Over the years, my feet have sent me to the store, doctor and chiropractor to seek relief. I’ve bought insole inserts off the shelf from running and sporting goods stores. I’ve also had custom inserts and orthotics made for my feet to address specific problems. While they help, I’ve resolved that what I really need is a new pair of feet.
Short of getting a new pair of feet – science and technology just haven’t caught up to me yet — I go for shoes that offer support and add extra support by way of custom orthotics or other inserts.
At Interbike 2011 last week I had the opportunity to get a personalized pair of insoles from Footbalance. The Finnish-based company makes it possible to get custom inserts from a store rather than the costly orthotics you get at the doctor. A quick evaluation is all you need.
Video after the jump
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnLFymI-eMA&feature=player_embedded
The Footbalance system in the shop includes a scanning/photo bed; laptop with the Footbalance software; and a range of blank, unmolded inserts. These inserts come in nine activity-targeted densities. These are active, cushion blue, cushion pink, leisure, max, max+, performance, race and ski. Each insert has a different density catered to your needs.
When the technician was ready, she directed me to stand on the scanner/camera to take pictures of my feet. The photos identified I have a high arch, but a collapsing arch. While weight is typically distributed evenly across all toes, the photos on the footbed showed that my third toe doesn’t touch, no pressure is put on the toes. This is not typical, though not a huge issue in the scheme of custom inserts though possibly a contributor to some of my foot issues.
After determining my needs, including what purpose I’ll use the Footbalance inserts for, we decided on the Max inserts, which cater to high-impact activities. Those inserts were put into a heater. This device is almost like a toaster, you put the inserts in like a pop-up toaster and heat the inner layer that molds to your feet. I then had to stand on foam bricks while my technician put the insert under one foot to mold. She held my foot in the ideal position and told me to lean back, then stand straight and bend my knees like I was skiing. We then did the other foot.
One thing I’ve learned about shoe inserts is that there are many different types including hard, molded orthotics and softer, cushioned ones. Opinions vary on which is best for everyone or for individuals. One thing my Footbalance technician noticed was that my existing orthotics were hard molded. She told me that such a hard molding can cause muscles in my foot to atrophy. The suggestion was to alternate wear between the ones I had made by a podiatrist, and the Footbalance inserts that have a molded heel and mid-foot, but still give a degree of flexibility.
Footbalance installs its system at stores and trains the staff to work with customers to determine the best custom insert and actually mold the insert to the customer’s feet. These inserts last about eight to 12 months, depending on wear and care. The top layer, which is the one that touches the wearer’s feet is made from an anti-microbial fabric to keep feet healthy.
I do plan to alternate wear with my previous pair of orthidics and the new inserts Footbalance. I can tell you that I experienced immediate relief once I put these in my shoes. I was at a trade show spending the full day on my feet walking from booth-to-booth. By late morning my feet were in pain. I visited the Footbalance booth at the end of the day when my feet were at their worst. Between time spent barefoot getting my feet evaluated and putting new inserts in my shoes, I felt like I could continue walking a few more hours. Sure, I felt the general achiness in my feet, but the pain level and soreness was brought down a few levels.