Cushion Insoles
Often when we think of adding comfort we think of adding plush padding or cushion. Who isn't comfortable in a big, fluffy bed? But cushion is not the only answer to solving foot pain or discomfort. Read more below to find out if cushion insoles are the right choice for you.
How do cushioned insoles help your feet?
A study 1 has shown that cushioning made from certain materials can help mitigate the negative effects of repeated impact from activities like prolonged walking. Cushioned insoles range in quality and amount of cushion so it pays off to do some research before investing in a pair for your shoes.
How to pick the best cushioned insole
Insoles can be made of different types of materials such as gel, memory foam, or other flexible foams. They can also target specific uses such as insoles for back pain or work boot insoles. The first thing to identify is what outcome you are hoping for. You may want comfort, pain relief, alignment help, or all three. Some insoles found in drug stores may be cheaper but only offer some padding whereas other insoles, such as Protalus insoles, will include patented alignment technology to target the root causes of discomfort.
For Adding Cushion We Recommend:
The T-Series offers the greatest degree of cushion and arch support, can help redistribute pressure, and allow for better overall alignment. It is ideal for daily wear in regular volume shoes such as walking shoes, athletic trainers, and work boots. The T-Series incorporates Protalus's patented alignment technology to provide the structure and comfort you need.
Designed for casual or slip-on shoes with a removable insole.
Designed for casual or slip-on shoes with a non-removable insole.
What about gel or memory foam insoles?
While one study 2 did show that gel insoles can reduce foot pressures, another study 3 concluded that they did not show significant positive outcomes for conditions such as plantar fasciitis. There is also evidence 4 that memory foam insoles provide cushion but are not suited for activites like running.
Are cushioned insoles good for running?
As stated above, it depends on the material. While cushion-only insoles may reduce some of the impact pressure of running, they are unlikely to correct issues like overpronation or plantar fasciitis unless they also contain some technology to add arch support or correct mislignment.
What are the best insoles for standing all day?
Many people seek cushioned insoles for standing all day because they believe that cushioning alone will relieve their discomfort. While some cushioned insoles redistribute the pressure on feet, not all provide enough support to get to the root of discomfort. Similar to choosing a mattress, the one with the most padding does not always offer the best support. It is the internal structure of the product that matters. Just because an insole is squishy, it doesn't guarantee relief. That is why Protalus insoles have arch support, cushioning, and patented alignment technology working together to support all-day wear.
1. Shabat, S., Gefen, T., Nyska, M., Folman, Y., & Gepstein, R. (2005). The effect of insoles on the incidence and severity of low back pain among workers whose job involves long-distance walking. European Spine Journal, 14(6), 546-550. doi:10.1007/s00586-004-0824-z
2. Kim, E., Cho, H., Jung, T., Kim, S., & Chung, J. (2010). The Biomechanical Comparison of Functional Insoles. IFMBE Proceedings 6th World Congress of Biomechanics (WCB 2010). August 1-6, 2010 Singapore, 313-316. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-14515-5_81
3. Quesada, P., & Sawyer, F. (1995). Assessment of efficacy of silicone gel-filled shoe insoles for plantar pressure relief. Gait & Posture, 3(2), 98. doi:10.1016/0966-6362(95)93489-y
4. Ruano, C., Powell, D., Chalambaga, E. T., & Renshaw, D. (2009). The Effects of Tempur Insoles on Ground Reaction Forces and Loading Rates in Running. International journal of exercise science, 2(3), 186–190.
Our Guarantee
We back our product with a 90-day money back guarantee, hassle-free shipping, and best-in-class customer service.
Alignment - Patented Heel Cup
Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back!
We are so confident that you will love your insoles that we offer a full 90 day Love Them Or Your Money Back Guarantee. At any time during the first 90 days if you don’t love your new insoles, contact our Customer Service team for answers and solutions. If we cannot offer you a solution, we will accept the insoles back for a *full refund. Contact us directly for a prepaid return shipping label.
*While Return/Exchange shipping is always free any original shipping charges will not be refunded unless the return is a result of our error.
Try a pair Risk Free with our Money‑Back Guarantee
Free Exchanges
Does the size not fit you? No problem - we will happily exchange them. For up to 90 days after your initial purchase we exchange our product for a different size.
Free Returns
No matter how much you have used our insoles we will refund your full money at any time within 90 days from your purchase with no restocking fee.
90-day Money-Back Guarantee not applicable to Subscription orders.
Patented Technology Makes It Possible
The difference lies in our patented TRI-Planar technology. Other insole companies place a stump under the arch and call it support. Our insoles focus on the cause of the problem rather than the symptoms, designed to help your body maintain a neutral ankle joint position, while still allowing full ranges of healthy movement. Proper joint alignment improves movement efficiency, reduces fatigue, and prevents injury to help you do what you love.
Reduced Risk of Injury
The bones of the ankle and heel are most stable when they are positioned in alignment. If they shift away from a center alignment, they become less stable.
Imagine pressure being placed on those unstable structures over and over again while you walk, run, or work. That is where the injuries can take place.
Injuries can present as chronic pain in the foot, knees, hips, and back. They may also include acute injuries such as an ankle sprain.
Keeping your hindfoot in alignment allows not only your bones but also the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments to properly handle the pressure placed on them from your feet through your back.
Better Balance
Your ankles and feet work together to manage how weight is distributed as you move
If your heels and ankles are not in their proper positions, they cannot properly distribute weight and this may lead to a less stable walking motion.
When your ankles and heels are out of alignment, your muscles, ligaments, and tendons often have to step in to ensure proper alignment and balance.
When these muscles become fatigued, they may not be able to handle the task properly and you become more likely to fall or become injured.
Increased Energy Efficiency
As you walk and move, your kinetic energy moves from your feet up through your body.
This energy can be seen when walking in sand. Sand kicks up behind you with each step. It is moved by the energy created when you move your foot.
Fatigued muscles don't pass as much of that energy onto the next structure. That is why walking in sand is tiring; energy is being lost and your muscles become fatigued.
An aligned kinetic chain allows the highest quantity of energy to be transferred up through your body, giving you more power and helping you feel less tired.
Better Pressure Distribution
The body is designed to distribute pressure so that your muscles can primarily be concerned with movement.
When the skeletal system becomes misaligned, especially at the joint between the heel and ankle, pressure is no longer distributed across the structures that are most able to deal with it.
Instead, other structures, such as the ligaments in the knees, hips, and ankles, must take on the job and that can lead them to become fatigued, sore, or injured.
Protalus insoles correct the misalignment so you can avoid fatique and injury.
Comfort - Premium Materials
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Support - Signature Protalus ® Footbed
1 Year Product Guarantee
Effective for purchases made after 7/1/2023: If your insoles fail due to imperfections in the materials that go into the insoles or failure of those materials to perform due to compression or lack of fidelity to the original shape prior to 1 year from your purchase date, Protalus will replace the insoles for free. In the event that your insoles are no longer available due to a discontinuance of that model, Protalus will replace the insoles with a similar pair of equal value. Please note that all claims require proof of purchase and the original insoles to be shipped back to Protalus in Tualatin, Oregon and all claims must be approved by the Protalus customer service team prior to honoring this guarantee. customerservice@protalus.com. Limit one replacement per original purchase.
“I love them. Before discovering these Protalus inserts I’d experience severe knee pain. With wearing Protalus inserts in every pair of shoes I own I no longer have any knee pain. I don’t wear shoes without them.” -Donald E.L.