Many people think that as long as they buy expensive running shoes, they don't need additional inserts. But in fact, although most running shoes look professional, they often lack support, shock absorption, and personalized fit.
Especially for runners, long-term running training puts higher demands on the foot structure. A pair of suitable functional inserts is not just "adding a layer of cushioning", but is the key to helping you run more steadily, farther, and safer.
Running is not about getting more painful the more you run, but getting easier the more you run. A pair of professional inserts is like installing an "intelligent shock absorption system" for your running shoes, protecting and improving every step.
Should I Upgrade My Running Shoes with Inserts?
It might seem unnecessary to replace the inserts in your brand-new running shoes—after all, weren’t they designed specifically for running? But here’s the catch: not every running shoe is tailored to your unique foot shape or stride. That’s where running inserts come in, offering the personalized support your feet need.
Running Flexible Performance inserts are designed to enhance both your shoes and your feet, offering tailored support that aligns with your shoe’s structure for improved comfort and performance.
Curious if inserts for running shoes could benefit you? Discover who can benefit from them, why they’re useful, and how to choose the perfect pair for your feet.
Are running inserts worth the investment?
Most shoes come with factory inserts that resemble sock liners. They’re slim, offer minimal support, and primarily serve as a barrier between the foot and midsole to reduce friction. Some are fixed in place with glue, while others can be taken out, allowing you to swap them for a different insert of your choice.
Running shoe brands don’t make their inserts detachable without purpose. When you hold one of these liners next to a running shoe insert like Running Flexible Performance, the contrast in padding and stability is immediately noticeable and tangible.
Top-tier running shoe inserts bolster your feet, cushion impacts, and enhance shoe comfort without compromising their structure. They ease and ward off discomfort, exhaustion, and injuries while refining your movement mechanics for a smoother, more effective stride.
Why Running Flexible Performance?
To start, we’re not claiming you must have running inserts simply because we produce them. Much like shoe companies dedicate years to perfecting their craft, PCSsole has analyzed countless foot profiles, leveraging biomechanics expertise to design the most sport-tailored inserts available.
In a blind test with aftermarket insoles of competing products, PCSsole won the first place in the insole brand for comfort and foot pressure relief. Unlike the ordinary arch design of other insoles, PCSsole brings a personalized fit experience, zero heel drop, and perfectly fits the original structure of the shoe.
Who Needs Insoles in Running Shoes?
Not every runner must swap out the inserts in their running shoes. That said, adding a shoe insert can boost your footwear’s comfort, potentially enhancing performance and lowering injury risks. Still on the fence? Here are 7 reasons inserts might be essential for your running shoes:
1. Your Running Shoes Feel Uneasy
Mass-produced running shoes are designed for the average foot, not every foot. Switching your shoe’s insert for a tailored running insert can enhance comfort, potentially boosting your performance along the way.
Featuring slim yet reactive padding, Running Flexible Performance inserts snugly securing your foot. The deep, independent heel flexes with your shoes, maintaining a zero heel drop for the smoothest, most natural stride.
2. You Have Foot Pain
Ill-fitting shoes or those short on padding can lead to persistent or intense foot discomfort, such as heel soreness from plantar fasciitis. Running shoe inserts evenly spread pressure across your foot and soften the ground’s impact on your lower body, easing strain and helping to both soothe and ward off pain.
3. You Have Flat Feet or High Arches
Most running shoes cater to those with standard arches. An atypical foot structure can disrupt your movement mechanics, meaning runners with flat feet or high arches require targeted support:
Running inserts for flat feet offer firmer backing to reduce strain and ensure correct alignment.
High arch running inserts provide greater flexibility to enhance responsiveness and balance pressure evenly.
4. Your Running Motion is Not Efficient
Performance inserts that enhance your foot-to-shoe bond can boost the effectiveness of your stride. PCSsole inserts maintain your feet in their prime biomechanical alignment, steadying them and cutting down on unnecessary motion. This translates to less energy lost, letting you run farther and for longer stretches.
5. Your Shoes Show Uneven Wear Patterns
Uneven wear on your shoe soles might indicate gait problems, such as overpronation or underpronation. Using a running shoe insert can help balance your feet and improve your foot strike.
If you see uneven wear on the inner or outer edges of your shoes, it’s worth stopping by a running shoe shop for a gait assessment. They can guide you in choosing the right running shoe inserts or determine if stability shoes might be beneficial.
6. Recurring Injuries Hinder Your Progress
Onditions like shin splints and runner’s knee can be avoided with a supportive running insert. PCSsole features a dynamic arch design that boosts sensory feedback and recycles energy to lessen lower body strain, reduce tiredness, and ward off injuries.
7. You Aim to Adjust Your Foot Landing
Many runners question whether altering their foot strike could boost their efficiency. However, switching your running foot strike may heighten injury risk, as it compels your body to adapt to an unfamiliar, unnatural motion.
Incorporating PCSsole running inserts into your shoes refines your form, enabling runners to embrace a smoother stride. The zero-drop structure promotes a midfoot landing to minimize stress. High-quality heel and forefoot padding ensures a soft impact with optimal bounce for a quicker, more powerful push-off.
Improve Your Run with Running Flexible Performance
Proper support greatly enhances your running comfort. The PCSsole Insert Finder guides you to the ideal inserts for the smoothest running experience. Elevate your performance by equipping your running shoes with PCSsole Running Flexible Performance inserts.
How Do I Know If I Have Flat Feet?
If you're wondering whether you have flat feet, there are a few easy ways to find out. One of the simplest is the wet footprint test—just wet the bottom of your foot and step onto a surface like paper or concrete. If you see most or all of your arch in the print, you likely have flat feet.
Other signs include foot pain after standing or walking for long periods, shoes that wear down unevenly, or a tendency for your ankles to roll inward. If you're unsure, a podiatrist can provide a proper diagnosis.
For details, please refer to What’s Your Types of Arches, to learn more about arch types.
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How to Choose the Best Inserts: PCSsole Insoles Buying Guide
Proper Running Form: How to Improve Your Running Foot Strike