Generic insoles are made for a mass audience, the goal being that as many people as possible will purchase one type so that the price can be low. With a custom orthotic, you will get something that is designed for your foot.
Out of these two, which one do you think will be more effective at making your feet happy and healing problems?
While there are a lot of great over-the-counter and generic orthotics for you to choose from, they are not tailor-made for your foot. They may provide some cushion and some of the relief that you need, but if you have a specific need to consider, then they may not be a good choice for you.
Are Custom Orthotics Better Than Generic?
As you are taking a look at all of your options for orthotics, you will notice that there are two categories that you can choose from. You can go and see a podiatrist and learn more about custom orthotics, or you can order an over-the-counter orthotic and get it to your home in a few days.
Many people claim that custom orthotics are the better of the two options for them to choose from. There are benefits to going with each one, so how are you supposed to choose? Some of the reasons that you need to go with a custom orthotic include
Custom Orthotics Are Designed Specifically for Your Feet
Custom products, including a pair of custom orthotics, will always be designed in order to fit your needs and any unique requirements of your foot. You will go through a comprehensive exam, a gait analysis, and have a scan done on your foot to make these orthotics.
This ensures that you can correct any of the unique foot abnormalities that are present. Generic insoles can be great, but they will not be custom-made to deal with some of the unique issues of the foot.
Over-the-counter insoles provide general support, rather than specific support, to the foot. If you have specialized issues that are causing pain and discomfort, then the pair of custom orthotics are the best options for you to choose from.
Custom Orthotics Are More Comfortable Than Generic Orthotics
Custom orthotics are able to provide you with some of the customized support that you are looking for. While generic insoles can be comfortable and may work for some patients, custom orthotics will put the padding and cushioning in the exact locations you need for optimal comfort throughout the foot.
A custom orthotic is crafted in a manner so that it will fit the unique structure of the foot. Since your feet are unique and do not match anyone else’s, a custom orthotic will provide better results when it comes to your comfort levels compared to some of the general insoles that you may wear.
If your major problem with the feet is that they are painful and uncomfortable and you need not only to support but more cushioning to prevent jolting and pain, then custom orthotics are going to be the best option for you.
Custom Orthotics Are Better Than Generic Orthotics in Terms of Quality
When you compare general orthotics with custom orthotics, you will instantly be able to tell there is a difference in the quality that you are getting. Even though you can find some great general orthotics, they are still mass-produced for a lower cost.
This means that the materials placed inside of them will be lower than what you find in custom orthotics. However, custom orthotics are made out of much higher quality materials that you will be able to find with the over-the-counter variety.
The materials and fabrics in custom orthotics will be manipulated to fit your foot better and sometimes they will need to go through higher temperatures for the molding process. Due to the higher quality of the materials, you will find that they last a long time.
These higher-quality materials will deliver the fit that you need to handle any condition of the foot and relieve pain, while also lasting a long time. You can rely on custom orthotics that lasted for 3 to 5 years, compared to generic orthotics that may only last a few months. This can make them worth the higher cost too.
Custom Orthotics Are Better for Your Activity Level Than Generic
Another reason that a pair of custom orthotics can be a great option is that you can get them designed for the specific activity level that you spend most of your time doing. Are you a big runner who needs to prepare for an upcoming marathon? You can get custom orthotics designed for that.
Are you someone who has to stand and walk around on hard surfaces all day long as part of your job? Then you can work with your doctor to make the right custom orthotic to provide the necessary support and comfort.
No matter the type of activity you like to do, you will find that a custom orthotic can be designed to alleviate some of the foot pain and pressure that you experience. You will need to discuss some of these activities with your doctor ahead of time to ensure you get the pair of custom orthotics that your feet deserve.
When Can Generics Be Better Than Custom Orthotics?
Not everyone needs to have a pair of custom orthotics for their feet. There are a lot of benefits to choosing these orthotics, but sometimes they are a bit overkill and your foot condition doesn’t need them as much.
When this is the case for you, a pair of generic orthotics can be a good option. And while there are a ton of benefits to custom orthotics, they can be expensive and take a good deal of time to make. You can go to many local stores or order online and get a generic insole in just a few days, making it a smarter decision for some.
If you have just minor foot pain after standing all day and need some simple support, it may seem like too much work to go with a custom orthotic. In these cases, a pair of generic orthotics can make a lot of sense.
To start, they are less expensive than custom orthotics. For minor foot pain, it may not make sense to pay $800 or more for a pair of orthotics when you can find a good pair of insoles for $80 or less. Depending on your specific foot pain, this may be the way to go.
If you would like to get the product quickly, then the over-the-counter insole will make the most sense. Because of all the complexities that go into a custom orthotic, you may have to wait for 2 to 4 weeks to get the product in.
There are a lot of times when a custom orthotic can make sense, but for some patients, it is just fine to go with a high-quality generic insole to help take care of their feet. You will need to pay attention to what your feet need or talk to your doctor to see whether custom orthotics or generic is the best options for you.
Generic Orthotics Aren’t as Good as Custom Ones for Your Feet
When you are dealing with chronic problems with your feet, you want to make sure that you are giving them the best support and comfort possible. This can travel through the body and provide relief to many other parts that may cause you pain as well.
Depending on the problem, a pair of custom orthotics could be the right option for you. Our team will be able to work with you to create a pair of custom orthotics that are just right for your feet.
We have the experience to step in and ask questions, complete a comprehensive exam, and finish the rest of the process to give you a pair of custom orthotics that are just right for you. Give us a call or leave your information to get started today!