Why Sole Supports? +

No one makes orthotics like we do. Due to our insistence on truly custom products, we have much higher than average manufacturing costs, and much more stringent criteria for quality control. Our orthotics cannot be approximated by simple, over-the-counter foot casting techniques, and require visiting a provider who is trained in how to best capture your foot in ideal gait. But the good news is we have created an orthotic that really works the way it is supposed to. We actually change how a foot functions on the ground. We make people better (our company motto).

So what's the big deal? Well . . . , ask someone who really suffers from a persistent foot pain or a deformity that keeps rubbing into their shoes. Or ask someone who has just had their third surgery to correct a bad bunion. Or someone who is off work because their plantar fasciitis is so bad they can't stand or walk for more than 10 minutes at a time. The fact is, many people suffer from foot disorders and are constantly looking, sometimes desperately, for relief.

Will I Always Need The Orthotic? +

Yes. Once there has been loss of arch height and function, the only way to regain and maintain such is through direct support. The persistent effects of gravity and hard floor surfaces can only be offset by regular orthotic use.

Can I Use Them in all of my shoes? +

Our orthotics fit most shoes, with a handful of exceptions, which is handled at the design stage when you order a pair with your provider. Full length orthotics, designed for athletic or casual shoes, should fit in all similar shoes with removable inserts (the factory 1/8" foam pad that came with the shoe).

Loafers, tight dress or sport shoes (most shoes that do not have removable inserts) usually require a narrower shell and more shallow heel cup. Just let your provider know if these are the types of shoes you intend to wear with your orthotics.

Sole Supports can be made to accommodate most types of shoes. Tell your provider what shoes you intend to wear and they can best advise you what design options will work best with your shoes. We also offer specialty orthotics designed for high heels ("The Copley).

Can I run, jump, and do other high impact activities with my orthotics without damaging them? +

Yes! Our orthotics are used, worldwide, by people specializing in extremely strenuous physical activities, such as professional sports, strength-training, and military applications.

Do the orthotics require any maintenance? +

Other than washing them occasionally, no special maintenance is required.

The topcovers are water resistent and absord minimal sweat, but like any device held against the body, over time surface residues may build up. We do offer surface recovering in the event your orthotics require such. See our User Guide for more details.

How durable are they? +

So long as they remain in shoes, and aren't exposed to excessive heat or a family dog that needs a new chew toy, there's little that's likely to happen to them in a reasonable amount of time. They are made from completely waterproof materials.

The interior shell that makes up the core of our flagship orthotics should last several years with normal use and are covered by warranty against cracking or breakage for a full 12 months. They don't typically "wear out" or lose their proper support function. Due to our orthotic being calibrated, it is wise to follow up with your provider if you have gained or lost a significant amoun tof weight or had a foot injury. They may need to be adjusted.

Will they make me taller? +

Yes! Raising the collapsed arch of a typical foot will add a discrete amount of height to the individual. Just be sure to watch your head!

What is the difference between the sole support and sole mates? +

We currently offer two major tiers of custom orthotics, with the key difference between them being the level of support they give.

The Sole Support is our top-of-the-line flagship product, utilizing MASS Posture theory and calibrated to each individual to best accommodate their specific weight and activity level. They are made of the most durable, high quality materials reasonably possible. For the best possible level of support, it doesn't get any better than this.

Sole Mates offer a moderate level of support in comparison, utilizing a streamlined adaptation of MASS Posture theory while also being a customized product. While they are not calibrated, they still offer a competitive, affordable option for those who may not be ready to take the plunge into our flagships orthotics. Thanks to MASS Posture theory, they are still some of the best customized orthotics available on the market today.

Can my children use Sole Supports? +

For younger children, whose feet are still developing, we offer a product line specifically developed to meet their needs, called Sole Kids. Ask your provider for details.

For adolescents, particularly those interested in sports, we can accommodate them with our custom orthotics in the same manner as we would adults to help prevent injury.

Can I get them wet? +

Our orthotics are made of water resistant topcovers and a waterproof shell. Vinyl covers can be dried with a towel and fabric covers can be air dried or rapidly dried with an everyday hair dryer.

Can I wear them all the time, immediately? +

We recommend wearing for one hour the first day, then increasing one hour wear time every day until you achieve a total of 8 hours per day. After that, wear them as much as possible whenever you are on your feet. We call this gradual procedure "breaking in" orthotics.

This is necessary because our product dramatically changes the shape of your foot, which will typically have become used to dysfunction. Correcting this posture can cause some initial discomfort over long stretches of time. However, this discomfort quickly fades as your foot becomes accustomed to your new, corrected posture.

Can your orthotics be used in sandals? +

Yes. However, the sandals must have a removable foot bed that allows the orthotic to nest into the sandal base.

In addition to this, we also manufacture custom sandals with our product built-in from the ground up. Ask your provider for more details.

My orthotic slides around in my shoe. What do I do? +

This can happen when an orthotic designed for a different type of shoe is transferred, since the topcover can not reach the full perimeter of the sole. Some shoes have a more slick sole material that might facilitate sliding, or the orthotics are used in shoes sized wider than others. Double-faced (carpet) tape may be used on the flat heel bottom of the orthotic or Velcro may also be used to help anchor the orthotic to the shoe at the heel.

In extreme circumstances we offer services to replace topcovers to existing orthotics, which you can then trim to the shape necessary to avoid such movement. Ask your provider for more details.

I cut the orthotic topcover too short. What do I do? +

As long as they are comfortable and the orthotic does not shift in the shoe with use, it shouldn't be a problem.

In severe cases, however, we do offer services to replace damaged topcovers. Ask your provider for details.

Can wearing the wrong shoes hinder the orthotic? +

Most good quality shoes have features that are unlikely to impede with posture correction. It's important that you keep your shoes in good shape, and either repair or replace them if the heels are worn unevenly, and so on.

As general guidelines, if the foot is highly flexible and deeply over-pronating, the shoe should have some firm control features built-in, such as a stiff heel counter, firm midsole (does not twist easily) and good lateral support (does not allow foot to slide away from orthotic). A straight last (shape of the bottom of the shoe) is preferable to a highly curved (banana-shaped) last.

If the foot is more high-arched and rigid, shock absorption is the most important feature of the shoe design. High-arch feet have higher insteps, too, so the shoe's vamp needs to be generously sized to accommodate this, which is generally only an issue with tight dress shoes.

My orthotics squeak? +

A little bit of talcum powder can fix this issue. Just sprinkle a bit underneath the orthotic shell. This can happen sometimes depending on the material of the shoe.

My leg muscles feel different. Is that normal? +

Your orthotics change the way your feet function and effect the posture of your legs, hips and back. It's completely normal to feel some changes in these effected regions as your body adjusts to it's new, corrected posture.

Is it normal to feel pressure in the front of the heel and the arch? +

Yes. This is commonly noticed when you first get used to the unique support these orthotics offer. In order to change the way your feet function, a force must be applied to your foot and this is where the most force is applied. After a week or two of full time use, this will feel normal and beneficial -especially when compared with how your feet feel without the support! With regular use you will soon find that you are no longer aware of the force of correction.