Here's How My Bunion Felt After Testing Fulton's Shoe Insoles
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I'll admit it. Aside from a monthly pedicure, I probably don't take the best care of feet—I'll wear narrow-toed shoes even though I have a bunion on my left foot. But, I can't help but value aesthetics over comfort. It's realllly hard to find cute shoes with a wide toe box, and—let's be real—most orthopedic shoes aren't really the most chic.
So when the opportunity to review Fulton insoles came through, I jumped at it. Subconsciously, it was probably because I wanted to alleviate some of the guilt I felt after not following my podiatrist's orders (I recently went to one to check on that bunion), but I was also curious about if the insoles would really make that much of a difference. So, let's get into it. Here's my honest review of the Fulton insoles.
Molding Cork Shoe Insoles
$48.00
amazon.com
What problems do the Fulton insoles address?
Fulton insoles are designed to treat all sorts of feet issues. They claim to be good for flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, and the secondary problems that arise from these conditions, like back and knee pain. They're made with anti-microbial, moisture-repelling, and shock-absorbing cushioning that reduces impact to the feet and body when standing on hard surfaces.
The insoles bridge the gap between your shoes' lack of proper arch support and what's best for optimal foot health. When there's proper arch support, it's possible to reduce back, foot, knee, and hip pain, and to even improve posture. Without arch support you may be more likely to experience pain, Janet Hamilton, a running coach at Running Strong, previously told Women's Health.
How are they designed?
The actual insole is designed with three layers. The top layer is made out of vegan cactus leather that feels smooth under your feet even if you don't throw on socks. Under that is natural foam that adds to the insoles' cushioning, and then below that is a layer of shock-absorbing cork. The insoles are also designed with deep heel cups, which are supposed to help stabilize the heels for a lower risk of injury.
If you like to keep sustainability in mind, you'll love that the process of making Fulton insoles is carbon negative. They're made from natural, plant-based materials and hand-crafted in small batches in Porto, Portugal.
How to use Fulton insoles
Fulton insoles are designed for everyday use. The more you use them, the better, because they actually mold to your specific foot shape, arches, gait pattern, and walking style. To get the right fit, Fulton recommends you order your normal shoe size—just be sure to size up if you are a half size. To install them, be sure to remove the soles your shoes came with and insert the Fulton ones. They were made to be used with only one pair of shoes, so it's best not to swap them.
They also require you to wear them for at least 10 hours (or 30 miles) before they achieve the perfect fit to your unique feet, so don't sweat it if they feel a little uncomfortable at first. But if you're still not satisfied after a few uses, you can return them within 90 days for a complete refund.
What feet issues did I hope they would deal with?
I'm a lifelong New Yorker, which means I walk a lot. I'm always running to catch a bus or train, running to the grocery store, or walking to my parents' home (which is a 15-minute walk that I do at least three times a week). You get the gist—I'm always on my feet.
I like to describe myself as heavy-footed because I feel like I step really hard—I'm not kidding. The outsoles of my feet usually wear out pretty fast and easily before anything else does. So, I wanted something that would soften the impact of my steps because I know I personally put a lot of stress on my feet.
Due to genetics and years of trying to wear my sisters' shoes (she's a whole size smaller than me), I developed a bunion on my left foot. It'll start throbbing if I wear shoes with a narrow toe box for too long, or at night if I spent a lot of time on my feet that particular day. I was doubtful, but I did wonder if the insoles would help with this issue. Spoiler alert: They did. Here's how Fulton insoles faired when I tested them out.
My experience
When I first received the Fulton cork insoles, I was a little skeptical. Admittedly, I've never used insoles (that didn't come with my shoes) before. The insoles I've seen in passing at the drugstore often seem to be made out of gel. Fulton insoles—when you first get them—are stiff, which I thought would feel uncomfortable.
That made me even more curious to try them. So, I decided to throw them into my Sorel Kinetic Breakthru Tech Lace Sneakers, which I'm obsessed with. I have them in two colors because they're streetwear chic and I wear them at least once or twice a week. The shoes are comfy, but the toe box is a little narrower, so my left foot often feels uncomfortable after wearing them for too long. I found the insoles easy to install and the process took less than three minutes.
Believe it or not, the Fulton insoles felt comfortable even on the first day. I was shocked because, like I said, they were a little stiff to the touch. However, I felt like they expanded the width of my sneakers a bit, so my bunion wasn't hitting the shoe wall as much. While it didn't completely eliminate pain once I took my sneakers off that night, I felt less soreness than I usually do.
It's also true that the insoles get more comfortable the more you wear them. When I have them on, I feel like my feet don't hit the pavement as hard, so at the end of day my feet felt less fatigued than when I didn't have the soles on. While the insoles didn't complete take away all of my foot pain, it did minimize it, which is a win in my opinion.
I tested the insoles for two weeks, so I can't yet speak to an improvement in posture or back pain, but I look forward to continue using them. However, if you look through reviews on the brand's website, you'll see there are others who have commented on that—like this review from Mitchell M on Fulton's wesbite. "These insoles are lifesaving. They corrected my posture, eliminated back and knee pain, and even helped with even wear on the outsoles of my sneakers. Cannot recommend these any more than I already have."
The verdict
I think Fulton insoles are completely worth a try, especially if you experience conditions like heel pain or plantar fasciitis, as the cushioning can directly help with those problems. My colleague Lily Wohlner, associate commerce editor at Women's Health, also agrees after testing the Fulton insoles herself.
"I never used insoles before trying Fulton's, and let me tell you—I'm never going back to my old ways. I used to constantly complain about sore feet and joints at the end of the day, and now I almost never experience that problem (which is pretty major as a New York resident)," she says. "Whenever I have a long day of walking ahead of me, I simply pop these into my favorite sneaks and head out without worrying that I'm going to have to jump on the subway or call an Uber for support."
My only caveat with the Fulton insoles is that they are a little pricey when you factor in the fact that they should only be used with one pair of shoes. At regular price, a pair of the Classic Insoles for women will run you $60. If you multiply that by how many shoes you want to use them with, you might spend a pretty penny. So, I would recommend buying them for the shoes you wear most often if that's within your budget.
If you plan on working out in them, Fulton also sells athletic insoles, which are specifically designed for workouts and high-impact performance should those be a better fit for you. The athletic insoles are made with massaging foam that better absorbs impact from running, jumping, and hiking, and with customized support that adds more stability to movement. The insoles are also treated with an antimicrobial cooling cotton top layer.
Where to buy Fulton insoles
If you want to try Fulton insoles, you can shop for them directly on their website here. But if Amazon feels more convenient, you'll be happy to know you can also buy them there for just $48. Shop for more insoles here if you're interested in shopping around for other brands Women's Health editors recommend.
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