Frustration - orthotics

[DoubleD]

I'm a bit frustrated. Going on my first camino in a month and half and I'm stressing about my footwear. Preface this with - I'm only starting at Astorga, and if we don't have any issue, will have time to get to Finisterre.

I have flat feet - have had problems since a teenager. Probably 20 years ago, I had custom orthotics and not sure whatever happened to them...likely wore them out. I've gone 20 years approx with no orthotics and have survived - just learned to live without them. Earlier this spring, before I was even thinking about doing the camino, I started suffering from Planter Fasciitus in my left foot pretty bad. I started getting treatment for that and bought some Dr. Scholl's inserts for my shoes. My feet started to get better, and during this time, we also committed to going to Spain in the fall.

At that point, I ramped up my effort to ensure my feet were healthy, as well as significantly increased my hiking/walking frequency and distances.

I have Salomon Quest 4D GTX hiking boots, and I've used them for a few years - have been very happy with them. Most recently, a couple of weeks ago, I used my Dr. Scholls inserts with them and did a 23 km hike and didn't have any issues.

I figured I'd want something lighter for the camino, so I've been trying on a number of different trail shoes the past week. This time, though, I now have my custom orthotics which I like and wear in my runners at the gym etc, but I'm struggling to find a shoe that fits. When I put my orthotics in, the shoe can feel great, but when I walk, the heel slides - the depth of the orthotic causes my heel to be raised and doesn't fit into the pocket of the heel of the shoe. The shoes I'm looking at, you can't take the existing insole out to make room...so the orthotic is just sitting on top of the existing insole.

So, now I think I've decided to not use my new custom orhotics on the camino...and just stick with the Dr. Scholl inserts, as they've worked on single day hikes....I just get worried that maybe I'm setting myself up for feet problems by not using what I paid lots of $$$ for. If I use the inserts I've been using, I might be able to find a shoe that fits better and weighs lighter than my existing boot. Or, when all is said and done, I might just use the boots I have and deal with the added weight.

I'm going to do an approx. 25 km hike tomorrow in our city (some trail, some pavement, and one hill in particular that has about 150 m elevation gain). I'm going to use my Dr Scholls inserts and existing boots and we'll see how it goes. If it works, I guess there is no sense fighting it.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this....perhaps my own version of therapy...ha ha. Send me the invoice.

 

[stratophile]

I wear orthotics myself, though for a different ailment. One thing you should be alert to is that a single day's test walking (as in your planned city hike tomorrow) doesn't necessarily reflect the strain on your foot from day-to-day walking such as you'll be doing on the Camino. The ligament damage that is causing your Planter problems might not get sufficiently inflamed from a single day's walk for you to notice. That might not be the case on a longer, multi-day walk -- it could quickly become very debilitating.

My suggestion would be to check with your foot doctor / orthotist before departing to determine how critical your orthotic might be for your needs.

You mentioned that the shoe you are looking at doesn't have a removable insole. I suspect that is a key issue -- perhaps you should look at alternative shoes where you can remove the insole so that the orthotic fits properly (they are intended to replace the insole, not sit on it).

Keep in mind that an orthotic can change your gait and affect your ankles, knees, and hips -- orthotists generally recommend you build up your endurance gradually after first starting to wear them. If you are departing in 1.5 months then you should settle on your shoes ASAP and get in some steadily increasing walks to 'break in' your feet / knees / hips to avoid injury on the Camino. If your schedule permits, perhaps organize your Camino stages so that you start off with shorter, easier days and then build up stage length as you go.

There's no need to stress on it, though. Talk to your doctor, take your time building endurance, and listen to what your body is telling you each day -- all will work out!

Let us know how it goes. Have a great Camino!

 

[C clearly]

The shoes I'm looking at, you can't take the existing insole out to make room.

That surprises me, because every shoe or boot I have tried on, to consider for the camino, has had a removable inner sole. Occasionally it is very lightly glued in, but always the salesperson has been willing to remove it. I currently have Salomon Ultra GTX boots and shoes that I use with custom orthotics.

If ever you need orthotics, I think the camino would be the place!

 

[DoubleD]

That surprises me, because every shoe or boot I have tried on, to consider for the camino, has had a removable inner sole. Occasionally it is very lightly glued in, but always the salesperson has been willing to remove it. I currently have Salomon Ultra GTX boots and shoes that I use with custom orthotics.

If ever you need orthotics, I think the camino would be the place!

Actually, the shoes I was really looking hard at were the Salomon Ultra 2 GTX's. I looked at their insoles and it didn't look like they could be removed. Maybe looks were deceiving. The person who "helped" me was busy going back and forth with others, so they didn't offer any advice.

I'l have to go back (perhaps to another store) and check that out closer. Thanks for your reply.

 

[C clearly]

Actually, the shoes I was really looking hard at were the Salomon Ultra 2 GTX's. I looked at their insoles and it didn't look like they could be removed. Maybe looks were deceiving. The person who "helped" me was busy going back and forth with others, so they didn't offer any advice.

I'l have to go back (perhaps to another store) and check that out closer. Thanks for your reply.

I swear by Salomons and always remove the insoles to test them! You should definitely be able to do so.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Actually, the shoes I was really looking hard at were the Salomon Ultra 2 GTX's. I looked at their insoles and it didn't look like they could be removed.

I'm now on my second pair of Salomon Ultra 2 GTX, and unless they changed things from this spring, the insoles can be removed. I rwmove them and put in my custom orthotics.

 

[DoubleD]

I'm now on my second pair of Salomon Ultra 2 GTX, and unless they changed things from this spring, the insoles can be removed. I rwmove them and put in my custom orthotics.

Come to think of it, yesterday, the ones I tried on were the new Ultra 3's...just came out. But, even then, I should go back and look at the 2's and 3's closer. It's sounding like I didn't try hard enough...or take the time to get good help.

I'm going to head out later today to investigate.
Cheers.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I never knew so many people used custom orthodics. I don't, but am I missing something here? Do all of you have special foot problems or can everyone benefit from being fitted with a pair?

 

[C clearly]

I never knew so many people used custom orthodics. I don't, but am I missing something here? Do all of you have special foot problems or can everyone benefit from being fitted with a pair?

They are very expensive, and I suspect they are over-prescribed by podiatrists (who sell them). If your feet are happy, be happy!

 

[linkster]

Never had foot problems until I had them. Plantar fasciitis about 5 years ago. Mine was caused by not wearing shoes all the time, walking on a hard surface, age, and over use or abuse. The podiatrist made me some hard plastic orthodic inserts to put under the insole, but they were uncomfortable. I found some arch support insoles SOLE Ed Vestures and have been using them since. They are thick and will cause some heal slippage in shoes that do not have a deep heel pocket. They work great in my hiking boots. SOLE also has a thin version that I use in my running shoes and they work pretty well. I am thinking about getting the thin version with a metatarsal pad for the new altras trail runners that I ordered. I hope they do not cause heel slipage. The ligaments that keep your feet from spreading are loosening up on me with age. Look at your orthos and they might have a concave hump toward the forefoot to support the metatarsals and keep them in their proper alignment. I think your big toe and little toes are supposed to strike the surface at the same time. I use a yoga ball to exercise and stretch my plantar fascia.

Buena Suerte!

 

[DoubleD]

80% of the cost of my orthotics is covered with my health plan, so I took advantage of it, otherwise I might not have spent the money. I have very flat feet and have suffered since a teenager. They definitely help.

So, a bit of an update. Thanks for the comments above. This has consumed me of late, and I wanted to get to a conclusion as to what I'd do for footwear. I went to an outdoor store this afternoon and tried on (again) the trail shoes I've been looking at closely. Specifically, I was looking at the Solomon X Ultra 2 GTX....and they just came out with the X Ultra 3 GTX. I was good with either. Sure enough, the insoles come out VERY easily. I feel like a bit of a tool for not actually trying yesterday. They just looked very secure. Anyway, I tried with my custom orthotics and they felt pretty good. I went up a size to account for feet swelling etc. For comparison, I tried with my store bought Dr. Scholl insoles, and the shoes felt fantastic.

The first store I was in, their return policy was 60 days, but I couldn't wear them outside. Well I'm not going to walk circles in my living room to test them out. I went to another outdoor store (MEC), and got the same shoes, however their return policy is 60 days and I can wear them outside - they just ask that I don't abuse the policy. Fair enough.

So, tomorrow, I'm going to try these out with the Dr. Scholls inserts. It's about 25 km one way I think (I'm leaving early and walking to my son's lacrosse). Then Sunday, I'm going to do the same, but instead, will walk from his lacrosse practice to home. That way I get 2 bigger hikes in back to back. As I mentioned, I was happy with the Dr. Scholls insoles in my existing Solomon boots, but thought the custom orthotics would be that much better. I just can't get them to feel as good.

After the weekend, I'll post a bit of an update. Sorry to ramble, but thanks for the input/feedback.

Cheers.

p.s. my Solomon Quest 4D GTX boots weight about 660 g per boot. The X Ultra 3 GTX trail shoe weighs 390 g per shoe. Much lighter!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I never knew so many people used custom orthodics. I don't, but am I missing something here? Do all of you have special foot problems or can everyone benefit from being fitted with a pair?

I thought my feet were fine and that the pain I felt in the ball of my feet was normal. Could not understand how others walked the C. so carefree. Turns out I have flat feet.

Now I recommend everyone visit a podiatrist for an evaluation pre-Camino (ok, maybe not for the last 100km ). Orthotics should also ne checked once a year because our feet change, as we age, put on weight, or walk 1000km here and there. I also bring 3 pairs of shoes to mine and she helps me pick the pair to bring based on the state of my feet.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

They are very expensive, and I suspect they are over-prescribed by podiatrists (who sell them). If your feet are happy, be happy!

To,go to a place that makes them, I need to being a prescription from my GP. On the other hand I can go directly to my podiatrist, but the poor woman has yet to make more than 100$ for 5 visits and she doesn't even sell me my soft orthotics, she gives me a prescription and I order them online. Those are 80$, the fancy, hard, molded ones were 300$ or so, but reimbursed at 80% by my private insurance.

 

[Stivandrer]

Apart from orthoptics, what else have you done? Are you doing daily excercises? Have you tried being taped, preferably at a physioterapist? Is the pain insufferable or merely bearable yet uncomfortable ?
You have had treatment, but PF is an ongoing project for quite some time and probably aggravated by your preparation for partaking in a Camano walk !
Go to the tube, seek ´taping plantar fascitis´ for a start, that procedure may eleviate your day to day pains, then get a rubber ball, to massage from side to side of the foot, stand on it with mild pressure while you support yourself on a table etc, without stressing the pain too much, and do stretches on steps, all of this to be found on the net.

Don´t give up...
I have had flat arches all my life and sunken traverse arches at the front of my feet.
I had cancer in ´09 and started doing daily walks to and from work in ´12 after slimming down 30 kilo.
I have today, at 62 yrs, the nicest wet footprint of a beutiful arched foot, that I never had before, walked 2500 km this way before my first camino in ´14, and am now on my 7500 kms after my second one.
I carry a 10 kg sack + 2 liter of water...have tried now and worn out three different boots....
I am now at my third brand of orthotics before satisfied at Bauernfeind, will keep these.

Most time when I have a touch of PF, I bind myself up using a combo of Kinesio Tape first and then sports tape on top if I want more effect. Doing regular excersizes....
I like my feet today, but it has taking some doing to get there...

Nunquam Redono - don´t ever f***ing quit ( my translation)

 

[Stivandrer]

btw,
I know of the compromise you have to make to have cushioning at the back, at the heel, still having to ensure that it does not get so thick that the heel is lifted too much and then will not get strapped firmy into the hold of the boot.
One thing that I saw at my Bandagist, as we call them, was a personalised insole that had a hollow drilled out where the critical point of the PF was.
And going to have orthotics made especially for your foot is what you might have to resort to !

 

[julia-t]

I have various foot issues (right foot only), and every time I've been on the Camino I've taken at least two pairs of orthotics/inserts.

I've found that what is very comfortable one day over 20km can be extremely uncomfortable the next day. So I switch the orthotics with the cheaper gel inserts (like your Scholls), or the SOLE inserts mentioned above, it depends on where the pain is in my foot and the terrain (asphalt/road walking is the worst!).

I wear boots, use sticks to take some of the weight off my foot, and strap my foot with K-tape.

This is what works for me. Good luck with finding the best solution for you.

 

[Kanga]

@DoubleD it sounds like you might have found your solution but if not, what is wrong with the shoes you currently use for the gym? They fit your orthotics apparently. If you are walking the Camino Frances and you keep kilometres down and your backpack light, then why not? The shoes do need to have a sole that will last the distance, but if the orthotics give you the extra support you need, and fit within your gym shoes, and your gym shoes are comfortable, at least give it consideration. Perhaps a new pair to get the mileage out of them.

It is not set in stone that one must wear boots or trail runners, or indeed any particular type of shoes, on the Camino. I've seen people happy in their boots - heavy leather boots, army boots, steel capped work boots, and specialist lightweight hiking boots. And happy in their trail runners, ordinary leather shoes, their lightweight mesh joggers, sandals, flip-flops, and at least one, in bare feet.

We've all heard the stories of boots and shoes being replaced along the way because of discomfort. Some Albergues have shelves of discarded footwear.

People get convinced by a salesman in a hiking store that they must use a particular type of hiking boot or shoe. Or they read reviews on specialist websites and pick something based on the reviews (which is what my husband did for one camino - turned out to be entirely wrong for him).

I think it is worth carefully looking at the footwear we already have, and whatever has worked for us on long walks at home or hikes done in the past. At least that gives some indication of comfort.

If you are having trouble with the "orthodox" footwear, then try something else!

 

[Charlotte Helbig]

I had PF several years ago in my left foot, and on the recommendation of a friend I bought Dr. Scholl's inserts. I have walked miles and miles with them and I haven't had a problem since then. I will use them on my Camino unless the podiatrist I am consulting with (for different issues) advises otherwise. Buen Camino!

 

[stevelm1]

Just to add my two bits to the discussion. I used custom made soft orthodics for my training and while walking the Camino. This is a costy solution but one that is well worth the price whey you consider walking 500 miles and how hard that is on your feet (of course I was 60 when I walked, younger folks may be able to get away with a less costly solution). I talked to one person on the trail that used hard ones and by Burgos they decided to throw them away, soft is definitely the way to go. I have never used Dr. Sholes so have no opinion on them. I would not walk without my orthodics. BTW I never got any blisters, but then I had trained for 700 miles before starting the trail. I had some pretty good calluses built up. ;-)

Just because I love to share my story I am providing a link below that gets you to my YouTube page where I have 12 episodes of my Camino Frances from Sep-Oct of 2015. Naturally it starts with Chapter 1 and goes from there. There are also some other films I have made there too.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT...helf_id=0&view=0&sort=dd&disable_polymer=true

 

[jmcarp]

Never had foot problems until I had them. Plantar fasciitis about 5 years ago. Mine was caused by not wearing shoes all the time, walking on a hard surface, age, and over use or abuse. The podiatrist made me some hard plastic orthodic inserts to put under the insole, but they were uncomfortable. I found some arch support insoles SOLE Ed Vestures and have been using them since. They are thick and will cause some heal slippage in shoes that do not have a deep heel pocket. They work great in my hiking boots. SOLE also has a thin version that I use in my running shoes and they work pretty well. I am thinking about getting the thin version with a metatarsal pad for the new altras trail runners that I ordered. I hope they do not cause heel slipage. The ligaments that keep your feet from spreading are loosening up on me with age. Look at your orthos and they might have a concave hump toward the forefoot to support the metatarsals and keep them in their proper alignment. I think your big toe and little toes are supposed to strike the surface at the same time. I use a yoga ball to exercise and stretch my plantar fascia.

Buena Suerte!

I also use the SOLE Ed Vestures (approx US$50 at REI) in all my hiking footwear, and find they make a big difference for my feet. When sizing them, pay more attention to the fit at your arch than to the size range listed on the label. A knowledgeable sales person will know how to choose. They are heat moldable, like ski boot inserts--just heat them at low temperature in your oven until a little dot changes color, insert them in your shoe or boot and walk around on them until they cool down. Be sure to remove the manufacturer's standard insole before inserting any orthodic. Leaving both in will surely affect the overall fit and probably the effectiveness of the orthodic as well.

I should add that I also wear the blue Superfeet insoles in most of my other day-to-day footwear, but when I wore them on my first Camino I developed plantar fasciitis between León and Astorga. After switching to the SOLEs for my hiking shoes and boots, I have not been bothered with foot issues on other long distance hikes. Of course, everyones' feet are different, so my experience may not be typical for someone else.

 

[DoubleD]

Apart from orthoptics, what else have you done? Are you doing daily excercises? Have you tried being taped, preferably at a physioterapist? Is the pain insufferable or merely bearable yet uncomfortable ?
You have had treatment, but PF is an ongoing project for quite some time and probably aggravated by your preparation for partaking in a Camano walk !
Go to the tube, seek ´taping plantar fascitis´ for a start, that procedure may eleviate your day to day pains, then get a rubber ball, to massage from side to side of the foot, stand on it with mild pressure while you support yourself on a table etc, without stressing the pain too much, and do stretches on steps, all of this to be found on the net.

Don´t give up...
I have had flat arches all my life and sunken traverse arches at the front of my feet.
I had cancer in ´09 and started doing daily walks to and from work in ´12 after slimming down 30 kilo.
I have today, at 62 yrs, the nicest wet footprint of a beutiful arched foot, that I never had before, walked 2500 km this way before my first camino in ´14, and am now on my 7500 kms after my second one.
I carry a 10 kg sack + 2 liter of water...have tried now and worn out three different boots....
I am now at my third brand of orthotics before satisfied at Bauernfeind, will keep these.

Most time when I have a touch of PF, I bind myself up using a combo of Kinesio Tape first and then sports tape on top if I want more effect. Doing regular excersizes....
I like my feet today, but it has taking some doing to get there...

Nunquam Redono - don´t ever f***ing quit ( my translation)

Stivandrer, I've suffered from having very flat feet for probably 35 years or so, but in early March, I started suffering from PF. That's when I went for treatment. It has taken a while, but my foot is in good shape now...but I do stretches every day (feet and calves in particular), I have it taped on occasion. I use a lacrosse ball daily to massage the bottom of my feet. I'm seriously thinking about taking it with me in my backpack - but I might resort to a lighter ball. As of right now, my feet are in good condition - I'm all about making sure they stay that way until I head over to Spain on Sept. 21st. Cheers.

 

[DoubleD]

On Saturday, I walked 21 km, with about half of it in the rain (was great because I was able to try out my new rain jacket!).

I went with my new Salomon Ultra 3 GTX trail shoes. I decided I'd try this hike with my cheaper Dr. Scholl inserts, as that's what I most recently used on a prior hike with no issues. The shoes just felt a bit better when trying them with those, compared to my custom orthotics. I had intentions of doing the same walk in reverse the following day, but I didn't have the time available. Anyway, the soles of my feet felt fine - never had an issue with that. I didn't get any blisters either.

I did have a spot on the top of my left foot that felt like something in the shoe was digging in. By the end of my walk, it was quite sore. I tried to adjust the lacing along the way, but didn't get that sorted out. These shoes have that lacing system where you just pull and it cinched up. I was wanting to have the lacing towards the toes a bit looser than the part towards my ankles, but couldn't. That's what I like with my boots...I have the ability to adjust different parts of the laces.

With that said, I'm leaning towards keeping my expensive custom orthotics at home (also will be good not to wreck them right away on the trip), and instead use my Dr. Scholls inserts (possibly bring a back up pair - I think they're only $20 or $25 and light). But...over the next week, I'm going to have to try the shoes again, as well as go back to trying my boots. Someone above mentioned possibly going in the shoes I wear for the gym. I hadn't though of that, but I don't think they're going to give me the support I need.

It's been a bit of a process, but I'm getting there. Sorry for all the long posts!

 

[linkster]

Why not use a bounce box? Put all your wish I had brought items in a box and send it to yourself at a correos location. The worst part is you have to stop at the corrreos location and bounce it forward (maybe to Ivar in Santiago).

 

[alaskadiver]

I'm a bit frustrated. Going on my first camino in a month and half and I'm stressing about my footwear. Preface this with - I'm only starting at Astorga, and if we don't have any issue, will have time to get to Finisterre.

I have flat feet - have had problems since a teenager. Probably 20 years ago, I had custom orthotics and not sure whatever happened to them...likely wore them out. I've gone 20 years approx with no orthotics and have survived - just learned to live without them. Earlier this spring, before I was even thinking about doing the camino, I started suffering from Planter Fasciitus in my left foot pretty bad. I started getting treatment for that and bought some Dr. Scholl's inserts for my shoes. My feet started to get better, and during this time, we also committed to going to Spain in the fall.

At that point, I ramped up my effort to ensure my feet were healthy, as well as significantly increased my hiking/walking frequency and distances.

I have Salomon Quest 4D GTX hiking boots, and I've used them for a few years - have been very happy with them. Most recently, a couple of weeks ago, I used my Dr. Scholls inserts with them and did a 23 km hike and didn't have any issues.

I figured I'd want something lighter for the camino, so I've been trying on a number of different trail shoes the past week. This time, though, I now have my custom orthotics which I like and wear in my runners at the gym etc, but I'm struggling to find a shoe that fits. When I put my orthotics in, the shoe can feel great, but when I walk, the heel slides - the depth of the orthotic causes my heel to be raised and doesn't fit into the pocket of the heel of the shoe. The shoes I'm looking at, you can't take the existing insole out to make room...so the orthotic is just sitting on top of the existing insole.

So, now I think I've decided to not use my new custom orhotics on the camino...and just stick with the Dr. Scholl inserts, as they've worked on single day hikes....I just get worried that maybe I'm setting myself up for feet problems by not using what I paid lots of $$$ for. If I use the inserts I've been using, I might be able to find a shoe that fits better and weighs lighter than my existing boot. Or, when all is said and done, I might just use the boots I have and deal with the added weight.

I'm going to do an approx. 25 km hike tomorrow in our city (some trail, some pavement, and one hill in particular that has about 150 m elevation gain). I'm going to use my Dr Scholls inserts and existing boots and we'll see how it goes. If it works, I guess there is no sense fighting it.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this....perhaps my own version of therapy...ha ha. Send me the invoice.

I thought the same as you. I ditched my trusty boots and custom orthotics for a pair of light weight hiking shoes and store bought insoles ( I didn't want to damage my expensive orthotics in heavy rain and cowpies. That was a huge mistake for me that I will never repeat. Within 2 days of walking my plantar fasciitis pain was almost crippling and then I developed Achilles tendonitis in one ankle. No blisters, but I never get blisters on long thru hikes. When I returned home and saw my podiatrist she told me I was stupid (implied not actually said) for choosing shoes with no support and leaving my custom orthotics at home.
I've done other thru hikes before and never had a problem with my boots and orthotics. This time I changed because I bought into all the hype of "lighter shoes". Won't happen again.

Do what you have to but be prepared to regret your decision if you're wrong I wish you well and sincerely hope you have a pain free Camino. It sucked spending 2 weeks in pain that would not go away with any amount of Ibuprofen, taping, or exercise.

 

[Stivandrer]

Stivandrer, I've suffered from having very flat feet for probably 35 years or so, but in early March, I started suffering from PF. That's when I went for treatment. It has taken a while, but my foot is in good shape now...but I do stretches every day (feet and calves in particular), I have it taped on occasion. I use a lacrosse ball daily to massage the bottom of my feet. I'm seriously thinking about taking it with me in my backpack - but I might resort to a lighter ball. As of right now, my feet are in good condition - I'm all about making sure they stay that way until I head over to Spain on Sept. 21st. Cheers.

Good, you´ve done a lot. When I returned in May, I got scanned by my physio and he showed me pictures where my left foot had an enlarged area of the plantaris attachment the thickness of my thumb (!) whereas the right foot had at the same place the thickness of my little finger..
So that is what we are up against; a swelling and small ruptured that lead to swelling.
I had to land on my forefoot in Spain, and adapted "chines walking" but it soon got better when I came home.
Like you, I must prepare myself next time. Age and all that !!
Buen Camino..

 

[Nanc]

I had issues in training that took me to a podiatrist who prescribed orthotics
it made all the difference in my ability to do distances.

I only noted some problems after 500 miles when the sport padding used on the orthotic became too compressed

the problem with my foot and gait mechanics do not go away. Orthotics help me to place and ride the foot through in a away that prevents damage (pain and numbness)

I can't image having an issue and not using the corrective implement.

(I did have to have the orthotic modified to fit the shoes i eventually settled on)
even now, back in the states, if I head to my 12 hour work day and wear a shoe without the orthotic, some of the clinical signs creep back , and a Superfeet insole is not an adequate replacement

My suggest wear them! not because you spent money on them, but because they have a purpose to your benefit