The usefulness of insoles is sometimes questioned, at a time when they have just spent a considerable amount of money on a pair of expensive footwear. Nevertheless, at Sidas we are convinced that these insoles are essential to ensure the comfort and performance of those feet that are so badly damaged during exercise, but without which the participant is nothing. Preventing injury, minimising shock waves and maximising enjoyment on the spot are the three major benefits of insoles that we will detail here. We will also explain how to choose the most suitable model for your level, your practice, your feet and your desires.
WHY USE AN INSOLE?
To prevent injury
Although sport is good for your health, some sports and activity can have a deleterious effect on the body if practised without care. So, be careful! Running, in particular, is not dangerous, quite the contrary. However, the risk of injury is a reality that 80% of runners have already experienced. Why is this? Not least because with each stride, with each stance, our foot has to bear 3.5 times our weight.
Rebecca Rodger, Clinical Lead at The Sidas Clinic notes: "Blisters, overheating and haematomas under the nails, traumas directly affecting the foot, knee and Achilles tendon pain are the most recurrent."
She therefore advises insoles in a curative role, to accompany the remission of an injury, but also in an anticipatory role, to avoid a relapse. Healing and prevention, thanks to the insoles. "We are really in a logic of anticipation of the numerous microtraumas that the body stores with each stride. Our aim is to minimise the impact of shock waves. To avoid short-term pathology and to be able to devote oneself to one's passion in the long term, not to be obliged to put away the trainers at the age of 40!" The expert, who has seen the feet of great champions pass through her hands, nevertheless reminds us: "Our claim is not to solve a problem or correct a stride, but to provide a comfort solution to help prevent injuries."
To feel good in your head and your trainers
If the first benefit of insoles is purely physical, linked to the preservation of the body's complex mechanics, the second is psychological. The main principle is that a runner who feels good in his trainers, without foot pain, is a runner who feels good in his head and who takes full advantage of the present moment. "Feeling safe allows you to have more confidence, to be less focused on the obstacles of the terrain or the small pains and therefore to be more attentive to your sensations, more involved in your activity, whether you are training for performance or simply going out for pleasure." That's what we're all about at Sidas: the quest for well-being and the pleasure of activity through the comfort of your feet.
To perform better
Regardless of their level, the majority of runners are motivated by a goal of progress. For what greater satisfaction can there be than the satisfaction of accomplishing one's duty and feeling that one is improving day by day? To this extent, whether you are a high-level athlete or a more episodic runner, running insoles help your performance by:
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- A more precise, dynamic and stable stride, therefore economical.
- - Injury prevention for consistent, long-term training without pain breaks.
HOW DO OUR SIDAS INSOLES WORK?
In order to prevent injuries, improve comfort, increase performance and provide real added value compared to traditional insoles, our running insoles have been designed as a real technological package.
All our ranges dedicated to running therefore provide:
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Comfort and cushioning thanks to the EVA pad located at the heel, which absorbs shocks and thus protects the various joints. Also, the anti-slip and anti-bacterial Merrymesh covering greatly reduces the risk of overheating.
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Stability and support of the foot since the arch of the foot is perfectly supported by the 3D shell. This shell also offers a perfect distribution of pressure zones so that all the muscles of the foot are mobilised in equal measure, thus avoiding over-use of any of them, which could lead to a risk of injury.
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The natural rolling of the foot is supported by the medio-foot reinforcement, also in EVA.
- Dynamism with the optimisation of the propulsion faculties in the forefoot.
HOW TO CHOOSE A PAIR OF SIDAS INSOLES?
A good pair of running insoles is one that is perfectly suited to your feet and your running style. As with the choice of shoes, there are several selection criteria for finding the right insole for you.
- Your level of practice: from beginner to seasoned athlete.
- Your preferred playing field: trail or asphalt.
- Your injury history.
- Your desires and the benefit you are looking for: sensation and performance, or comfort.
- Your feet, because every foot is unique.
RUN SENSE VS RUN PROTECT
These 2 ranges are based on the same advantages and technologies mentioned above. However, we have accentuated certain features on both to focus on a specific benefit.
The Run PROTECT insoles are designed for runners looking for stability and cushioning.
Stability is provided by a TPU midfoot reinforcement for better control of the stride, as well as by the heel cup, which, like the seat of a chair, accommodates and envelops the back of the foot
The cushioning and comfort are based on the presence of gels in the heel and pads in the forefoot, allowing better dissipation of shock waves.
They are favoured by runners with a high risk of injury: beginners; those with weaknesses or recurring pain; and ultra-distance runners taking part in ultra-endurance events.
The primary benefits of PROTECT running insoles are therefore comfort and protection of the foot, regardless of the terrain, even if it is uneven, especially when the length of time of effort is prolonged.
RUN SENSE
SENSE running insoles are for runners looking for sensation, lightness and dynamism.
In designing this range, we have already begun to define running sensation as "all the information that the millions of nerve endings located under our feet give us from the ground, before being interpreted by the brain.”
Our SENSE running insoles aim to maximise this feeling of osmosis through:
- Their thinness, for a great proximity of the foot to the playing field, like an almost direct contact.
- Their flexibility and freedom of movement.
- Their lightness, thanks to an EVA composition that allows the weight of each insole to be reduced to 45 grams.
- A drop of 2, fairly neutral, for a very dynamic "absorbing-propelling" forefoot.
They are popular with performance-oriented runners who like to go fast, but also those whose reason for running is pleasure, connection with the playing field and the search for (strong) sensations.
The primary benefits of the SENSE insoles are therefore the precision of support and the fluidity of the stride,not forgettingits shock absorption capacity.
To help you choose between SENSE and PROTECT running insoles, we have developed a questionnaire that you can find here.
3FEET VS 3D
Once you have made your choice between SENSE and PROTECT insoles, you have two options as these ranges have each been developed in 3Feet or 3D models. This allows you to go even further in the detail and customisation of your insoles.
3FEET
Every foot is unique. Every foot is different. And the difference often starts with the height of the arch. There are three types of arch height: high, medium and low (hollow foot, intermediate foot and flat foot).
Why choose insoles that are adapted to your arch height?
- To provide optimum support for the arch of the foot, which tends to collapse with fatigue and postural changes that can lead to injury.
- To ensure the most natural movement of the foot possible.
The Sense and Protect ranges are therefore each available in 3 models, corresponding to different arch heights (high, mid and low).
HOW TO SELECT WHICH ARCH HEIGHT YOU NEED
You will need:
- A bowl of water
- A dark piece of paper (a LARGE brown or manila envelope is ideal)
- Your feet!
What to do:
1. Dip the sole of your foot into the water, shake off any excess
2. Press your foot onto the paper/envelope as if you were walking over it
3. Match the imprint left behind to the symbols used below to find out what type of 3Feet insole you should use.
Does your foot print look like this?
HIGH ARCH
Yes, your footprint will leave a thin band or gap between your forefoot and heel on the outside of your foot. You're likely to have a high, rigid arch. Which means you will require added cushioning and support which won't hinder the natural movement of the foot.
Select 3Feet High Arch Insoles.
MID ARCH
Your footprint will leave a band connecting your forefoot and heel on the outside of your foot. You're likely to have a mid, mobile arch. Which means you will require a little more support to help guide your feet through a natural gait.
Select 3Feet Mid Arch Insoles.
LOW ARCH
Your footprint will make full contact leaving a flat impression. There will be no gap or band between your forefoot and heel on the outside of your foot. You're likely to have a low, flat arch. Which means you will require more support to help control and guide your feet through a natural gait.
Select 3Feet Mid Arch Insoles.
3D
Still unsure of your your arch height? No problem, the 3D range is there for you. More universal than the 3Feet, the 3D has the ability to adapt to the uniqueness of each foot with a shape memory that will quickly make your feet feel at home in your trainers. These insoles are very similar in height to the 3Feet Mid.
SIDAS x TEAM MATRYX
Comfort but also performance!
Running insoles offer real added value to runners who want to reduce their times and win podiums. "It's a significant marginal gain, a small element that can turn performance into a big result!" Thomas Janichon, Team Manager of Team Matryx, a professional trail running team, reminds us.
You can find out why and how these high-level runners use running insoles, by clicking here, via the first episode of our new web series.