Using Your New Insoles
Did you know that sometimes there is more to just sticking your insole in to your shoe? Whether you have worn insoles before or you are new to the whole experience, here is some great information on how to use your new insoles, caring for them, and how often you should replace your insoles.
- Trim-to-Fit Information
- 3/4-length Insoles
- Heat Moldable Instructions
- Caring for Your Insoles
- When You Should Replace Your Insoles
- Common Issues and How to Solve Them
Using Your New Insoles
Full-length insoles are designed to be trimmed and replace your old shoe insole. A full-length insole extends from the heel to your toe. They are designed to replace your existing insole that comes with your shoes. Most full-length insoles are trim-to-fit, this means you will have to follow a couple of extra steps for the perfect fit. Do not worry though, it is actually quite easy!
Check out how to Trim-to-Fit your insoles here.
3/4-Length Insoles
A 3/4-length insole is designed to be placed over your existing insole. They are typically designed to fit from the ball of your foot (right behind your toes) to your heel. 3/4-length insoles are great if you need extra room in your forefoot to help with hammertoes, bunions, or even a tighter fitting pair of dress shoes.Wearing an orthotic may be uncomfortable at first. Sometimes, if you are not used to wearing an orthotic arch support insole, you may experience some discomfort at first. This is because your foot is finally receiving the proper support that it needs and its not used to that! We like to recommend wearing your new insoles for a couple of hours a day for up to a week before you go full time! This will not only help you ease in to them, but your foot will have time to become accustomed to wearing them.
Heat-Moldable Insoles
Some full-length insoles have a heat-moldable footbed. This is great because you can get an exact fit that is custom specifically to your foot! Some heat-moldable insoles will need to be trimmed-to-fit, make sure to check your product packaging. Heat-molding is also super easy if you have never done it before.
Check out how to Heat-Mold your insoles here.
Caring for Your Insoles
Most insoles can be spot cleaned with a soft, damp cloth and mild detergent. Make sure to let them air dry as heat from the dryer can damage them. Do not let them soak or absorb too much water.
When they dry and you see that there are still a couple of areas that did not come out completely clean, you can always go back over with an old toothbrush and some more mild detergent, lightly rubbing the soiled areas.
If you have a smelly insole Sof Sole makes a great product called the Fresh Fogger. This spray not only deodorizes, but it will tackle and destroy tough odors!
When Should You Replace Your Insoles?
Typically a good pair of insoles that experience normal wear and tear should last you about 6 to 9 months. However, there are many factors that can make you have to change them out sooner than that.
Factors that will impact when you need to replace your insoles:
Typical signs of wear and tear can be damage to the insole, tearing or cracking, discoloration, smell, or compression (the flattening of the insole).
Read more about when you should replace your insoles here.
Common Issues and How to Solve Them
Sometimes if your insoles make a squeaking noise while you are walking, you can take them out and put them back in. If they still make noise, you can add a little bit of baby powder to your shoes.
If you seem to be having a hard time keep your inserts, or ¾-length insoles in place, you can use Shoe Goo. This glue is specially designed to repair, seal and stick to a wide variety of materials and will help keep them in place!
For answers to other frequently asked questions, check out our FAQ Page or contact a member of our Customer Support Team for more information.