The ProFoot Plantar Fasciitis Insole is specifically marketed for individuals who are suffering from plantar fasciitis. It’s made of Vita Foam XD which offers excellent support and cushioning while absorbing a decent amount of shock. ProFoot says that they are clinically proven to relieve heel pain and back it up with a money back guarantee (printed on the box, so keep your receipt).
Fit Profile
One of the most noticeable features of the ProFoot insole is that it’s a 3/4-length insole, so it won’t cover the entirety of your shoe interior. Of course, it won’t need to be trimmed to fit and it’s extremely easy to put in your shoe (or remove and replace in another pair). However, since it is moderately thick in the heel and arch, you may find your heel sits a bit higher. But that is common with many orthotics for plantar fasciitis.
Due to the absence of support in the forefoot, it will leave a lot of room in your shoe’s toe box. At the same time, however, it will not offer support for the balls of your feet so you’ll likely want to keep your original inserts in.
These inserts are a one-size-fits-all product. The only thing you need to do is order the Mens or the Womens version.
Arch Support
The Profoot Plantar Fasciitis insert is a medium arch designed product and it is advertised for those that have heel pain and flat arches. However, you may notice that since it is a ¾ sized insert, the arch may seem a bit misplaced. It’s also not ideal for those with severe overpronation or even high arches.
The good news is that the arch support is not rigid at all. It actually has a semi-rigid feeling, but with a bit of that forgiving gel resistance. For those that prefer a less stiff arch and a conveniently small insert, this could be a good option. It also has a nice wide profile to support the entire width of the plantar fascia.
Obviously there is no metatarsal pad due to the insole’s ¾ length profile. While that’s probably not an issue for most, with the extra room saved you can invest in a separate metatarsal pad if you really need the additional cushion.
Heel Cup
The ProFoot insole comes with a semi-deep heel cup for a bit of stability and support that will help distribute your weight during various activities. It comes with a gel cushioning technology that will absorb shock and impact on your heel area, thereby providing you with a really comfortable experience.
This is really helpful for those who experience pain in their heel area. The insole’s heel cup won’t necessarily cradle your heel like some of the full length replacement insoles. For a deeper heel cup and stiffer support you should look at the Superfeet Green or the Walk Hero insoles. For a full length gel insert, try the Sof Sole Athlete orthotic.
As far as the ProFoot, you should note that the heel area tends to add a bit of lift. So you’ll need to take this into account based on the shoes you intend to use them in as it may cause your ankle to sit higher and you end up losing a bit of overall ankle support. While this shouldn’t be an issue for most, it could be noticeable in the wrong shoes.
Use
As a plantar fasciitis insole, the ProFoot is mainly designed for those who suffer from heel pain and related foot issues. Since it’s a 3/4-length insole, it can be used on a variety of shoes – from walking, work, dress shoes and even for the casual runner.
It’s very convenient as far as replacement insoles go, since it pulls in and out easier than any other insert. But the price is so low you can just buy backup pairs for your other shoes. You should note that they are sold as “1 Count” or “2 Count”. In both cases, they sell them by the pair.
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Online Review User Experience
- Provides relief to plantar fasciitis
As an insole specifically designed for plantar fasciitis, the ProFoot insert really does well in providing relief for those who suffer from the condition. The majority of the people praise the insole’s ability to provide quick and effective relief for their heel pain. A lot of them report near immediate relief after wearing the insole, while some claim that it took them a little while. In most cases, it seems to be pretty effective.
- Excellent and very comfortable arch support
Another common feedback from reviewers is that the ProFoot insole provided them with the perfect amount of support for their arches. According to them, the product provides a good amount of comfort and cushioning to their heels.
- Affordable product that really works
Compared to other insoles on the market, the ProFoot replacement insert is probably the cheapest insole for plantar fasciitis. Most find that it not only works well, but the price is well within the range they are willing to pay to get some relief. Many of the others can be up to 4 and 5-times as expensive.
- Can smell badly
While the ProFoot insole is lauded for its excellent support and comfort, there were some users who were a bit disappointed with an odd smell from the produc. It might have something to do with the quality of the rubber, or perhaps the fabric on top. Some feel that the insole’s moisture-reducing material isn’t that good and tends to perform poorly during hot weather conditions, which may exacerbate the issue.
- Decent durability, though not as durable as the other inserts
Even though the ProFoot insole has displayed decent durability, it’s probably not as durable as competing inserts. Some buyers feel that it should be a bit more reliable, however, with such a small price point you can’t really complain too much. You can still buy 2 for the price of some of the competing brands.
Pros:
- Provides results for people with plantar fasciitis
- Easily fits in most shoe types
- Not as rigid as some of the other inserts
- Lightweight and transfers to other shoes in a snap
- Cheapest shoe inserts online (with a good brand name attached)
- Can be used for work, casual and some running
Cons:
- Its moisture management isn’t as good as advertised
- Not enough arch support for some
- Might not be ideal for those who need a more rigid arch support
- Many people prefer a full length insert for the full coverage