Sounds amazing. Can these be done by any podiatrist?
That I don’t know. I think the foam cast system is common and the “podiatrist” reference I keep using is only because he’s a friend/former team mate. I’m positive others (fitters, or even physical therapist) if trained can do the casting.
There are a couple of different issues at play here. Yes, in normal use orthotics are essentially compensating for either structural or developed weaknesses in the foot. This is applicable to normal footwear and activities where your foot is active. Cycling though is completely passive for your foot - you’re putting a huge amount of repeated force through it but not in an environment that allows it to operate in a normal fashion. The shoe - pedal interface does not allow your foot to operate in the way it is biomechanically intended to operate.
For general non-cycling purposes I tend to keep away from any support (using ‘barefoot’ style shoes) as this allows my foot to operate properly without artificial limitations from the shoe. For cycling though I use orthotics to provide support as the nature of the movement and pressure that your foot is subject to when pedalling does not allow it to effectively support itself.
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Totally agree for specific sports that use specific footwear and use the feet in a totally different way orthotics probably are a great way to brace the foot for better distribution of power…
I meant more to talk about the people who have them in their everyday / running shoes as some people on the thread had mentioned daily use 
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A few rides now on the new orthotics. They feel good and while I had no issues prior they feel like the sole of the shoe is glued to my foot. Hard to describe. Good just hard to describe.
A bit premature on power numbers but, just this week end for two group rides I PR’d power for the season from 50 seconds to about 3:15 (avg power). NP for 5, 10, 20 and 40 minutes were high as well so more definitive power testing is definitely needed. I’ll do some better testing after I get back from Sea Otter mid April.
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I just got mine a few months ago, partly for cycling and partly for backcountry skiing (went to a boot fitter who had knowledge in both). He also stretched my right shoe/boot as my right foot is fatter than my left. Both skiing and cycling have been much improved since.
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Those look good and for the price very good! Thanks for the link…Luckily my friend gave me his cost otherwise, unless your feet are really messed up, they are very expensive. I’m seeing some off the shelf options pushing and exceeding $100USD which seems a bit much.
Update…Since I’ve been using the orthotics my 20 minute power is up on average of approximately 13% or +41 watts; 40 minute power is up 12% or +35 watts; and 60 minute power is up 12% or 34 watts. All data is within a month from this week end and I averaged the three best rides/races before and after orthotics. Not perfect but, definitely an upward trend.
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Doctors may also prescribe custom orthotics*for people who have positional concerns with their feet or legs. This can include those with underdeveloped leg and foot muscles. I have gone to orthotics in Perth They can provide arch support or extra cushioning on the heel, around the toes, or for your entire foot.
I never reached my potential in my 20s and early 30s because of yearly injuries to my knees, ankles, and lower back – because no one where I lived knew a thing about orthotics for cycling, and my unstable forefoot was causing all kinds of pronation problems. I was fitted for orthotics in my everyday and (occasional) running shoes when I was 27, but the technician had no idea about how to make them for a cycling shoe, and just throwing my running shoe orthotics into my cycling shoes didn’t really work – even with doing all my arch and forefoot strengthening and stability exercises. 90rpm a minute for 4 hours will do that.
I found Rocket 7, then D2 in my late 30s. I’ve been injury free since going to custom orthotics and shoes (the D2 guys do some stuff with the sole shape to work together with the orthotic, as well) in 2002.
Nothing but good stuff to say about those two, and Don Lamson.
I’d say 1) you get what you pay for and 2) the experience of the craftsman/woman in working with cyclists and making insoles for that specific sport dictates how good that orthotic is going to be.