MY VANS AREN’T STIFF ENOUGH!
Hey Lee,
I like wearing Vans Old Skool shoes when riding but the sole is pretty flexy. Is there a stiffer insert that I could put in to make it flex less? The stiffer inserts I have seen aren’t full length which I think would work the best. Any ideas?
Thanks, Brian
Hey Brian,
Great question.
Skate shoes sure are cool, but they tend to be flexy, and most of them have zero arch support. I can’t wear ‘em in stock configuration.
Superfeet hiking insoles provide plenty of support and some additional stiffness. Most of the material is in the heel and arch of your foot, but I think that’s OK.
If you want to stiffen the whole shoe, you can get a custom orthotic, or I suppose you could slip a layer of thin plastic under your insole (Cooter style — yee haw!). Does your neighborhood have a Tap Plastics?
Try the insoles. If you try the plastic, tell me how it goes!
Braaap,
— Lee
14 Comments
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Skyler Says April 1, 2008 @ 11:53 am
Hi Lee,
Since we are talking about shoe, I was wandering, which one is better for biking, Five Ten Impact2- low or high cut?
Thank you, Skyler.
leelikesbikes Says April 1, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Personal preference.
The low cuts are lighter and make your calves look better.
The high cuts give you more protection. That ankle bone is tender.
tony Says April 1, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
to respond to both skyler and brian,
the impact hi by five-ten is what I’ve been riding for over a year now. unbelievable grip with stealth rubber and very comfy and cool stylings (lo is very “skate shoe” like).
After a year I’ve noticed the support has begun to fail. Good for pedaling, but not as supportive on the hike-a-bike sections I session.
so…
I recently bought the new version and can say this: very very stiff throughout. this shoe is overbuilt. great for bombing downhill and hiking up, but not comfy for pedaling around. I’m hoping it will break in a bit…
overall ratings: old impact, 5 stars for comfort 5 stars for grip and styling, 3 starts for sole support.
new impact, 3 starts for comfort, 5 stars for grip and styling, 5 stars for sole support.
hope this helps.
Skyler Says April 1, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Thanks Tony for the insight. Guess I will go for the Impact 2 Hi, protection first, comfort secondary.
Chris Says April 1, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
Oh man, I don’t want to hear that the new version is stiffer as I thought the old were perfect. 5.10 don’t have any of the old version left in my size. 5.10 assured me that the new version is built on EXACTLY the same sole/last, so maybe, Tony, your new ones will end up the same as the old once they are broken-in.
My uppers are still going strong so I will see if a climbing shop can get some new rubber on ‘em. Anyone else tried this?
Brian, I ran skate shoes for years trying to find the perfect shoe. I tried Try-All trials shoes (by Koxx) and they were better than skate shoes (IMHO) but then I tried the 5.10 Impacts. Yep, perfect.
Rob Calma Says April 1, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
I 100% support the 510 shoes, I use a pair for my 4x bike and when the riding conditions are not the greatest for cleats.
I have gotten them full of mud, gave them a quick wash off and allowed them to dry and no issues.
The additional rubber soel on the shoes have saved my feet from many rough landings.
510 all the way.
Rodman Says April 1, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
5.10 Has a pair that looks just like vans called the 5.10 Basic but I have not seen them in the US yet. You can order them from Europe kind of spendy though $108.91 .
Colin Says April 1, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/17458-285_FIVBS7-43-Brands-353-Five-Ten-Shoes/Five.ten-Ba51c-Casual-Shoe-Charcoal.htm
they look pretty sweet, but i dig the stiff sole of the impact 2s for trail riding, dj, etc.
Vito Says April 2, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Hi cuts give you a lot more ankle support as well, something to consider if you’ve suffered from ankle injuries.
dylan Says April 2, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
SO if you have room in your shoes for foot beds you can try the little shims that ski boot fitters use to take up space in a ski boot. They break down after a while but work well for a mounth our so. I rock them in my 5-10’s with a pair of super feet custom insoles.
Eric Says April 4, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I believe that Ryan Leech runs Sole Footbeds. I’ve got the thicker middles in my five-tens and they’re awesome. They’d help in your Vans too.
Clay Says April 4, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
I really like a nice soft sole for better grip. My problem is the other side of the shoe. Most of the shoes I’ve tried on, even ones made specifically for DH have terrible toe box protection. I’d like a little more than a layer of leather between my toes and the rocks on my trails. Anybody found anything that is more reinforced in the toe? I had an old pair of airwalks that were awesome but they finally died at the end of last season.
Chris Says April 4, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Clay, have you looked at the 5.10s? The toes are surrounded by a layer of leather AND rubber and the rubber sole is bent up around the very front so the toes don’t get hurt in a frontal impact (you’d have to bend the sole as well). MUCH more protection than Airwalks. I’ve only hurt my toes once in 5.10s but I was doing about 20mph and hit an immovable rock. Only steel caps are going to stop your toe then.
After a while they do soften up. I thought they were too stiff at first, but, love it or loathe it, they do soften up.
jimmy Says April 6, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
If you want stiffer soles than try 661 platforms shoes. They look like Vans with the flat bottom but the soles are stiff like mtb shoes.
Go to the bike shops and try out real mtb shoes with flat bottoms. I like Vans and DCs but more for styling not riding.