Gear Review: Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles
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While walking is a great low-impact form of exercise, that doesn’t mean that walkers never experience any pain. For me—since I was born with an ankle condition—foot and ankle pain is just a regular part of my life. So I’m always on the lookout for ways to reduce some of that pain—whether it’s with a new pair of shoes, some cushy recovery sandals, or a pair of pain-fighting insoles, like the T-100 Elite insoles from Protalus.
The Protalus T-100 Elite insoles were created with people like me in mind. They were designed to reduce the stress on your ankles, knees, and hips through realignment—spreading your body weight across a larger surface area to decrease the pain that comes with being on your feet for long periods of time. They’re available in specific shoe sizes, so they’re made to fit the size of your foot instead of coming as an all-sizes insole that needs to be cut to fit. And they’re made for the shoes you wear every day—whether they’re your favorite walking shoes or your everyday work shoes.
These insoles are incredibly easy to use. Just remove the original insoles from your shoes and replace them with the Protalus T-100 Elite and you’re ready to go. I decided to try mine inside my KURU ATOMs—since the shoes themselves are also designed to reduce foot pain. I figured the extra insole boost would work with the shoe’s midsoles to make them altogether heavenly.
Admittedly, the new insoles may take some getting used to, since they’re most likely thicker than your shoe’s insoles. When I first tried them on, I was concerned that my heel would slip out of my shoe—but that didn’t happen. It was just a different feel, and it took a few minutes to adjust. Once I did, though, I was ready to hit the trail. I decided to try them out on a shorter walk, but I didn’t need to worry about a long break-in period. Within about a half mile, they felt like they’d been a part of my shoes forever.
Since that first walk, I’ve put several miles on my new insoles, and my feet have been perfectly happy. While it hasn’t been an entirely life-changing experience—since I already make a point of wearing good shoes when I’m walking—I have noticed that my “normal” pain has lessened, and that’s definitely a great thing.
So if foot pain has just become a part of your life, try slipping some of these insoles in your shoes. Or, if your favorite walking shoes have seen better days, you can refresh them with some new insoles. They may just make your daily walk a little more enjoyable and a little less painful.
Pros:
– Made for specific shoe sizes—not just one size fits all
– Easy to use
– Only takes about a half mile to get used to them
– Spreads out the pressure on ankles and knees through realignment
– Can also be used to extend the life of older shoes
Cons:
– Quite thick—take up extra room in your shoes
– Sometimes squeak
You can find the Protalus T-100 Elite insoles here on Amazon.
