The Surefoot guide
How to choose insoles for your feet and shoes
Start with your shoes, match your arch, then check the fit.
To choose insoles, consider three things together: your arch height, the width of your foot and the space inside your shoe. A ready-to-wear insole gives you a pre-molded shape to choose from. A custom orthotic is made from your own foot scan. The best choice is one that suits your feet and the footwear you plan to wear it in.
Start with the shoes you wear
Conforma is Surefoot's standalone, ready-to-wear insole for athletic and everyday footwear. Choose it for the shoes you already own, checking that the factory insole can be removed and that there is room for a comfortable fit.
Remove the factory insole before inserting full-length Conforma. It replaces that layer; it is not intended to sit on top of it. Once inserted, the insole should sit flat and the shoe should still fit comfortably across your toes, heel and the top of your foot.
For ski boots, use our separate ski boot insole guide and custom ski orthotic information.
Match your arch profile
Conforma offers three arch heights: Basso for low arches, Medio for medium arches and Alto for high arches. Stretta uses the medium arch profile in a narrower shape. The profile is a shape choice, not a scale from basic to premium.
If you do not know your arch, use the 45-second arch test as a starting point, then check how the recommended profile feels in your shoes. The test helps you choose a Conforma profile; it is not the individual scan used to make a full custom orthotic.
| Your starting point | Conforma profile | Explore |
|---|---|---|
| Low arch | Basso | Low-arch insoles |
| Medium arch, standard-width fit | Medio | Medium-arch insoles |
| High arch | Alto | High-arch insoles |
| Medium arch, narrower foot or shoe | Stretta | Medium-arch narrow insoles |
Check width separately from arch height
Medio and Stretta have the same medium arch height. Stretta is narrower through the heel, midfoot and forefoot, making it an option for narrower feet and lower-volume footwear, including many women's athletic shoes and shoes built on a narrow last.
Choose between them by the fit of the foot and shoe. The men's and women's controls on the product page change the US size labels; they do not change Medio into Stretta or choose an arch height for you.
Choose the size, then check it in the shoe
Conforma comes in full sizes that fit the half size above. For example, a size 8 insole fits a size 8–8.5 shoe. Select the men's or women's US size labels on the product page, and check the fit inside the shoes you intend to wear.
Conforma is also available in three-quarter-length profiles. Length is another product choice; do not assume every shoe needs the same design. If you are unsure which length or profile fits your footwear, contact Surefoot or bring the shoes to a store.
Ready-to-wear or full custom?
Conforma gives you a pre-molded profile selected for your arch and shoe fit. Full custom orthotics are precision-milled from a scan of your own foot. That is the central difference: choosing a profile versus making an orthotic from your individual measurements.
For a first custom pair, explore the process and find a store for your scan. If Surefoot already has your scan, order additional custom orthotics online and choose the activity they are for.
Conforma sold on its own is also different from the Conforma profile inside a Surefoot shoe. The standalone product is pre-molded; the included shoe profile is milled into a blank made for that shoe. If you are choosing an insole for shoes you already own, use the standalone Conforma range.
Try the fit in your own shoes
Conforma's 30-day wear test lets you try the fit in everyday use. See the returns policy for details, including customer-paid return shipping. Custom orthotics have a separate fit guarantee rather than the Conforma return policy.
Questions
Are higher-arch insoles better?
Higher means a different contour. Choose a shape that suits your arch and feels comfortable in the shoe rather than automatically choosing the highest profile.
How do I know if I need Stretta instead of Medio?
Both have medium-arch support. Choose Medio for a standard-width fit; consider Stretta when you need a narrower heel, midfoot and forefoot. Shoe width and available room matter more than whether the shoe is labelled men's or women's.
Do I put Conforma on top of the insole already in my shoe?
No. Remove the factory insole before inserting full-length Conforma, then check that the replacement sits flat and the shoe still fits comfortably.
Is Conforma custom-made from my scan?
Standalone Conforma uses pre-molded profiles. Surefoot full custom orthotics are made from your own scan. Explore full custom orthotics.
Find your profile.
Choose your arch and fit, then select your US size.