How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics (2024)

How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics (1)

Custom orthotics are expensive, ranging from $300 to $800 a pair and they take three to five weeks to make. Did you know you can get the same personalized support of custom insoles at an affordable price and be fitted in minutes?

PowerStep Heat Moldable insoles are an affordable, over-the-counter orthotic from the #1 brand recommended by podiatrists to relieve and prevent foot pain. They conform to your individual arch shape, giving you the support you need with an exact fit. Using our heat moldable orthotics is easy and you can find relief from many common foot problems like plantar fasciitis.

What are heat moldable inserts?

Heat moldable inserts are a type of shoe insole that can be custom fit to your feet without the need of a secondary mold. Instead, you warm them in an oven or, for some, heat them naturally by walking with them in your shoes. Think of them like a DIY mouth guard versus one you get at a dentist’s office, only they are much easier to mold.

They provide the ideal amount of orthotic arch support for those struggling with plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, heel pain, and hip, knee or back pain associated with poor alignment.

How do heat moldable insoles work?

PowerStep Heat Moldable insoles use quality materials and technology to provide a personalized fit for low, standard, and high arches. The bottom of the insole includes a heat moldable EVA layer for custom, anatomically correct arch support. The deep heel cradle adds stability while two layers of plush, heat moldable cushioning allows for maximum comfort from heel to toe.

While enhancing comfort, stabilizing the foot, and improving alignment, the insoles also help give you better foot function and may reduce your chance of having back, knee, or hip pain. They are designed to help correct problems with overpronation and supination, and limit excess stress on your feet, ankles, joints, and tendons.

Overall, PowerStep Heat Moldable insoles do the same job of a custom orthotic minus the hefty price tag and all that time spent waiting for them to be made. Instead, you can get trusted relief sooner for less.

How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics (2)

How to Use PowerStep Heat Moldable Insoles

Use your PowerStep moldable insoles by first testing them out in a pair of shoes, then warming them in an oven according to the following instructions. You should be wearing socks, as after the insoles are heated, you will need to place them in your shoes and step inside.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for using PowerStep Heat Moldable insoles:

1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 225° F

2. Select a pair of shoes to use for insole molding. Loosen the shoes and remove the padded factory insoles or inserts.

3. Test fit the PowerStep® Heat Moldable insoles in the shoes. Notice how RIGHT or LEFT is written on the bottom of each insole. Position the insole as far back towards the heel as possible. Insoles can be trimmed for a better fit, using the shoe's original insoles as a guide.

4. Heat ONE insole at a time. Place the insole on the middle rack with the fabric side face up and the black temperature tab facing outward. After 1 minute and 30 seconds, check the color of the temperature tab.

5. Remove the insole when the black temperature tab turns red. The insole will be warm to the touch. If the black temperature tab has not turned red after 1 minute and 30 seconds, leave the insole in the oven for 15 seconds until the temperature tab turns red. This may take up to 5 minutes. Do not overheat.

6. Quickly place the insole into your shoe after ensuring the shoe is plenty loosened.

7. Wearing socks, place your foot in the shoe with your knees slightly bent. Your other foot should be on the ground or inside the other shoe. Stand on the insole for one minute to set.

8. Repeat the process with the second insole.


PowerStep Heat Moldable orthotics are remoldable. You can remold them up to five times before you should replace them with a new pair. It is possible to mold the insoles through body heat to an extent, however we recommend using the oven method as this is most accurate.

PowerStep Heat Moldable Insoles vs Custom Orthotics

What makes PowerStep Heat Moldable insoles better than custom orthotics and other heat moldable inserts? PowerStep is the #1 podiatrist-recommended brand for relieving and preventing pain from a variety of foot conditions. Our heat moldable insoles for plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and more were specifically designed to support all arch types including low, neutral, and high.

PowerStep heat moldable shoe inserts are ready to mold as soon as you receive them, so you don’t have to go through the entire molding process then wait weeks to get your orthotics. All PowerStep orthotic insoles are FSA/HSA eligible, so you can continue to save on affordable, perfect fit insoles.

How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics (3)

Other FAQs About Heat Moldable Orthotics

If you are new to using our heat moldable insoles or wondering whether you need one of our other orthotics, read the following questions:

What shoes can I wear with them?

Ideally, you want to wear your insoles in shoes with which the factory insoles can be removed. They were designed for athletic shoes including running and walking shoes as well as work, casual, and dress shoes.

How do I care for heat moldable insoles?

Spot clean your insoles with a mild detergent as needed. Do not immerse them in water. Allow them to air dry completely before placing them back in your shoes. Heat moldable insoles are not machine washable.

How long do heat moldable shoe inserts last?

Most PowerStep insoles last at least six months or longer depending on wear, usage, and activity level. When the top fabric on your insoles becomes significantly worn or you feel any reduction in support, it is time to replace them.

What kind of conditions can heat moldable insoles help?

Heat moldable orthotic insoles help stabilize and align the feet to help relieve and prevent pain from overpronation, mild to moderate pronation, or supination along with the problems caused by these conditions such as:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Metatarsalgia
  • Morton's Neuroma
  • Arch and heel pain
  • Ankle, knee, hip, and back pain
  • Shin Splints
  • Stress fractures in the feet and legs
  • Bunions
  • Heel Spurs
  • Fat pad atrophy
  • Hammer and claw toes
  • Calluses and corns

PowerStep has a variety of orthotic insoles to help relieve and prevent foot pain from different conditions. Our PowerStep PULSE® orthotic insoles are ideal for those with an active lifestyle as well as runners looking for relief from foot pain while running. We also have Pinnacle® Wide insoles for those who need arch support for wide feet as well as corrective orthotics like Pinnacle® Maxx Support for overpronation.

How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics (4)

Use PowerStep Heat Moldable Insoles for an Exact Fit Orthotic

The best heat moldable insoles by PowerStep deliver an exact fit for low, standard, and high arches. Once molded to your feet, our perfect fit insoles are ready to wear in your shoes. If you have other questions about PowerStep Heat Moldable orthotics or any of our other insoles, please reach out to customer service at custservice@powerstep.com.

How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics (2024)

FAQs

How to Use Heat Moldable Insoles: DIY Custom Orthotics? ›

Can You Make Custom Orthotics at Home? Yes, there are multiple ways to make your own custom orthotics at home and with materials that can be easily purchased. However, these orthotics are uncertified, meaning they weren't assessed and approved by a podiatrist.

Can you make your own custom orthotics? ›

Can You Make Custom Orthotics at Home? Yes, there are multiple ways to make your own custom orthotics at home and with materials that can be easily purchased. However, these orthotics are uncertified, meaning they weren't assessed and approved by a podiatrist.

Are heat moldable insoles good? ›

So, if they're not so great, why do heat molded insoles get good reviews? It actually comes down to footwear. 99% of the footwear sold today offers very little support. Therefore, almost everyone feels more comfortable after adding any bit of arch support, including the support that comes from heat moldable insoles.

Can you put custom orthotics on top of insoles? ›

Most shoes that are compatible with orthotics have a removable footbed that allows your custom foot orthotics to fit inside comfortably. You should not place your orthotics on top of the existing insoles. Your orthotics work best when they rest securely in your shoe, directly on the midsole (interior) of the shoe.

How do you heat mold orthotics? ›

Pre-heat toaster oven to 300 degrees for 5 minutes until the oven is red hot. When the oven first comes on it is too hot until it preheats. After the oven is preheated place both orthotics inside. When they are ready, pull both orthotics out of the oven and mold.

How do heat moldable liners work? ›

Nearly every liner that exists in ski boots contains a thermo active foam that can be compressed and shaped to your foot by simply warming them up. By adding heat it is going to soften the foam until its maliable and once cooled it will retain this impression of your foot.

What is the best method for making custom orthotics? ›

Another popular method is plaster slipper casting where plaster is applied to a patient's foot and then once dried it's pulled away to reveal the 3D model. And wax STS slipper casting, computer modeling and contact digitization are also very accurate and effective methods as well.

Why are custom orthotics so hard? ›

Classification of Custom Orthotics

They offer more stability and are often constructed from plastic, carbon fiber, or other rigid materials. Rigid orthotics are harder on the feet and your feet may require some time to adjust. Soft orthotics Soft insoles are made of materials like EVA foam and gel.

How do podiatrists make custom orthotics? ›

While orthotics can be made in several different ways, most podiatrists make a plaster mold of the patient's foot and send it to a laboratory with a prescription. Technicians pour plaster into the mold, and when it hardens, it exactly reproduces the bottom of the person's foot.

How long do heated insoles last? ›

warm heated insoles are ideal for any cold-weather activity. Powered by 7.4V rechargeable Lithium polymer batteries, these insoles heat up to 140F and last more than 2 hours.

What is the best material for DIY insoles? ›

What is Sorbothane and Why Does It Make the Best Shoe Insole Material? Sorbothane is a one-of-a-kind polymeric material that processes unique viscoelastic properties. Viscoelastic refers to the fact that Sorbothane exhibits properties of both elastic solids and viscous liquids (flowing solutions).

What is the alternative to custom orthotics? ›

With this, you absolutely do not have to choose the orthotics route. Between foot mobilisation therapy, shockwave, strapping, footwear modifications, temporary padding and other options, we can come up with an alternative treatment plan to help you get the best results that these therapies will allow.

Why do my orthotics hurt my arch? ›

Your insoles may be hurting your feet because they're not the right arch height, are too rigid or too flexible, are not the right style for your footwear, or the arch placement isn't working for your feet. For insoles that don't hurt your feet, looking for ones that offer a choice of arch heights.

Should I wear my custom orthotics all the time? ›

You may need a new pair of hard plastic custom orthotics every three to five years. But if they're built of soft plastic or foam, you may have to replace them annually. How often you wear them also affects how long they will last. In general, most of our patients with orthotics are instructed to wear them at all times.

What is the difference between custom orthotics and insoles? ›

The words custom orthotics and custom insoles can be used interchangeably. The key word here is custom which are orthotic/insoles measured according to your foot anatomy and provided by a specialist, such as a podiatrist. Whereas an insole that is not custom is made to fit your shoe and not your feet.

How do you heat footprint insoles? ›

- First trim the width of your insoles and fit them into your shoe before heating. - Next place in the insoles in a preheated oven at 250 °F for 8-10 minutes. - Make sure to wait until the arch chamber is inflated, being careful not to fold the insole while it's hot.

Which way up do you put gel insoles? ›

How To Use It
  1. Your shoe's current insoles are probably removable – TAKE THEM OUT FIRST.
  2. Place insole into shoe to test for size.
  3. If needed, trim along the outline (on top of the insole near the toes) that matches your shoe size.
  4. Insert insole into shoe GEL SIDE DOWN.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5947

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.