Frequently Asked Questions

Footminders orthotic insoles are podiatrist-designed inserts that help correct foot alignment and relieve common problems such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and overpronation. They support posture and comfort whether you are walking, running, or standing all day. More about what orthotics are and how they differ from ordinary inserts.

They are made of a medium-density material called EVA. Footminders orthotic technology makes them firm enough to give real arch support, yet pliable enough to cushion and to mold to your feet after a few days of wear. As you put weight on the foot there is a certain amount of give, which absorbs shock through the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. That makes them more comfortable and more natural than rigid custom-made podiatrist orthotics.

They are biomechanically engineered to support the arch and align the feet and ankles. By correcting overpronation they reduce strain on the heels, knees, hips, and lower back. Orthotics do more than hold up the arch: they redistribute weight away from sore spots such as the heel, the ball of the foot, and pressure points around bunions and corns. See how orthotic insoles help.

Regular footbeds are built mainly to cushion and absorb shock. They can feel comfortable at first, but they do not address the underlying mechanics, so they do not correct overpronation. Some include an arch shape, though it is often too soft to have any real effect. An orthotic is a functional device: it re-aligns the feet and ankles and improves how the foot works, which is what reduces pain and helps prevent the problem coming back. Why factory shoe insoles are not the same as orthotic insoles.

Custom orthotics are prescribed by a podiatrist, are usually rigid, and often cost several hundred dollars. They exist for serious biomechanical problems: excess supination, large bunions, foot ulcers, foot deformities, or severely flat feet. Many patients find them hard to get used to precisely because they are so rigid.

Footminders are pre-made and more forgiving. They are not molded to your individual foot, but they self-mold over roughly four to six weeks of wear as body weight and body heat shape them, so they feel better the longer you wear them. Custom vs over-the-counter orthotics, compared, and what one study found when the two were tested against each other.

Every model treats the same underlying problem. Which one you pick depends on the shoes you will wear them in.

• COMFORT is full length, for lace-up shoes, athletic footwear, work boots and hiking boots.
• CASUAL is 3/4 length, for dress shoes, loafers, moccasins and other low-heeled slip-ons.
• CATWALK is slim, for pumps, court shoes, and sandals or boots with low, medium or high heels.
• KIDS is 3/4 length, for children's sneakers, school shoes and sports shoes.

They fit most shoes, as long as you match the model to the shoe. CASUAL suits almost any dress shoe, brogue or boat shoe, provided it is not very narrow. COMFORT suits deep, roomy lace-ups and boots, including athletic and golf shoes, and can be trimmed at the toe if it runs long. CATWALK is made for narrower women's footwear, court shoes, and medium to high heeled sandals and boots. If a shoe already feels tight, check whether it has enough room first.

Most complaints linked to overpronation respond well to orthotic support. That includes heel pain, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, bunion pain, calluses and corns, Achilles tendonitis, ball of foot pain and Morton's neuroma.

Because the feet are the foundation of everything above them, poor foot mechanics can also show up further up the chain, which is why orthotics are often used alongside treatment for shin splints, knee pain and lower back pain.

Yes. Footminders insoles are designed to help relieve pain caused by flat feet and plantar fasciitis by supporting the arch and spreading pressure more evenly across the foot. See our guides to flat feet and fallen arches and plantar fasciitis.

The COMFORT model works well for walking, light jogging and low-impact sport. For high-intensity running or court sports we recommend pairing Footminders with athletic shoes that already provide motion control, using the insole as an additional support layer rather than the only one.

Order by the US shoe size you normally wear. Our insole size guide has the full chart for COMFORT, CASUAL, CATWALK and KIDS, including the foot-length measurements children are sized by. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one.

COMFORT is full length and can be trimmed at the toe for a precise fit. Use your existing shoe insole as a template and cut slowly and carefully along the trimming lines printed on the underside. CASUAL and KIDS are 3/4 length and do not need trimming. CATWALK is slim with an adhesive patch and should not be trimmed.

For a pair. All Footminders orthotic insoles are sold only in pairs, because they need to be worn in both shoes. See the next question for why.

Yes, always both. Most people feel pain in only one foot, heel or knee, but wearing an orthotic in a single shoe raises one side and can throw your hips out of alignment, which creates a new problem while solving the old one. Wear the insoles in both shoes.

Yes. Footminders KIDS is made for growing feet and is intended for children with flat feet, heel pain, or ankles that roll inward. Size by measured foot length, not by age: SK fits US kids' sizes 10 to 12.5, a foot length of 6.5 to 7.4 in (16.5 to 18.8 cm). K fits US kids' sizes 13 to 2.5Y, 7.5 to 8.4 in (19.1 to 21.3 cm). Above 8.4 in, move to COMFORT or CASUAL in X-SMALL. Our kids' shoe size finder works it out from a single measurement.

Most people find them comfortable straight away. If yours feel strange at first, wear them for about one hour on the first day and add half an hour to an hour each day until they feel completely normal. The insoles also continue to mold to your feet over the following weeks. More on breaking in orthotic insoles without making foot pain worse.

Yes, between shoes of similar style and size. If you wear one pair of shoes most days, a second pair of insoles is worth it so you are not moving them back and forth constantly.

With regular daily wear, expect 6 to 12 months. It depends on your weight, how many hours a day you wear them and what you do in them. Replace them when you notice the arch flattening, the heel cup losing shape, or support that no longer feels the way it did. Signs it is time for a new pair.

No machine washing and no dryer. Wipe them with a warm, damp cloth and mild soap, do not soak them, and let them air dry completely before putting them back in your shoes.

If you have diabetes or neuropathy, please speak to your doctor before using any orthotic device. Our insoles are supportive and cushioned, but medical clearance comes first. See our guide to diabetic foot care.

We cannot assess your individual case, so we do not ask you to take the risk. Try them for 30 days. If they have not helped, send them back for a full refund, no questions asked. Details of our 30-day money-back guarantee.

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy with your insoles, return them within 30 days for a full refund or exchange. Read the full returns policy.

Orders ship within 1 business day from our U.S. warehouse. Delivery usually takes 3 to 7 business days depending on where you are. You will get a tracking number by email once your order ships.

Footminders currently ships within the United States and Canada. For anywhere else, please contact us and we will tell you what is possible.