More than one in six Americans will face foot pain at some point in their lives. Shoes with good support for the whole foot can help stabilize someone’s gait and ensure long-term pain reduction. Carbon fiber insoles have taken off with some people to address these problems.
Do these shoe inserts live up to the hype? What makes carbon insoles for runners worth using? Will carbon fiber join minimalist and maximalist shoes in the pile of weird gimmicks, or do they offer something valuable?
Read on, and we’ll show you some of the benefits of carbon insoles.
Why Carbon Fiber?
Carbon fiber foot health insoles work best for those who need a combination of rigidity and lightweight construction. Carbon fiber matches or beats many metals in strength with a fraction of the weight, though the creator must know how the stress will distribute itself in that use case.
Athletic and health manufacturers have relied on carbon fiber almost since its invention in the 1960s. Gear like bicycles, hockey sticks, and golf clubs rely on this unique combination of traits, and shoes can use these traits as well.
Carbon Fiber for Runners
Carbon insoles for runners can help with many foot problems. Runners who pronate or supinate during their foot strike due to an injury can get orthotics that reduce this behavior. These can make it easier to recover and reach peak performance again.
Some runners worry about the stiffness of the material, but carbon fiber insoles use other materials to mitigate this potential issue. Combining soft foam with stiff carbon fiber allows cushioning without potential arch issues.
Real carbon fiber inserts last a long time. The material’s resistance to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and water helps runners get the most out of each set of comfortable shoe insoles. Other materials in the insole, such as the foam, will often fail before the carbon fiber.
Carbon Fiber Insoles and Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions affect the foot strike, and carbon fiber insoles and plates can help address these conditions. One study focused on children with idiopathic toe-walking, which causes individuals to walk on their toes. While the carbon fiber shoe inserts did not solve the problem in six weeks, they did increase the surface area of the foot that made contact with the ground and adjust walking timing.
Future Developments
Carbon fiber plates and insoles for shoes haven’t had time to develop yet. The first such shoe inserts hit the market less than a decade ago, so the chance that manufacturers will find new uses remains high. The next great medical device or piece of runner support could come soon if engineers continue working with the material.
Sole Salvation
Though carbon fiber insoles entered the sporting equipment world in recent memory, the potential for these remains high. Both athletic and disability-assistive uses show promise.
Do you need help with a carbon fiber project? Would you like to work with a company that’s helped innovate in carbon fiber across five different verticals? Contact SMI Composites to request a quote for your project, and we’ll help you find what would suit you best.
