Walk into a running shop and you’ll see a stand for shoe inserts. They offer more support than the sockliner. They also help make a worn out pair of shoes feel better. Custom footbeds from Sole use cork, a sustainable material, to provide support, springiness, and resilience. While they aren’t made for your individual feet as the name implies, at around $40 to $50 for a pair of Sole instead of a few hundred dollars, a pair provides enough support without going the custom route.
Sole footbeds consist of four layers: a moisture-wicking top sheet, a softec cushioning layer, a moldable orthopedic base, and high-density frame. The four layers create a deep heel cup and custom arch support. Whether you use them just for activities like running, or slip them into your casual shoes, the custom supports address foot problems such as overpronation, oversupination, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints. The company also says they can aid joint pain and back and neck pain.
As part of its green initiative, Sole sources its cork from wine bottles. Sole collects used corks from wineries, airlines, and other heavy drinkers to make their product. They’ve set up a cork collection program at ReCork.org. Reclaimed cork will be used for another line of footwear.
Sole product page
Cork page
This post was edited. It originally stated the SOLE inserts were made from recycled cork, however they are not.
Hi Enid, Matt from SOLE here – thanks for writing about our products and ReCORK. Just one correction for your post, our footbeds don’t currently use any recycled cork in them. However, our Casual Flips are made from recycled cork, from the ReCORK.org program. The Casual Flips will be available in Spring 2010.
As well, we’ve recently redesigned our Footbed Packaging to include recycled material. Read more about it at: http://www.yoursole.com/content/blog/2010/jan/06/evolution-ecopac/
Footbeds with recycled material are also coming in Spring 2010. Thanks!