SOLE Blog
February 19th, 2013
Support or control? What Dr. Reed Ferber says is the key to an effective orthotic
"Using a model of the plantar fascia of the foot, we measured how much strain could be reduced by wearing an orthotic device. We learned that a custom orthotic, which can cost upwards of $450, isn't the only preventative measure for plantar fasciitis. An over-the-counter device like SOLE – which is what we used – is also very effective at reducing stress and strain in the foot" - Dr. Ferber, University of Calgary Running Injury Clinic
June 29th, 2011
The Shape of Comfort
No two feet are alike, which is why there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Your foot wasn't made flat, so why is almost all footwear made that way? For those who experience foot pain it comes as no surprise that if your feet are not comfortable, nothing else is either. SOLE products feature accommodative support that adapts to the shape of your foot, providing unparalleled comfort without sacrificing stylish design.
March 15th, 2011
Heat Moulding
SOLE footbeds are heat mouldable, as well as wear mouldable. If you want to mould your footbeds quickly, or put them into shoes with extremely narrow heels, or have very flat feet, heat moulding is the way to go. Otherwise, wear moulding only takes a few days of use and is the simplest way to get a custom fit. If you have question about whether you should mould the footbeds or not, check out this post from our Customer Service Manager, Alyssa.
February 4th, 2011
When is it time to buy a new pair of footbeds?
This is a question I get all the time: "When do I need to buy a new pair of footbeds?" The answer is... depends :) Generally we say a pair of footbeds should last you about 1 - 1.5 years. However, depending on your use, they could last longer or shorter. My favorite story concerning this is about Dean Karnazes. When he ran the Endurance 50 (50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states), he used one pair of footbeds throughout, but wore out a few pairs of shoes.
January 31st, 2011
What the heck is a moisture wick?
If you're like me, sometimes all the technical jargon around a product can get confusing. Although technical info is important, I'm more interested in how a product can help me for everyday use. Further to that point, there's been an ongoing joke in our Vancouver office to the tune of, "What the heck is a moisture wick and why should I care?"
October 27th, 2010
To Mould or Not To Mould?
There are many tough choices in life: chocolate or vanilla? Team Jacob or Team Edward? Ski or surf? The great news is this: deciding whether or not you are going to mould your footbeds doesn't have to be so difficult.
July 26th, 2010
Softec vs. Ventilated Softec
Everyone loves having an extra "spring" in their step, and we know that using SOLE Custom Footbeds can bring a new rhythm to any person's swagger, but what is it IN the Softec and Signature Edition footbeds that takes the comfort and shock absorption to the next level?
May 11th, 2010
Can you really extend the life of your footwear by wearing SOLE Footbeds?
The Race Rx Academy recently finished a study on SOLE Ultra footbeds. They tested the footbeds in worn running shoes, and here is what they found:
March 23rd, 2010
Reintroducing the Softec Casual
Our Softec Casual Footbed is available again! The same platform and cushioning as the Softec Response, but with a synthetic nubuck topsheet and perforated forefoot to go with your casual and dress shoes. The Thin Casual is for tight-fitting dress shoes and the Softec Casual is for those shoes with a bit more room in them.
March 22nd, 2010
Updated Softec Series
We have updated our Softec Series Footbeds with recycled content for 2010. 35% of the moisture-wicking top sheet is made of recycled content. 20% of the moldable base layer is made from scraps from our own production. It would be better to have post-consumer recycled content but it is impossible to separate out the EVA layer from the other layers. For years now, our production scrap with multiple materials has been turned into housing insulation by a company in S. Korea, where the footbeds are made.
March 19th, 2010
Pogo Stick Trickery using Sole Custom Footbeds
Check out this awesome video of Pogo Stick Tricks using SOLE Custom Footbeds
February 22nd, 2010
Introducing our improved Thin Series Footbeds
Along with changing the name of our Slim Series to the Thin Series, we have made some improvements as well. They are now thinner (at least 10% thinner for the Sport and 30% thinner for the Casual). This makes them even better for low volume footwear like dress shoes, cycling shoes, hockey skates, etc. They are also more moldable in the heel for very narrow footwear. Both have 20% recycled EVA and the Thin Sport has 35% recycled content in the top sheet.
February 15th, 2010
Introducing the redesigned Signature Series Footbed lineup
SOLE is proud to introduce our redesigned Signature Series Custom Footbeds lineup. We have made several significant improvements to the Signature Series line of SOLE Custom Footbeds. We now feature Ventilated Softec Cushioning, which has the same performance as our normal Softec but is more breathable.
October 21st, 2009
Custom Footbeds featured in The Daily Mail
Our Custom Footbeds were featured in the October 20th edition of the The Daily Mail.
October 15th, 2009
Custom Footbeds featured in Health and Fitness, a UK magazine.
Our Custom Footbeds are featured in the November issue of Health and Fitness, a UK Magazine
October 7th, 2009
Slim Sport Custom Footbeds featured in Cycling Plus, a UK magazine.
Our Slim Sport Custom Footbeds were recently featured in Cycling Plus, a UK magazine. Here's what they had to say:
"It's not very often we review products at Cycling Plus that need to be put in the oven before using, so it was a bit of a surprise when these turned up and - with some trepidation - we popped them in the oven at 90C for a couple minutes. These are designed for tight-fitting shoes like cycling shoes or football boots. Once out of the oven, you put them into your shoe, pop your foot in and they mould to the shape of your foot. They're designed to offer more support than standard cycling footwear is likely to provide, and our tester has been very impressed with them, deciding to carry on using them. Yes, they're fairly expensive - a tenner more than the SQ Lab insoles we reviewed back in issue 224 - but if you're looking for more foot support or your suffering from foot problems then the £35 could prove a price worth paying."
October 5th, 2009
Slim Style Custom Footbeds added to clearance section
Our Slim Style Custom Footbeds have been added to the clearance section of our web store. The Slim Style is only available to customers in the United States.
October 5th, 2009
DK+ Custom Footbeds added to clearance section
Our DK+ Custom Footbeds have been added to the clearance section of our web store. The DK+ is only available to customers in Canada and the United States.
September 15th, 2009
SOLE Slim Sport Custom Footbeds recommended in Runner's World, a UK magazine
Our Slim Sport Custom Footbeds appear in the October 2009 issue of Runner's World magazine in the UK. The footbeds are recommend as a great do-it-yourself orthopedic insole solution.
August 18th, 2009
Custom Footbeds featured in the September issue of Women's Fitness, a UK magazine
Our Custom Footbeds are featured in the September issue of Women's Fitness, a UK magazine. Here's what they had to say:
"Even the most supportive shoe on the market is flat inside, so a good insole is crucial to prevent foot pain and provide internal stability. SOLE Custom Footbeds offer excellent support for your feet. Simply pop this insole in the oven and the arch support and base layer can be moulded to the shape of your foot! There's a moisture-wicking top layer and thick cushioning to absorb shock, while the deep heel cup keeps your foot aligned in the shoe."
July 13th, 2009
iRunFar.com reviews our Signature Dean Karnazes Footbeds
iRunFar.com recently reviewed our Signature Dean Karnazes Footbeds. Here's what they had to say:
"Since that initial run I've probably logged several hundred miles and ran a 50k, 60k and a 50 miler on them. Having had them almost six months now two features really stand out as making these footbeds excel over others I've used.
First is the pronounced heel cup. While not as noticeable (to me) on the road, I certainly have a sense that paired with a trail shoe the deep heel cup helps keep my foot in place on nasty sloppy terrain (i.e. McNaughton this year), as well as potentially keeping blisters at bay.
The second is that the SOLE's have noticeably less volume than other insoles I've used while maintaining the same level of comfort. As a runner with a higher volume foot I feel this is a plus, especially in ultras where your feet tend to swell later in the race. When soaking wet, the insoles also don't seem to absorb water like other inserts and don't have that squishy feel even after multiple stream crossings."
May 19th, 2009
Signature Dean Karnazes and Ed Viesturs Footbeds accepted by the APMA
Our Signature Dean Karnazes and Ed Viesturs Footbeds were recently accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
"Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the leading resource for foot and ankle health information. Currently, the organization represents a vast majority of the estimated 15,000 podiatrists in the country. In addition to the national headquarters, APMA boasts 53 state component locations throughout the United States and its territories, as well as affiliated societies."
May 6th, 2009
Triathlete recommends SOLE Slim Sport footbeds for your cycling shoes.
"Slim sport insoles are designed to fit tight-fitting shoes (like 99.9 percent of cycling shoes) and can be thermo-molded to fit your feet."
May 6th, 2009
Mountain Flyer gives SOLE Softec Regular Footbeds two big thumbs up
"Mountain biking magazine, Mountain Flyer, gives SOLE Regular Softec Footbeds two big thumbs up."
April 22nd, 2009
Better shoes our way
Haglöfs has a great feature on their website, entitled "Better shoes our way." Click the link below to see how SOLE has been working with Haglöfs:
March 23rd, 2009
I Swim Bike Run reviews SOLE Custom Footbeds
"If you have ever considered insoles for your running shoes, here's a product that might work for you. It really just depends on what problem you're trying to address and how much money you want to throw at it. I had a painful bout of plantar fasciitis years ago and decided to pay $200 for custom orthotics which I ordered from my physical therapist. If SOLE custom footbeds were around back then, I might have tried this product first."
March 6th, 2009
Triathlete magazine features the Slim Sport footbeds
SOLE Slim Sport footbeds have been featured in the April issue of Triathlete magazine.
March 6th, 2009
Softec Ultra footbeds featured in Backpacker magazine gear guide
SOLE Softec Ultra footbeds have been included in the Backpacker magazine 2009 gear guide.
February 23rd, 2009
Health care for runners can take a complex path
"The right treatment helps to get rid of the pain of running."
January 7th, 2009
Dean Karnazes Signature Edition Footbeds make the FeedTheHabit.com Gear of the Year 2008 list.
Jason Mitchell selects the Dean Karnazes Signature Edition Footbeds for the FeedTheHabit.com Gear of the Year 2008 list.
December 15th, 2008
DK+ Signature Edition footbeds recently featured on MacWorld.com
Our DK+ Signature Edition footbeds were recently featured on MacWorld.com. Click Here to view the article.
December 2nd, 2008
SOLE Featured in The Huntin' Fool
The November 2008 edition of The Huntin' Fool features our custom footbeds.