Footprint Insoles Review

[saltusnaut]

Added bonus when using footprint insoles is that they significantly reduce vibrations caused when skating rough surfaces with hard wheels

[johnes]

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If you have flat feet, never had custom insoles and you feel that your legs hurt everywhere, yes try them.
If you have a normal condition and feel ok with your current shoes, I would say that they are useless for skateboarding. Of course I'm speaking about the Kingfoam Orthotics at $35, not the more expensive Gamechangers.

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The gamechangers are essentially orthotics that you put in the oven and as a result they form to your foot a little more precisely if you want that exact fit. I'd say it's worth the premium but not worlds different.

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I bought Gamechangers based on their marketing saying this. I have plantar fasciitis, and wear custom orthotics from my doctor, but don't like to skate in them because I'm afraid of wrecking them, and they're uncomfortable to skate in (very rigid, have to remove the stock insole from most shoes, leaving almost no cushioning). I got Gamechangers in the hopes that they'd give me some of the support of the orthotics, with a bit more cushioning. I expected some compromise in the support department, but they're basically useless to me - almost no support at all. You mold them in the oven and they take the shape of your foot; but once you put them in the shoe and walk around in them for a few minutes, the material softens from the warmth of your foot; thereby eliminating the support and 'custom fit' that they're supposed to provide. They're a good quality soft/squishy insole if you're looking for that, but I found that they don't really do more than most stock insoles (i.e. nothing) to actually support my feet. I only wore them a couple of times before giving up on them. I found them to be a pretty disappointing product, and a waste of money (they're like $60 in Canada).

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Well unfortunately you could have simply molded the insoles by placing them in our shoes, sitting down and applying pressure on them just the same way a podiatrist would take a custom mold of your foot. This method is mentioned in the instructions! There are tens of thousands of people getting the benefits of custom orthotics without having to go pay a doctor $500 now thanks to Gamechangers, you should try molding them again. Also they come with optional riser pads that can be placed under the arch before molding if you have a high arch. The typical method of molding gamechangers works for the vast majority of people who simply have flat feet or low to mid arches. It sounds like you have higher arches that no longer function.

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Hi, thanks for responding.

I read and followed the instructions on the package. I heated them in the oven, put them in my shoes, and applied pressure to mold them to my feet for the period of time directed. After the molding period was done, I took them out of the shoes and could see that they had molded to the shape of my feet. When I put them back in the shoes and wore them around, they felt good for a few minutes, before softening up and losing the support. When I took my shoes off, they felt warm and very pliable. When they cooled off, they became firm again, but weren't really molded to my foot anymore. My feet do not rise to the temperature of an oven when I wear shoes, but after wearing the insoles for more than a few minutes; they are nearly as soft and pliable as when they come out of the oven. I have fairly low arches, and I used the product as directed. I attempted to re-mold them more than once - including once putting something under the arch to fill in any excess space - before giving up on the process.

I know brands don't like when you say this, but I used the product exactly as directed, and it did not do what it was advertised to do. The issue was the product itself - not that I used it wrong, or that there is an inherent issue with my feet that caused it not to work properly. It's insulting to consumers to respond 'oh, our product didn't work? You must not have used it properly.'

I don't even think it's necessarily a bad product. It seems to be made well enough, appears to be made of quality materials, and would provide cushioning and comfort to someone who was looking for little or no arch support - but it does not do the same thing that custom orthotics do, or anything close to that. To say that this product provides the "benefits of custom orthotics without having to go pay a doctor $500" is just not true.

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It’s def possible that you got some kind of slight defect.
But what you’re describing overwhelmingly sounds like your arches are higher than you think. But to say that the “product quote” is simply not true based on your personal body and experience, maybe “just not true” could be worded better.
There are so many skaters who swear by game changers but there are always bound to be a percentage that disagree. But as consumers we DO need to see both positive and negative reviews/experiences to be as informed as possible. And going into using any product that exists, we must be aware that there’s a chance it won’t work for us even when we see it work for our peers.

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I get all that, and I'd like to make clear/fair criticisms based on my own experience. I truly didn't buy those insoles with the expectation that they would be an exact substitute for custom orthotics fitted by a doctor (which I own, but find uncomfortable for skating). My expectation was something custom fitted to my foot, and providing a decent level of support, while being more forgiving than the orthotics (which I expected would be at the expense of some of the support). I felt that expectation was realistic, but the product didn't meet it. If that was an individual defect with the ones I got, that would be a different story. It's not my opinion that the ones I got are defective, but I'll allow that it's possible.

I also get that not all bodies are the same, and a product that may work very well for one person, may not work at all for someone else. I'm sure some people have bought these things and like them. I'm not one of those people, and I thought it was relevant to share why, and what I felt were shortcomings with the product.

And all of that is 'your mileage may vary' stuff. But when we're saying (assuming that the person posting in this thread earlier is a representative of the company) that these things are a substitute for an actual medical device, fitted by a doctor; that does feel like irresponsible marketing to me. Especially when I have used both things, and can identify major differences between them, and found one significantly less effective than the other While these insoles may work for some people, they are not custom orthotics, they don't do the same thing as custom orthotics, and I don't think the company should be saying that they do.

Great points, yah they prolly shouldn't use that kinda slogan. I just want to specify that I wasn’t trying to talk down or be negative with my previous response to you btw

[Crap]

^^ Nah, I didn't take it like that - all good.

[Donald Rump]

I used to swear by game changers and had plenty of them but there are actually some $14 dr shools insole that work just as well for my feet personally , at Walmart. Game changers are comfy; king foams are comfy. They never once caused me any board feel issues. I’m 31 but I don’t really have any need to buy game changers anymore unless I find them on deep sale. I don’t really need that e dat at impact protection. I don’t jump down shit.
I’ve bought tons of various aftermarket insoles over the years.
I am not flat footed tho. I have a basic medium arch/

Hey man, does dropping these in tighten the shoes your wearing much? Im skating some DC Legacy Slims and wouldn't mind swapping  out the insole. The shoe fits perfect at the moment but insole feels too flat.

Another thing does it rise up much in the heel? I don't want to compromise stability.

[satan]

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If you have flat feet, never had custom insoles and you feel that your legs hurt everywhere, yes try them.
If you have a normal condition and feel ok with your current shoes, I would say that they are useless for skateboarding. Of course I'm speaking about the Kingfoam Orthotics at $35, not the more expensive Gamechangers.

[close]

The gamechangers are essentially orthotics that you put in the oven and as a result they form to your foot a little more precisely if you want that exact fit. I'd say it's worth the premium but not worlds different.

[close]

I bought Gamechangers based on their marketing saying this. I have plantar fasciitis, and wear custom orthotics from my doctor, but don't like to skate in them because I'm afraid of wrecking them, and they're uncomfortable to skate in (very rigid, have to remove the stock insole from most shoes, leaving almost no cushioning). I got Gamechangers in the hopes that they'd give me some of the support of the orthotics, with a bit more cushioning. I expected some compromise in the support department, but they're basically useless to me - almost no support at all. You mold them in the oven and they take the shape of your foot; but once you put them in the shoe and walk around in them for a few minutes, the material softens from the warmth of your foot; thereby eliminating the support and 'custom fit' that they're supposed to provide. They're a good quality soft/squishy insole if you're looking for that, but I found that they don't really do more than most stock insoles (i.e. nothing) to actually support my feet. I only wore them a couple of times before giving up on them. I found them to be a pretty disappointing product, and a waste of money (they're like $60 in Canada).

[close]

Well unfortunately you could have simply molded the insoles by placing them in our shoes, sitting down and applying pressure on them just the same way a podiatrist would take a custom mold of your foot. This method is mentioned in the instructions! There are tens of thousands of people getting the benefits of custom orthotics without having to go pay a doctor $500 now thanks to Gamechangers, you should try molding them again. Also they come with optional riser pads that can be placed under the arch before molding if you have a high arch. The typical method of molding gamechangers works for the vast majority of people who simply have flat feet or low to mid arches. It sounds like you have higher arches that no longer function.

FP TM?

[jakeumms]

@Crap - it sounds like you and I have similar feet. Wide and flat. I had custom orthotics from a podiatrist but lost them in an accident. Apparently no insurer will pay for them in California unless you need them due to complications from diabetes so I was out of luck for a while. I tried gamechangers and found them to be similar enough and my back and leg pain was a lot less than I had been dealing with. The pair I have now are a year and half old and really packed out but I can still clearly see where my arch is after I molded them to my feet. I think it's really likely you somehow got a defective product.

Hey Footprint representative...hook this person up! What they bought clearly isn't what you guys are meaning to sell. Also maybe try to keep all sizes in at least one style in stock? I tried to buy replacements sometime last year but the 11s were all sold out.

Also I got a secret thrill out of wearing the insoles of a pornographer so maybe see if Van Styles is down to put their name on another pair.

[johnes]

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I used to swear by game changers and had plenty of them but there are actually some $14 dr shools insole that work just as well for my feet personally , at Walmart. Game changers are comfy; king foams are comfy. They never once caused me any board feel issues. I’m 31 but I don’t really have any need to buy game changers anymore unless I find them on deep sale. I don’t really need that e dat at impact protection. I don’t jump down shit.
I’ve bought tons of various aftermarket insoles over the years.
I am not flat footed tho. I have a basic medium arch/

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Hey man, does dropping these in tighten the shoes your wearing much? Im skating some DC Legacy Slims and wouldn't mind swapping  out the insole. The shoe fits perfect at the moment but insole feels too flat.

Another thing does it rise up much in the heel? I don't want to compromise stability.

It rises up a little but it doesn’t t feel like it’s compromising. I’ve had drop in insoles that I put on top of skate insoles and I could def feel like my foot was higher and less stable feeling but I don’t notice that with these.
It’s going to feel different for sure the first time you swap them. The arch support is really noticeable and comfy for me. Might take an hour or a bit of casual wear or skating for you feel used to them. They don’t make my shoes feel any tighter in the shoe. if you put them in and go straight to skating it will def feel weird at first.

[satan]

I'm not a fan of the hard plastic stuff. Makes it impossible to cram into some shoes and I'd rather have cushioning vs that stability frame thingie.

[Donald Rump]

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I used to swear by game changers and had plenty of them but there are actually some $14 dr shools insole that work just as well for my feet personally , at Walmart. Game changers are comfy; king foams are comfy. They never once caused me any board feel issues. I’m 31 but I don’t really have any need to buy game changers anymore unless I find them on deep sale. I don’t really need that e dat at impact protection. I don’t jump down shit.
I’ve bought tons of various aftermarket insoles over the years.
I am not flat footed tho. I have a basic medium arch/

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Hey man, does dropping these in tighten the shoes your wearing much? Im skating some DC Legacy Slims and wouldn't mind swapping  out the insole. The shoe fits perfect at the moment but insole feels too flat.

Another thing does it rise up much in the heel? I don't want to compromise stability.

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It rises up a little but it don’t feel like it’s compromising. I’ve had drop in insoles that I put on top of skate insoles and I could def feel like my foot was higher and less stable feeling but I don’t notice that with these.
It’s going to feel different for sure the first time you swap them. The arch support is really noticeable and comfy for me. Might take an hour or a bit of casual wear or skating for you feel used to them. They don’t make my shoes feel any tighter in the shoe. if you put them in and go straight to skating it will def feel weird at first.

Cool, thanks for the feedback I'm always concerned that the replacement insole will change the dynamic of the shoe too much.

[radcunt]

So are the gamechangers cushy in the heel but firm in the arch? 

[jay_nev]

Anyone compare to those remind medic insoles?

[camel filters]

Bump. Ordered the kingfoam orthotics on sale for 22 on amazon. Have any of you used these in slip on pros? Does the kingfoams lift your foot higher than the stock ultracush insoles? Trying to revive an old pair of slips that have been packed out.

[Firebert]

Bump. Ordered the kingfoam orthotics on sale for 22 on amazon. Have any of you used these in slip on pros? Does the kingfoams lift your foot higher than the stock ultracush insoles? Trying to revive an old pair of slips that have been packed out.

I'd say that the ultracush insoles are a tad higher in the heel, and almost the same in the toe. I add the extra heel pad in the kingfoam insoles to bring them about even with where the ultracush insoles were.

[camel filters]

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Bump. Ordered the kingfoam orthotics on sale for 22 on amazon. Have any of you used these in slip on pros? Does the kingfoams lift your foot higher than the stock ultracush insoles? Trying to revive an old pair of slips that have been packed out.

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I'd say that the ultracush insoles are a tad higher in the heel, and almost the same in the toe. I add the extra heel pad in the kingfoam insoles to bring them about even with where the ultracush insoles were.

Cool. As long as it doesnt sit higher and make my foot pop out. That's exactly the info I wanted. Thanks!

[jay_nev]

Bump. Ordered the kingfoam orthotics on sale for 22 on amazon. Have any of you used these in slip on pros? Does the kingfoams lift your foot higher than the stock ultracush insoles? Trying to revive an old pair of slips that have been packed out.

link? Been interested and I’ll grab at eBay price. 

[camel filters]

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Bump. Ordered the kingfoam orthotics on sale for 22 on amazon. Have any of you used these in slip on pros? Does the kingfoams lift your foot higher than the stock ultracush insoles? Trying to revive an old pair of slips that have been packed out.

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link? Been interested and I’ll grab at eBay price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYBYDXO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Different prices for different sizes. Im a 10.5 and if you are too, youre in luck.

[jay_nev]

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Bump. Ordered the kingfoam orthotics on sale for 22 on amazon. Have any of you used these in slip on pros? Does the kingfoams lift your foot higher than the stock ultracush insoles? Trying to revive an old pair of slips that have been packed out.

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link? Been interested and I’ll grab at eBay price.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYBYDXO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Different prices for different sizes. Im a 10.5 and if you are too, youre in luck.

nope! Bigger foot. Thanks. Only the remind insole brand are cheaper

[legion]

I was too lazy to look for this thread when I posted insole info
Check out the vid..

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=109831.0

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These d3o insoles look good but I haven't tried them.
Rightstride and Enertor are the same company, I think they're just moving to the Enertor brand name.
https://medical.enertor.com/pages/ready-to-wear

https://enertor.com
https://enertor.com/pages/technology

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http://www.rideicon.com/gear/mens/footwear/d3o-comfort-insoles/left-right $25

Icon is only available at motorcycle shops? About $30 shipped

[sketchyrider]

i've been wearing the regular flat kingfoams for years now, i tried going without them for a bit and changed my mind.

i always liked vulc shoes but ended up with heel bruises too much to wear them, until i got the footprint insoles. they last about two pairs of shoes for me and really absorb impact when i land primo and stuff like that. no noticeable impact on boardfeel for me. for what its worth i def recommend them.

[Tweekyn]

Sorry for bumping this thread but I just got footprint insoles that came with extra heel pads, though nowhere on the website or box can I find exactly how/when to apply them. I have the footprint gamechangers. They only have a heel pad. Can/should I put the heel pad on prior to heating them in the oven? I just dont want to burn down my apartment.

[Skatebeard]

You can add the heel pad after heat moulding... try them in the shoe without and if you feel like you are tipping back, give them a go.

I use gamechangers in DC Maswell and find I don't need to use them, but when I've tried them in Etnies Marana I had to add them on to avoid that tipping back feeling.

[Tweekyn]

You can add the heel pad after heat moulding... try them in the shoe without and if you feel like you are tipping back, give them a go.

I use gamechangers in DC Maswell and find I don't need to use them, but when I've tried them in Etnies Marana I had to add them on to avoid that tipping back feeling.

This is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you! Theyre going into new balance 440’s. I’ll give it a go in a little bit.

[Stigmata]

Ive always been a fan of these soles that they sell at Dicks
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/sof-sole-athlete-insole-15sfsuthltsplsxxxgsa/15sfsuthltsplsxxxgsa

[Tweekyn]

Ive always been a fan of these soles that they sell at Dicks
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/sof-sole-athlete-insole-15sfsuthltsplsxxxgsa/15sfsuthltsplsxxxgsa

Oh wow. So much cheaper. How is the arch support on these? The reason I got the gamechangers is be because I have 0 arch in my foot and was getting pains in the middle of my feet while skating. I just put the gamechangers in and after 10 minutes of walking around in them, I can already feel a drastic increase in arch support compared to every stock insole Ive ever worn. But I do like saving money so if the arch support is good on these Ill steer towards them in the future

[Stigmata]

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Ive always been a fan of these soles that they sell at Dicks
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/sof-sole-athlete-insole-15sfsuthltsplsxxxgsa/15sfsuthltsplsxxxgsa

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Oh wow. So much cheaper. How is the arch support on these? The reason I got the gamechangers is be because I have 0 arch in my foot and was getting pains in the middle of my feet while skating. I just put the gamechangers in and after 10 minutes of walking around in them, I can already feel a drastic increase in arch support compared to every stock insole Ive ever worn. But I do like saving money so if the arch support is good on these Ill steer towards them in the future

They also have this one that looks to be geared towards more Arch support

 https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/sof-sole-arch-insole-16sfsurchplsxxxxxgsa/16sfsurchplsxxxxxgsa?recid=search_PageElement_search_rr_5_2750_&rrec=true 

[jay_nev]

Have those first soft sol in a pair of janoski slips right now. They’re decent better than stock. Some arch support. I have medium arches I guess. After hours of standing my feet still get tired. Some cushion with gel pads at forefoot and heel. Finish line has 50% sales often and I think I got for $10. Still want to grab a pair of footprint or remind.

[Esmith5488]

Had two pairs of gamechangers and I liked them fine but maybe I don’t remember because I wasn’t skating anything that made a difference between the stocks and got them because the local had them, just ordered the remind version of them. Will report back since I’ve been having more issues with my feet

[Noble Experiment]

I like my pair; they make skating for long durations more bearable.

[pugmaster]

I bought 2 pairs of the game changers but have not used them yet. For whatever reason I am terrified of my oven like Kevin in home alone is afraid of the furnace, which doesn't make any sense since I am 34 and live in a studio apartment. FP has massage guns as well for very cheap.   

[Tweekyn]

I bought 2 pairs of the game changers but have not used them yet. For whatever reason I am terrified of my oven like Kevin in home alone is afraid of the furnace, which doesn't make any sense since I am 34 and live in a studio apartment. FP has massage guns as well for very cheap.   

I had the exact same fear. Sat there watching my oven for 8 minutes while they cooked in there. It was fine. The insoles are meant for this, so put your fears aside and throw them in the oven... at the right temperature and for the correct amount of time. You'll be fine.

As for the massage guns, I have been meaning to get a massage gun forever. I had the exact same thought as you, saw it on their website for not too expensive, but still was able to find a cheaper one on amazon that works fine. I hate amazon and am angry at myself for getting it from there but the deal was too good ($86 for the gun and 6 head replacements). If you want to support footprint, it looks like their guns are good, but you could probably find a cheaper bundle elsewhere. But definitely get one. It has helped my recovery time so much.

Lastly, I finally got to skate with my gamechagers (3mm) in a pair of NB 440's. At first it was very weird. I've never worn orthotic insolex let alone skate with some. After an hour or so of skating in them, I got used to them. My lower back didnt hurt as much while skating. The soles of my feet didn't randomly cramp up or become sore. It is a real "game changer" but definitely an adjustment. They were also in a fresh pair of 440's so that didn't help the stiffness but eventually it all felt right.