Carbon fiber insoles are shoe inserts that have been imbued with strands of carbon fibers. The purpose for imbuing an insole with carbon is to help keep your shoes and feet odorless and to help add additional anti-microbial protection. This prevents foot diseases and fungus from festering in your shoes, such as athlete’s foot.
There are three different types of carbon fiber insoles available, and each of them has slight variances in structure, but they all have the above qualities.
Carbon Fiber Insoles – these are insoles that have been imbued with carbon fibers, these insoles have woven strands of carbon blended into them, which help them to be more breathable. They also control odor and are antimicrobial, providing an intermediate amount of foot support.
What Kind of Carbon Insoles Do I Need For My Foot Type?
Before one can purchase a pair of carbon fiber insoles to alleviate sore or tired feet, one needs to know what their foot type is and a bit more about how feet work.
The two biggest problems associated with feet are usually due to correct foot alignment. You are likely to fall into one of the two following categories:
- Over pronation – overpronators walk with their feet at an inward angle, which places pressure on the arches of the feet. This can result in conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, a ball of foot pain, heel pain and more. Over pronation can also be the result of having one of these conditions. Overpronators need a deeper heel cup that locks the heel in place to control the way their feet move.
- Under pronation – Under pronation is rarer than overpronation. It comes about when a person angles their feet outward and places too much emphasis on the outer edge of their footwear. Under-pronators need less of a deep heel cup and more support on the outer edges of their insoles. Custom orthotics for under-pronators are a more common practice, as the degree of under pronation may vary considerably.
The Best Characteristics of Carbon Fiber Shoe Inserts
Some of the best features of orthotics shoe insoles have been listed below to help you assess which insoles are a step above the rest!
Perforation – a perforated insole provides better temperature regulation, breathability and less perspiration.
Heel Cap – a heel cap helps to stabilize your feet and secure a better pronation. It also keeps the insoles inside your shoes, helping them not to slide around. For those in need of firmer foot support, a thicker heel cap is a great way to achieve this.
Adaptive Arches – adaptive arches warp and move with the muscles in your feet as they do, giving you the best arch support possible. Memory foam is a good example of adaptive arch technology, creating a unique impression of your feet that molds when heated by your body temperature.
Full-Length Support – three-quarter insoles are better purchased for those who suffer only from heel pain or that wish to alleviate extra pressure behind the ball of the foot. Full-length support insoles are the best in nearly every instance, however, providing your entire foot with the right protection.
Shock Absorption – Heel and forefoot pads on the underside of the insole will absorb shock, protecting your feet from any jarring impacts they may endure. This is incredibly useful for athlete’s or those in the hospitality industry that do a lot of physical work on their feet all day.