Finding Your Arch Height
It's All About the Arch
Determining your arch height can help in understanding how the foot functions, allows you to learn why you may have foot pain and what potential issues may exist in the future, and will help you find the correct footwear or insoles to purchase to address those ailments.
PowerStep® Provides Relief from:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Foot, Arch, and Heel Pain
- Sore, Aching Feet
- Pronation, Overpronation, Supination
PowerStep is a proud US Manufacturer. The majority of our orthotic insoles are designed and produced at our Ohio, USA facility. PowerStep is the #1 Podiatrist Recommended brand with over 80 years of manufacturing and development experience in the footcare and orthotic insoles industry. PowerStep’s premium products, made in the USA, have one main goal in mind - helping people prevent pain from common foot conditions and lead active, healthy lives, pain free.
Foot without support:
- Feet tend to roll inward (pronate) or outward (supinate)
- Arch flattens, causing overstretching of the plantar fascia
- Malalignment causes ankle, knee, and back pain
Foot with support:
- Relieves and prevents pain
- Can treat and prevent Plantar Fasciitis
- Stabilizes and aligns
- Increases comfort and support
How High Are My Arches?
Low Arches & Flat Feet
Low arches need slight arch support and cushioning to control motion and alleviate pressure. When ankles roll inward, an insole with lowered arch support is recommended.
Overpronation can cause:
- Metatarsalgia; Morton's Neuroma; Plantar Fasciitis; Achilles Tendonitis; Arch & heel pain; Ankle, knee, hip & back pain; Shin splints; Bunions; Heel spurs; Hammer & claw toes; Calluses & corns
NEUTRAL (STANDARD) Arches
Our most popular neutral arch helps provide proper alignment and treats mild pronation. When foot alignment is neutral, a supportive insole helps maintain correct form.
Mild to moderate pronation can cause:
- Plantar Fasciitis; Achilles Tendonitis; Arch & heel pain; Ankle, knee, hip & back pain; Shin splints; Bunions; Heel spurs; Hammer & claw toes; Calluses & corns
HIGH ARCHES
Higher arches need high arch support to help stabilize the foot and reduce supination. When ankles roll outward, an insole with elevated arch support is recommended.
Supination can cause:
- Fat pad atrophy; Morton's Neuroma; Stress fractures in the feet & legs; Plantar Fasciitis; Achilles Tendonitis; Arch & heel pain; Ball of foot pain; Ankle, knee, hip & back pain; Shin splints; Bunions; Heel spurs; Hammer & claw toes; Calluses & corns
Finding Your Arch Type
Take the "Wet Test"
Step 1: Pour a thin layer of water into a pan, bathtub, or shower.
Step 2: Place one foot at a time into the water, letting all parts of the bottom of your foot to get wet.
Step 3: Carefully step your wet foot onto a surface that will clearly show the water imprint from your foot. (Flattened shopping bag, piece of cardboard or thick sheet of paper are common.)
Step 4: Compare your footprint to determine your arch type.
Low Arches & Flat Feet
- Ankle and foot roll inward (pronate)
- Footprint shows that most of arch touches the ground
- Shoe soles tend to wear on inner edge
- Low arch feet are more flexible and need more stability