How to pick insoles

Everyone's feet are different. Yours might be wide, flat, narrow or extremely arched. Maybe, you are prone to developing blisters, bunions or tendonitis. Whatever the case may be, keeping your feet protected and cushioned is essential for tennis players of any level.

It is one thing to have a great shoe on the court. But even the best shoes come with standard insoles. Abrupt responses, changes in direction, constant pounding and acceleration all come together to form the one thing that can make or break your tennis game: footwork. By minimizing stress and impact on your feet you are committing to bringing your best footwork every time you step on the court.

There is no doubt that you are on the right track when you make the decision to give insoles a try. But, there are several types and certainly several brands out there. You might be asking yourself which ones are the best? More importantly, which ones are the best for you?

First, there are two types of insoles.

Deciding between custom orthotics and over-the-counter insoles is the initial step. Custom orthotics are molded to your foot and can be ordered through a podiatrist or sports medicine doctor. This choice is the more expensive one and is usually recommended to correct poor foot mechanics that may be the cause of chronic pain. However, if you have any doubts about this course of action it is often customary to try out the various high-quality over-the-counter alternatives before you find yourself out of hundreds of dollars and unsatisfied.

Some of these alternatives include the Superfeet and Cadence insoles that offered at Tennis Warehouse. Trying out these insoles is worth the fraction of the price of what custom insoles cost. With several options based on individual needs and specific foot types, these top-notch brands carry the potential to correct minor biomechanical issues special to your feet,designed to ease discomforts caused by the demanding physical aspects of tennis.

Superfeet

Superfeet insoles are designed with a firm belief that the human foot was made to adapt to uneven, natural terrain. But, over time our world has become flatter, harder and less natural. The unique Superfeet shape helps adapt flat, two-dimensional midsoles of your tennis shoes to your three-dimensional foot. Engineered for high impact performance, the patented technology of Superfeet stabilizes the foot, while the deep, structured heel cup and full-length foam insole provide ultimate support and unmatched comfort to your feet.

Superfeet's FLEXthin, FLEXmax, and FLEX insoles are made with thick Aerospring foam for an added thickness inside your shoe, providing support and cushioning to your joints. Depending on how much thickness you are looking for is where the three different types come into play.

Superfeet's Color Codes:

• Orange: Ideal for medium to high arched feet and recommended for those seeking maximum shock absorption in the forefoot.
• Green: Superfeet's most famous insole. Designed for medium to high arched feet with legendary support built in.
• Berry: The Berry insole was made with a slimmer heel and arch length to fit the proportions of the medium to high arched female foot, while still maintaining Superfeet's trademark performance and comfort features.
• Blue: Ideal for low to medium arched feet, the Blue insoles provide all-purpose performance for those with lower arches and flatter feet.

Cadence

Cadence insoles are built with semi-rigid support, but what really makes them unique is their ability to absorb impact, especially when it comes to faulty foot pronation, causing fatigue in your lower extremities. Cadence insoles provide an exceptional fit and lightweight feel for tennis players seeking an all-around high-performance insole.

Final thoughts

No matter the level at which you are competing, your feet deserve the best support possible. This can be attained through any of these performance insoles depending on your foot shape and comfort preferences. With so many choices, it is worth trying one of these brands before making the commitment to buy custom orthotics. It is likely you will find the support your feet need for a much lower price.