REVIEW: SOLE5 Orthotic Insoles
There are insoles, and then there are SOLE5 Orthotic insoles. These are somewhere between the cheap, store-bought inners that you can get from the Chemist or Coles, and the expensive, customised orthotics that a pediatrist makes for you. But here’s the thing, while they may not be personalised and nearly as costly, the job they do may well be on par with what the big-ticket alternative does.
The story of SOLE5 tells you that their motivation for making them, and their knowledge of what’s required, comes from the right place. The business was founded by podiatrists in 2023. They were tired of seeing patients coming in for consultations wearing poor quality, chemist-bought insoles that were not helping their issues – and potentially even causing them. They set out to design an orthotic that provides more support, better joint alignment and is easily accessible to the community. Years later and after robust testing, the SOLE5 was born, designed & engineered entirely in South Australia and registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The Full-Length orthotic is designed with runners in mind, featuring a proprietary 5Tech™ Support System that as per the website ‘provides total foot control for pain free movement.’ The targeted arch support helps you move with ease and reduces the load on your inner foot. So those of you with flatter feet will benefit greatly from this extra bit of lift, as will people who have exaggerated arches that need the extra bracing.
One of the really interesting features of the SOLE5 is the Metatarsal Dome. It’s a little ‘mound’ on the forefoot designed to provide targeted support for the ball of your foot and toe joints. I really liked this as I get a lot of forefoot pain that’s caused by joint stiffness. After wearing the SOLE5 for a few weeks I definitely noticed the benefit.
Other than the biomechanical aids the SOLE5 provide, there’s some cushioning that reduces impact, but not so much so that you lose proprioception or foot-feel of the ground below. Personally, I like to have some feeling of the surface I’m running on as it gives me more confidence in my foot strike and traction. Another comfort feature is the breathable top cover material that helps prevent blisters and reduces friction. During long runs, particularly on the trails, friction can be a real issue, but with these I felt there was a reduction in not only the rubbing and heat it generates, but also the discomfort I get from the constant pounding.
For sizing, they are designed to be customised at home, with easy trim guidelines for the perfect fit in any shoe. I’m a size US9 and had the medium size. I did some minor additional alterations on the sides to suit my narrower shoe, and the result was a perfectly snug fit that stayed in place even after 30km of wet, muddy trails. One thing to note is they are also quick to dry when removed from the shoe, which is handy for trail runners and cleaning.
Who are these best suited to? Well, almost any runner who likes a little more arch support and some forefoot padding will enjoy using the SOLE5. They are also a great first stop for people who are told they need a podiatrist-made orthotic. Keep in mind I’m not a foot professional, but I do think a less aggressive approach than a rigid, and at times expensive orthotic, is a good way to see what suits you best.
Full length insole RRP $120
Find them here: https://sole5.com.au
