FootBalance Custom Molded Insoles Review

Insoles can make a big difference in how your athletic shoes feel during use, adding cushioning and arch support to help prevent foot and leg injuries such as plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendonitis. However, it can take a lot of trial-and-error shopping to find the right insole that gives your foot what it needs.

FootBalance insoles are custom-molded on the spot to provide the support your foot needs. They are available at select athletic and outdoor shoe retailers, which you can find on FootBalance's website.

Foot Analysis First

If a store provides the FootBalance insole molding, you will first get a computerized foot analysis before trying the insoles. This will determine your arch height and where you place the most pressure on your foot when standing. Every foot is different, and you may have different needs for each foot. Foot analysis and a semi-custom insole can be a solution, and the analysis process takes just a couple of minutes.

Quick Custom Molding for FootBalance Insoles

After the foot mapping, the shoe salesperson will select the FootBalance insole that will best suit your needs. For example, you may only walk or run for short distances, or you may be training for long-distance events such as the half marathon and wearing cushioned shoes. Your individual situation will influence the recommendation made for you.

The salesperson will warm up the insoles, and you will spend about five minutes standing on them in various ways as they mold them to your foot. You should walk around in the store for several minutes wearing the insoles. If you have any discomfort or the arch seems to be too high or too low, you can ask for a repeat test. You usually won't be charged extra for this.

Some FootBalance insoles can also provide motion control to correct for overpronation as well as support and cushioning. Whether you have a high arch or flat feet, you should be able to get as much support as you need.

Feeling the Difference With FootBalance Insoles

Once molded, the FootBalance insoles are ready to wear. When you slip them into your shoes you are likely to feel the difference immediately. This improvement can be a little dangerous when you are in a shoe store and trying on different models. They may all feel so good that it can be harder to determine which will be best to buy. (A salesperson can easily help with this, though.)

But the true test of the insoles comes in wearing them for your workouts. It's best to test them out on shorter and slower workouts at first, in case they change your gait. That is always a possibility, so you want to build up your time gradually. If you have no new aches and pains, you can increase your speed and distance within a week. Wear your usual insoles for longer and faster workouts.

One of the benefits of custom-molded insoles is that you may have less foot and leg fatigue. The insoles are shock absorbers for your feet, so if they work, your legs and feet should feel less tired.

Blisters can be a problem when you change your shoes or insoles. But because these insoles conform better to your foot, they may make for fewer blisters. This was the experience of the reviewer. The typical blisters she had during a half marathon were eliminated and she never experienced them again after wearing FootBalance insoles for dozens of half marathons.

Do Insoles Increase Shoe Life?

Walking and running shoes lose their cushioning effects and start breaking down after you wear them for a few hundred miles. One rule of thumb is to replace them at 500 miles, though you may need to replace them more often as you observe wear and tear. Good insoles can help extend the usable life of your shoes.

The FootBalance insoles themselves will need replacing as well. They should last eight to 12 months, which is about twice as long as your shoes should last.

A Word From Verywell

While they're not a guaranteed solution, FootBalance insoles can help you feel less fatigued and improve your general athletic performance. There are a couple of drawbacks, however. For starters, they are expensive—about the cost of a pair of sneakers. That said, you eliminate the cost of trial-and-error trying other types of insoles, and it can be a cheaper option to get ones that fit your foot in one try. They also aren't available for purchase online; instead, you'll have to find a store that carries them. For a semi-custom do-it-at-home insole, you can order FootBalance QuickFit insoles, which you heat and mold yourself.