Comparing Custom Orthotics and Off-The-Shelf Insoles
Warmer weather has finally set in, and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the summer. If you’re ready to leave the indoors behind but aren’t sure what to look for in a good pair of orthotic-friendly sandals, there’s a few important things to consider.
It may take a little more searching, but brands are constantly coming out with new options to keep you stylish and comfortable in the warm weather months. While they may not all be an option that you can do a 10km walk in, many orthotic friendly sandals can provide incredible comfort for your day-to-day activities.
It is always best to try on sandals to ensure that the fit works for you, but it may be important to be sized again at the beginning of each summer to ensure that you are getting the best fit from a sandal. Some sandals are only available in whole sizes (as opposed to half-sizes) and knowing whether to go up or down a size can be difficult without comparison shopping.
Features to look for in an Orthotic-Friendly Sandal
Orthotic-friendly sandals feature a removable footbed, and your Pedorthist can match the material choices to your orthotic so that it is similar to the original footbed. When searching for the perfect sandals to pair with your orthotics, it’s important to look for footwear that has these few key features:
Adjustable Forefoot Straps
The adjustable strap also allows for a customized fit to ensure that the sandal fit is appropriate given the width and depth of your foot.
Ankle/Back Straps
This additional strap not only adds stability and keeps your foot secure within the sandal, but also minimizes the amount that your toes grip the front of the sandal. We understand that the back strap doesn’t allow for the sandal to be a “slip on” option, but once you set the back strap to the appropriate place, it doesn’t need to constantly be adjusted.
Stable Outsole
Finding sandals that have a wide, stable outsole will provide a solid base of support.
Additional Pedorthist-Approved Sandals
If you are looking for a sandal to add to your collection but don’t require a pair of orthotics, the above features are still important to keep in mind. As with all footwear, ensure that the sandal fits you well and is comfortable throughout the heel and forefoot. Also, it’s important that the sandal allows adequate space for your toes with a footbed that provides proper arch support. Some of our favourite pedorthist-approved sandal options include:
Choose Sandals That Support Your Arch
A sandal with a flat footbed won’t give you the proper support your feet need to stay comfortable. Ensuring that there is support under the arch of your foot will allow you to stay comfortable on your feet for longer. While not all sandals may give you arch support like a custom orthotic, a pair with any support is better than none.
Find Orthotic-Friendly Sandals with SoleScience
If you’re looking for summer sandals with great support, or if you have any questions about options that may work best for you, reach out to a SoleScience pedorthist! We’re happy to help you get back on your feet with new orthoses or adjusting your current orthotics to fit a pair of sandals.
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