How to choose templates. Guide and tips
The footwear is essential for any physical activity, much more so than we are used to thinking. Regardless of the activity (walking, jogging, cycling, skiing, climbing, etc.), the comfort in footwear is paramount to avoid bone damage, blisters, discomfort that hampers sporting activity or hot spots of pain.
If you have ever had this type of problem with your sports footwear, and especially if you have changed the type or model of footwear and have continued to have them, your solution lies in considering insoles as the exit point for pain and the gateway to comfort, safety and peace of mind when carrying out any physical activity.
This is a very simple and economical solution to apply in our day-to-day lives, as the wing tips that are placed in the footwear, whatever type it is, are low-cost fillings that include many benefits for the user.
Types of templates
The types of templates you can find on the market are divided into two groups: sports and support (Click to see the different models). Simply by their name, we can more or less deduce what kind of people, or rather uses, each one of them corresponds to. Quality insoles have a harder material for structural support and stability. Comfort is derived from increased stability rather than direct cushioning.
We are talking about quality insoles by specialised brands in the creation of insoles for different audiences, whether for everyday use or for sports use. This differs from other more basic insoles such as those found in local pharmacies, which tend to be softer, cushioned insoles for a "general" type of feet and at a very low cost.
The support templates are the broadest and cover a larger audience. They are recommended for three conditions: the structural misalignmentwhich can manifest itself not only as foot pain, but also discomfort in the ankles, knees, hips, back, neck or head, and can also cause pain in the feet. plantar fasciitiswhich is a painful condition resulting from tears in the plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that connects the heel to the forefoot; and supination or over-pronation.
Support insoles, like sports insoles, have different uses depending on the needs of each person. Before buying one model or another, consult your doctor to find out, even approximately, which type of insole is best suited to you. Within each type, of course, there are different models and profiles that adapt to each foot shape or type of footwear.
Very common problems in relation to the fit of footwear
![Photo: Georg Hermann von Meyer [CC0].](https://travesiapirenaica.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Georg-Hermann-von-Meyer-Public-domain_800x600.jpg)
The templates vary in heel and arch dimensionsA footwear specialist can assess your feet to see which type works best. Some of the common problems when it comes to adjusting the footwear to our feet are as follows:
- The heel slippagea shoe that fits well in the midfoot and forefoot but allows heel slippage or heel lift can be improved by a support staff, medium to high volume. This measure can address the excess volume at the back of the shoe, which is very common.
- The lengthening of the footInsoles are also very useful for people who have significant elongation in one or both feet when measured standing compared to sitting.
- The low or collapsed archesWhat people with this problem need is not an "arch support" insole as is generally thought, but a "foot support" insole that helps stimulate the arch muscles to engage and activate.
An essential element to take into account when choosing insoles: volume.
Insoles come in different volumes, which means they take up different amounts of space inside your shoe. For most insoles, there is also a correlation between volume and arc shape that the template is designed to fit.
Templates that have a high volume are best suited to footwear that is also large in volume, such as ski boots, hiking boots and even running shoes. Normally, although remember that it will always depend on the personal characteristics of each individual, they are best suited with high arches.
On the other hand, the templates that have a average volume also fit an average shoe size, which is generally equitable to all types of more everyday or casual shoes for everyday wear and generally also to all types of running shoes. They work well with a wide variety of arch profiles.
Last but not least, the templates with a low volume are suitable for small footwear. For example, we can mention cycling shoes, skateboarding shoes, etc..
Tips for the care of your insoles
A pair of insoles, especially if they are of good quality, can last a long time, but they need to be properly cared for. According to general estimates by experts, insoles tend to last 12 months of use for each person. This, of course, can be extended if the insoles are in a type of footwear that is worn occasionally or very spontaneously.
Three good ideas and methods to take care of the insoles are, for example, air them removing them from the footwear to allow trapped moisture to dry, wash them if necessary with a mild detergent and periodically inspect the insoles for signs of deterioration.
