also use Salomon Spikecross or Fellcross as my O shoes, depending on the weather. The Fellcross have a 4 mm drop and thus may feel more like Altras but they have less cushioning than the Spikecross.

I still advocate for Icebugs. Many of their line have a roomy toebox - I have a really wide forefoot - and a removable insole so that I can take it out and put in my own arch supports. I use Spenco and actually put two in each shoe - one full length and one 3/4 length to get the arch support I need for my knees.

I have the same issue with my big toes, Amy, so looking for an answer to this as well. I can still run without too much pain, but orienteering in terrain is getting quite uncomfortable. I just got some Hoka Challengers, and they feel promising, but they're too high off the ground for orienteering. I was wondering about modifying some o shoes to stiffen them and add a bit of a rocker. While we're at it, is there anyone out there who has managed to race after surgery for this? I'm guessing it's a problem that quite a few orienteers come up against, though I'm blaming tele-skiing in my case. By the way, I find glucosamine + condroitin + MSM makes a huge difference.

My favorite store, Tractor Supply Co., has great selection of fine ladies shoes.
This one will also protect you from snake bites.

Andy, Janet and Amy, I have the same issue (as do a handful of orienteers in my club). Like Andy, I use hokas for most of my running* as they have the stiffest sole but hokas don't work well for orienteering as it's too easy to go over on your ankle. Finding o-shoes with a stiff sole (and a rocker sole) has been a challenge. Some of the heavier weight icebugs have worked best for me. I will be talking to someone from Icebug this week on a different matter, but I will ask him for his thoughts on which icebugs have the stiffest sole. Additionally I have custom made orthotics which help and there are some toe taping techniques that have helped me (google "taping for hallux rigidus").
*Andy to answer your question on racing post surgery, I will let you know. I had surgery (cheilectomy and osteotomy to clean up the joint, I did not have a fusion or implant) a year ago and haven't been running much since. We'll see how this season goes.

Thanks for the tips, Charlotte, and best wishes for your return to running.

You might try the Inov-8 Trailroc 255 ... I have the 245s and they are quite toe-box-roomy (as 'natural' shoes tend to be), grippy (no good on wet wood, but solid everywhere else), and have a strong rock shield -- hours of running on many, many rocks last fall in the Megatransect and my feet were the least of my problems!! The 255s are even 'more so' -- mostly with the rock shield, I think, but they do have a 6mm drop vs. 3mm for 245s and 0mm for 235s.

I don't believe they have a 'rocker' sole, but the instep can take a pointy rock right in the middle without major flex or any real discomfort.

2014 model on sale for $75 at Wiggle! http://www.wiggle.co.uk/inov-8-womens-trailroc-255... (bah, only a few sizes)

Thanks all. Janet, I have thought of making screw shoes out of comfy shoes. I might do a demo on an old pair of Brooks Cascadias to try it out. Charm, I will be interested to hear what Icebugs has to say!

I also have a pair of Speedcross 3's that I won at a race, but I wore them at the last Flying Pig and could hardly walk at the end of the Long.

I will also look up the buddy taping suggestions for Hallus Rigidis. Has anyone had any success these? I use topical Ketoprofen cream for pain and swelling. Also arnicacare gel.

I talked with the Icebug rep in Canada and he suggested trying the Ardor Icebug shoe if you are looking for a somewhat stiffer sole in an orienteering shoe.

I recently discovered that Icebug USA is located in Bellingham, WA, which is within a 90-minute drive of both the Seattle and Vancouver, BC metro areas.

Also, because of the OCR scene, you can now buy Icebugs (including spikes), online at Road Runner Sports.