Soccer is an athletic competition requiring a great deal of athleticism. Foot, heel pain, or even flat feet can be debilitating to the best players. One of the reasons to wear orthotics is to help with the pain. However, few orthotics are designed with the athletes in mind, and specifically the soccer player. Below I have attempted to list the best orthotics for soccer players and who will benefit from them.
Editors note: If you have a son or daughter who suffers from pain in their heel after soccer, and they are about age 11-15, most likely orthotics will not work for them. They are suffering from Sever’s disease which is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel.
Now, to the best orthotics for soccer players:
Quik Stride Plus– This is a full length orthotic, which helps relieve pain in the arch and heel. The top of the orthotic has an anti microbial shield to stop bacterial growth, which is extremely important given the sweating that occurs during soccer. This orthotic can give proper support and stability, while at the same time be durable enough to hold up to the stresses of soccer playing. This orthotic is ideal for the person with a biomechanical issue such as flatfeet or over-pronation.
Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Sports Insoles– This orthotic sends a massaging gel over the arch and heel, helping reduce the pain and discomfort. The gel also provides a great deal of shock absorption. While, this orthotic can help support the arch and provide some biomechanical control, it does not provide as much as others listed on this page. This orthotic is ideal for the soccer player who complains of a generalized pain in their feet after playing soccer, or that their feet feel “tired”.
Spenco– These orthotics are a cousin of the Quik Stride Plus giving both relief of pain in both the arch and the heel. This also can provide good support and stability similar to the Quik Stride. The ideal patient for this is someone who needs biomechanical control while playing soccer.
Now, the best orthotic for soccer is custom orthotic insoles. These are made specifically for your feet. Generally, you have to see a Podiatrist and have a cast or computer scan of your feet for these. That is the superior method. These orthotics generally run as high as 500 dollars but can be covered by insurance in some instances. There is another method though not as effective as getting your feet casted by a Podiatrist. You can send away for a biofoam, make the impression yourself, and receive the orthotic. This generally costs about $90. The link is below: