Insoles: a Foot's Best Friend

INSOLES

A few years ago, Consumer Reports conducted a study using several brands of Insoles to determine which performed best to add to the life of the shoe while providing optimum cushioning for the consumer.

The following was published by Consumer Reports. The report is dated, 12:00 AM EST on Monday, January 20, 2003.

"Aerobics instructor Pam Campana goes through a pair of shoes every three months.

"Usually, the sneaker will begin to be compressed underneath my foot. It will cause my foot to slide and I'll feel pain in my shins," she said.

Even if you don't go through shoes like Pam, you may be interested to know that Consumer Reports has a much less expensive option than buying a whole new pair - replacing the insoles in your old shoes.

Testers just evaluated six different insoles that cost up to $40.00. A machine assesses the insole's shock absorption in different pairs of walking shoes. "We take out the original insole, we put in the replacement insole and then we test the cushioning," said Harv Ebel with Consumer Reports.

But machines can't tell you everything, so the insoles were also tested where the rubber meets the road. Testers wore them for several weeks to see how they affect a shoe's performance.

"We do blind tests. We take one brand of insole and put it in the left shoe and put another brand in the right shoe. The tester doesn't know which insole is in each shoe. That makes it an objective test," Ebel said.

When all the results were in, the top-rated insoles were also the least expensive. Coming out on top, the Spenco Polysorb Cross Trainer Insoles which sell for around $19. These can improve an older shoe's performance.

Consumer Reports says it's important to make sure insoles fit correctly or they can slip and compromise stability and fit. To insure proper fit, the Spenco insoles are made to be trimmed to fit your shoes. Spenco recommends using the insole you are replacing as a template so you get the closest fit possible."

By Consumer Reports.

Spenco Medical Corporation manufactures several Polysorb cushioning insoles for men and women. The top three Polysorb cushioning Insoles are the Cross Trainer Insoles, the Walker Runner Insoles and the Total Support Insoles. The Spenco Polysorb Cross Trainer and the Spenco Polysorb Walker Runner Insoles sell for around $17 at www.theinsolestore.com while the Spenco Polysorb Total Support Insoles sell for just under $30. The Total Support Insoles offer arch support as well as cushioning. All Spenco Polysorb Insoles have a one year unconditional guarantee and are available in sizes to fit Men and Women ranging from women's size 3 up to men's size 15.

Spenco Insoles and Orthotic Arch Supports have been awarded the prestigious Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association.