Any idea how long a pair of running orthotics should last? Ove the last year, I’ve flattened the cushy midsole down to nothing, but the support and heel cup are still like new. Should the whole footbed be replaced? Just the sole? Neither?
Not about what you’ve got but I can tell you my carbon fiber orthotics have held up amazingly well for 5 years now. They are expensive up front(though my insurance covered them) they have been very durable.
This may sound a bit too neurotic, but I usually take a picture of my orthotics sitting on the ground (outside of the shoe) when I first get them. That gives me an idea of what the shape is supposed to be. That way, if I start to have concerns, I can lay the insoles on the ground and see if they’ve become disfigured. My biggest problem has been that my insoles will “twist” after a few years. Because I pronate way too much, the insole will start to take on the form of my awkward gait. My last pair of carbon orthotics lasted for about 2.5 years before they became disfigured (that’s with running an average of 35 miles per week). My new pair (made by Danny at Newton) is made out of somewhat-hard foam and I’ve been told it should have a 2-year lifespan.
My advice would be to get new ones every two years, just to be safe. Don’t wait for them to crack or break. Once they change shape, they’ll do more harm than good.
Brad Culp
Editor, Triathlete Magazine
bculp@competitorgroup.com
http://triathlon.competitor.com
Any idea how long a pair of running orthotics should last? Ove the last year, I’ve flattened the cushy midsole down to nothing, but the support and heel cup are still like new. Should the whole footbed be replaced? Just the sole? Neither?
I have a set made of some kind of really hard plastic - no cushy shit, just the hard stuff. 18 years old. Still like new.
Depends entirely upon what they are made of: carbon, graphite composite, polypropylene, leather, old ruhador (German stuff lasted forever - I’ve seen 25+ year old ones), etc.
The topcover (leather, foam, spenco/neoprene) will wear off in 6-18 months or so, and that can be recovered for cheap. Occasionally the rearfoot post (if present) needs to be replaced as well.
I seem to make them quickest not for my runners, but for high school and collegiate football lineman and people with dogs 
I got a pair about a month ago. The heel pad/post seems to be made out of some really durable polymer. It’s definitely not carbon. My Dr. said that part would last for 10+ years. The front part is already showing some wear (roughly 200 miles run on them so far). My guess is I’ll get 6-9 mos out of that part, but they apparently can be replaced very easily.
The ones I have in the shoes I wear everyday walking and the ones in my cycling shoes seem like they will last forever (made by local podiatrist). In my running shoes they seem pretty chewed up after 2 years and I am going for a redo,those are from active imprints (Danny from Newton) and I really like them for the running shoes compared to the ones made by the podiatrist.
I had 2 pairs of orthotics for running.
The first pair was CAD/CAM cut about 15 years ago. They were a single density of a white foam, reasonably flexible but still very good. The vinyl cover came off about a year later, but they are still arguably perfect. I stopped running in them after I got my second set and just used them in my casual shoes. (I also have a half length pair for my dress shoes)
The second set were made from a mold of my foot. The mold was made via the crushed foam technique. The second pair was even better than the first pair. They consisted of a poured solid poly eurythene heel cup with a high density layer on top of that, That went to abut half way down my foot, The top was a 2mm? medium/low density foam layer. They were fantastic. I had them for about 10 years and they were arguably like new when they were stolen, along with my brand new running shoes (only 6km on them) when I was showering at the gym. Since my old ones were available I’ve never replaced them, but keep telling myself I will. I just hope the *$^% that stole them suffers from the same knee and hip pain I lost when I wore them.
Sooooo, 10-15 years and both pairs were pretty much brand new, in near perfect condition. Your mileage may vary
Not about what you’ve got but I can tell you my carbon fiber orthotics have held up amazingly well for 5 years now. They are expensive up front(though my insurance covered them) they have been very durable.
I have two pairs of carbon fiber that are 5+ years old show basically no wear.
rroof,
Do you have any experience with Foot Levelers? I was at the chiropractor today and he recommended them after doing a scan of my feet and looking at my incredibly large bunions. I was in due to lower back tightness as a result of a leg discrepancy and he asked if I had flat feet. I have nearly no arch at all anymore. He told me that these orthotics would cost about $250 and would last about 2 years. Does this seem reasonable?
Thanks in advance.
~Jeff
Cost - reasonable (assuming no insurance coverage). Duration - reasonable.
“Foot Levelers” - pass on them. They are semi-functional at best, marketed mainly for chiropractors only.
Thanks for the response. I appreciate the information.
~Jeff
Just took my sporthotics in for a redo. They lasted about 3 years.