Upstep Fitness Walking & Hiking Custom Orthotics

Terrible quality control, wrong size and width showed up, not sure how since they had imprints... Took over 45 days to arrive. I had to CUT them myself to make it fit. Nonsense, waste of time and money. The only reason I don't call this a scam is that the product showed up at all.

I don't know if this is a problem because the product comes from Israel—are they using non-USA shoe sizes to make the insoles?—but the size I indicated vs what showed up was quite different.

There is no indication this is not a USA-based company until it ships. It pretends to be from Ohio or something but these are all manufactured overseas, and there is nothing wrong with that IF THEY WOULD GET THE SIZE RIGHT. 

For as much as they cost and how long they took to be made, there should not be these problems.

Background

First experience with this company and item.

Upstep custom orthotics are molded to your feet in order to provide optimal support and cushioning for activities of every kind. Whether you’re an athlete or you’d just like some added comfort, these insoles are designed to accommodate you.

MSRP: $379

If you’ve ever been curious about high-end foot insoles, you’re not the only one. I’ve struggled with arch pain and plantar fasciitis periodically, and I’m willing to invest in the appropriate remedies. During my search for foot support, I worked with Upstep to mold custom footbeds to my feet. And I had my orthotics customized to accommodate long-distance backpacking or hiking. 

 During the molding process, Upstep sent me foam in which you place each foot. This gives them the ability to create a custom insole for your foot.

When I was done with the molding, I mailed it back to the Upstep team, and waited a few weeks before receiving my insoles. 

Insole Cost

At $379 per set of Upstep Insoles, you might find yourself cringing. The custom process makes this investment particularly steep. Compared to non-custom brands, this cost is about $300-320 more expensive. Custom orthotics run anywhere between $200 and $800, which makes Upstep reasonable. 

Insole Testing

While training for the Pacific Crest Trail, I slipped these insoles into my Brooks Cascadias (I had previously told Upstep that I planned to use this model of shoe). Immediately, I found them to be comfortable and flush with my feet.

 But after several back-to-back 25-mile days, I began noticing hot spots on the inner heels of my feet. It was as if the insoles were pinching the sides of my feet. And it didn’t take long to develop blisters. 

Additionally, the insoles began wearing holes in the heels of my shoes, which uncovered the plastic support, which resulted in heel blisters. I took a break from these insoles, thinking that it was the model of the shoe or the length of the insole that had created the blistering. 

A few months later, I placed these Upstep insoles into a pair of Saucony Peregrines and hit the trail. After three days of backpacking, I had blisters in the same spot, and I’d ruined my Peregrines from the wearing in the back of the heel. 

Conclusions

I really wanted to like these Upstep insoles. I thought that investing in a quality pair of insoles might help to remedy some of the foot pain I’ve had. And, to be fair, the issues that I normally experience disappeared while using the Upstep insoles—my arches never hurt, and I didn’t struggle with plantar fasciitis. But I did feel as if I was trading one set of issues for another. 

Background

With over 4,000 miles of long-distance backpacking behind me, I've tested dozens of different styles of insoles. This was my first pair of custom insoles, but I was able to test it over the course of a year and a half in a number of different environments.