Arch Supports & Inserts Guide

Arch Supports & Inserts: Understanding Your Options

Your feet carry your whole body, so keeping them balanced and properly aligned matters well beyond the foot itself. When alignment is off, the effects can travel upward, leading to poor posture and discomfort in the ankles, knees, lower back, and even the neck. A properly fitted arch support or insert provides cushioning, stability, and support, and often helps improve posture too.

Most shoes are made for an average foot rather than yours, so your foot ends up adapting to the shoe's insole instead of being properly supported. An arch support or accommodative insert fills the space between the sole of your foot and the inside of the shoe, restoring proper support and alignment. Choices range from low-cost pre-made inserts to custom accommodative devices costing several hundred dollars, and they come in materials of varying density, from soft and forgiving to firm and rigid. Matching the right support to your specific need is key to getting the results you want.

FOOTfittR trained fitters use computer digitizing technology to measure and map the bottom of your feet, helping select the right product for your situation. Arch supports and inserts help people from every walk of life: workers who spend long hours on their feet, children, grandparents, athletes, and anyone hoping to ease or prevent soreness in the feet, legs, knees, lower back, hips, or neck. The right foot support can make a remarkable difference.

Types of Inserts and Arch Supports

Pre-manufactured inserts and arch supports come in many materials, densities, and sizes, generally shaped for the general public. They should be chosen for your particular need and fitted into shoes with enough room to accommodate them. A 3/4-length support is very common and cradles the heel through the arch, while a full-length insert runs from heel to toe and takes up more room inside the shoe, so check that your footwear can fit both the insert and your foot. Metatarsal pads are small pads that shift pressure away from a painful or tender metatarsal head.

Arch supports — pre-manufactured or customized to your foot shape and needs, used to support the arch and relieve pressure and pain.
Accommodative inserts — pre-manufactured or custom made, designed to support the whole foot using materials of various densities.
3/4-length supports — support from heel through arch with less bulk in the shoe.
Full-length inserts — run heel to toe for complete coverage.
Metatarsal pads — small pads that take weight off a metatarsal head.

Choosing the Right Density and Flexibility

Densities

Soft — for diabetics, arthritics, and others who need a soft cushion to relieve pressure.
Medium — for most people who need support and have never worn a support before.
Firm — for those who have worn out an old device and need strong support, and often used for dress shoe needs in 3/4 length.

Flexibility

Stable Steps — a firm 3/4-length device with a preformed arch, effective across a variety of problem feet.
Ultimate — a thin, firm device with a metatarsal pad and black top cover, suited to dress shoes for men and women.
Powersteps — a thin, firm arch support available in full and 3/4 length, very useful for younger clients.
Lynco's — offered in many styles and types for many different problems, in both 3/4 and full length.

Durability and Shoe Compatibility

How long does a FOOTfittR arch support last?

With proper care, your new inserts should keep delivering a high level of comfort and support for three years or more. FOOTfittR arch supports are made from materials available in several densities, so you can choose the firmness that matches your activity level and personal preference. As you might expect, harder, denser materials generally outlast softer ones.

Do these inserts require special shoes?

FOOTfittR inserts can be made to fit almost any shoes, as long as there is enough room inside to accommodate the arch support or insert. Shoes with removable insoles and generous room work best, since they allow a thicker insert with better shock absorption. The FOOTfittR insert or arch support is an excellent way to combine comfort, performance, and durability in an insole at a reasonable price. Once you've worn them in a pair of shoes, you'll begin to understand what foot comfort really means — imagine standing barefoot in moist sand, then capture that same feeling with FOOTfittR inserts. Our thoroughly trained fitting specialists can help you today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an arch support and an insert?

An arch support is built to support your arch and relieve pressure, while an insert is a broader term for any device placed inside the shoe to provide cushioning, accommodation, or support. Inserts can be pre-manufactured or custom made, and may be full-length or 3/4-length.

How do I know which density is right for me?

Soft densities are typically used for diabetics, arthritics, and others needing a soft cushion to relieve pressure. Medium densities suit most people who require support and have not worn a support before. Firm densities are for those who have worn out an old device or need strong support, and are often used in dress shoes.

Can FOOTfittR arch supports fit in any shoe?

FOOTfittR inserts can be made to fit perfectly in almost any shoes, provided there is enough room in the shoe to accommodate the arch support or insert. Shoes with removable insoles and plenty of room work better because they allow a thicker insert with better shock-absorbing qualities.

How long will my FOOTfittR arch support last?

With proper care, your new inserts should maintain a high level of comfort and support for three years or more. The material is available in several densities, and harder, more dense materials will usually last longer than softer ones.

Who can benefit from arch supports and inserts?

Inserts and arch supports can help people from all walks of life, including workers who stand on their feet most of the day, children, grandparents, athletes, or anyone wanting to relieve or prevent pain and soreness affecting their feet, legs, knees, lower back, hips, and even their neck.

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Choosing between a 3/4-length and a full-length option often comes down to how much room your shoes have and how much coverage you want. If you are unsure which density or style suits you, a FOOTfittR fitting specialist can map your feet and guide you toward the support that matches your needs.