I can remember being younger (much) and wearing 4 inch heels for HOURS and HOURS, dancing and walking the hills of San Francisco, with NO problem. Did I mentioned sometimes those were SPIKE heels? SIGH....Well, those days are GONE! If I get beyond a 2 inch heel anymore, it's no where near spike, and wear all day? Not gonna happen, I'm lucky if I get 4 hours without severe pain. Which seems to have gotten worse in my left foot, since having that broken bone back in the Spring!
So when I heard about the new Footminders orthotics, aka insoles, I knew they were something I just had to try!
Based on years of biomechanical research, Footminders orthotics were developed by podiatrists to provide longitudinal and metatarsal support and to correct posture and body biomechanics. Footminders orthotic insoles greatly reduce over-pronation, preventing foot strain and injury and providing excellent walking comfort, preventing heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, something that tens to happen more as one gets older!They have 3 models to choose from, based on the most common types of shoes worn by most people:
- Comfort: Designed for lace-up shoes,athletic footwear, work boots and hiking boots
- Casual: Designed for men’s and women’s low-heeled slip-on shoes, including moccasins
- Catwalk: For ladies’ fashion footwear with medium to high heels such as pumps, sandals and boots
As you can see, the orthotics have arch support, yet are very thin! I was very impressed with their design. In the photo above, I actualy have it upside down, so you can see the amount of arch support! Instead of sitting from the toe back, they start at your heel and go forward. They provide you with arch and heel support, which when you think about, is where you really need it when you wear heels!
I decided to try them out with my favorite Fall Mary Jane heels.
They have a 2 1/2 inch heel, but have always bugged me, as my foot would slide forward (hence the heel supports you see in yellow), as there is zero arch support But otherwise they fit by foot well. I always have problems with the toes being too snug, or the straps in the wrong spot, but these are just right. So I added the inserts to see what would happen.
I was ASTOUNDED at the difference. My foot stopped sliding and it was like walking on air! I could not believe what a difference a small arch support could make! By giving my heel a softer strike zone, and supporting my arch up the entire length of the shoe, suddenly it felt like I was wearing flats! Woo Hoo!
I also tried them in a pair of traditional 3 inch heels and had the same relief from foot stress! They did feel 'weird' in those heels, but I think it was the combination of the two arches. The orthotics do have a heel seal on the bottom, that you can peel off to keep them in place, but because I wanted to swap them around, I didn't peel and stick. Were I wearing them in a certain pair of heels all the time, I would make use of that feature.
The Footminders orthotics come in men's and women's size, in different sizes, ie 6-8. The Comfort (athletic) models have an adjustable toe area- you can cut down the toe ares to fit your shoe, like other insoles you can buy. They even have a kid's version!
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was offered this product for review purposes, on this blog, free of charge, from Footminders, via Tomoson! No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about them.
I think Footminders are good enough in producing good products..
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