How Are Store-Bought Insoles Different from Custom-Made Ones?

Key points in 30 seconds

1. Store-bought insoles fit an average foot; custom ones fit your own feet.
2. If your two feet are different, putting the same insole in both may not help.
3. How thick an insole can be depends on the shoes you wear.
4. Insoles alone aren't enough; building up the muscles has to go along with them.
5. If it's still uncomfortable after 2 weeks, don't put up with it; we adjust it again.

What we often hear

• "I bought insoles and put them in, but they were actually more uncomfortable."
• "I heard custom ones are expensive. Are they different?"
• "I don't know which kind to choose."

How are store-bought insoles different from custom-made ones?

Store-bought insoles are made to fit an average foot shape. Custom-made insoles decide which points to support, and how much, based on your own arch height and where your weight passes.

Both are useful. If your feet have no particular problems and you just want to feel less tired when standing for a long time, store-bought ones are enough. If your arch has collapsed, your feet differ left to right, or there's already a painful spot, it's a different story.

Why is it a problem if my feet differ left to right?

Most people's two feet are a little different. If only one arch has sunk and you put the same insole in both shoes, you end up pushing up the healthy side for no reason.

The same goes for legs of different lengths. How much to support the shorter side differs from person to person, and there's no set formula. It has to be adjusted while watching how you walk.

How are they made?

First we check how you stand and walk and take a mold of your feet, then decide which points to support and how much, and make them. The thickness also changes depending on the type of shoes you wear.

Shoes that are narrow inside, like dress shoes or flats, take a different thickness than sneakers. That's why sometimes separate insoles need to be made for different shoes.

Is it enough just to put insoles in?

Insoles do the job of supporting. If you only support the foot and leave the muscles as they are, things go back to how they were when you take the insoles out.

So we combine insoles with exercise. Once the muscles of the feet, calves, and buttocks start to provide support, you rely less on the insoles. The goal isn't to wear insoles for life, but to need them less.

What are the limits of this explanation?

We don't have data comparing custom-made insoles with store-bought ones to show which is better. What's written here is the difference in how they're made.

One more thing. Insoles can actually feel uncomfortable for the first few days, because the posture you're used to is changing. But if new pain appears or it's still uncomfortable after 2 weeks, they need to be adjusted again. You're not supposed to just put up with it.

We don't start by recommending insoles. We measure how your feet have collapsed, and make custom ones when they're needed.

If you're trying to decide between buying insoles and getting custom ones, come in and get measured. We'll start by seeing what your feet need right now.

How much support is needed differs from person to person, depending on foot shape and the shoes you wear.