Do I need an insole?

This is the ultimate question. If you experience foot, knee, hip or low back pain with any sort of activity then you might be a candidate. If you are questioning whether this might be an option for you, simply schedule a time for a free analysis and we can assist you by seeing how your feet hit the ground while standing, walking or running. This simple 2 minute test, along with our years of experience, will tell you whether this is a product for you or not. Computer foot scans and other non-human contact methodologies do not get the full story of what you are experiencing; RL can, by hearing your story and analyzing your foot strike much more acutely and personally.

Common reasons why people get insoles:

What can I expect with my insole appointment?

We will first analyze whether an insole is necessary or if a generic insert might better suit your needs. For youth, we do recommend a generic insert since the foot is still growing, unless it is a major issue that requires more customized support. Once this simple and quick analysis is complete, you will be asked to step onto a moulding pad in your bare feet. There is nothing messy about this, the moulding pad is a platform that provides you with the support needed to stand in a proper position. There will then be heated thermal plastic placed under each foot. This is the product that takes an impression of your foot in the neutral (or proper) stance.  We take into consideration your entire foot needs, not just the arch. Once the material cools down and hardens up, it is removed from the bottom of your feet. The thermal plastic is then taken in the back and a semi-rigid insole is fabricated from that impression. There is no cast, the thermal plastic mold becomes your insole. It goes through a series of cutting it down to your shoe size, grinding it in different locations to meet your specific foot needs, glueing a top cover on for aesthetics and comfort and then we return it to you within 30 to 45 minutes to try it on. You will be given the opportunity to take a jog up and down the sidewalk to get a feel for the product or simply walk through the store to determine whether there are any areas that might need an adjustment.

How long can I expect my insole to last?  

This is situational, but a common trend is 3 to 5 years. If you are regularly active and using the insoles for general support, then you will most likely get more years out of them. If you are still growing, recovering from a long-time injury or predisposed ailment, then you might need to change them out more often (2 to 3 years) due to your body changing.

How much does the insole cost?

• $275 if you come in the shop in Boulder

• $300 if you are out of state and complete this process by a foam kit that you can do at home. This is almost the same process we would do for you in the store, but it is non-weight bearing. You can purchase a kit that would get your foot impression in foam in the comfort of your own home. You then mail the foam kit back to us, we build the insole and mail the finished product and your foot cast back to you.

Is there anything else I should know?

• Keep your insoles out of direct sunlight. Wearing them on hot days is absolutely fine, but if you leave them in your car on a hot day, they will melt!

• If something doesn't feel right, then it is your responsibility to make another appointment so we can fix it!  Insoles are designed to alleviate pain, not create it!

• If you start to feel pain a few months after you get your insoles, make another appointment and we'll have you bring in your shoes and insoles so that we can evaluate the issue.