Has anyone ever made some MYOG rock plates for their trail runners to slip under the insole? I use Inov8 295’s. I absolutely love the fit and the super traction of the soft rubber out sole. What I don’t like is the lack of some form of rock plate. After 8 hours on rocky terrain the balls of my feet are crying out in pain. I can literally feel every pebble.

I have no idea what most shoe companies use as a rock plate. I’m guessing nylon? The New Balance MT101’s look like some kind of metal, but it could just be some king of coating. I was thinking of ordering some sheet nylon from McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#nylon-sheets/=cbhj42

Does anyone have an idea as to what thickness I should try out? I was thinking .05” but that might be too thick. I’m also open to other ideas as far as materials are concerned. Thanks.

You could you try pieces of plastic from a gallon milk bottle jug.

They are fairly stiff HDPE.
Placed under the insoles they may work.

Sweet! I like that idea. I think I'm going to have a bowl of cereal for lunch.
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Edit: I just finished off my milk. My calipers measure the thickness of the HDPE at 0.022" Great! I'll make two pair, so I can double up if need be. I can't wait to try them out. Unfortunately, I can't go out till next Friday :(

Edited by phstudio on 05/15/2011 15:15:27 MDT.

Look for those flexible cutting boards, they often come three to a pack for meat/veggies/fish. They're about the same thickness as a milk jug but already flat.

The husband keeps meaning to try them sandwiched in the soles of his hiking huaraches.

Another idea: you could give the insoles or the tops of the sole a thin layer of fiberglass resin to stiffen them. I also think the milk carton plastic will work a lot better if it is firmly secured to the sole of the shoe.

-Will

Some aftermarket insoles have a plastic sheet on the bottom of the foam for this exact reason. My green superfeet have a stiff piece of plastic that goes from the heel to just before the balls of my feet. There are probably some out there that are full-length.

I have the Roclite 295's and like them a lot for smooth dirt trails, but for rocky terrain I wear Roclite 319's which have much more underfoot protection for about 2oz more weight per shoe. Most of the protection comes from the midsole which is quite thin on the 295's.

Andrew

I was thinking what would happen if you heated a custom foot bed from a plastic carton with a heat gun when you put it in the shoe. This might help shape it a bit.

It might be a good idea to try, especially if you use some of the heavier detergent bottles.

Edit* Or maybe a Superfeet hybrid because the arch is the only stiff part. Maybe adhere milk carton plastic to the toe and heel sections?

:) I love this DIY stuff.

Edited by northshorehc on 05/22/2011 18:19:23 MDT.

Any success with this diy project? I'd love to know how it turned out.

I actually picked up a pair of New Balance MT101Rx trail runners. They have a lightweight rock plate in the sole and they work great.