ProView – Superfeet GREEN Insoles

I know I’m not alone in facing foot pain and difficulty walking. Those of us who love to play outside know the toll our feet can take after putting in the miles or years doing what we love. Since 2016, I’ve had foot pain, plantar fasciitis and recurring injuries due to my own muscular and biological imbalances as well as flat feet. In 2017-2018, I could barely walk without immense pain. I mention this history with foot pain because this journey has been a long one, and now I can look back at all the injuries and pain grateful for the tools that I’ve acquired and use to support my injuries and imbalances when they rear their glaring head at me saying, “Listen up, change what you’re doing or how you’re doing it.” For me, rest, massage, yoga, strengthening and stretching are essential to manage injuries and maintain happy feet. Equally important is wearing quality orthotic inserts.

Now, after years hiking, guiding hikes and volunteering in the wilderness, I can go the distance without constant pain, but sometimes plantar fasciitis sneaks back in. This is usually the case when I neglect some component of my happy feet self-care plan mentioned previously. Thankfully, despite a recent flare-up, I’ve had the pleasure of testing SuperFeet’s Green, Adapt Run, and Trailblazer orthotic insoles! Having three insoles to choose from this last month was pretty great. The Green insoles are my favorite. They’re versatile, supportive and improved the ride of my casual shoes and hikers.

Features

Superfeet Green insoles boast the following features:

• A deep heel cup for support 
• A high arch shape to stabilize the foot, reducing stress on feet, ankles, knees and back
• Durable construction intended to deliver reliable support and comfort for up to 12 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first
• An organic Odor-Control Coating which is an all-natural coating that helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria
• A stabilizer cap which acts as the base of the insole, supporting the rearfoot and providing structure and stability to the foam layer
• A closed-cell high density foam which provides a firm foundation to support the foot for long-lasting comfort

Comfort & Performance

I noticed the support as soon as I slipped in my shoes and was happy to note that I didn’t need to break in the inserts. Right away, the deep heel cup and high arch felt stable and supportive. After six miles of hiking, I noticed I wasn’t feeling the heel pain or knee discomfort that I usually experience. Other folks reviewing the Green insoles have reported quick recovery time, and this was the same for me. With my most recent plantar fasciitis flare up, I’ve had heel pain, arch stiffness and knee pain following hikes. After two weeks of wearing these insoles along with regular massage and other self-care, I’ve noticed dramatic improvements. The heel pain is almost gone, my arches feel more flexible and my knees are barely speaking to me (a good thing!) Even in my casual tennis shoes, I feel the support when landing steps. The deep heel cup provides stability that the shoe’s standard insole doesn’t offer, making them so much more comfortable.

Given my flat feet and plantar fasciitis concerns, I prefer the green insoles in my hikers over the less supportive trailblazers. However, Superfeet offers a very wide range of insoles for different activities and concerns, so customers can choose an insole to suit their needs. Green insoles are the original insole the company offered. While versatile, I’m interested in trying their insole specifically for plantar fasciitis as well, the Everyday Pain Relief Insole.

Construction & Durability

The Green insoles include a plastic polymer stabilizing cap which creates the structure and support of the insoles. The stabilizing cap is topped with a natural odor-control coated foam layer that works as a foundation for the whole foot. I love that the company stands behind durability of the insoles for 12 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first. They are estimated to last longer than cheaper insoles I’ve used in the past in addition to offering added comfort and stability. Other reviews mention that customers are able to use the insoles beyond the estimated 12 months, but after just a month, I notice the foam layer is a bit wrinkled. 

Room for Improvement

Due to the deep heel cup and layered nature of this insole, I’d only use these insoles in wider shoes with a bit more room. Additionally, they need to be used in shoes that have removable insoles.

I’m disappointed that the foam bed can’t be removed and sold separately. Some companies offer the stabilizing portions separate from the foam bed, and I think this is where Superfeet could improve on sustainability. I called the company to ask if they have a recycling program, and although they don’t offer a recycling program, but they did mention that the foam bed can be removed with some effort, and the polymer stabilizing cap can be placed in the recycling. Superfeet, please make your stabilizing caps separate from the footbeds and drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste out there!

Education + Eco-Friendly

Along with the great construction of the insoles, I love that their website offers an insole finder quiz along with a lot of information for customers to understand and get support for specific foot conditions. Under the support section of their website, there’s a foot health library and even an article explaining plantar fasciitis! The company also has a 1% giving back program. Each year 1% of proceeds are donated to a local organization(s) that the employees collectively choose. The company also commits to 1000 volunteer hours in their community, supporting people (access to shelter, food and water) and planet (clean air, wild landscapes and open spaces.) I love to hear about directives like this and big companies supporting local communities! Superfeet, thanks for all you do in your community!

The Final Word

For the price, these insoles far out-perform any insoles in their category. My only suggestion would be to help reduce plastic waste by creating a recycling program or separate footbed.

May this article be a gentle reminder to rub your own feet, make sure you have the right (foot) support, and slow down when needed to tell your feet, “Thank you, I’m sorry, Please forgive me, I love you.”

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