G8 2620 Insoles for arch support

G8 2620 is a quality insole system for arch support specific for sports that don't have natural contact with the ground, i.e. gait movement (cycling, but also skiing, hockey...). I won't go into the details of why insoles are needed for most of the cyclists. There's a short way to put it: The importance for using arch support for cycling is independent of your foot arch shape or the need of support for walking. Increasing plantar pressure triggers the central nervous system and increases foot proprioception. This CNS awareness is essential to avoid compensatory responses and asymmetries. Better support, leads to better foot and upper chain stability, reducing injury risk. Performance comes latter.

I follow Steve Hogg's guidelines to reach a "mildly intrusive" level. These difer from what G8 states in their including leaflet, so pay attention to this.
I don't notice any difference between two feet. So I set them equally on both. With Level 2 arches I feel a "mild intrusion" with shoes on and tighten but no unconfortable pressure when on the bike. To achieve this I have to place them all the way back and half way inwards.


Note. This insoles need a bit more of space in your shoe. It can be cut to size to match your original insole shape. I could fit them in my Lake CX238 which are a bit more roomy than my last Fizik R5. On the toes it doesn't raise too much, but check that you have some movement that allow you to wiggle the toes a bit.

The reason I changed to Lake's CX238 was a lateral pain in the 5th Right metatharsal. most likely due to a tight shoe and too far forward cleat position (exacerbated by a too high saddle that got my feet pointing toe down - ankle compensation-). During a long ride this pain usually evolved into numbness from outside to the inside of the right foot.
I chose 1/2 size smaller Lake's CX238 which are a bit wider at the forefoot and after fitting the insoles I found that the pain has progresively faded. It's actually evolving to a light numbness in both feet.



Before going out for a ride I tested them on a couple of shorts spins on the trainer.
Common bike setup : 721mm SH, 60mm Setback BB to nose. SLR Flow Saddle. Cleats 14mm back from 1st metatharsal.


19/06/2020
1st Ride with G8 2620 Insoles.

I noticed a new initial glute soreness on the right until I warmed up. After a 50km ride I feel like the glutes have worked more.

No pain. Just noticed a bit of fascia tension on the right foot and like the left ITB was getting tighter.
By the end of the ride both feet started to feel numb. Starting on the right part of the right foot. Previously I only got numbness on R foot. So this should be a good signal. Both side soreness means at least you are working symmetrically… Let's see how this evolves with adaptation.
Stretching post ride. No big sores. A bit of upper back, neck pain on the right side. Like handlebar too low or overreaching, which I need to address.

UPDATE (30/06/2020) : after 10 days of using the insoles I don't notice any disconfort. I was a bit worried about the first warning with fascia pain waiting to build up. I have suffered heel bruise and fascitis in the past from running and it was a nightmare. In a rather short time adaptation to the G8 2620's is complete.

Once you find the proper level of intrussion, you will feel a more even pressure in areas that you didn't previously noticed. In my case, there has been two effects:
1) Numbness has been distributed to both feet. Although not gone it has been also reduced.
2) I feel pressure spots under my 5th methatarsal that previously I was not aware of. This points to my varus knee condition and the tendence to push towards the outside of the foot. (I developed a callous there too)

I think this is the right moment for testing wedging procedures.