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Repeated impact on a misaligned body and kinetic chain may lead to fatigue, chronic discomfort, or even injury 1. A great insole can help provide correct alignment.
1. Carvalho ACA, Junior LCH, Costa LOP, et alThe association between runners' lower limb alignment with running-related injuries: a systematic reviewBritish Journal of Sports Medicine 2011;45:339.
Not all running shoes are created equal and often the difference between good shoes and great shoes is the support provided by the insoles. Changing out the insoles can change the feel of the shoes as well as their ability to absorb shock, which can affect the way you feel when you run 2.
2. O'Leary, Katherine & Vorpahl, Kristin & Heiderscheit, Bryan. (2008). Effect of Cushioned Insoles on Impact Forces During Running. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 98. 36-41. 10.7547/0980036.
A runner may find that their shoe just isn't comfortable for them. It may be that it's too stiff, too soft, or any number or other factors. Adding a favorite shoe insole can help control the feel of any shoe.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, it was demonstrated that cushioned insoles do reduce peak impact force while running. There are many conditions and injuries associated with the repeated impact of running such as heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. Beyond that, if the insoles correct anatomical misalignment, they may reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury.
If you have pain during running or brisk walking, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine the cause before attempting to relieve that pain by adding running inserts. From there, it is best to identify your reason for using insoles. Some runners add insoles for additional cushion or because the factory insoles of their athletic shoes are uncomfortable. Insoles, along with body alignment exercises, can also help with alignment and arch support. All of these things can typically be accomplished without needing a custom orthotic. Custom insoles can also be cost-prohibitive and stiff, which makes running more difficult for some.
The lifespan of a running insert depends heavily on the frequency of use. If the inserts are used for a high-intensity running routine such as training for a marathon, they may need to be replaced every three or four months. If the inserts are used for a less intense exercise plan such as a short jog a few times a week, they could last six months or longer. The key is to check to see how much the cushion if the insert has compressed from the heat and pressure of use.
When choosing insoles, it is important to think through what you want to improve in your running experience. Many over-the-counter running insoles just offer cushioning with little arch support or alignment technology. Fit is also a factor as many running shoes have a low volume and not much room to add a thick insole. Beyond that, if you overpronate or supinate, or suffer from a condition such as plantar fasciitis, you will likely also need an insole that can help correct your alignment but is also flexible enough to allow free movement. The T-Series is the best fit for many runners because it offers a moderate degree of arch support along with alignment technology, a flexible, cushioned footbed, and a slim design.
First, check your shoe to see if the factory insole is removable with a gentle tug. If the insole can be easily removed, it is best to look for a full-length insole to replace it. If the insole that came with your shoe is sewn in, you will be looking for a partial-length insole. Next, you want to factor in the amount of arch support and cushioning you need. It can seem difficult to work through the right combination of needs so Protalus made it simple with an Insole Finder tool that asks you the right questions to determine your best fit. Just click below to take the quiz!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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“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.
