The insole that comes in most shoes is a thin foam layer whose main job is to make the shoe feel softer in the shop. It is not designed for your specific foot. For most people with a neutral arch, this is fine. For people with a notably flat foot or a high arch, the stock insole can make an otherwise good shoe uncomfortable over a full day. Replacing it is usually the simplest fix.
What a flat foot actually needs ¶
A flat foot. Technically, low medial longitudinal arch. Tends to pronate, meaning the ankle rolls inward as the foot strikes the ground. Over a long day this creates fatigue in the ankle, the knee, and sometimes the lower back. A supportive insole with a firm heel cup and a raised arch profile can reduce this rotation. The Superfeet Green is the most structured option we carry and works well for pronounced flat feet. It takes about a week to break in and feels strange at first.
What a high arch actually needs ¶
A high arch (supination or underpronation) means the foot does not absorb shock as efficiently as a neutral foot. The outer edge of the shoe tends to wear faster. A cushioned insole with a moderate arch profile. Not a rigid one. Works better here than a firm support insole. The Superfeet Blue is our recommendation for high arches: it has more cushioning than the Green and a slightly lower arch profile. The Ashioto Lab insert is also worth considering for high-arch customers who want something made from natural materials.
How we fit insoles in-store ¶
We look at the wear pattern on your current shoes, ask about any discomfort, and have you stand on a foam pressure pad that shows us roughly where your weight is distributed. Then we pull two or three insole options and have you walk in each one. The fitting takes about 10 minutes. We trim the insole to fit your shoe with a pair of scissors. Most insoles come slightly oversized and need trimming. The fitting fee is ¥1,500 plus the cost of the insole.
When an insole is not enough ¶
Sometimes the problem is the shoe, not the insole. If the last shape is wrong for your foot. If the toe box is too narrow, or the heel cup is too shallow. An insole will not fix it. We will tell you honestly if we think that is the case. It is better to know before you spend money on an insole.
Insoles are one of those things that sound like a minor detail until you spend a full day on your feet and realise they are not. Come in and we will look at what you are working with.