Why Not Getting Customised Insoles is False Economy
Author: Toby
Date: 12-05-2025
Why Not Getting Customised Insoles is False Economy
I’m a runner and have been running for more years than I care to admit. I’ve been (relatively) quick, (relatively) slow, underweight, overweight and gone through more pairs of shoes than I can remember. I’ve run short distances and long distances and really put my feet and legs through the wringer!
Over that time, I’ve been really lucky with injuries and although I have trained through them (I am a runner and that’s what we do), I have also seen many different Physiotherapists and been given all manner of treatments, some of which were more effective than others.
I’ve had customised insoles, I’ve had off the shelf insoles (bought from a platform that is the same as a South American river) and no insoles at all.
Added to that, I’ve had plantar fasciitis and tried running with all of the above 3 options.
In a completely non-scientific sense, I have to say that I was (and am) much better off with customised insoles than I ever was with any other variety.
Why? It’s actually quite simple :
- The insoles match my foot. Where I have a tendency to overpronate, the insoles help me. When I lean more heavily on my left side, the insoles help me. They support my foot specifically and help iron out all the problems that I cause myself with my imperfect gait. They’d be useless for anybody but me.
- They help with my plantar fasciitis. The customised insoles redistribute the pressure and align my gait, meaning that I notice my pain a lot less when I run. I don’t get the same level of relief or management from an off the shelf insole.
- I feel better, so I actually run better. Not only in terms of time, but also comfort. When I’m out on a run, I don’t think about whether the pain will stop me. And, it doesn’t bother me afterwards like it used to either.
- Better value. When I consider how much I have spent over the years on Physiotherapy, off the shelf insoles and other things supposed to help me, it far outweighs what I have spent since I made the investment in a pair of customised insoles. I don’t visit the Physio now (sorry Raj) and the insoles have paid for themselves.
The insoles are not just good for running, they can help in any kind of activity where a lot of time is spent on your feet. I wear them when I walk my dogs and I don’t have any foot problems afterwards (it used to depend on which shoes I wore). When I go to a concert or any kind of outdoor event where I may be standing for a prolonged period of time, I wear them and my feet don’t hurt at the end of the day.
If I were to calculate how much money I have saved on customised insoles compared to how much I would have spent on pain relief, then the insoles win every day.
Customised insoles are not just a gimmick. It sounds great that they are printed by a 3D printer. But this is actually a huge selling point, they are so accurate that they can support my foot exactly as it needs. And, they are harder wearing than the off the shelf insoles.
So, next time you are looking for insoles, just think about investing in some customised 3D printed insoles. You won’t regret it!
