Techy Tuesday: 3D Soles Custom Orthotics

Ok, you are asking yourself: "How can custom orthotics qualify as a techy tuesday thing?"  Well - these ones do so keep reading.

I was contacted by the lovely people over at 3D Soles* to see if i would be interested in trying out their product.  The timing was perfect because just the day before I had been trying to figure out if an orthotic might put an end to my long run foot pain.

Ordering was a simple two step process:
1) I filled out the online order form
2) I downloaded the Free 3D Soles app to my iPhone
3) I took 3 photos of my right foot as the app guided me. - the app was super simple to use.  The photos are automatically submitted through the app.

All in all - it probably took about 10 minutes total to get my order in.

The idea behind this type of fitting process is that by using photos of your foot in certain angles, these images can then be turned into a template of your feet and a mold can be made to craft your orthotics from.

Once your photos are submitted - they take it from there.   It was about 2 weeks before I received the shipping confirmation that my custom orthotics were on their way to me.

They arrived within the next week!

I stepped on them on the floor and they cradled my feet perfectly.  I was excited to give them a try!

And then, as luck would have it, I got sick.  Really sick.  And ended up taking 3 weeks off.  At the height of my training.   Sigh.

Last week, I finally felt well enough to test them out.  I had to trim them a little bit around the toes to get them to fit the shape of my shoes. To do this, I put the existing sock liner on top of the orthotic and trimmed around the toes so it would match the shape of the shoe.  Fitting them into the Kinvaras was easy - just remove the stock sock liner and insert the orthotic.

And then insert my foot.  It was TIGHT!  But, I got the foot in there.  I ran for a couple of minutes with them in the Kinvaras but it was just too tight.  Had there been breathing room, I would have been quite comfortable because they really fit my foot well.

Amazing since they whole sizing process had just been through photographs of my foot! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself! I've got a fairly neutral foot so I never really thought about having orthotics made before.  This was easy and impressive!

So - I then, I decided to do a little experiment.  My trail shoes are much roomier so I popped the insert into those and...they became the most comfortable they have ever been.  

So while I won't be wearing these in my everyday shoes - I will happily be logging the miles in my trail shoes with them in.  It makes me want to sign up for more trail races just thinking about it.

My contact at 3D Soles also suggested that next time I go shopping for new shoes, that I bring the insert along to find shoes with sufficient room in them.  Great advice if I ever heard some!

Also - if the insoles aren't right when you get them - they will correct them for free.  So it's really a no-fail proposition for the low price of them!

I say go for it.  The price and the process are super appealing - especially if you aren't wanting to drop a few hundred dollars and hassle with doctors to experiment with orthotics!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

3D Soles has generously offered one of my readers the chance to try 3D Soles for HALF PRICE!!!!!   That's only $25!!!! For custom orthotics!

So - simply leave a comment below stating why you would love to try these out and I will send the coupon code to the 5th commenter!   Easy peasy - but you still have the challenge of being #5!  I will cut it off on Monday when I get back from Florida so if there are less than 5 commenters - the last person that day will get the code!

Good luck and may the force be with you!**

*Disclaimer: I was provided with the 3D Soles orthotics free of charge for review purposes.  All thoughts and opinions, however, are my own and not influenced by the company.

** yes - I am that dorky.  I just couldn't resist.