How to Find the Best Insoles For Flat Feet
There are many different reasons why people develop flat feet. Sometimes individuals just never develop arches as they grow, while other times an injury or simple wear and tear can cause flat feet to develop later in life.
Even if you don’t notice that your arches have fallen, you may start to feel other related symptoms (including the misalignment of the legs) that cause aches and pains from the feet up to the hips and back.
You may have heard from a doctor or physical therapist that orthotics for flat feet can provide much-needed arch support. These specific flat foot insoles are made to cradle the feet and can mitigate some of the negative consequences of this condition.
Today, we’ll explore some of the best orthotic insoles for flat feet, and why they’re so popular with our customers.
The Risks of Untreated Flat Feet
With a simple arch support insole, you can mitigate some of the long-term effects of flat feet.
These include foot pain and inflammation, and numbness, tingling, and pain in the lower legs and ankles. People who have flat feet are also at increased risk for overpronation.
Qualities of a Good Orthotic for Flat Feet
To mitigate the pain and discomfort associated with flat feet, invest in a pair of arch support insoles, or other orthotics specifically designed to support flat feet.
While flat foot insoles may look like any other orthotic, you can ensure they’ll work for you by making sure they have the following qualities.
Arch support
The most important quality of orthotics for flat feet are their arch support. These orthotics, and flat feet shoes all include firm support along the bottom of the arch. This material shouldn’t be uncomfortable, nor should it compress over time.
Shock absorption
The same material that makes up the arch support of a flat foot insole should also provide ample shock absorption. This helps limit ongoing pain in the feet, especially after long periods of standing or activity.
Flexibility
For a comfortable fit, insoles should be flexible while still maintaining enough stability to ensure they keep your feet in the proper neutral alignment.
Size
If an insole makes your foot feel cramped inside your shoes, it’s not the correct size.
The best insoles should fit your feet exactly, so you don’t have to guess your size. With over-the-counter insoles, you may have to trim it to size yourself, and you’ll never know if it will fit correctly inside your desired pair of shoes.
Volume
The right insole shouldn’t just fit into your shoe. It should also offer the correct amount of volume, depending on what shoes you use it with. Flat feet insoles used in running should offer more volume for this high-impact activity, while lower volume insoles are a discrete and supportive option for dress shoes or loafers.
Why Choose Custom Orthotics for Flat Feet
Instead of relying on over-the-counter insoles that are made in generic sizes to fit a wide variety of feet, opt for custom insoles for your flat feet. In addition to conforming to the exact shape of your foot, custom insoles offer support and strength where you need it most. If you have other foot conditions such as heel spurs, bunions, and hammertoe, your orthotics will be made to take these issues into account.
Custom insoles from Orthotics Direct are made with either a foam cast of your feet. Once we have the cast, we manufacture an orthotic that fits your foot exactly. Our flat foot insoles are then placed into the shoe of your choice, and we’ll evaluate it carefully to get a precise fit.
