Everyday Orthotics · Casual shoes
Custom Orthotics for Casual Shoes
Everyday comfort, from errands to evenings out.
Casual footwear accounts for much of the time most people spend on their feet: running errands, commuting, caring for family and socializing. Many casual shoes are soft and flexible but offer limited structural support beneath the arch or heel.
A casual orthotic is designed around the volume of the shoe, whether a lace-up sneaker or a lower-volume slip-on, so that support is available through the ordinary activities of the day.
Book an Orthotic AssessmentBring the casual shoes you wear most often to your appointment.
What everyday wear asks of your feet
Casual activity combines standing, walking and frequent changes of pace. Soft, flexible footwear can leave the foot working harder to stabilize itself, particularly as the day goes on.
Support
A contoured shell supports the arch and heel within a flexible shoe, reducing the demand placed on the plantar fascia and supporting tendons.
Alignment
Moderate control helps guide the foot through the walking cycle where assessment identifies excessive or poorly controlled motion.
Cushioning and efficiency
A cushioned top cover and extension improve comfort on hard pavements and floors while keeping the device slim enough for everyday footwear.
Evidence
What the research indicates
Orthotic research continues to develop, and individual responses vary. We base our prescriptions on your assessment and use published evidence to guide, rather than overstate, expected outcomes.
- Systematic review evidence indicates that foot orthoses can alter foot motion and lower-limb loading during walking, although effects are generally small and vary between individuals.
- Comfort appears to be an important consideration: research indicates that orthoses perceived as comfortable are associated with favourable changes in loading and muscle activity.
Selected references
- Mills K, Blanch P, Chapman AR, McPoil TG, Vicenzino B. Foot orthoses and gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature pertaining to potential mechanisms. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010.
- Mündermann A, Nigg BM, Humble RN, Stefanyshyn DJ. Orthotic comfort is related to kinematics, kinetics, and EMG in recreational runners. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2003.
- Menz HB. Foot orthoses: how much customisation is necessary? Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 2009.
Technical specifications
How the device is built
Casual devices are built to either a lower-volume athletic standard for sneakers or a narrow casual standard for slip-on shoes. Your chiropodist adjusts materials, posting and shell rigidity according to your assessment, body weight and level of activity.
Low Profile Sport
Control level 4Lab standard description
- 1.5 mm Puff top cover to toes
- 1.5 mm Poron extension to toes
- Vacuum-formed semi-rigid polypropylene shell
- 12 mm heel cup
- Extrinsic rearfoot post with nylon strike plate
- Functional shell grind
This is an example only. The actual design and materials of your device will be based on your chiropodist’s assessment.
Applications
Most men’s, women’s and children’s lower-volume athletic footwear.
Optional shell materials
Copolymer, XT Sprint, TL2100, Performance Rx
Casual Dress
Control level 3–4Lab standard description
- Vinyl top cover to the metatarsal heads
- Vacuum-formed semi-rigid polypropylene shell
- 10 mm heel cup
- Extrinsic rearfoot post with Durasole strike plate
- Narrow shell width
- Functional shell grind
This is an example only. The actual design and materials of your device will be based on your chiropodist’s assessment.
Applications
Most slip-on casual and dress shoes.
Optional shell materials
Copolymer, XT Sprint, TL2100, Performance Rx
Recommended footwear
The right casual shoes matter
An orthotic performs best in footwear with appropriate structure, depth and fit. We can order the brands below and advise on the models best suited to your feet and your orthotic.
Casual shoes: common questions
Related orthotic services
We direct-bill most extended health plans.Billing details
Bring your footwear. Start with an assessment.
Meet with our Registered Chiropodists to discuss your feet, your daily activities and your footwear, and whether a custom orthotic is appropriate for you.
3305 Harvester Road, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3N2