Everyday Orthotics · Dress shoes
Custom Orthotics for Dress Shoes
Discreet support for the working wardrobe.
Dress shoes are typically designed for appearance first. They are often narrow, shallow and built on a firm sole with little internal cushioning or arch support, and many are worn for a full working day in offices, courtrooms, classrooms and on retail floors.
A dress orthotic is designed to fit the limited depth and width of this footwear, providing support beneath the arch and heel without crowding the toes or lifting the heel out of the shoe.
Book an Orthotic AssessmentBring the dress shoes you wear most often to your appointment.
What dress shoes ask of your feet
With minimal room inside the shoe, load tends to concentrate at the heel and ball of the foot. The device must redistribute that load while remaining slim enough to preserve the fit of the shoe.
Support
A contoured, narrow shell fills the space beneath the arch so the midfoot shares load that would otherwise fall on the heel and forefoot.
Alignment
Where foot posture contributes to heel, arch or forefoot discomfort, moderate control can help guide the foot within the shoe. Your assessment determines the level of control appropriate for you.
Cushioning and efficiency
A thin top cover and heel seat add comfort on firm soles without reducing the space available for the foot.
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 produce small but consistent changes in foot motion and lower-limb loading during walking.
- In a randomized trial of people with plantar fasciitis, foot orthoses were associated with short-term improvements in function, although differences between custom and prefabricated devices were modest.
- Researchers have noted that the degree of customization required varies between individuals, which is why assessment, rather than footwear alone, guides the design of a dress device.
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.
- Landorf KB, Keenan AM, Herbert RD. Effectiveness of foot orthoses to treat plantar fasciitis: a randomized trial. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006.
- Menz HB. Foot orthoses: how much customisation is necessary? Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 2009.
Technical specifications
How the device is built
Dress devices are built to a narrow, low-profile standard to suit the limited volume of dress footwear. Your chiropodist adjusts materials, posting and shell rigidity according to your assessment, body weight and level of activity.
Designline
Control level ModerateLab standard description
- Semi-rigid Subortholene shell
- Moderate control
- Narrow, low-profile design
- PPT top cover in tan with black suede
- White EVA post and arch filler
- Heel seat depth of 1/4 inch (approx. 6 mm)
This is an example only. The actual design and materials of your device will be based on your chiropodist’s assessment.
Applications
Women’s flats and men’s loafers, where depth and width inside the shoe are limited.
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 dress shoes matter
An orthotic performs best in footwear with appropriate structure, depth and fit. Your chiropodist can advise on suitable footwear, and we can order select models through our footwear service.
Dress shoes: common questions
Related orthotic services
Covered by most extended health plans. Direct billing is available to many major insurers.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