Product FAQs

There are a variety of reasons SOLE will be out of sizes and/or stock. Inventory projection and management is a complex science, and while we usually have it right, there are a number of variables that can lead to items being out of stock.

Seasonal items (for example, SOLE's Spring 2012 footwear line) are manufactured based on our projection of demand for the coming season. In cases where we become back-ordered prior to the season ending, it is because we underestimated the demand for a certain item.

For non-seasonal items, such as many of our footbeds, we can become back-ordered because projections may have been incorrect (i.e. size 9 was in higher demand than anticipated), but there are also several other variables that can cause a back-order situation. When SOLE places an order with our manufacturer it takes a period of time to produce and ship that product. In that space of time, several things can happen that delay product from arriving. Over the years, SOLE has experienced everything from material shortages, natural disasters that prevent shipments from arriving, to port employee strikes. While most of the time SOLE ensures the products arrive in a manner that prevents back-orders, there are some situations that are out of our control.

Please take a look at our size chart

Our products are made from many different materials. We strive to use sustainable materials and processes wherever possible. Please check out the tech specs section on each products page for a more thorogh description for each product.

All of our products are designed in-house by our design team in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Our products are manufactured in China and South Korea.

No two feet are alike, which is why there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Almost all footwear is made flat, your foot is not. SOLE Footbeds and Sandals mould to fit your unique foot. Generic insoles and flat footwear simply cannot offer the same level of arch support, control and comfort that SOLE products can.

SOLE Custom Footbeds cost less than traditional custom orthotics because they use wear- and heat-moulding technology to offer an easy way to customize the footwear/footbeds.

You can place the footbeds in your footwear without heat moulding them. If you require maximum support or have very high arches this may be best. Wear moulding the footbeds takes a few days longer than heat moulding but the footbeds will still become personalized to your unique feet.

Under normal use conditions our footbeds should last at least 1 year. If you are unsatisfied with the footbeds for any reason, return them within 90 days for replacement or refund, no questions asked.

Order an insole that is one size above your current shoe size (i.e. if you wear a size 11EE, purchase size 12 insoles). Line up the heels of the old insole with your new SOLE Custom Footbeds, and using the insole from your shoe as a guide, trace the toe area. Then use scissors to trim the insoles. WARNING: Only trim the toe area, and do not cut them too short. If your foot is larger than EEE, purchase insoles that are two sizes larger and follow the same process to trim them to length.

Order an insole that is one half size larger than your shoe size (i.e. If you wear a Women's 8.5, order a Women's 9 insole). Using the factory insole as a guide, line up the heel of the old insole with your new SOLE Custom Footbed and trace the toe area. Then use scissors to trim the insoles. CAUTION: Only trim the toe end and take care not to cut them too short! Fraying of the Thinsulate™ layer may occur when trimming insulated Footbeds (Insulated Ultra, Insulated Response, Signature CD Thin). Some fraying is expected and will not affect the function or integrity of the product.

Remove the factory-supplied insole from your footwear, place it on top of your new footbed with the heels lined up. Trace around the toe line, and trim with scissors. If your footwear does not have removable insoles, you can stand on the footbed and trace around your toe line. Begin trimming a small amount at a time until they fit snugly in your footwear. CAUTION: Only trim the toe end and take care not to cut them too short! Fraying of the Thinsulate™ layer may occur when trimming insulated Footbeds (Insulated Ultra, Insulated Response, Signature CD Thin). Some fraying is expected and will not affect the function or integrity of the product.

SOLE Custom Footbeds may make your shoes feel too tight initially. Be sure you have untied and loosened your footwear's laces (if they have laces) and removed the factory-supplied insole from the footwear, if possible. Remember, SOLE Custom Footbeds come in 3 thicknesses so there is probably one that will be the correct thickness for your foot and footwear.

Yes. Preheat the oven to 200°F / 90°C (GAS OVEN (UK): Start at lowest gas mark (1/4, S, SS)) before placing the footbeds in the oven. If you put SOLE in the oven during preheating, they will likely overheat and possibly melt. Make sure that the insoles stay in the oven for no less than 2 minutes, and no longer than 3 minutes, or sooner if the Opti-therm decal changes color before 3 minutes are up. By closely monitoring the amount of time the insoles are in the oven you will ensure they are sufficiently heated for moulding, without getting overheated.

After the moulding process has been completed your SOLE footbeds may not appear dramatically different compared to their pre-moulded appearance. SOLE footbeds are made with a highly mouldable material, but how different they look after moulding is affected by your unique combination of foot and footwear. In tighter fitting footwear, such as an ice skate, or on a person with a very low arch, your footbeds may dramatically change shape, but the difference may not be as visible in looser footwear, like casual or running shoes or normal to high arches.

People have different personal preferences for the amount of cushioning they need. This preference may change as well depending upon the type of shoe- more cushioning for a running shoe and less for a dress shoe. The other reason is that shoes have different internal volumes so one SOLE footbed may not fit in all shoes. Different thicknesses mean you should be able to use SOLE footbeds in almost all of your footwear.

Yes. You can re-mould your footbeds up to 5 times without effecting the quality.

The sandals usually adjust to your unique foot shape within approximately 1 week of regular use.

SOLE Sandals will elevate your arch, which may make the strap feel too tight initially. You can stretch out the strap by hand before slipping them on, then gradually increase the time you spend in them over a few days.

An increase in foot comfort, reduced risk of blisters, and reduced foot odor.

The unique blend of fibers that makes SOLE socks perform so well and feel so good also makes them very effective at picking up dust and lint from your floors, which is why we recommend you wear them with footwear to keep them in top condition.

SOLE socks are designed to be left and right foot specific. This is why an L and an R appear inside the cuff of the sock or on the outside in front of your heel. Also included on the inside of the cuff is sizing information, which is meant to help keep your socks separate from other, different-sized, SOLE sock users in the same household.

The reason SOLE Custom Footbeds are so effective at increasing comfort and performance, while reducing pain and the chance of injury is because of their orthopedic shape. The insoles are designed to mould to your unique feet without losing this supportive shape. During the moulding process the insole contours to the subtle nuances of your foot and footwear, but because it retains the orthopedic shape, it may appear that the insole has not moulded very much. If you are unsatisfied with the level of moulding you can put them back in the oven for a slightly longer period (no more than 3 minutes) and re-mould them. This will enhance the moulding properties of the footbed, but may also affect the level of support the footbeds will offer. You can also try moulding the insole without any socks on. This will increase the visible impression made in the forefoot area.

The Opti-Therm Indicator is not crucial to the moulding process. Preheat your oven to 200°F and place the insoles in the oven on the centre rack. Make sure that the insoles stay in the oven for no less than 2 minutes, and no longer than 3 minutes. By closely monitoring the amount of time the insoles are in the oven you will ensure they are sufficiently heated for moulding, without getting overheated.

No, if you try to use a microwave the insoles will be ruined. The reason for this is that a microwave does not heat evenly. Large areas of the insole will completely melt almost instantly, while other areas will not even get warm. If you do not have access to a conventional oven, place the insoles in your footwear without heating them. Over time, the heat from your feet will wear mould the insoles.

It is up to your personal preference whether you wear socks during the moulding process or not. We recommend replicating the combination of foot, sock, and footwear that you plan to use the insoles with. If you normally wear socks with this footwear, then wear socks during the moulding process; if you do not normally wear socks, then avoid wearing socks while moulding. Some users have found they get a slightly improved mould in the forefoot area if they do not wear socks during the moulding process.

If the factory-supplied insoles that came with your footwear are removable, we recommend you do so. Leaving them in may interfere with the effectiveness of your new SOLE Custom Footbeds. If the factory insoles are not removable you can still use SOLE Custom Footbeds, but you may need to use our low volume Slim Series to ensure your footwear does not become too tight with SOLE inside.

No. If the insole curls up in the oven, it usually means that they have been overheated, and have lost their supportive shape. If it has been less than 90 days from the date of purchase, we will replace them free of charge. If you purchased the insoles on yoursole.com, or directly over the phone, please call us at 1 866 235 SOLE (7653) for an exchange. If you purchased them at a retail store or from your foot health professional's office, please contact them for a replacement.

Try wearing the footbeds without moulding them to see if you prefer it. By not moulding the insoles, the arch area retains maximum rigidity, offering additional arch support. If you decide you would prefer to mould the insole, you can still do so by following the fitting instructions.

SOLE Custom Footbeds feature an orthopedic base layer that moulds to your unique foot. This custom support gently lifts your arch into its optimal position, allowing your foot to function as it was meant to. When the arch is properly supported your feet are better at absorbing impact. Correct arch support also aligns your joints, from the ankles up, allowing your body to perform at peak potential. The SOLE Softec Series footbeds feature industry-leading cushioning to ease the shock and impact of thousands of steps.

SOLE Custom Footbeds feature an orthopedic base layer that moulds to your unique foot without losing its supportive shape. This custom support gently lifts your arch into its optimal position, allowing your body to perform at peak potential. This support also puts more of your foot into contact with the ground, by distributing your weight across your whole foot. More contact with the ground means better balance and weight transfer, which in turn increases performance and endurance.

SOLE Custom Footbeds feature an orthopedic base layer that moulds with your unique combination of foot and footwear. The custom fit provides a supportive contact point along the entire sole of your feet, eliminating excess movement and marrying your feet to your footwear. When excess movement is eliminated and the feet are properly supported you are able to perform at peak efficiency when performing stop-start motions and quick turns.

SOLE Custom Footbeds feature an orthopedic base layer that moulds with your unique combination of feet and cleats. The custom fit provides a supportive contact point along the entire sole of your foot. This reduces unnecessary movement by marrying your feet to your footwear. The custom support and increased feel SOLE provides allows you to more efficiently transfer all your striding force into propelling you forward, turning and stopping. The result is an overall increase in performance and endurance.

SOLE Custom Footbeds feature an orthopedic base layer that moulds with your unique combination of feet and footwear. This custom support gently lifts your arch into its optimal position, which consequently aligns your ankles, knees, and hips. The improved alignment allows for maximum energy transfer through the pedal stroke. The result is an overall increase in performance and endurance.

For fitting SOLE in very narrow and tight-fitting cycling shoes, we recommend choosing a footbed that is a size to a half-size smaller than what you usually wear. For example, if you are a size 8.5 or a size 9, we recommend a size 8 footbed. Initially, the arch may be further back than you are used to, but the heat-moulding will adjust it for a perfect fit.

The orthopedic shape of SOLE footbeds provides custom support for the arches of your feet. Because SOLE footbeds are heat mouldable it creates a custom-fitted for your unique foot and footwear, increasing comfort and reducing the risk of injury. It is also important to note that footwear should also be examined to ensure there is a proper fit. Improperly fitting footwear can lead to additional foot problems. Because SOLE is heat mouldable it creates a custom fit for your unique foot and footwear, increasing comfort and reducing the risk of injury. Please note: If your pain persists, we advise you to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Because oversupination reduces the body's ability to absorb repetitive shock and impact, SOLE Custom Footbeds can be an effective preventative measure. Specifically, the SOLE SOFTEC Series provides industry-leading cushioning material to protect against the pain of repetitive high impact activities. Please note: If your pain persists, we advise you to seek the advice of a medical professional.

SOLE Custom Footbeds have been shown to help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis. Because SOLE is heat mouldable, it provides a custom-fitted contact point across the entire length and width of your foot. This supports the longitudinal arch of the foot and reduces pressure on the plantar fascia. Please note: If your pain persists, we advise you to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Many people experience some kind of joint pain, whether it is in their neck, back, hips, knees, or ankles. The source of the pain in these areas can often be traced back to a lack of proper support for the feet. If the arches of the feet are not properly supported they can collapse, causing a ripple effect of misalignment that moves up from the arch of the foot, through the ankles and shins to the knees, and on to the hips, back, and neck. Misaligned joints experience increased inflammation, which results in pain. A lack of alignment also increases the chance of injury. SOLE Custom Footbeds can help to reduce or eliminate these problems by dealing with them right at the source — your feet. The orthopedic shape of SOLE footbeds provides custom support for the arches of your feet. This support gently lifts your arches into their optimal position, which encourages correct alignment. Improving body alignment has been shown to eliminate chronic pain throughout the body. Please note: If your pain persists, we advise you to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Shin splints are classified by a list of symptoms, which could have a number of causes. The most common cause is inflammation of the periosteum of the tibia (sheath surrounding the bone). Traction forces occur from the muscles of the lower leg on the periosteum. It is a common overuse injury and occurs regularly in athletes who participate in high impact activities — such as running and jumping. People who oversupinate are also at an increased risk for experiencing shin splints. Because shin splints are most often caused by repetitive shock and impact to the feet and legs, SOLE Custom Footbeds can be an effective preventative measure. Specifically, the SOLE SOFTEC Series provides industry-leading cushioning material to protect your feet against the pain of repetitive high impact activities. Please note: If your pain persists, we advise you to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Because of the heat-sensitive nature of our footbeds, please do not leave them in high-heat conditions (eg. inside a vehicle on a hot day, in direct sunlight) for prolonged periods of time. If the footbeds get wet during use, remove them from your footwear and allow them to air dry. To clean your footbeds, we advise that you remove the footbed from your footwear, and wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild detergent, and allow it to air dry.

Do not leave your SOLE footwear in high-heat conditions for prolonged periods of time (eg. inside a vehicle on a hot day, in direct sunlight) as this can affect the shape and durability of the product. To clean your SOLE footwear, we recommend a mild soap (non-bleach laundry detergent or shampoo work well) and cold water. To remove stubborn dirt, use a stiff brush or soft cloth. Do not machine wash or dry. If additional weatherproofing is needed for SOLE water-resistant footwear, a silicone-based waterproofing agent is recommended.

Do not leave your SOLE footwear in high-heat conditions for prolonged periods of time (eg. inside a vehicle on a hot day, in direct sunlight) as this can affect the shape and durability of the product. To clean and protect leather SOLE footwear, please use leather-specific cleansers on the leather parts. Please follow the directions on the cleaner/protector carefully. To clean the midsole and outsole, we recommend a mild soap (non-bleach laundry detergent or shampoo work well) and cold water. To remove stubborn dirt from the midsole or outsole, use a stiff brush or soft cloth. Do not machine wash or dry.

We recommend washing your SOLE Premium Socks in cold water with cold water detergents (less wasted energy) and air drying them. Their synthetic fibers dry very quickly in normal room temperature. You can also dry them in a dryer at low heat. A temperature setting of High may result in the socks temporarily shrinking. They will stretch right back out, but you may be surprised when you pull them out of the dryer!